Daniel 11 29

Daniel 11:29 kjv

At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.

Daniel 11:29 nkjv

"At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter.

Daniel 11:29 niv

"At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before.

Daniel 11:29 esv

"At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south, but it shall not be this time as it was before.

Daniel 11:29 nlt

"Then at the appointed time he will once again invade the south, but this time the result will be different.

Daniel 11 verses

Daniel 11 29 meaning

This verse prophesies the King of the North's second campaign into the South at a divinely appointed moment. Crucially, it predicts that this invasion will not be successful like his previous ventures, nor will it result in the desired outcome for him on this particular expedition. It marks a significant turning point where his plans of conquest will be frustrated.

Daniel 11 29 Context

Daniel 11:29 falls within a lengthy and incredibly detailed prophecy concerning the geopolitical conflicts between the "King of the North" (the Seleucid Empire based in Syria) and the "King of the South" (the Ptolemaic Kingdom based in Egypt). Chapters 10-12 present a divine revelation given to Daniel, with chapter 11 specifically outlining historical events with astonishing precision, extending from the Persian Empire through the Hellenistic period and the division of Alexander's empire. Verses 21-45 of Daniel 11 describe the reign and actions of a specific King of the North, widely identified as Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This verse depicts his second invasion of Egypt (historically, the Sixth Syrian War, around 168 BC), following an earlier successful campaign. The historical context reveals that while his previous Egyptian campaign was prosperous (vv. 25-28), this subsequent one would be met with an unexpected reversal, orchestrated by God's providence, largely through the intervention of Rome. The intricate details of this chapter demonstrate God's complete sovereignty over the rise and fall of nations, confirming that even the most powerful human leaders operate within the boundaries of His divine plan.

Daniel 11 29 Word analysis

• At the appointed time (לַמוֹעֵד - la-mo'ed):
  • Word: מוֹעֵד (mo'ed) refers to a fixed, designated, or predetermined time. It signifies a divine appointment or a set occasion, often used for Israel's feasts.
  • Significance: It emphasizes God's sovereign scheduling of events. This is not a random occurrence but an action unfolding according to a divinely prearranged schedule. It underscores the precision and intentionality of God's prophetic word, where historical events align perfectly with His timeline, even concerning the rise and fall of pagan kings. This challenges any belief in random chance or independent human will as the ultimate arbiter of history.
• he will return (יָשׁוּב - ya-shuv):
  • Word: שׁוּב (shuv) means to turn back, to return, to restore. It indicates a second or repeated action.
  • Significance: Refers to the King of the North (Antiochus IV Epiphanes) undertaking another expedition, implying he had withdrawn from his first Egyptian campaign (described in v. 25-28) and is now resuming hostilities.
• and come into the South (וּבָא בַנֶּגֶב - u-va va-negev):
  • Word: נֶגֶב (negev) literally means 'dry land' or 'south land,' commonly referring to Egypt and its surrounding southern regions in this context. בּוֹא (bo) means to come or go.
  • Significance: Specifies the geographical target of the King of the North's renewed military campaign – the territory of the Ptolemaic kingdom in Egypt. It clarifies the continued focus of the ongoing conflict detailed throughout Daniel 11.
• but it will not be as formerly (וְלֹא תִהְיֶה כָרִאשׁוֹנָה - ve-lo ti-he-yeh ka-ri'sho-nah):
  • Words: רִאשׁוֹנָה (ri'sho-nah) means 'first' or 'former.' The phrase literally means "it will not be like the first [time]."
  • Significance: This is a direct contrast to his previous successful campaign into Egypt (Daniel 11:25-28). That campaign was characterized by victory and plunder. This prophetic statement indicates a change in fortune; the King of the North's renewed efforts will lack the success and favorable outcome of his prior expedition. It hints at an unexpected reversal.
• or as in the latter time (וְלֹא כָאַחֲרוֹנָה - ve-lo ka-'a-cha-ro-nah):
  • Words: אַחֲרוֹנָה (acharoni-nah) means 'last,' 'latter,' or 'aftermath.' The phrasing can be interpreted as "nor like the last [outcome]" or "nor like the ultimate outcome of this specific attempt."
  • Significance: This clause reinforces the preceding one and extends its meaning. It signifies that not only will this campaign not resemble his earlier, successful ventures, but it also won't fulfill his expectations for this current expedition. The 'latter time' here points to the anticipated victorious conclusion of the current second invasion, which will not materialize. Combined, the phrases stress a complete and unexpected failure relative to both past success and present aspiration, alluding to the historical Roman intervention that forced Antiochus IV Epiphanes to retreat from Egypt without a victory.

Daniel 11 29 Bonus section

The remarkable detail in Daniel 11, including verse 29, has led some critics to suggest the book must have been written after the events described, an argument known as vaticinium ex eventu (prophecy after the event). However, this skeptical approach inadvertently highlights the unparalleled accuracy of Daniel's prophecies, which truly find no equal in human predictions. For believers, this precision strongly affirms Daniel's divine inspiration and God's absolute sovereignty over human history, demonstrating His ability to foretell centuries of complex geopolitical conflicts down to specific campaigns and outcomes. The failure predicted for the King of the North's second invasion here (Antiochus IV) ultimately laid the groundwork for further Roman influence in the region, subtly preparing the world for events that would later be key to the broader biblical narrative, including the time of Christ.

Daniel 11 29 Commentary

Daniel 11:29 pinpoints a specific and pivotal moment in the historical unfolding of the King of the North's ambitions. This "appointed time" signals God's orchestration, where human history moves on His calendar, not merely by the will of kings. The King of the North, having experienced success in his first campaign against Egypt, embarks on a second one. However, the prophecy unequivocally declares a stark change: this expedition will not mirror his earlier triumph, nor will it achieve the success he anticipates for this very undertaking. Historically, this corresponds to Antiochus IV Epiphanes' second invasion of Egypt, during which the Roman envoy Popilius Laenas famously drew a circle around Antiochus in the sand, demanding an immediate withdrawal before he stepped out of it. This direct divine prediction, fulfilled with precision, highlights that even the most aggressive earthly powers are constrained by God's sovereign decrees. It’s a powerful testament to divine control over political events and serves as an assurance of God’s ultimate dominion.