Daniel 11:13

KJV

For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the king {H4428} of the north {H6828} shall return {H7725}, and shall set forth {H5975} a multitude {H1995} greater {H7227} than the former {H7223}, and shall certainly {H935} come {H935} after {H7093} certain {H6256} years {H8141} with a great {H1419} army {H2428} and with much {H7227} riches {H7399}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Rather, the king of the north will again muster an army, larger than the first one, at the end of this period, after a number of years; it will be a large, well-supplied army.

Berean Standard Bible

For the king of the North will raise another army, larger than the first, and after some years he will advance with a great army and many supplies.

American Standard Version

And the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former; and he shall come on at the end of the times, even of years, with a great army and with much substance.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 11:13 continues the highly precise prophetic narrative concerning the geopolitical struggles between the "King of the North" (Seleucid Empire) and the "King of the South" (Ptolemaic Egypt), forecasting a formidable resurgence by the northern monarch. This verse specifically predicts the return of the King of the North with an even larger and more powerful army and vast resources, after a period of preparation following a previous setback, setting the stage for a renewed and decisive campaign against his southern rival.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 11 provides an unparalleled level of historical detail, outlining the conflicts between the Seleucid and Ptolemaic dynasties following the death of Alexander the Great. Verses 11-12 describe a significant defeat for the King of the North (historically Antiochus III at the Battle of Raphia against Ptolemy IV Philopator). Daniel 11:13 directly follows this setback, prophesying not the end of the conflict, but a strategic withdrawal and a subsequent, even more powerful return. This verse signals a new phase in the ongoing power struggle, emphasizing the cyclical nature of these ancient wars and the relentless ambition of the northern king. The precision of the prophecy here underscores the divine foreknowledge that permeates the entire chapter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "King of the North" is widely identified as Antiochus III the Great, and the "King of the South" as the Ptolemaic rulers of Egypt. Following his defeat at Raphia (217 BC), Antiochus III spent several years consolidating his power in the eastern satrapies of his vast Seleucid Empire, engaging in campaigns that stretched as far as India. This period of re-establishment and expansion, lasting approximately a decade, allowed him to amass immense wealth and a formidable fighting force. Daniel 11:13 accurately foretells this historical interval and his subsequent return to challenge Ptolemaic control over Coele-Syria. The cultural context is that of Hellenistic monarchies, characterized by constant warfare, shifting alliances, and the relentless pursuit of territorial expansion and dynastic power.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Daniel and biblical prophecy. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's absolute control over the rise and fall of empires and the destinies of kings, even in the minutiae of their military campaigns. The remarkable **Accuracy of Prophecy** is also a central theme, as the specific details of the King of the North's return, the scale of his forces, and the timing ("after certain years") align precisely with historical events, validating the divine origin of Daniel's visions. Furthermore, the verse highlights the **Persistence of Evil and Human Ambition**, as the defeated king does not abandon his objectives but returns with renewed vigor, illustrating the relentless nature of earthly power struggles that persist until God's ultimate kingdom is established, as seen in [Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Eternal Kingdom"). The detailed nature of these prophecies serves to bolster faith in God's ultimate plan and His ability to bring about His purposes through, and despite, human actions, a truth echoed in [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **return (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** This primitive root signifies "to turn back" or "to retreat," often implying a return to a former state or place. In Daniel 11:13, it denotes the King of the North's strategic withdrawal and subsequent re-engagement in conflict, not merely a physical return but a resumption of his aggressive policies after a period of recovery and preparation. It underscores the cyclical nature of the conflict and the king's persistent ambition.
* **multitude (Hebrew, _hâmôwn'_):** This term refers to a "noise, tumult, crowd," or a "vast army." Its usage here emphasizes the overwhelming numerical superiority and formidable nature of the forces the King of the North would assemble. It conveys a sense of a massive, perhaps even chaotic, gathering of people, specifically a military host, highlighting the sheer scale of the impending invasion.
* **army (Hebrew, _chayil'_):** This word denotes "force," whether of men, means, or other resources, encompassing an "army," "wealth," "valor," or "strength." In this context, combined with "great," it underscores the military might and comprehensive resources—both personnel and materiel—that the King of the North would bring to bear. It speaks to the overall power and capability of his assembled forces, not just their numbers but their quality and preparedness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the king of the north shall return,"**: This clause establishes the central action, predicting the re-engagement of the Seleucid ruler (Antiochus III) in the conflict with the Ptolemaic kingdom. The word "return" implies a previous withdrawal or setback, which aligns with his defeat at Raphia. It signifies a renewed offensive after a period of absence from the immediate theater of war.
* **"and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former,"**: This phrase emphasizes the unprecedented scale of the King of the North's second invasion. "Set forth" (Hebrew: `ʻâmad`) implies establishing or raising up, indicating a deliberate and massive mobilization of forces. The "multitude greater than the former" highlights that this new army would surpass the size and perhaps even the quality of his previous forces, signifying a significant increase in his military power and resources.
* **"and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches."**: This final clause provides crucial details about the timing and nature of the return. "After certain years" indicates a specific, though unspecified, period of preparation and recovery, which historically corresponds to the time Antiochus III spent consolidating his eastern empire. The description "with a great army and with much riches" reiterates and expands upon the previous clause, emphasizing not only the immense size of his military (`chayil` - force, including strength and resources) but also the vast financial wealth (`rᵉkûwsh` - property, substance) he would have accumulated to sustain such a massive campaign. The certainty of his coming ("shall certainly come") underscores the prophetic inevitability of these events.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 11:13 employs several literary devices to convey its prophetic message with precision and impact. **Foreshadowing** is paramount, as the verse anticipates a future military campaign with remarkable accuracy, detailing its scale and timing long before its historical unfolding. The phrase "multitude greater than the former" serves as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the overwhelming size and power of the King of the North's renewed forces, though historically accurate in its general implication of a much larger army. The meticulous detail regarding the "certain years" and the mention of "great army and with much riches" exemplifies **Prophetic Detail**, a hallmark of Daniel's prophecies, which lends credibility to the divine origin of the message by providing specific, verifiable elements that would later be fulfilled in history. This level of specificity is designed to impress upon the reader the absolute sovereignty and foreknowledge of God over human affairs.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 11:13, with its astonishingly precise forecast of historical events, serves as a profound testament to God's omniscience and His sovereign control over the course of human history. The detailed unfolding of earthly kingdoms, their conflicts, and their leaders, as meticulously laid out in this prophecy, underscores that no human power, no matter how great or ambitious, operates outside the purview of God's divine plan. This passage reinforces the theological truth that God is actively involved in the affairs of nations, orchestrating events to fulfill His ultimate purposes, even when human actors are pursuing their own agendas. It assures believers that amidst the chaos and shifting tides of global power, there is an unchanging divine hand at work, guiding history towards its appointed end.

* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The Lord Frustrates the Plans of the Nations")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart is in the Hand of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed prophecy of Daniel 11:13, though rooted in ancient geopolitical conflicts, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's meticulous oversight extends to every sphere of human existence, including the most powerful political and military movements. In a world often characterized by instability, conflict, and the rise and fall of nations, this passage provides an anchor of hope and assurance. We are called to trust in a God who not only knows the end from the beginning but actively works all things according to the counsel of His will. This understanding should cultivate a deep sense of peace, knowing that even when earthly powers seem overwhelming or chaotic, they are ultimately constrained and directed by the divine hand. It encourages us to pray for our leaders, to seek justice, and to live faithfully, recognizing that our ultimate allegiance is to the King of Kings whose kingdom will never pass away.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precision of Daniel's prophecy in this verse strengthen your faith in the reliability of God's Word?**
* **In what ways does knowing God's sovereignty over historical events, even military campaigns, bring comfort or challenge to your perspective on current global affairs?**
* **How might the King of the North's persistent ambition, even after setback, serve as a cautionary tale about the human pursuit of power?**

### FAQ

**Who is the "King of the North" in Daniel 11:13, and what is the significance of his "return"?**

Answer: In the historical interpretation widely accepted by scholars, the "King of the North" in Daniel 11 refers to the Seleucid rulers based in Syria, specifically Antiochus III the Great in the context of Daniel 11:13. His "return" signifies his re-engagement in conflict with the Ptolemaic kingdom (the "King of the South") after a period of strategic withdrawal and consolidation of power. Historically, this refers to Antiochus III's campaigns after his defeat at the Battle of Raphia (217 BC), during which he spent several years re-establishing his authority in the eastern parts of his empire and amassing a formidable new army and resources before launching a renewed invasion of Coele-Syria around 200 BC. This return marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing Syrian Wars, demonstrating his relentless ambition and the accuracy of Daniel's prophecy.

**What is the meaning of "after certain years" in this prophecy?**

Answer: The phrase "after certain years" (KJV) or "at the end of some years" (ESV) indicates a significant but unspecified period of time between the King of the North's previous defeat (Daniel 11:11-12) and his predicted return in Daniel 11:13. This detail is crucial for historical correlation. Historically, Antiochus III's defeat at Raphia occurred in 217 BC. He then embarked on extensive campaigns in the eastern satrapies, known as his "Anabasis," which lasted for several years (approximately 10 years, from 212-205 BC). During this time, he consolidated his power and amassed the "great army and much riches" mentioned in the verse. His return to engage the Ptolemies in the Fifth Syrian War occurred around 200 BC, precisely "after certain years" of preparation. This specific detail highlights the remarkable precision of Daniel's prophecy, demonstrating God's foreknowledge of the exact timing and circumstances of future events.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Daniel 11:13 details the earthly machinations of kings and empires, its ultimate theological trajectory points beyond these transient powers to the eternal reign of Jesus Christ. The relentless ambition of the "King of the North" to amass a "multitude greater than the former" and conquer territory serves as a stark contrast to the kingdom of God, which is not built by human might or earthly riches, but by divine power and grace. The rise and fall of these powerful earthly rulers, meticulously foretold, ultimately underscore the truth that all earthly authority is temporary and subject to a higher power. This prophetic narrative, therefore, foreshadows the coming of a King whose dominion is not limited by geography or time, and whose kingdom will never be defeated or replaced. Jesus, the true [King of Kings and Lord of Lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - Jesus, King of Kings"), came not with a great army to conquer nations by force, but as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), establishing a spiritual kingdom that transcends all earthly empires. His authority, given to Him by the Father, is [all authority in heaven and on earth](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus"), and He reigns eternally, upholding the universe by the word of His power ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things")). Thus, the detailed prophecies of Daniel, while fulfilled in ancient history, ultimately serve to magnify the sovereign rule of Christ, who will one day fully establish His kingdom, and the [kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes Christ's Kingdom").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 4:16

Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.

Daniel 12:7

And I heard the man clothed in linen, which [was] upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that [it shall be] for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these [things] shall be finished.

Daniel 11:6

And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in [these] times.

Daniel 11:7

But out of a branch of her roots shall [one] stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail: