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

Daniel 11:13 states, "For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a greater multitude than before; and at the end of certain years shall he come with a great army and with much riches." This verse signifies a resurgence of power and aggressive intent by the king of the north (traditionally identified with the Seleucid dynasty) after a period of setback. He will not only recover but amass a force superior to his previous ones and invade with substantial resources, indicating a planned and formidable military campaign.

Daniel 11 13 Context

Chapter 11 of Daniel details a prophetic narrative concerning the conflicts between the "king of the north" (typically understood as the Seleucid rulers of Syria) and the "king of the south" (typically the Ptolemaic rulers of Egypt). This chapter serves as a historical-judicial record of their prolonged struggle, which often played out over the land of Israel. Verse 13 follows a description of previous battles and the temporary success of the king of the south (v. 10-12). This verse highlights a significant resurgence by the king of the north, indicating that the conflict is far from over and will escalate. The specific historical setting is the Hellenistic period after Alexander the Great's empire was divided among his generals, setting the stage for centuries of intermittent warfare.

Daniel 11 13 Word Analysis

• For (ki - כִּי): A conjunction indicating cause, reason, or explanation. Here, it connects the following action to previous events, explaining why the king of the north will act.
• the king (meleḵ - מֶלֶךְ): Monarch, ruler.
• of the north (mikkaṭzephoḻ - מִקְּצַפּוֹ): From the north. The directional reference pertains to geographical location relative to the land of Israel.
• shall return (waššûḇ - וְשָׁב): To turn back, come back, return. Indicates a reversal of fortune or position after a previous disadvantage or absence.
• and shall set forth (wayyēṯseʾ - וְיֵצֵא): To go out, come forth, set out. Signifies initiating an action or campaign.
• a greater multitude (ha-moṇ yəṯēr – הַמּוֹן יָתֵר): A large number, crowd, abundance, population, army. "Greater" emphasizes an increase in quantity.
• than before (mîq-ḏammāh – מִקַּדְּמָה): From former times, from antiquity, previously. Refers to the preceding situation or forces.
• and at the end (ûləʾaḥar – וּלְאַחַר): And after. Introduces a future point in time.
• of certain years (šānîm ’eḏē — שָׁנִים עֵדֶּה): Years. The term "certain" or "appointed" suggests a specific, albeit unstated, period of time for this preparation and buildup.
• shall he come (yāḇōʾ – יָבֹא): To come, enter, arrive.
• with a great army (bəḥēil-gāḏôl – בְּחַיִל־גָּדוֹל): With a military force, strength, army, wealth. "Great" signifies considerable size and power.
• and with much riches (ûḇəreḵûš-raḇ – וּבְרֶכֶשׁ־רָב): And with abundant possessions, wealth, property. Implies significant economic and material resources bolstering the military effort.

Word Group Analysis

• "The king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a greater multitude than before": This phrase emphasizes a strategic recovery and mobilization. The "return" implies he was previously checked or defeated, but now he is regrouping and not just regaining strength but exceeding his previous capabilities ("greater multitude"). This hints at a planned offensive driven by ambition.
• "and at the end of certain years shall he come with a great army and with much riches": This signifies a substantial invasion, characterized by both formidable military might ("great army") and significant logistical or financial backing ("much riches"). The "certain years" indicate a period of strategic preparation, accumulating resources before launching the full assault.

Daniel 11 13 Bonus Section

The mention of "much riches" underscores the economic dimension of ancient warfare and the importance of logistical support for large armies. Riches in this context would include resources for provisioning, paying troops, and equipping them for protracted campaigns. This detail connects the geopolitical maneuvering with the underlying economic capabilities of the empires involved. Furthermore, the recurring theme of successive kings or rulers being replaced by their successors, who continue or even escalate the conflicts of their predecessors, is a hallmark of this section of Daniel, reflecting the dynastic nature of these Hellenistic kingdoms.

Daniel 11 13 Commentary

Daniel 11:13 is a crucial pivot in the prophetic history described. It illustrates a cycle of conflict and resurgence typical of the Seleucid-Ptolemaic wars. The verse speaks to the persistence of earthly powers driven by ambition and material wealth, highlighting how setbacks do not necessarily signal an end but can precede an even more determined effort. The emphasis on a "greater multitude" and "much riches" points to the calculated and well-resourced nature of this renewed offensive. It serves as a reminder of the enduring reality of geopolitical power struggles and the deceptive nature of pride that often fuels such ambitions, leading to destruction despite initial preparations.