Daniel 11:11

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.

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}.

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

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.

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.

Commentary

Commentary on Daniel 11:11 (KJV)

Daniel 11:11 is a precise prophetic statement within one of the Bible's most detailed prophecies, outlining the future conflicts between two major Hellenistic kingdoms. This verse describes a specific clash between the "king of the south" and the "king of the north," where the southern king, filled with rage, confronts his northern counterpart. Despite gathering a vast army, the outcome is divinely predetermined: "the multitude shall be given into his hand," signifying the southern king's victory.

Historical and Cultural Context

The Book of Daniel, particularly chapter 11, provides an astonishingly accurate foretelling of events centuries before they occurred. The "king of the south" refers to the Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled Egypt and surrounding territories from Alexandria. The "king of the north" represents the Seleucid dynasty, which controlled Syria, Mesopotamia, and parts of Asia Minor from Antioch. These two powerful empires frequently vied for control over the strategically important region of Judea, which lay between them.

Historically, Daniel 11:11 is widely understood to refer to the Battle of Raphia (217 BC), where Ptolemy IV Philopator (the king of the south) was "moved with choler" (anger) after suffering earlier defeats at the hands of Antiochus III the Great (the king of the north). Ptolemy IV gathered a massive army and engaged Antiochus III at Raphia, near Gaza. Despite the Seleucid army's initial success, the Ptolemaic forces ultimately routed them, fulfilling the prophecy that the great multitude of the king of the north would be "given into his hand" (the king of the south's). This battle was a significant event in the ongoing Syrian Wars.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge: The most striking theme is God's absolute control over human history and His ability to declare future events with astonishing precision. This detailed prophecy serves as a powerful testament to God's omniscience, demonstrating that He orchestrates the rise and fall of empires and the outcomes of battles. Daniel 2:28 highlights God's unique ability to reveal secrets and future events.
  • Conflict and Power Struggles: The verse vividly portrays the relentless struggle for power and territory between earthly kingdoms, a recurring motif throughout history. It underscores the human tendency towards ambition and aggression.
  • Reliability of Prophecy: The historical fulfillment of these prophecies provides strong evidence for the inspiration and reliability of Scripture. It assures believers that God's word is true and His promises will come to pass.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "moved with choler" (KJV) conveys a strong sense of intense anger or wrath. The Hebrew word is αΈ₯Δ“māh (Χ—Φ΅ΧžΦΈΧ”), which can mean heat, rage, fury, or poison. Here, it perfectly describes the king of the south's furious determination to retaliate against the king of the north, leading to a decisive confrontation. This emotional intensity highlights the personal stakes involved in these grand geopolitical conflicts.

Practical Application

For believers today, Daniel 11:11 offers profound reassurance. In a world often marked by political instability, conflicts, and uncertainty, this verse reminds us that God is not a passive observer but an active participant in history.

  • Trust in God's Plan: Just as God precisely foretold the outcomes of ancient battles, we can trust that He has a sovereign plan for our lives and for the world. Even amidst chaos, His purposes will ultimately prevail.
  • Perspective on World Events: Understanding prophecies like Daniel 11 helps us view current events through a biblical lens, recognizing that human history unfolds according to God's overarching design. It encourages us not to despair but to find hope in God's ultimate victory and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, as prophesied in Daniel 7:14.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Daniel 8:7

    And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.

  • Daniel 11:5

    ΒΆ And the king of the south shall be strong, and [one] of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion [shall be] a great dominion.

  • Jeremiah 27:6

    And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.

  • 1 Kings 20:13

    And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Psalms 76:10

    Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

  • Psalms 33:16

    There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

  • Psalms 33:17

    An horse [is] a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver [any] by his great strength.