Daniel 11:23 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Daniel 11:23 kjv
And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
Daniel 11:23 nkjv
And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people.
Daniel 11:23 niv
After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power.
Daniel 11:23 esv
And from the time that an alliance is made with him he shall act deceitfully, and he shall become strong with a small people.
Daniel 11:23 nlt
With deceitful promises, he will make various alliances. He will become strong despite having only a handful of followers.
Daniel 11 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 8:23 | "And in the latter time of their kingdom... a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up." | Characteristics of a deceptive ruler. |
| Dan 8:25 | "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand..." | Emphasis on cunning and strategy. |
| Dan 11:21 | "And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries." | Describes his rise through deceit/flattery. |
| Ps 55:20-21 | "He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant... his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords." | Betrayal of covenant and smooth deceit. |
| Prov 26:24-26 | "He that hateth dissembleth with his lips... when he speaketh fair, believe him not..." | Warning against feigned pleasantness/deceit. |
| Jer 9:8 | "Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait." | Inward deceit masked by outward peace. |
| Hos 6:7 | "But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me." | Breaking covenant through treachery. |
| Isa 33:8 | "The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man." | Description of broken covenant and lawlessness. |
| Mal 2:10 | "Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?" | Breaking covenant against a brother. |
| 1 Sam 22:2 | "And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men." | Example of gaining power with "small people." |
| Judg 7:7 | "And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand..." | God strengthening a "small people." |
| Mt 26:48-49 | "Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he... And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him." | Treachery cloaked by an act of peace (Judas). |
| 2 Thes 2:3-4 | "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition..." | Prefiguration of end-time "man of sin" (Antichrist) known for deceit. |
| Rev 13:7 | "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." | Vision of beast gaining vast power (spiritual successor to the king here). |
| Psa 78:36 | "Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues." | Contrast: people deceiving God. |
| Gen 27:35 | "And Isaac said, Thy brother came with subtlety, and hath taken away thy blessing." | Jacob’s subtlety (deceit) to gain something. |
| 2 Cor 11:13 | "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ." | False teachers using deceit for gain. |
| Rom 3:13 | "Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit..." | General condemnation of deceit. |
| Isa 42:19 | "Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lord's servant?" | Spiritual blindness leading to not recognizing deceit. |
| Zech 11:15-17 | "For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the lost, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces." | Example of a wicked, oppressive ruler (a bad shepherd). |
| Dan 11:36 | "And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods..." | Later actions of the "king of the North," demonstrating his full arrogance. |
| Num 24:17 | "I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth." | Prophecy about the future, righteous king in contrast to this deceitful one. |
Daniel 11 verses
Daniel 11 23 meaning
Daniel 11:23 prophesies about a particular king, commonly identified as Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who would secure an alliance, only to subsequently act with extreme treachery. This deceitful approach would be his method for gaining strength and rising to power, despite his initial standing among a relatively small group or limited following. The verse highlights his character defined by cunning and perfidy, establishing his authority through subterfuge rather than legitimate power.
Daniel 11 23 Context
Daniel chapter 11 provides an extraordinary detailed prophecy, largely recognized as having found fulfillment in the historical struggles between the Seleucid (King of the North) and Ptolemaic (King of the South) empires, specifically covering the period from the Persian Empire's fall up to the rise of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Verses 21-35 focus particularly on Antiochus IV, portraying him as a "vile person" (Dan 11:21) who gains power through cunning and flattery rather than legitimate succession.
Verse 23, in this detailed prophetic timeline, describes the precise method by which Antiochus IV begins to establish and expand his rule after forming an initial agreement, likely with Egypt. The "league" refers to an alliance or treaty. Following this league, Antiochus IV demonstrates his true character by working "deceitfully," which sets the stage for his subsequent military campaigns and cruel treatment of the Jews and surrounding nations. Historically, this corresponds to his peace treaty with Ptolemy VI Philometor of Egypt, after which he would betray Egypt multiple times. His "small people" might refer to his initial lack of broad support or the relatively small force he commanded early in his rise, depending on political instability and leveraging factions.
Daniel 11 23 Word analysis
- And after: This connective phrase establishes a chronological sequence, signaling that the treachery described follows a preceding event, specifically "the league made with him."
- the league: Hebrew: חָבַר (chabar), meaning "to be joined," "to unite," "to covenant." This refers to a formally established alliance or agreement, often of a binding nature. The use implies a foundation of supposed trust or shared interest.
- made with him: Signifies a mutual agreement, making the subsequent treachery all the more heinous, as it involves the betrayal of trust forged in an alliance.
- he shall work deceitfully: Hebrew: מַעֲשֵׂה רְמִיָּה (maʿăsēh remîyah) – "a work of treachery" or "to act with deceit." Remiyah speaks of fraud, guile, or perfidy. This highlights a deliberate, calculated form of deception. The king does not merely err but actively employs cunning and untruthfulness as a central part of his strategy, contrasting sharply with an honorable king.
- for he shall come up: Implies an advance, an ascent to a position of prominence or power. It suggests movement from a lower status or a preparatory action towards dominance. This rising isn't necessarily violent initially but tactical.
- and shall become strong: Hebrew: וְחָזַק (veḥezaq) – "and he shall become mighty," "he shall grow strong." This indicates an acquisition of power, either through military success, political maneuvering, or both. The strength is notable because of how it is achieved.
- with a small people: Hebrew: בְעַם מְעַט (beʿam meʿaṭ) – "with few people" or "with a small number." This emphasizes his humble beginnings or his initial lack of widespread popular or military support. His strength isn't due to overwhelming forces but rather due to his cunning and opportune actions, magnifying his strategic brilliance (from a worldly perspective) and underlying wickedness. This also underscores his opportunistic nature, making do with limited resources by leveraging deception.
Daniel 11 23 Bonus section
The phrase "shall work deceitfully" carries significant weight in ancient Near Eastern and biblical contexts. Breaking a covenant was considered a severe transgression, often incurring divine wrath (e.g., God's covenant with Israel). By highlighting this act, the prophecy implicitly criticizes rulers who disregard sacred obligations, positioning them as contrary to God's righteous character, who is always faithful to His covenants (Ps 89:34). Furthermore, this specific detail provides an uncanny correspondence with historical records of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, particularly concerning his multiple invasions of Egypt which often began with deceptive assurances or exploitations of existing treaties with the young Ptolemy VI Philometor. Scholars and commentators widely agree on this historical fulfillment.
Daniel 11 23 Commentary
Daniel 11:23 provides a crucial insight into the character and methods of the "king of the North" (Antiochus IV Epiphanes) during his rise to power, serving as a powerful illustration of wicked authority. It forecasts that this king would not rely on outright military might or legitimate succession alone but would leverage calculated deceit and betrayal following an alliance. The emphasis on "working deceitfully" highlights his profound moral depravity, contrasting sharply with divine faithfulness and justice. His ability to become "strong with a small people" further underscores his cunning and opportunism, turning initial disadvantage into a means of solidifying power through guile. This specific detail reinforces the accuracy of prophetic foresight and paints a clear picture of a tyrant who achieves his aims by breaking sacred trusts and using perfidy. Antiochus IV, in this prophecy, stands as a historical type, embodying traits—like cunning, covenant-breaking, and self-exaltation—that prefigure future antichrist figures, offering timeless lessons on the nature of evil and the importance of discernment against those who rise by such means.