Daniel 11 13

Daniel 11:13 kjv

For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.

Daniel 11:13 nkjv

For the king of the North will return and muster a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come at the end of some years with a great army and much equipment.

Daniel 11:13 niv

For the king of the North will muster another army, larger than the first; and after several years, he will advance with a huge army fully equipped.

Daniel 11:13 esv

For the king of the north shall again raise a multitude, greater than the first. And after some years he shall come on with a great army and abundant supplies.

Daniel 11:13 nlt

"A few years later the king of the north will return with a fully equipped army far greater than before.

Daniel 11 verses

Daniel 11 13 meaning

This verse prophesies that the "king of the north" (specifically, the Seleucid ruler Antiochus III) would launch a second military campaign against the "king of the south" (the Ptolemaic ruler in Egypt). This subsequent invasion would be characterized by a force even larger than previous engagements and would occur at a predetermined time. It highlights a massive army supported by vast financial resources, indicating a formidable and well-prepared military undertaking.

Daniel 11 13 Context

Daniel 11:13 is part of a remarkably detailed prophetic passage in Daniel Chapter 11, which recounts an angelic revelation given to Daniel. This chapter primarily describes the historical conflicts between the Seleucid Empire (referred to as the "king of the north") and the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt (the "king of the south") following the division of Alexander the Great's empire. These two powers repeatedly vied for control of the region, especially Coele-Syria, which was strategically vital and included the land of Israel.

The specific historical context for verse 13 points to the period after the Fourth Syrian War (219-217 BC), where Antiochus III (the King of the North) had been defeated by Ptolemy IV at the Battle of Raphia. Verse 13 specifically prophesies Antiochus III's second major invasion, the Fifth Syrian War (202-198 BC), where he took advantage of the weakness of the young Ptolemy V Epiphanes, who ascended the throne as a child. This verse sets the stage for Antiochus III's subsequent successes mentioned later in the chapter, ultimately leading to significant shifts in regional power.

Daniel 11 13 Word analysis

• For (כִּי, kî): A conjunction indicating a causal or explanatory link. It signals that what follows explains the preceding situation (e.g., why the King of the South couldn't maintain his initial success or was unable to deal with future threats effectively).
• the king of the north (מֶלֶךְ הַצָּפוֹן, melekh ha-tzafon): A consistent title throughout Daniel 11, identifying the Seleucid ruler based in Syria, whose territory was geographically north of Israel. In this specific prophecy, it refers to Antiochus III, also known as Antiochus the Great.
• shall again (שָׁוּב יָשִׁיב, shuv yashiv): The Hebrew uses an infinitive absolute "shuv" ("to return/repeat") followed by a finite verb "yashiv" ("he shall bring"). This construction intensifies the meaning, emphasizing a strong, decisive repetition or a return to action. It directly implies a previous campaign by this king that was either unsuccessful or completed, necessitating a renewed effort.
• raise a multitude (הָמוֹן, hamôn): The term hamôn refers to a great company, a tumultuous crowd, or a noisy throng. In this military context, it signifies assembling and deploying a massive body of troops, emphasizing sheer numbers.
• greater than the former (מִקֶּדֶם, mi-kedem): Mi-kedem means "from formerly" or "than previously." This is a comparative term, indicating a numerical or quantitative superiority in military strength compared to previous campaigns of the same king, notably his first major war mentioned earlier in the chapter. This increase signifies a more determined and powerful invasion.
• and shall come on (וְיָבֹא, ve-yavō’): A straightforward future verb, "and he shall come," denoting a direct, forceful advance and invasion by the King of the North.
• at the end of the times, even of years (קֵץ הַזְּמַנִּים הַשָּׁנִים, kētz ha-zmanîm ha-shanîm):
  • kētz: signifies "end" or "boundary," implying a predetermined point.
  • zmanim: is the plural of zman, meaning "appointed seasons" or "fixed times." This suggests not just general passage of time but a specific, ordained period set for these events.
  • shanîm: means "years." The inclusion of "years" further specifies and quantifies the "times," pointing to a concrete duration rather than an abstract period.
  • Together, this phrase underscores the precision of the divine timetable; the events were not random but transpired exactly as God had purposed at the conclusion of a set duration. This is not necessarily the eschatological "end time" but the end of a specific appointed period within historical prophecy.
• with a great army (בְּחֵיל גָּדוֹל, bê-ḥeyl gadol): Ḥeyl means "army," "force," or "might." Gadol means "great" or "large." This phrase specifically describes the military component, confirming that the "multitude" mentioned earlier refers to a substantial armed force, reiterating its formidable nature.
• and with much riches (וּבִנְכָסִים רַבִּים, ū-vinḵāsim rabîm): Nekhasim refers to "riches," "possessions," or "wealth." Rabbim means "many" or "much." This indicates that the invasion was not only numerically superior in troops but also fully funded and supplied. Riches were crucial for sustaining such a large military endeavor, demonstrating a king's vast resources and ability to wage a prolonged war.

Words-group analysis:

• "the king of the north shall again raise a multitude, greater than the former": This emphasizes a persistent and escalating threat. It denotes a strategic renewal of military effort with an augmented force, directly referring to Antiochus III's increased strength and determination following his earlier setback.
• "at the end of the times, even of years": This phrase highlights divine sovereignty and predetermined scheduling over historical events. It is a precise temporal marker indicating that this major campaign would commence at a specific, God-ordained conclusion of a waiting or interim period, not randomly.
• "with a great army and with much riches": This conjunction points to a comprehensive display of power. It signifies not merely a large force but also the economic capacity required to raise, equip, and sustain it, showcasing the king's vast imperial resources and his capability to mount an overwhelming and enduring assault.

Daniel 11 13 Bonus section

• The hyper-detailed prophecies of Daniel 11 concerning the Ptolemaic-Seleucid wars are often referred to as "history written in advance." This level of accuracy, fulfilled centuries later, is a strong argument for the divine inspiration and foreknowledge of Scripture.
• The gap between Antiochus III's defeat at Raphia (217 BC) and the commencement of the Fifth Syrian War around 202 BC marks the "end of the times, even of years." This roughly 15-year interim period allowed him to consolidate power elsewhere and prepare for his renewed invasion of Egypt.
• Antiochus III "the Great" became one of the most significant Seleucid kings, greatly expanding his empire and eventually clashing with Rome, although he would later suffer a decisive defeat at Magnesia (190 BC), which dramatically changed the balance of power in the Mediterranean.

Daniel 11 13 Commentary

Daniel 11:13 stands as a remarkable testament to the precision of biblical prophecy, depicting a key turning point in the geopolitical struggles between the Seleucid and Ptolemaic empires. It accurately forecasts Antiochus III's decision to launch a second, more powerful offensive against the weak Ptolemaic regime of the young Ptolemy V. The detail "greater than the former" points to his learning from previous defeats and marshalling superior resources. The phrase "at the end of the times, even of years" emphasizes that these momentous events unfold according to a divine timetable, not mere human ambition. God's knowledge and sovereign orchestration of history, down to specific rulers, army sizes, and timing, are central. This prophecy served to assure God's people in Daniel's day, and us today, that despite the tumult of world empires, God remains in complete control, working out His ultimate purposes.