Daniel 11:12

Translation
King James Version
And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.
Ask
KJV (with Strong's)
And when he hath taken away H5375 the multitude H1995, his heart H3824 shall be lifted up H7311 H7311; and he shall cast down H5307 many ten thousands H7239: but he shall not be strengthened H5810 by it.
Ask
Complete Jewish Bible
and carried off. The conqueror will grow proud as he slaughters tens of thousands, yet he will not prevail.
Ask
Berean Standard Bible
When the army is carried off, the king of the South will be proud in heart and will cast down tens of thousands, but he will not triumph.
Ask
American Standard Version
And the multitude shall be lifted up, and his heart shall be exalted; and he shall cast down tens of thousands, but he shall not prevail.
Ask
World English Bible Messianic
The multitude shall be lifted up, and his heart shall be exalted; and he shall cast down tens of thousands, but he shall not prevail.
Ask
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then the multitude shall be proude, and their heart shall be lifted vp: for hee shall cast downe thousands: but he shall not still preuaile.
Ask
Young's Literal Translation
and he hath carried away the multitude, his heart is high, and he hath caused myriads to fall, and he doth not become strong.
Ask
See also
Acts 12:22Acts 12:231 Peter 5:5Daniel 8:25Proverbs 16:18Daniel 5:231 Timothy 3:6
See on the biblical-era map
Daniel’s Visions
Daniel’s Visions View full PDF

Map © Biblica Open Bible Maps · CC BY-SA 4.0

In the KJVVerse 22,049 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Daniel 11:12 prophesies the aftermath of a significant military victory by the King of the South (Ptolemy IV Philopator) over the King of the North (Antiochus III) at the Battle of Raphia. Despite inflicting massive casualties and achieving a resounding triumph, the verse foretells that the victor's heart would be lifted up in pride, and this success would ultimately fail to strengthen his kingdom in a lasting way.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Daniel 11 is a remarkable chapter, providing an incredibly detailed prophetic outline of the conflicts between the "King of the North" (the Seleucid dynasty, ruling from Syria) and the "King of the South" (the Ptolemaic dynasty, ruling from Egypt) in the Hellenistic period following Alexander the Great's death. This long prophecy, stretching from Daniel's own time into the distant future, meticulously describes specific battles, alliances, marriages, and betrayals. Verse 12 specifically follows the description of the fourth Ptolemaic-Seleucid war, culminating in the Battle of Raphia (217 BC). The preceding verses, particularly Daniel 11:10-11, set the stage for Antiochus III's initial success and subsequent defeat at the hands of Ptolemy IV, to which verse 12 directly responds.

  • Historical & Cultural Context: The period described in Daniel 11:12 falls within the Hellenistic era, a time of intense geopolitical struggle among the Diadochi, the successors of Alexander the Great. The Ptolemaic kingdom in Egypt and the Seleucid kingdom in Syria were the dominant powers, constantly vying for control over the strategically vital region of Coele-Syria. The "King of the South" in this verse is Ptolemy IV Philopator, and the "King of the North" is Antiochus III the Great. The Battle of Raphia in 217 BC was a decisive victory for Ptolemy IV, where he personally led his forces, including native Egyptian troops, to defeat Antiochus III. Culturally, the Hellenistic world was characterized by a blend of Greek and local traditions, with rulers often adopting divine titles and exhibiting immense pride in their military achievements, a common trait that would have been understood by Daniel's audience.

  • Key Themes: This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Daniel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of Pride and Arrogance, showing how even a monumental victory can lead to an inflated sense of self-importance and a disregard for divine humility. Ptolemy IV's "heart shall be lifted up" directly foreshadows his subsequent moral decline and misrule, echoing the biblical principle that pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Secondly, the phrase "he shall not be strengthened by it" introduces the theme of Temporary Triumph and Illusory Strength. Despite the immense military success and the "casting down many ten thousands," the victory did not translate into lasting national prosperity or internal stability for Ptolemy IV's kingdom. His reign after Raphia was marked by indulgence, internal revolts, and a weakening of the empire, demonstrating that worldly power is often fleeting and does not equate to true, enduring strength. This aligns with the biblical emphasis on the vanity of human efforts apart from God's blessing, as seen in Psalm 33:16-17. Finally, underlying this specific historical detail is the pervasive theme of Divine Sovereignty, a cornerstone of the book of Daniel. The meticulous nature of the prophecy underscores God's absolute control over the rise and fall of empires and kings, demonstrating that even the most powerful human rulers operate within His predetermined plan, as declared in Daniel 2:21.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • multitude (Hebrew, hâmôwn', H1995): This term (H1995) refers to a noise, tumult, or crowd, often signifying a large gathering, a multitude, or even wealth and abundance. In Daniel 11:12, it specifically denotes the vast army of Antiochus III, which Ptolemy IV "taken away," meaning he defeated and decimated this numerous host. The word emphasizes the sheer scale of the forces involved and the magnitude of the victory.
  • lifted up (Hebrew, rûwm', H7311): The verb (H7311) means "to be high," "to rise," or "to raise." While it can denote righteous exaltation, in this context, when applied to the "heart," it carries a strong negative connotation of arrogance, haughtiness, and excessive pride. The Septuagint translates it with words implying inflation or being puffed up, indicating a spiritual state of self-exaltation rather than humble gratitude for victory.
  • strengthened (Hebrew, ʻâzaz', H5810): This primitive root (H5810) means "to be stout," "to be strong," "to prevail," or "to harden." In the negative, "he shall not be strengthened by it," it conveys that the victory, despite its military grandeur, would not result in lasting power, internal stability, or true national vigor for Ptolemy IV. His kingdom would not become more robust or secure as a direct consequence of this triumph.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And when he hath taken away the multitude": This clause refers to Ptolemy IV Philopator's decisive military victory over Antiochus III at the Battle of Raphia (217 BC). "Taken away" signifies the destruction, defeat, and removal of the opposing army, emphasizing the completeness of his triumph over Antiochus's large forces.
  • "his heart shall be lifted up": This is a prophetic statement about Ptolemy IV's reaction to his victory. It indicates that his success would lead to extreme pride, arrogance, and an inflated sense of self-importance. This spiritual condition would manifest in his subsequent actions and reign.
  • "and he shall cast down many ten thousands": This reiterates the immense scale of the defeat inflicted upon Antiochus III's army. "Many ten thousands" (a myriad) is a hyperbolic expression emphasizing the vast number of casualties or the overwhelming nature of the victory, underscoring the military might displayed by Ptolemy.
  • "but he shall not be strengthened by it": This crucial concluding phrase reveals the paradox of worldly triumph. Despite the overwhelming victory and the immense power demonstrated, this success would not bring lasting strength or stability to Ptolemy IV's kingdom. Historically, Ptolemy IV's reign after Raphia was marked by moral decay, internal strife, and a weakening of the Ptolemaic empire due to his personal indulgences and poor governance, illustrating that military success alone does not guarantee true national strength.

Literary Devices

Daniel 11:12 employs several literary techniques to convey its prophetic message. Hyperbole is evident in the phrase "many ten thousands" (Hebrew: ribbôw), which is a myriad, signifying an indefinitely large number. This exaggeration emphasizes the immense scale of the defeat inflicted by Ptolemy IV, highlighting the overwhelming nature of his victory. The phrase "his heart shall be lifted up" is an idiom or a form of metonymy, where "heart" represents the inner being, mind, or character, and "lifted up" signifies pride or arrogance. This vivid imagery immediately conveys the spiritual state of the victorious king. Furthermore, the verse uses antithesis or contrast between the initial triumph and the subsequent lack of lasting benefit: "he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it." This stark contrast underscores the fleeting nature of worldly success when accompanied by pride, serving as a prophetic warning that outward victory does not always equate to true, enduring strength. The entire verse, of course, functions as prophecy, a predictive statement about future historical events, demonstrating God's foreknowledge and sovereign control.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Daniel 11:12 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of human power, pride, and divine sovereignty. It illustrates that even the most spectacular worldly victories, achieved through immense military might, can be ultimately hollow and fail to produce lasting strength when accompanied by arrogance and a lack of humility. The "lifting up" of the heart is consistently condemned in Scripture as an affront to God, who opposes the proud. This verse reminds us that true strength and stability do not come from human achievements or military might, but from a posture of humility and dependence on God. It highlights the vanity of human ambition when it displaces God, demonstrating that He is the ultimate arbiter of the rise and fall of nations and individuals.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Daniel 11:12 offers a timeless warning against the insidious nature of pride, especially in the wake of success. Whether in personal achievements, professional advancements, or even spiritual growth, it's easy for our "heart to be lifted up." This verse challenges us to examine our reactions to success: Do we attribute it solely to our own efforts, intelligence, or strength, or do we acknowledge divine grace and providence? An inflated ego can lead to poor judgment, moral compromise, and ultimately, a weakening of our character and influence, just as it did for Ptolemy IV. True, lasting strength—whether for an individual, a family, or an organization—is not built on fleeting triumphs or self-exaltation, but on humility, integrity, and a recognition of our dependence on God. This passage encourages us to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and humility, understanding that all good things come from above, and that true power is found in aligning ourselves with God's will, not in asserting our own.

Questions for Reflection

  • How do I typically respond to personal successes or significant achievements in my life? Am I prone to pride or humility?
  • In what areas of my life might I be tempted to let my "heart be lifted up," and what practical steps can I take to cultivate a spirit of humility?
  • What does "true strength" mean in a biblical sense, and how does it differ from the worldly definitions of power and success?

FAQ

Who is the "he" in Daniel 11:12, and what "multitude" is being referred to?

Answer: The "he" in Daniel 11:12 refers to Ptolemy IV Philopator, the King of the South (ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom in Egypt). The "multitude" refers to the vast army of Antiochus III the Great, the King of the North (ruler of the Seleucid Empire). This verse describes Ptolemy IV's decisive victory over Antiochus III at the Battle of Raphia in 217 BC, where he "took away" or defeated Antiochus's large forces.

What is the meaning of "but he shall not be strengthened by it"?

Answer: This phrase signifies that despite Ptolemy IV's overwhelming military victory at Raphia and the immense casualties inflicted on his enemy, this triumph would not lead to lasting strength, stability, or prosperity for his kingdom. Historically, Ptolemy IV's reign after Raphia was marked by personal indulgence, moral decay, and internal rebellions, which ultimately weakened the Ptolemaic empire. The prophecy indicates that external military success, when coupled with internal spiritual and moral failings (represented by his "heart being lifted up"), does not guarantee true or enduring strength. It highlights the fleeting nature of worldly power and the importance of character and wise governance for true national well-being, a theme echoed in Proverbs 14:34.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Daniel 11:12 describes the prideful and ultimately fleeting victory of an earthly king, it foreshadows by contrast the profound and eternal victory of Jesus Christ. Unlike Ptolemy IV, whose heart was "lifted up" in arrogance after his triumph, Jesus, though possessing all divine power and authority, chose to humble Himself, taking the form of a servant and becoming obedient to death on a cross, as beautifully articulated in Philippians 2:5-8. His victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness was not achieved through worldly military might or the "casting down many ten thousands" in a physical battle, but through self-sacrificial love and apparent weakness, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15). Furthermore, unlike Ptolemy IV, who "shall not be strengthened by it," Christ's victory on the cross brought about eternal strength, salvation, and the establishment of an everlasting kingdom that will never be destroyed (Daniel 7:14). His strength is made perfect in weakness, and His reign is characterized by humility, grace, and enduring power, offering true and lasting strength to all who believe in Him (2_Corinthians 12:9). He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, whose dominion is not temporary but eternal (Revelation 19:16).

Copy as

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.
Copy as
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.
Copy as

Continue studying Daniel 11:12 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.

Read & Compare

Commentaries

Original Language & Research

Sermons, Hymns & Audio

TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.