Daniel 11 22

Daniel 11:22 kjv

And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.

Daniel 11:22 nkjv

With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant.

Daniel 11:22 niv

Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed.

Daniel 11:22 esv

Armies shall be utterly swept away before him and broken, even the prince of the covenant.

Daniel 11:22 nlt

Before him great armies will be swept away, including a covenant prince.

Daniel 11 verses

Daniel 11 22 meaning

Daniel 11:22 describes a decisive military campaign by the "vile person" introduced in the preceding verse, identified as Antiochus IV Epiphanes. His forces, like an overwhelming flood, will sweep away opposition, causing complete destruction. This includes the prominent figure referred to as "the prince of the covenant," most likely the legitimate High Priest of Israel, symbolizing the undermining and desecration of the sacred covenant community itself. The verse signifies the absolute military and political triumph of Antiochus IV over his adversaries, with a direct and destructive impact on God's people and their religious leadership.

Daniel 11 22 Context

Daniel 11 is a remarkably detailed prophecy concerning the political struggles, wars, and machinations involving the Persian Empire and then the Hellenistic kingdoms (Ptolemaic Egypt, 'King of the South,' and Seleucid Syria, 'King of the North'). Verse 22 falls within the section describing the rise and cruel reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, often termed the "vile person" (Dan 11:21), a key figure in Jewish history during the intertestamental period. His ascendance to power involved cunning and deception rather than legitimate succession. This verse specifically forecasts his military might and ruthless actions against any who oppose him, particularly targeting Jerusalem and the Jewish leadership, setting the stage for the persecution and desecration that followed. The historical backdrop includes the shifting allegiances and constant warfare between the major Hellenistic powers, with Judah often caught in the middle. The "prince of the covenant" points to the religious heart of the Jewish nation, making this attack deeply significant beyond mere territorial conquest.

Daniel 11 22 Word analysis

• And with the arms (וּזְרֹעוֹת / u-z'ro'ot): וּ (u) means "and," זְרֹעוֹת (z'ro'ot) literally means "arms" but often signifies military power, strength, or forces in a metaphorical sense (as in an outstretched arm of might). Its use here highlights the tangible military might and political power wielded by the "vile person." The strength depicted is not moral but forceful.

• of a flood (הַשֶּׁטֶף / ha-sheṭef): הַ (ha) is the definite article "the," שֶּׁטֶף (sheṭef) means "flood," "torrent," or "deluge." This metaphor emphasizes the overwhelming, sudden, and destructive nature of the invasion. It implies an unstoppable force, a sweeping away of all resistance. In biblical literature, a flood often symbolizes divine judgment or irresistible chaos.

• shall they be overflown (יִשָּׁטְפוּ / yishṣatְfū): A passive, plural verb, "they shall be flooded," "swept away," or "engulfed." This indicates the complete lack of ability to resist on the part of those opposing the invading forces. They are passive victims to the immense power.

• from before him (מִפָּנָיו / mi-p̄ānāyw): מִ (mi) means "from," פָּנָיו (pānāyw) means "his face" or "his presence." So, "from before his face" implies direct confrontation and defeat. It underscores the decisive victory of the 'vile person'.

• and shall be broken (וְיִשָּׁבְרוּ / və-yishshāvrū): וְ (və) means "and," יִשָּׁבְרוּ (yishshāvrū) is a passive, plural verb, "they shall be broken" or "shattered." This signifies complete destruction and utter defeat, beyond just being swept away; it suggests being pulverized and rendered useless.

• yea, also (וְגַם / və-gam): וְ (və) means "and" or "even," גַם (gam) means "also" or "even." This is an emphatic particle, introducing an additional, specific, and important consequence or victim of this destructive force. It singles out the subsequent element for special emphasis.

• the prince of the covenant (נְגִיד בְּרִית / nəgîd b'rît): נְגִיד (nəgîd) means "prince," "leader," or "commander," often referring to a royal or highly esteemed figure (cf. Daniel 9:25-26). בְּרִית (b'rît) means "covenant," specifically referring to the Mosaic Covenant or God's relationship with Israel. The phrase most directly refers to the Jewish High Priest (such as Onias III) who was deposed and assassinated during Antiochus IV's reign, or more broadly, the legitimate High Priesthood which was defiled and compromised by his actions. It can also signify a key figure in Israel's theocratic structure or someone intrinsically linked to Israel's identity under God's covenant. This indicates that Antiochus’s destruction goes beyond mere military conquest; it targets the spiritual and theological core of the Jewish people.

• "the arms of a flood shall they be overflown": This phrase paints a vivid picture of overwhelming military might that sweeps away all opposition effortlessly. It signifies an irresistible force. The "arms" are the instrument of the "flood," symbolizing both the destructive power and the active hand of the oppressor. The passive "overflown" underscores the helplessness of the victims.

• "and shall be broken": This adds a layer of absolute destruction beyond merely being "swept away." It speaks of being crushed, shattered, or utterly defeated, leaving nothing salvageable. It completes the picture of total devastation wrought by Antiochus's campaign.

• "yea, also the prince of the covenant": This is a critical amplification, highlighting that not only are the general opposing forces overwhelmed, but also the most sacred and foundational element of the Jewish community: its leadership consecrated under the divine covenant. This demonstrates Antiochus's brazen intent to directly challenge God's chosen people and their established religious order.

Daniel 11 22 Bonus section

The "prince of the covenant" can be seen as more than just a single individual (like Onias III); it can also represent the high priestly office itself, which was established by God as central to the Mosaic covenant. By breaking this "prince," Antiochus not only defeated a man but struck at the very heart of Israel's theocratic identity and religious observance, leading to the desecration of the temple and the forced Hellenization attempts. This prophetic detail highlights the precision of Daniel's vision and its direct fulfillment in the Maccabean period. Furthermore, the relentless "flood" imagery is used consistently in Scripture to depict overwhelming judgment or invasion (e.g., Isa 8:7-8; Nah 1:8), often with a strong eschatological undertone, showing how this historical event prefigures ultimate cosmic conflicts. This specific prophetic attack on the "covenant" is a dark precursor to later biblical prophecies of leaders who will attempt to nullify God's covenant and persecute His people (e.g., the little horn in Dan 7:25 or the Beast in Rev 13).

Daniel 11 22 Commentary

Daniel 11:22 acts as a crucial turning point, signaling the initial impact of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (the "vile person" of Dan 11:21) on the kingdom, particularly Jerusalem. The powerful imagery of an overwhelming flood signifies an unstoppable and destructive military campaign. This deluge is so formidable that it not only sweeps away general opposition but also specifically targets and breaks "the prince of the covenant." This phrase is predominantly understood to refer to the High Priest Onias III, who was a legitimate, righteous leader and a key figure in upholding the Mosaic covenant. His deposition, murder, and the subsequent profanation of the high priesthood by Antiochus’s interference directly fulfill this prophecy. The destruction described is thus not merely political or military but also a direct assault on the religious identity and leadership of the Jewish people, revealing the blasphemous nature of Antiochus's character, prefiguring later anti-Christ figures.