Daniel 11:10

Translation
King James Version
But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.
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KJV (with Strong's)
But his sons H1121 shall be stirred up H1624, and shall assemble H622 a multitude H1995 of great H7227 forces H2428: and one shall certainly H935 come H935, and overflow H7857, and pass through H5674: then shall he return H7725, and be stirred up H1624, even to his fortress H4581.
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Complete Jewish Bible
His sons will rouse themselves to muster a large and powerful army, which will advance like a flood passing through. In another campaign, it will march on the enemy stronghold.
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Berean Standard Bible
But his sons will stir up strife and assemble a great army, which will advance forcefully, sweeping through like a flood, and will again carry the battle as far as his fortress.
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American Standard Version
And his sons shall war, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall come on, and overflow, and pass through; and they shall return and war, even to his fortress.
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World English Bible Messianic
His sons shall war, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall come on, and overflow, and pass through; and they shall return and war, even to his fortress.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Wherefore his sonnes shall be stirred vp, and shall assemble a mightie great armie: and one shall come, and ouerflowe, and passe through: then shall he returne, and be stirred vp at his fortresse.
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Young's Literal Translation
and his sons stir themselves up, and have gathered a multitude of great forces, and he hath certainly come in, and overflowed, and passed through, and he turneth back, and they stir themselves up unto his stronghold.
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See also
Jeremiah 46:7Jeremiah 46:8Daniel 11:7Daniel 9:26Jeremiah 51:42Isaiah 8:7Isaiah 8:8
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In the KJVVerse 22,047 of 31,102

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SUMMARY

Daniel 11:10 propels the reader deeper into the prophetic saga of the Hellenistic empires, specifically foretelling the rise and aggressive military campaigns of the Seleucid dynasty. Following the initial divisions of Alexander's kingdom, this verse anticipates a significant resurgence by the "King of the North" (Seleucid rulers), whose "sons" would amass an immense army, launching an overwhelming invasion that would sweep through territories, only to return to their fortified base, poised for further conflict. This detailed prophecy underscores God's meticulous foreknowledge and sovereign control over human history and the geopolitical landscape.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Daniel 11 is a unique prophetic chapter, distinguished by its extraordinary detail regarding future historical events, particularly the conflicts between the Ptolemaic (King of the South) and Seleucid (King of the North) dynasties. The preceding verses, Daniel 11:2-9, set the stage by describing the rise of a mighty king (Alexander the Great), the division of his kingdom, and the initial skirmishes and alliances between the two rival powers. Verse 10 specifically picks up after a period of relative quiet or strategic maneuvering, signaling a renewed and intensified phase of military aggression from the northern power. It serves as a narrative pivot, introducing a major character and a significant shift in the balance of power, leading into the extensive campaigns described in subsequent verses.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The prophecies in Daniel 11 unfold against the backdrop of the Hellenistic period, which began with the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC. His vast empire was subsequently divided among his generals, known as the Diadochi. The two most dominant successor kingdoms relevant to Daniel 11 were the Ptolemaic Kingdom, centered in Egypt (the "King of the South"), and the Seleucid Empire, based in Syria and extending eastward (the "King of the North"). The land of Israel (Judea) lay strategically between these two empires, making it a frequent battleground and a prize for both. Control over Judea was vital for trade routes and military access. The cultural context was one of ongoing warfare, shifting alliances, and dynastic marriages, all aimed at consolidating power and expanding territory. The "fortress" mentioned in the verse would have been a well-established capital or military stronghold, essential for launching and sustaining campaigns.
  • Key Themes: Daniel 11:10 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Daniel and biblical prophecy. Firstly, it highlights the theme of Divine Sovereignty over Human History. The precise foretelling of military movements, dynastic successions, and geopolitical shifts demonstrates that God is not merely an observer but the orchestrator of history, working out His purposes even through the ambitions of earthly kings, as seen in Daniel 2:20-21. Secondly, the verse emphasizes Conflict and Warfare as a recurring motif in human affairs, particularly as it impacts God's people and the land of Israel. The imagery of "stirred up," "assemble a multitude," and "overflow" vividly portrays the relentless nature of these ancient wars. Lastly, the passage reinforces the theme of Prophetic Accuracy and Reliability. The astonishing detail of Daniel's predictions, which align remarkably with historical accounts of the Seleucid-Ptolemaic wars, serves as a powerful testament to the truthfulness and trustworthiness of God's Word, a theme echoed in Isaiah 46:9-10.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • stirred up (Hebrew, gârâh', H1624): This primitive root means "to grate," but figuratively, "to anger" or "to contend." In this context, it signifies being provoked, agitated, or roused to action, particularly for military engagement. It implies a vigorous and determined preparation for war, not merely a passive gathering but an aggressive mobilization driven by hostile intent. The repetition of "stirred up" later in the verse emphasizes a renewed or persistent aggressive posture.
  • overflow (Hebrew, shâṭaph', H7857): This word means "to gush," "to inundate," or "to cleanse." In prophetic literature, it is frequently used as a powerful metaphor for an overwhelming, flood-like invasion or conquest. It conveys the idea of an irresistible force that sweeps away all opposition, like a raging river overflowing its banks, completely dominating the landscape it passes through. This imagery underscores the immense power and destructive force of the invading army.
  • fortress (Hebrew, mâʻôwz', H4581): This term refers to a "fortified place," and figuratively, a "defense" or "stronghold." It denotes a secure base of operations, a place of strength and protection from which military campaigns can be launched and to which forces can retreat or return. In the context of Daniel 11:10, it signifies the strategic capital or primary military hub of the "King of the North," emphasizing the organized and strategic nature of their campaigns.

Verse Breakdown

  • "But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces:" This clause introduces the agents of the coming conflict: the "sons" of the previous "King of the North" (likely referring to the successors in the Seleucid line, not necessarily direct biological offspring). They are characterized by their aggressive mobilization ("stirred up") and the vast scale of their military preparations ("assemble a multitude of great forces"). This sets the stage for a major offensive.
  • "and [one] shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through:" This identifies the primary leader of this massive force. While the KJV inserts "[one]," the Hebrew simply implies a singular agent emerging from the collective "sons." This individual's advance is described with powerful, unstoppable imagery: "certainly come" (emphasizing inevitability), "overflow" (like an irresistible flood), and "pass through" (conquering territories in its path). This portrays a dominant and successful initial campaign.
  • "then shall he return, and be stirred up, [even] to his fortress." After the initial sweep, the leader will "return," indicating a withdrawal or consolidation of gains, perhaps to their home territory or strategic base. The phrase "be stirred up, [even] to his fortress" suggests a renewed or continued state of aggressive readiness, even within their own stronghold, implying that the campaign is not over, but rather a strategic pause before further actions. It highlights their persistent militaristic posture.

Literary Devices

The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its prophetic message. Metaphor is prominent, particularly in the imagery of the invading army "overflowing" and "passing through," likening their advance to an unstoppable flood. This vivid comparison emphasizes the overwhelming power and destructive force of the military campaign. Hyperbole is also present in the description of "a multitude of great forces," which, while historically accurate in scale, uses language that evokes an almost unimaginable military might. Furthermore, the very nature of the passage is Prophecy, a divinely inspired foretelling of future events. This literary form serves to demonstrate God's omniscience and His sovereign control over the unfolding of human history, reinforcing the reliability of His word. The repetition of "stirred up" also acts as a form of Emphasis, highlighting the persistent and aggressive nature of the Seleucid kings.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Daniel 11:10 offers profound theological insights into God's active involvement in human history. It demonstrates that even the most complex and seemingly chaotic geopolitical struggles are not beyond the scope of God's sovereign plan. The detailed foresight exhibited in this prophecy assures believers that God is not a distant observer but the ultimate orchestrator, working out His purposes through the rise and fall of empires and the ambitions of kings. This divine oversight provides a powerful foundation for trust, reminding us that no human force, however mighty, can thwart God's ultimate will. His ability to declare the end from the beginning, as seen here, reassures His people of His faithfulness and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

The precise fulfillment of Daniel 11:10, along with the rest of chapter 11, provides a powerful anchor for faith in a world that often feels unpredictable and chaotic. It reminds us that behind the headlines of global conflict, political maneuvering, and the rise and fall of nations, there is a God who is sovereign, whose plans are unshakeable, and whose word is eternally true. For believers, this should cultivate a deep sense of peace and confidence. We are not adrift in a meaningless universe, but participants in a divine drama directed by an all-wise and all-powerful God. This understanding should inspire us to trust Him with our personal circumstances, knowing that if He is sovereign over empires, He is certainly sovereign over our individual lives. It also calls us to prayer, recognizing that God works through His people, even as He orchestrates the grand sweep of history. We are encouraged to live with purpose, knowing that our actions, however small, contribute to His unfolding story, and to remain steadfast in hope, anticipating the ultimate establishment of His righteous kingdom.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does the detailed fulfillment of this prophecy strengthen your faith in the reliability of God's Word?
  • In what areas of your life do you need to trust more deeply in God's sovereignty, knowing that He orchestrates even the most complex events?
  • How might understanding God's control over history influence your perspective on current global events or personal challenges?

FAQ

Who are "his sons" and "one" referred to in Daniel 11:10, and how does this prophecy align with historical events?

Answer: "His sons" refers to the successors of the "King of the North" mentioned in previous verses, specifically the Seleucid dynasty. Historically, this is widely understood to refer to the line of Seleucus I Nicator. The "one" who "shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through" is identified by most biblical scholars and historians as Antiochus III the Great, a powerful Seleucid king who reigned from 223-187 BC. Antiochus III, after initial setbacks, indeed assembled a formidable army and launched extensive campaigns against the Ptolemaic kingdom (the "King of the South"). His campaigns, particularly the Fourth and Fifth Syrian Wars, saw him "overflow" and "pass through" territories, including Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, which were crucial for controlling the land of Israel. His return "to his fortress" likely refers to his capital, Antioch, in Syria, from which he continued to plan and execute further military actions, demonstrating the astonishing accuracy of Daniel's prophecy in describing these historical events.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Daniel 11:10 primarily details the geopolitical struggles of ancient empires, its underlying themes find their ultimate fulfillment and greater meaning in Christ. The unstoppable, "overflowing" force described here, though referring to a human king's military might, foreshadows the irresistible advance of God's kingdom, established not through earthly armies but through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as the Seleucid king sought to conquer and establish his dominion, Christ, as the true King of kings, has been given "all authority in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18). His spiritual kingdom, though not of this world, is an unstoppable force that "overflows" the boundaries of sin and death, conquering spiritual strongholds and establishing His reign in the hearts of believers (Colossians 2:15). The idea of a king being "stirred up" to his "fortress" can be seen as a shadow of Christ's strategic and purposeful return to His heavenly throne, from which He now upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3), awaiting the time when He will return to fully establish His physical kingdom and put all enemies under His feet (Revelation 19:11-16). Thus, the temporary victories of earthly kings pale in comparison to the eternal and universal dominion of the Messiah.

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Commentary on Daniel 11 verses 5–20

Here are foretold,

I. The rise and power of two great kingdoms out of the remains of Alexander's conquests, Dan 11:5. 1. The kingdom of Egypt, which was made considerable by Ptolemaeus Lagus, one of Alexander's captains, whose successors were, from him, called the Lagidae. He is called the king of the south, that is, Egypt, named here, Dan 11:8, Dan 11:42, Dan 11:43. The countries that at first belonged to Ptolemy are reckoned to be Egypt, Phoenicia, Arabia, Libya, Ethiopia, etc. Theocr. Idyl. 17. 2. The kingdom of Syria, which was set up by Seleucus Nicanor, or the conqueror; he was one of Alexander's princes, and became stronger than the other, and had the greatest dominion of all, was the most powerful of all Alexander's successors. It was said that he had no fewer than seventy-two kingdoms under him. Both these were strong against Judah (the affairs of which are particularly eyed in this prediction); Ptolemy, soon after he gained Egypt, invaded Judea, and took Jerusalem on a sabbath, pretending a friendly visit. Seleucus also gave disturbance to Judea.

II. The fruitless attempt to unite these two kingdoms as iron and clay in Nebuchadnezzar's image (Dan 11:6): "At the end of certain years, about seventy after Alexander's death, the Lagidae and the Seleucidae shall associate, but not in sincerity. Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt, shall marry his daughter Berenice to Antiochus Theos, king of Syria," who had already a wife called Laodice. "Berenice shall come to the king of the north, to make an agreement, but it shall not hold: She shall not retain the power of the arm; neither she nor her posterity shall establish themselves in the kingdom of the north, neither shall Ptolemy her father, nor Antiochus her husband (between whom there was to be a great alliance), stand, nor their arm, but she shall be given up and those that brought her," all that projected that unhappy marriage between her and Antiochus, which occasioned so much mischief, instead of producing a coalition between the northern and southern crowns, as was hoped. Antiochus divorced Berenice, took his former wife Laodice again, who soon after poisoned him, procured Berenice and her son to be murdered, and set up her own son by Antiochus to be king, who was called Seleucus Callinicus.

III. A war between the two kingdoms, Dan 11:7, Dan 11:8. A branch from the same root with Berenice shall stand up in his estate. Ptolemaeus Euergetes, the son and successor of Ptolemaeus Philadelphus, shall come with an army against Seleucus Callinicus, king of Syria, to avenge his sister's quarrel, and shall prevail; and he shall carry away a rich booty both of persons and goods into Egypt, and shall continue more years than the king of the north. This Ptolemy reigned forty-six years; and Justin says that if his own affairs had not called him home he would, in this war, have made himself master of the whole kingdom of Syria. But (Dan 11:9) he shall be forced to come into his kingdom and return into his own land, to keep peace there, so that he can no longer carry on the war abroad. Note, It is very common for a treacherous peace to end in a bloody war.

IV. The long and busy reign of Antiochus the Great, king of Syria. Seleucus Callinicus, that king of the north that was overcome (Dan 11:7) and died miserably, left two sons, Seleucus and Antiochus; these are his sons, the sons of the king of the north, that shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces, to recover what their father had lost, Dan 11:10. But Seleucus the elder, being weak, and unable to rule his army, was poisoned by his friends, and reigned only two years; and his brother Antiochus succeeded him, who reigned thirty-seven years, and was called the Great. And therefore the angel, though he speaks of sons at first, goes on with the account of one only, who was but fifteen years old when he began to reign, and he shall certainly come, and overflow, and over-run, and shall be restored at length to what his father lost. 1. The king of the south, in this war, shall at first have very great success. Ptolemaeus Philopater, moved with indignation at the indignities done by Antiochus the Great, shall (though otherwise a slothful prince) come forth, and fight with him, and shall bring a vast army into the field of 70,000 foot, and 5000 horse, and seventy-three elephants. And the other multitude (the army of Antiochus, consisting of 62,000 foot, and 6000 horse, and 102 elephants) shall be given into his hand. Polybius, who lived with Scipio, has given a particular account of this battle of Raphia. Ptolemaeus Philopater, having gained this victory, grew very insolent; his heart was lifted up; then he went into the temple of God at Jerusalem, and, in defiance of the law, entered the most holy place, for which God has a controversy with him, so that, though he shall cast down many myriads, yet he shall not be strengthened by it, so as to secure his interest. For, 2. The king of the north, Antiochus the Great, shall return with a greater army than the former; and, at the end of times (that is, years) he shall come with a mighty army, and great riches, against the king of the south, that is, Ptolemaeus Epiphanes, who succeeded Ptolemaeus Philopater his father, when he was a child, which gave advantage to Antiochus the Great. In this expedition he had some powerful allies (Dan 11:14): Many shall stand up against the king of the south. Philip of Macedon was confederate with Antiochus against the king of Egypt, and Scopas his general, whom he sent into Syria; Antiochus routed him, destroyed a great part of his army; whereupon the Jews willingly yielded to Antiochus, joined with him, helped him to besiege Ptolemaeus's garrisons. They the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision, to help forward the accomplishment of this prophecy; but they shall fall, and shall come to nothing, Dan 11:14. Hereupon (Dan 11:15) the king of the north, this same Antiochus Magnus, shall carry on his design against the king of the south another way. (1.) He shall surprise his strong-holds; all that he has got in Syria and Samaria, and the arms of the south, all the power of the king of Egypt, shall not be able to withstand him. See how dubious and variable the turns of the scale of war are; like buying and selling, it is winning and losing; sometimes one side gets the better and sometimes the other; yet neither by chance; it is not, as they call it, the fortune of war, but according to the will and counsel of God, who brings some low and raises others up. (2.) He shall make himself master of the land of Judea (Dan 11:16): He that comes against him (that is, the king of the north) shall carry all before him and do what he pleases, and he shall stand and get footing in the glorious land; so the land of Israel was, and by his hand it was wasted and consumed, for with the spoil of that good land he victualled his vast army. The land of Judea lay between these two potent kingdoms of Egypt and Syria, so that in all the struggles between them that was sure to suffer, for to it they both bore ill will. Yet some read this, By his hand it shall be perfected; as if it intimated that the land of Judea, being taken under the protection of this Antiochus, shall flourish, and be in better condition than it had been. (3.) He shall still push on his war against the king of Egypt, and set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, taking advantage of the infancy of Ptolemy Epiphanes, and the upright ones, many of the pious Israelites, siding with him, Dan 11:17. In prosecution of his design, he shall give him his daughter Cleopatra to wife, designing, as Saul in giving his daughter Cleopatra to David, that she should be a snare to him, and do him a mischief; but she shall not stand on her father's side, nor be for him, but for her husband, and so that plot failed him. (4.) His war with the Romans is here foretold (Dan 11:18): He shall turn his face to the isles (Dan 11:18), the isles of the Gentiles (Gen 10:5), Greece and Italy. He took many of the isles about the Hellespont-Rhodes, Samos, Delos, etc., which by war or treaty he made himself master of; but a prince, or state (so some), even the Roman senate, or a leader, even the Roman general, shall return his reproach with which he abused the Romans upon himself, or shall make his shame rest on himself, and without his own shame, or any disgrace to himself, shall pay him again. This was fulfilled when the two Scipios were sent with an army against Antiochus. Hannibal was then with him, and advised him to invade Italy and waste it as he had done; but he did not take hid advice; and Scipio joined battle with him, and gave him a total defeat, though Antiochus had 70,000 men and the Romans but 30,000. Thus he caused the reproach offered by him to cease. (5.) His fall. When he was totally routed by the Romans, and was forced to abandon to them all he had in Europe, and had a very heavy tribute exacted from him, he turned to his own land, and, not knowing which way to raise money to pay his tribute, he plundered a temple of Jupiter, which so incensed his own subjects against him that they set upon him, and killed him; so he was overthrown, and fell, and was no more found, Dan 11:19. (6.) His next successor, Dan 11:20. There rose up one in his place, a raiser of taxes, a sender forth of the extortioner, or extorter. This character was remarkably answered in Seleucus Philopater, the elder son of Antiochus the Great, who was a great oppressor of his own subjects, and exacted abundance of money from them; and, when he was told he would thereby lose his friends, he said he knew no better friend he had then money. He likewise attempted to rob the temple at Jerusalem, which this seems especially to refer to. But within a few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger nor in battle, but poisoned by Heliodorus, one of his own servants, when he had reigned but twelve years, and done nothing remarkable.

V. From all this let us learn, 1. That God in his providence sets up one, and pulls down another, as he pleases, advances some from low beginnings and depresses others that were very high. Some have called great men the foot-balls of fortune; or, rather, they are the tools of Providence. 2. This world is full of wars and fightings, which come from men's lusts, and make it a theatre of sin and misery. 3. All the changes and revolutions of states and kingdoms, and every event, even the most minute and contingent, were plainly and perfectly foreseen by the God of heaven, and to him nothing is new. 4. No word of God shall fall to the ground; but what he has designed, what he has declared, shall infallibly come to pass; and even the sins of men shall be made to serve his purpose, and contribute to the b ringing of his counsels to birth in their season; and yet God is not the author of sin. 5. That, for the right understanding of some parts of scripture, it is necessary that heathen authors be consulted, which give light to the scripture, and show the accomplishment of what is there foretold; we have therefore reason to bless God for the human learning with which many have done great service to divine truths.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 5–20. Public domain.
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JeromeAD 420
St. Jerome, Commentary on Daniel, CHAPTER ELEVEN
Verse 10. "And his sons shall be provoked, and they shall assemble a multitude of great armies, and he shall come with haste like a flood. And he shall return and be stirred up, and he shall join battle with his army." After the flight and death of Seleucus Callinicus, his two sons, the Seleucus surnamed Ceraunus and the Antiochus who was called the Great, were provoked by a hope of victory and of avenging their father, and so they assembled an army against Ptolemy Philopator and took up arms. And when the elder brother, Seleucus, was slain in Phrygia in the third year of his reign through the treachery of Nicanor and Apaturius, the army which was in Syria summoned his brother, Antiochus the Great, from Babylon to assume the throne. And so this is the reason why the present passage states that the two sons were provoked and assembled a multitude of very sizable armies. But it implies that Antiochus the Great came by himself from Babylon to Syria, which at that time was held by Ptolemy Philopator, the son of Euergetes and the fourth king to rule in Egypt. And after he had successfully fought with his generals, or rather had by the betrayal of Theodotius obtained possession of Syria (which had already been held by a succession of Egyptian kings), he became so emboldened by his contempt for Philopator's luxurious manner of life and for the magical arts which he was said to employ, that he took the initiative in attempting an invasion of Egypt itself.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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