Daniel 11:11

Translation
King James Version
And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.
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KJV (with Strong's)
And the king H4428 of the south H5045 shall be moved with choler H4843, and shall come forth H3318 and fight H3898 with him, even with the king H4428 of the north H6828: and he shall set forth H5975 a great H7227 multitude H1995; but the multitude H1995 shall be given H5414 into his hand H3027.
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Complete Jewish Bible
The king of the south, enraged, will set out to do battle with the king of the north, who, in turn, will muster a large army; but this army will be defeated by his enemy
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Berean Standard Bible
In a rage, the king of the South will march out to fight the king of the North, who will raise a large army, but it will be delivered into the hand of his enemy.
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American Standard Version
And the king of the south shall be moved with anger, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north; and he shall set forth a great multitude, and the multitude shall be given into his hand.
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World English Bible Messianic
The king of the south shall be moved with anger, and shall come out and fight with him, even with the king of the north; and he shall send out a great multitude, and the multitude shall be given into his hand.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
And the King of the South shall be angrie, and shall come foorth, and fight with him, euen with the King of the North: for he shall set foorth a great multitude, and the multitude shall be giuen into his hand.
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Young's Literal Translation
And the king of the south doth become embittered, and hath gone forth and fought with him, with the king of the north, and hath caused a great multitude to stand, and the multitude hath been given into his hand,
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See also
Daniel 8:7Daniel 11:5Jeremiah 27:61 Kings 20:13Psalms 76:10Psalms 33:16Psalms 33:17
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SUMMARY

Daniel 11:11 presents a vivid prophetic snapshot of a significant military engagement between the "king of the south" (Ptolemaic Egypt) and the "king of the north" (Seleucid Syria). This verse details the southern king's furious resolve to confront his northern adversary, leading to a massive confrontation. Despite the northern king's formidable forces, the prophecy declares a decisive victory for the king of the south, whose rival's "multitude shall be given into his hand," underscoring divine foreknowledge and sovereignty over human conflicts.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Daniel 11 is a remarkable chapter, often referred to as the "Little Apocalypse," due to its unparalleled detail in foretelling historical events centuries in advance. It follows the vision of Daniel 10, where Daniel receives a revelation about future conflicts involving Persia and Greece, and specifically the prolonged struggles between the Ptolemaic and Seleucid dynasties. Daniel 11:1-4 provides a high-level overview of the Persian kings and the rise of Alexander the Great, followed by the division of his empire. Verses 5-10 then initiate the detailed prophecy concerning the "king of the south" and "king of the north," outlining their initial alliances, betrayals, and skirmishes, particularly focusing on the Third and Fourth Syrian Wars. Daniel 11:11 specifically describes a pivotal moment within the Fifth Syrian War, setting the stage for further conflicts and the rise of Antiochus IV Epiphanes in later verses (Daniel 11:21-35). The precision of this prophecy serves to bolster the credibility of the later, more eschatological prophecies within the book.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The historical backdrop for Daniel 11 is the Hellenistic period, following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC. His vast empire was divided among his generals, primarily into four successor kingdoms (the Diadochi). The two most prominent, and most relevant to this prophecy, were the Ptolemaic Kingdom (ruled by the Ptolemies, centered in Egypt, hence "king of the south") and the Seleucid Empire (ruled by the Seleucids, centered in Syria and Mesopotamia, hence "king of the north"). Judea, the homeland of the Israelites, lay strategically between these two powerful empires, making it a constant battleground and a coveted prize. The cultural context was one of ongoing geopolitical struggle, where alliances shifted, and control over territories, trade routes, and resources was fiercely contested. The Battle of Raphia (217 BC) is widely recognized as the historical fulfillment of Daniel 11:11, a significant clash during the Fifth Syrian War. This period was marked by Hellenization, as Greek culture, language, and customs spread throughout the conquered territories, often leading to tension with traditional Jewish practices.
  • Key Themes: The overarching theme in Daniel 11, and particularly evident in verse 11, is Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge. The incredibly precise nature of the prophecies, detailing events centuries before they occurred, serves as an undeniable testament to God's absolute control over human history and His ability to declare the future. This demonstrates that God is not merely an observer but the orchestrator of the rise and fall of empires, as highlighted in Daniel 2:21. Another key theme is Conflict and Power Struggles, as the verse vividly portrays the relentless vying for power and territory between earthly kingdoms, a recurring motif throughout history. This underscores the human tendency towards ambition, aggression, and the transient nature of worldly power. Finally, the Reliability of Prophecy is a crucial theme. The historical fulfillment of these detailed predictions provides strong evidence for the inspiration and trustworthiness of Scripture, assuring believers that God's word is true and His ultimate purposes will come to pass, culminating in the establishment of His eternal kingdom as described in Daniel 7:14.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • choler (Hebrew, mârar', H4843): This primitive root means "to be (causatively, make) bitter," and figuratively, "to vex" or "provoke." In this context, "moved with choler" signifies an intense, bitter rage or fury. It perfectly describes the king of the south's profound anger and determination to retaliate after previous defeats, driving him to a decisive confrontation. This is not merely strategic calculation but an emotional impetus for war.
  • multitude (Hebrew, hâmôwn', H1995): This word denotes a "noise, tumult, crowd," or "abundance." It emphasizes the sheer size and overwhelming number of troops assembled by the king of the north. The repetition of "multitude" in the verse ("a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given") highlights the scale of the northern king's forces, making the southern king's victory even more remarkable and a clear demonstration of divine intervention or predetermination.
  • hand (Hebrew, yâd', H3027): This common Hebrew word for "hand" carries a rich semantic range, often signifying power, control, possession, or authority. When the multitude is "given into his hand," it powerfully conveys the king of the south's complete victory, mastery, and control over the defeated army. It implies not just a rout, but a decisive capture and subjugation of the enemy forces, signifying the transfer of power and dominion.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And the king of the south shall be moved with choler": This clause introduces the Ptolemaic king (Ptolemy IV Philopator, historically) and his emotional state. "Moved with choler" (from the Hebrew mârar) indicates a surge of intense anger, bitterness, or indignation. This rage is the catalyst for his subsequent military action, likely fueled by previous defeats or provocations from the king of the north.
  • "and shall come forth and fight with him, [even] with the king of the north": This describes the direct military confrontation initiated by the enraged southern king. "Come forth" (from yâtsâʼ) implies an aggressive advance, not merely a defensive posture. The target is explicitly identified as the Seleucid king (Antiochus III the Great, historically), setting the stage for a major battle.
  • "and he shall set forth a great multitude": This refers to the king of the north's impressive military mobilization. "Set forth" (from ʻâmad) suggests establishing or arraying a vast army. The phrase "great multitude" (from rab and hâmôwn) emphasizes the immense size and formidable nature of the Seleucid forces, indicating a powerful and seemingly overwhelming opponent.
  • "but the multitude shall be given into his hand": This climactic clause reveals the outcome of the battle, contrary to what the northern king's "great multitude" might suggest. "Given" (from nâthan) implies a divine or predetermined handing over. "Into his hand" (from yâd) signifies complete defeat, capture, and subjugation of the northern king's vast army by the king of the south. This phrase underscores the decisive victory and the transfer of power and control.

Literary Devices

Daniel 11:11 employs several literary devices to convey its prophetic message. The most prominent is Prophecy, specifically Predictive Prophecy, which is the core nature of Daniel 11. The verse meticulously foretells a specific historical event (the Battle of Raphia) centuries before its occurrence, demonstrating divine omniscience and control over human affairs. This detailed foresight lends immense credibility to the biblical text. Additionally, there is an element of Contrast or Antithesis between the "great multitude" of the king of the north and its ultimate fate of being "given into his hand." This highlights the surprising and divinely orchestrated outcome, where numerical superiority does not guarantee victory. The phrase "moved with choler" is a form of Figurative Language, specifically a Metaphor or Idiom, conveying intense emotional motivation rather than a literal physical movement. Finally, the use of "hand" as a symbol for power, control, and possession is a form of Metonymy, where a part (the hand) stands for the whole concept of dominion and victory.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Daniel 11:11 powerfully illustrates God's meticulous sovereignty over human history, revealing that even the most complex geopolitical struggles and the outcomes of massive battles are not random but fall within His divine plan. This detailed prophecy serves as a profound testament to God's omniscience, demonstrating that He is actively involved in the affairs of nations, orchestrating the rise and fall of empires according to His purposes. It assures us that no earthly power, however great its "multitude," can ultimately thwart the will of the Almighty. This truth provides immense comfort and stability for believers, reminding us that even amidst global turmoil and conflict, God remains on His throne, perfectly executing His redemptive plan.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

In a world often characterized by political instability, international conflicts, and the rise and fall of powerful nations, Daniel 11:11 offers profound reassurance and a unique perspective. It reminds us that God is not a distant, passive observer of human events but an active, sovereign orchestrator of history. Just as He precisely foretold the outcomes of ancient battles between mighty empires, we can trust that He has a sovereign plan for our lives, for our nations, and for the entire course of human history. This understanding should cultivate a deep sense of peace and confidence, knowing that even amidst chaos and uncertainty, God's ultimate purposes will prevail. It encourages us to view current events through a biblical lens, recognizing that all human endeavors and power struggles ultimately unfold within the framework of God's overarching design. Our response, then, should be one of humble trust, faithful obedience, and unwavering hope in the God who knows the end from the beginning, and whose kingdom will ultimately triumph over all earthly kingdoms.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does the detailed fulfillment of this prophecy strengthen your faith in the reliability of God's Word?
  • In what ways does knowing God's sovereignty over nations and historical events impact your perspective on current global conflicts or political uncertainties?
  • How might recognizing God's control over even the "multitudes" of this world influence your prayers for leaders and nations?

FAQ

What is the historical fulfillment of Daniel 11:11?

Answer: Daniel 11:11 is widely understood by scholars to refer to the Battle of Raphia, which occurred in 217 BC. In this conflict, Ptolemy IV Philopator, the "king of the south" (ruler of Ptolemaic Egypt), was "moved with choler" (intense anger) after suffering earlier defeats at the hands of Antiochus III the Great, the "king of the north" (ruler of the Seleucid Empire). Ptolemy IV gathered a massive army and confronted Antiochus III near Gaza. Despite the Seleucid forces' initial strength, the Ptolemaic army ultimately achieved a decisive victory, fulfilling the prophecy that the northern king's "multitude shall be given into his hand." This battle was a significant event in the ongoing Syrian Wars between these two Hellenistic powers.

Why is the detailed nature of Daniel 11's prophecy significant for biblical theology?

Answer: The detailed nature of Daniel 11's prophecy is profoundly significant for biblical theology because it serves as a powerful demonstration of God's omniscience and His active sovereignty over human history. Unlike general predictions, this chapter provides specific details about kings, battles, and political maneuvers centuries before they occurred, which has been historically verified. This level of precision underscores the Bible's claim to divine inspiration and infallibility. It shows that God is not merely a distant deity but one who orchestrates the rise and fall of nations (Daniel 2:21) and knows the future with absolute certainty (Isaiah 46:9-10). This strengthens faith in the reliability of all Scripture, including prophecies concerning the end times and the coming of God's kingdom.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Daniel 11:11 specifically details a historical conflict between ancient kings, its underlying theological truths find their ultimate and spiritual fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The divine sovereignty so vividly displayed in God's foreknowledge of earthly battles points to the even greater sovereignty of Christ, who is the true King over all kings and Lord over all lords (Revelation 19:16). The earthly conflicts depicted here, driven by human ambition and rage, foreshadow the ultimate spiritual battle against sin, death, and the forces of darkness, a battle decisively won by Christ on the cross and through His resurrection (Colossians 2:15). Just as the "multitude" of the northern king was "given into his hand," so too were the powers of darkness defeated and given into the hand of Christ, who disarmed them and made a public spectacle of them. His kingdom, unlike the transient empires of the Ptolemies and Seleucids, is an everlasting kingdom that shall never be destroyed (Daniel 7:14). Thus, Daniel 11:11 ultimately points to the One who perfectly fulfills God's sovereign plan, bringing about not just a temporary military victory, but eternal redemption and the establishment of His righteous reign.

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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
Verses 11, 12. "And the king of the South, being provoked, shall go forth and shall prepare an exceeding great multitude, and a multitude shall be given into his hand. And he shall take a multitude, and his heart shall be lifted up, because (Vulgate: and) he shall cast down many thousands. But he shall not prevail." The Ptolemy surnamed Philopator, having lost Syria through the betrayal of Theodotius, gathered together a very great multitude and launched an invasion against Antiochus the Great, who now bears the title of king of the North, at the region where Egypt borders upon the province of Judaea. For owing to the nature of the region, this locality lies partly to the south and partly to the north. If we speak of Judaea, it lies to the north of Egypt and to the south of Syria. And so when he had joined battle near the town of Raphia at the gateway of Egypt, Antiochus lost his entire army and was almost captured as he fled through the desert. And after he had conceded the loss of Syria, the conflict was finally brought to an end upon the basis of a treaty and certain conditions of peace. And this is what the Scripture means here by the statement that Ptolemy Philopator "shall cast down many thousands" and yet shall not prevail. For he was unable to capture his adversary. The sequel now follows.
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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