Daniel 11 6

Daniel 11:6 kjv

And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.

Daniel 11:6 nkjv

And at the end of some years they shall join forces, for the daughter of the king of the South shall go to the king of the North to make an agreement; but she shall not retain the power of her authority, and neither he nor his authority shall stand; but she shall be given up, with those who brought her, and with him who begot her, and with him who strengthened her in those times.

Daniel 11:6 niv

After some years, they will become allies. The daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to make an alliance, but she will not retain her power, and he and his power will not last. In those days she will be betrayed, together with her royal escort and her father and the one who supported her.

Daniel 11:6 esv

After some years they shall make an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement. But she shall not retain the strength of her arm, and he and his arm shall not endure, but she shall be given up, and her attendants, he who fathered her, and he who supported her in those times.

Daniel 11:6 nlt

"Some years later an alliance will be formed between the king of the north and the king of the south. The daughter of the king of the south will be given in marriage to the king of the north to secure the alliance, but she will lose her influence over him, and so will her father. She will be abandoned along with her supporters.

Daniel 11 verses

Daniel 11 6 meaning

Daniel 11:6 details a prophetic failure of a political alliance sealed by marriage between the Ptolemaic (King of the South) and Seleucid (King of the North) dynasties. It predicts that a king's daughter from the South would marry the king of the North to establish peace, but this union would not achieve its intended stability. Neither she nor her new husband would retain power through this alliance; instead, she, her entourage, her father's political strategy, and her primary supporters (potentially including her son) would all be tragically abandoned and suffer ruin. The verse accurately foreshadows the historical events surrounding the marriage of Berenice (daughter of Ptolemy II Philadelphus) to Antiochus II Theos, and the subsequent murderous intrigue initiated by Antiochus's former wife, Laodice, leading to Berenice's and her child's demise.

Daniel 11 6 Context

Daniel 11:6 is embedded within one of the Bible's most detailed prophecies, detailing the conflicts and shifting power dynamics between the "King of the North" (the Seleucid Empire centered in Syria) and the "King of the South" (the Ptolemaic Empire centered in Egypt). These empires arose from the division of Alexander the Great's vast empire after his death in 323 BC, as mentioned in Daniel 11:4.

The preceding verse, Daniel 11:5, sets the stage by describing the initial consolidation of power under Ptolemy I Soter (King of the South) and his general Seleucus I Nicator (who later founded the Seleucid dynasty, becoming the powerful King of the North). Daniel 11:6, therefore, moves to the next generation of these two great rival Hellenistic powers, specifically predicting an attempt to resolve their persistent conflicts through a political marriage. The prophecy’s level of specificity is extraordinary, outlining not just the event but also its failed outcome and tragic consequences for the participants. It forms a link in the long chain of future events leading up to the "time of the end" described in later parts of the chapter. Historically, this prophecy accurately points to the alliance forged in 252-250 BC between Ptolemy II Philadelphus and Antiochus II Theos.

Daniel 11 6 Word analysis

• And in the end of years (וּלְקֵץ שָׁנִים - u-l'qetz shanim): Lit. "and at the end of years." This indicates a significant lapse of time after the events of Dan 11:5, pointing to a period further into the dynastic struggles rather than an immediate consequence. It highlights a measured progression of the prophecy's timeline.
• they shall join themselves together (וְיִתְחַבְּרוּ - v'yitchab'beru): Hithpael imperfect. Implies a deliberate, reciprocal attempt to form an alliance or confederation. In this historical context, it points directly to the marital alliance for political stability, an effort to bring an end to ongoing hostilities.
• for the king's daughter of the south (וּבַת־מֶלֶךְ־הַנֶּגֶב - u-vat-melekh-hannegav): Refers specifically to Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy II Philadelphus. This specific detail of a daughter from the South indicates the precision of the prophecy, highlighting a diplomatic marriage as the means of the attempted alliance.
• shall come to the king of the north (תָּבֹא אֶל־מֶלֶךְ־הַצָּפוֹן - tavo el-melekh-hatzafon): She makes the journey to marry Antiochus II Theos. The act of "coming" emphasizes her being brought as part of the alliance terms.
• to make an agreement (לַעֲשׂוֹת מֵישָׁרִים - la'asot meisharim): Lit. "to make uprightness/equity." This denotes the explicit goal of the alliance: to establish fair terms, justice, or a peaceful settlement. It represents a diplomatic effort to bring stability after conflict.
• but she shall not retain the power of the arm (וְלֹא תַעֲצֹר כֹּחַ זְרוֹעַ - v'lo ta'atzor koakh z'ro'a): "Arm" (זְרוֹעַ - z'ro'a) frequently symbolizes strength, power, or military might in Scripture (Job 22:8, Psa 10:15). Berenice's personal and political influence would fail. The alliance would not strengthen her position or protect her.
• neither shall he stand, nor his arm (וּזְרֹעוֹ לֹא יַעֲמֹד - u-z'ro'o lo ya'amod): The King of the North (Antiochus II) also would not endure. His power base and the strength derived from the alliance would collapse. This precisely refers to Antiochus's subsequent murder by Laodice, signifying the utter failure of the proposed stability.
• but she shall be given up (וְתִנָּתֵן הִיא - v'tinnaten hi): Passive voice: she will be betrayed, abandoned, or delivered to her fate. This directly points to her murder after Antiochus II's death.
• and her helpers (וּמְבִאֶיהָ - u-m'vieha): "Those who brought her" or her retinue, including her attendants and perhaps political supporters. They too would suffer persecution or execution, highlighting the completeness of the treachery.
• and he that begat her (וַאֲשֶׁר יְלִדָהּ - va'asher yelida): Lit. "he who fathered her." This clearly points to Ptolemy II Philadelphus, Berenice's father. While he himself was not murdered, his grand diplomatic scheme for peace and dynastic stability was utterly shattered and turned to tragedy, diminishing his legacy and political success regarding this venture. His influence (his "arm" metaphorically) related to this agreement would not stand.
• and he that strengthened her in these times (וּמַחֲזִיקֶהָ בָּעִתִּים - u-makhazikeha ba'ittim): "He who strengthened her," referring to a protector or her support base, potentially her son with Antiochus II. Historical accounts confirm that her young son, her primary means of securing her position and ensuring succession, was also murdered alongside her. This illustrates the full extent of the plot against her and her lineage.

Daniel 11 6 Bonus section

• The meticulous detail of Daniel's prophecy regarding this event, particularly the names implied ("King's daughter of the South," "he that begat her"), provides strong evidence for the supernatural origin of the prophecy. Scholars frequently highlight how this historical episode, occurring centuries after Daniel, matches the prophetic outline exactly.
• The broader historical consequence of this failed alliance was the Third Syrian War, also known as the Laodicean War. Ptolemy III Euergetes, Berenice's brother, invaded the Seleucid empire to avenge her death, temporarily achieving significant gains.
• This specific verse functions as a vivid example within Daniel 11 that human plans, no matter how carefully orchestrated for power or peace, ultimately yield to God's overarching purpose and prophetic word. It demonstrates that political might and diplomatic endeavors often lead to more conflict rather than lasting stability, emphasizing the transient nature of worldly power.

Daniel 11 6 Commentary

Daniel 11:6 offers a remarkably precise prophecy regarding the failed dynastic marriage between Ptolemy II's daughter, Berenice, and Antiochus II Theos, a King of the North. This verse showcases the divine omniscience in foretelling specific historical events hundreds of years before they occurred. The detailed prediction of an alliance meant to bring "agreement" that instead leads to the utter failure and destruction of Berenice, her support system, and her political influence, stands as a testament to God's sovereign control over world history. It reveals the fragility and futility of human political arrangements built on shifting sand rather than divine faithfulness. The treachery that resulted, marked by the murder of Berenice and her child by Laodice, underlines the persistent self-interest, ambition, and violence characteristic of earthly kingdoms. This failed pursuit of peace through worldly means contrasts sharply with the enduring peace offered by God.