Daniel 11:12

[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].

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.

and carried off. The conqueror will grow proud as he slaughters tens of thousands, yet he will not prevail.

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.

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.

Daniel 11:12 is part of a detailed prophecy given to Daniel, outlining future conflicts between the "King of the North" (the Seleucid dynasty) and the "King of the South" (the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt). This specific verse refers to Ptolemy IV Philopator, the King of the South, following his significant victory over Antiochus III (the King of the North) at the Battle of Raphia in 217 BC.

Context

The preceding verses in Daniel 11 describe the military campaigns and shifting power dynamics between these two Hellenistic empires that emerged after the death of Alexander the Great. Verse 12 focuses on Ptolemy IV's reaction to his triumph. His victory at Raphia allowed him to "take away the multitude" – referring to the vast army of Antiochus III, which suffered heavy losses. This success inflated Ptolemy IV's ego, leading to the prophecy that "his heart shall be lifted up."

Key Themes

  • Pride and Arrogance: The verse highlights how a great victory can lead to excessive pride. Ptolemy IV's heart was "lifted up," indicating an inflated sense of self-importance and a disregard for divine favor or humility. This pride often precedes a fall, a theme echoed throughout Scripture (see Proverbs 16:18).
  • Temporary Triumph: Despite "casting down many ten thousands," meaning inflicting immense casualties or demonstrating great power, the prophecy states, "he shall not be strengthened by it." This signifies that the victory, while militarily significant, did not translate into lasting national strength or prosperity for Ptolemy IV's kingdom. His subsequent reign was marked by internal strife, moral decay, and a weakening of his empire's foundations due to his indulgence and misrule.
  • Divine Sovereignty: Underlying this historical detail is the larger theme of God's sovereign control over human history and the rise and fall of empires, a central message throughout the book of Daniel. Even the pride and eventual decline of powerful kings are within God's prophetic plan.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "his heart shall be lifted up" uses the Hebrew verb רוּם (rum), meaning to be high, exalted, or lifted up. In this context, it carries a negative connotation of arrogance and haughtiness, rather than righteous exaltation. The phrase "cast down many ten thousands" emphasizes the sheer scale of the defeat inflicted, using a hyperbolic number to convey immense power.

Practical Application

Daniel 11:12 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of pride that can accompany success. Whether in personal achievements, business ventures, or positions of power, an inflated ego can lead to poor decisions, moral decay, and ultimately, a weakening of one's position or influence. True strength and lasting success are not built on arrogance but on humility, wisdom, and often, a recognition of dependence on a higher power. It reminds us that even great victories, if not managed with humility, can lead to eventual decline, just as God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 12:22

    And the people gave a shout, [saying, It is] the voice of a god, and not of a man.

  • Acts 12:23

    And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

  • 1 Peter 5:5

    ¶ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

  • Daniel 8:25

    And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify [himself] in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

  • Proverbs 16:18

    ¶ Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

  • Daniel 5:23

    But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath [is], and whose [are] all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:

  • 1 Timothy 3:6

    Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

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