Daniel 11 28

Daniel 11:28 kjv

Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.

Daniel 11:28 nkjv

While returning to his land with great riches, his heart shall be moved against the holy covenant; so he shall do damage and return to his own land.

Daniel 11:28 niv

The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own country.

Daniel 11:28 esv

And he shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. And he shall work his will and return to his own land.

Daniel 11:28 nlt

"The king of the north will then return home with great riches. On the way he will set himself against the people of the holy covenant, doing much damage before continuing his journey.

Daniel 11 verses

Daniel 11 28 meaning

This verse describes a successful military campaign by the king of the North, resulting in his return to his land with substantial material wealth. However, this worldly success is overshadowed by a profound and active animosity residing within his heart, specifically directed against the sacred covenant of God. Following this internal resolve, he proceeds to actively implement his hostile intentions before withdrawing back to his kingdom, marking the completion of this phase of his destructive agenda.

Daniel 11 28 Context

Daniel chapter 11 delivers a highly specific prophetic outline, detailing the succession of kings, particularly focusing on the Ptolemaic (King of the South) and Seleucid (King of the North) dynasties, leading up to the advent of the "contemptible person" in verse 21. This "contemptible person" is historically identified as Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid ruler from 175-164 BC, who plays a crucial role in Jewish history by initiating a severe persecution. Verse 28 immediately follows descriptions of his ascent to power through deceit and his initial military campaigns, particularly against Egypt. This verse sets the stage for his subsequent intensified antagonism towards the Jewish people and their religion, directly preceding the "abomination that makes desolate" mentioned in Daniel 11:31. Antiochus IV's efforts were largely focused on forcefully Hellenizing the Jews and suppressing their unique religious practices, leading to the Maccabean Revolt. Prophetically, this figure also serves as a type or forerunner of the ultimate end-time adversary, who will similarly oppose God's covenant people.

Daniel 11 28 Word analysis

• Then he shall return: (Hebrew: וְיָשֹׁב, vĕyashov) The conjunctive "and" (then) connects this action to prior military successes described. "He" refers to the King of the North, the "contemptible person" introduced in verse 21, commonly identified as Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The verb yashov emphasizes a turning back or going back, denoting the completion of a campaign.

• to his land: (אֶל אַרְצוֹ, 'el 'artzo) Refers to Syria, the capital region of the Seleucid Empire, which was Antiochus IV's domain. This is his intended destination after military expeditions.

• with great riches: (בִּרְכוּשׁ גָּדוֹל, birḵush gadol) Indicates substantial wealth, spoil, or plunder acquired during his campaign. This highlights his material success and increased resources, setting a worldly context against his spiritual agenda.

• but his heart: (וּלְבָבוֹ, ul'vavo) The conjunction "but" signals a contrast. In Hebrew thought, the lĕvav (heart) encompasses the entire inner person: intellect, will, emotions, and moral core. It emphasizes his inner, fundamental disposition.

• shall be against: (אֶל בְּרִית, 'el bĕrit) The preposition 'el signifies hostile opposition or antagonism directed specifically towards an object. This emphasizes the deeply entrenched and intentional nature of his opposition.

• the holy covenant: (הַקֹּדֶשׁ, haqodesh) This term refers to God's divinely instituted covenant with Israel, particularly the Mosaic Law, the sacrificial system, Temple worship, and the distinctive identity of the Jewish people. It is "holy" because it originated from God and separates Israel as His chosen people. This signifies that Antiochus's hatred is directed against God's truth and relationship with humanity.

• and he shall act: (וְעָשָׂה, vĕ'asa) This verb means "he shall do," "make," or "accomplish." It demonstrates that his internal hostility ("his heart shall be against") will translate into deliberate and concrete actions. This foretells the coming persecution and desecration rather than just passive ill will.

• and return to his own land: (וְשָׁב לְאַרְצוֹ, vĕshav lĕ'artzo) The repetition of "return to his own land" underscores the completion of this phase of his activity. Having successfully achieved plunder and commenced active measures against the holy covenant, he consolidates his position. This implies his actions against the covenant were part of a calculated strategy, not a fleeting impulse.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Then he shall return to his land with great riches; but his heart...": This phrase creates a stark juxtaposition between outward material success and an internal, malevolent spiritual motive. His acquisition of "great riches" fuels his worldly power, which then becomes a tool for his deeper, insidious antagonism towards God's truth.
  • "...his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall act...": This is the theological core of the verse, linking the inner disposition of hatred to external, purposeful action. His deep-seated antagonism against God's divine revelation and established relationship with His people is not dormant; it impels him to concrete measures of desecration and persecution, which are later detailed in the chapter.
  • "...and he shall act, and return to his own land.": The final part of the verse closes the loop on this stage of the king's activity. He successfully carries out his will against the covenant (or begins the process of doing so), then retreats. This structured sequence implies that his hostile actions were deliberately integrated into his campaign strategy, further solidifying his opposition to the divine order.

Daniel 11 28 Bonus section

The detailed portrayal of Antiochus IV Epiphanes in this chapter, and particularly his anti-covenant stance in Daniel 11:28, serves as a crucial typology for the ultimate "man of lawlessness" (2 Th 2) or Antichrist figure. The king's initial pursuit of "great riches" demonstrates the deceptive allure of worldly power and prosperity, which he then channels into an active assault on spiritual realities. His goal was not merely to subjugate a people, but to eradicate their identity as recipients of the "holy covenant," forcefully imposing Hellenistic culture and pagan worship. This underscores a perennial spiritual battle: powerful forces, often cloaked in worldly success, continually rise up to challenge and corrupt God's established truth and His people, attempting to redefine or abolish the divine relationship.

Daniel 11 28 Commentary

Daniel 11:28 presents a pivotal moment in the king of the North's unfolding narrative, portraying him as a figure whose immense worldly success, epitomized by "great riches," masks and emboldens a deep-seated spiritual malevolence. Historically, this describes Antiochus IV Epiphanes, returning from a victorious campaign, whose primary focus then shifts to a direct assault on the "holy covenant"—the foundation of Israel's relationship with God. The juxtaposition of his material gain and his animosity against the divine covenant highlights a key theological truth: temporal power often seeks to assert itself against eternal truth. His internal hatred transforms into concrete, calculated "acts" of persecution and desecration, setting the stage for the unparalleled atrocities described later in the chapter, such as the Temple's profanation. This verse thus powerfully serves as a prefigurement, not just of historical events, but also of the persistent conflict between worldly powers and God's covenant, climaxing in the end-time Antichrist figure.