Daniel 11 23

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 verses

Daniel 11 23 Meaning

This verse describes a deceitful plan enacted by the king of the north. He will move with his armies, and one significant aspect is that he will build against his adversaries a strong siege-ramp or battering-ram. This implies a calculated and determined military approach, aiming for a forceful breakthrough or conquest against his opponents. The word "forced" can also imply a violent or compelled action, suggesting that this action will not be natural but a deliberate, aggressive maneuver.

Daniel 11 23 Context

Chapter 11 of Daniel presents a detailed prophecy concerning the history of kings and kingdoms from the Persian era to the final Antichrist figure. This particular verse falls within the description of the conflicts between the "king of the north" (historically the Seleucid dynasty) and the "king of the south" (historically the Ptolemaic dynasty), eventually pointing towards future apocalyptic figures. The verses preceding this one often detail political maneuvering, betrayals, and battles. This verse, therefore, fits into a sequence describing a specific, aggressive military action taken by the king of the north, likely as part of his broader campaign against his adversaries. The context is one of continuous conflict and geopolitical struggle.

Daniel 11 23 Word Analysis

• And: A conjunctive particle, linking this action to previous ones.
• he: Refers to the "king of the north."
• shall come: Indicates a future action within the prophetic timeline.
• and: Another conjunction.
• shall build: From Hebrew "banah" (בָּנָה), meaning to build, establish, or erect. In this military context, it refers to the construction of siege works.
• against: Signifying opposition and direction of the action.
• a mount: Hebrew "tsur" (צוּר). Can mean a rock, a strong place, or, in a military context, a mound, ramp, or siege-engine, specifically a battering ram or siege tower. This is the key military engineering term.
• for: Indicates the purpose of the building.
• it: Refers to the adversary or the fortified place being attacked.
• with: Denoting the means or instrument.
• arms: Hebrew "zoro'a" (זְרוֹעַ). Literally means arm or shoulder, but here used metaphorically for military force, power, or might. It suggests a comprehensive deployment of armed forces.
• of the enemy: Identifies who the "it" is targeting.
• and: Conjunction.
• he shall break down: Hebrew "para'ts" (פָּרַץ). Means to break through, break out, breach, or burst in. This implies overcoming defenses by force.
• the defenced cities: Hebrew "arey metsudah" (עָרֵי מְצֻדָּה). "Metsudah" means a fortress, stronghold, or fortified place. "Arei" is the plural of "ir" (city). It refers to well-defended cities, implying significant resistance is anticipated.
• and: Conjunction.
• the strength of the king: Hebrew "kōaḥ" (כֹּחַ), meaning strength, power, or ability. Refers to the military power and capacity of the opposing ruler.
• shall withstand him: Hebrew "amadh le" (עָמַד לְ). Literally means "to stand to" or "to stand against." It signifies resistance, opposition, or making a stand. The meaning here implies that even the opposing king's strength will be ineffective or unable to resist the force brought against it.

Word-group analysis:

• "build against it a mount for it": This phrase emphasizes the construction of a specific offensive weapon or siege apparatus. The "mount" likely refers to a battering ram or a siege tower built to overcome fortifications.
• "with the arms of the enemy": This can be interpreted as using the enemy's own weaponry or resources against them, or more broadly as deploying armed forces, thus implying a substantial and effective deployment of military power in the attack. Some commentaries suggest it refers to utilizing the enemy's forces through subjugation or turning them.
• "break down the defenced cities, and the strength of the king shall withstand him": This phrase highlights the overwhelming power and effectiveness of the king of the north's offensive. The strong cities and the king's military power (his "strength") will be unable to stand against this determined assault, suggesting a complete subjugation or breakdown of resistance.

Daniel 11 23 Bonus Section

The verse highlights strategic military action, indicating that the prophetic events described are not random occurrences but involve calculated human effort and technology (in this case, siege engineering). The imagery of a siege mound is powerful and biblically recurrent, symbolizing overcoming formidable obstacles through persistent, directed effort. The ultimate inability of the enemy's strength to "withstand him" underscores the sovereign hand of God guiding and permitting these events, even when carried out by human agencies. This fits within the pattern of Daniel's prophecies, where empires rise and fall based on divine decree, even through the aggressive actions of specific rulers.

Daniel 11 23 Commentary

Daniel 11:23 details a future offensive action by the king of the north, characterized by meticulous preparation and overwhelming force. The construction of a "mount" signifies a potent siege weapon, like a battering ram or siege tower, designed to breach fortified defenses. The phrase "with the arms of the enemy" suggests either the use of captured enemy weaponry, a betrayal by the enemy's own forces, or simply the full deployment of overwhelming military might derived from the enemy's strength or resources. The verse promises the breaking down of strongholds and the subduing of the opposing king's military power. This foreshadows decisive military victories and the subversion of established powers by aggressive, perhaps deceitful, means, in line with the broader theme of powerful rulers dominating the prophetic narrative.