Daniel 11:15

Translation
King James Version
So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand.
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KJV (with Strong's)
So the king H4428 of the north H6828 shall come H935, and cast up H8210 a mount H5550, and take H3920 the most fenced H4013 cities H5892: and the arms H2220 of the south H5045 shall not withstand H5975, neither his chosen H4005 people H5971, neither shall there be any strength H3581 to withstand H5975.
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Complete Jewish Bible
"Then the king of the north will come, set up siege-works and capture a fortified city; the forces of the south will be insufficient defense, even his elite troops will not be strong enough to resist.
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Berean Standard Bible
Then the king of the North will come, build up a siege ramp, and capture a fortified city. The forces of the South will not stand; even their best troops will not be able to resist.
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American Standard Version
So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mound, and take a well-fortified city: and the forces of the south shall not stand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to stand.
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World English Bible Messianic
So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mound, and take a well-fortified city: and the forces of the south shall not stand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to stand.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
So the King of the North shall come, and cast vp a mount, and take the strong citie: and the armes of the South shall not resist, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand.
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Young's Literal Translation
`And the king of the north cometh in, and poureth out a mount, and hath captured fenced cities; and the arms of the south do not stand, nor the people of his choice, yea, there is no power to stand.
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See also
Jeremiah 6:6Ezekiel 17:17Ezekiel 4:2Daniel 8:7Jeremiah 5:10Joshua 1:5Proverbs 21:30
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In the KJVVerse 22,052 of 31,102

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SUMMARY

Daniel 11:15 prophesies a decisive military victory for the "king of the north" over the "king of the south," detailing the northern king's sophisticated siege tactics and the utter failure of the southern forces, including their elite troops, to mount any effective resistance. This verse marks a significant turning point in the protracted conflicts between these two powerful Hellenistic dynasties, demonstrating the precise foreknowledge of God regarding future geopolitical events.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Daniel 11 forms the core of Daniel's final and most extensive prophetic vision, spanning from chapter 10 to 12. This chapter is renowned for its unparalleled detail in foretelling historical events, particularly the conflicts between the Ptolemaic (King of the South) and Seleucid (King of the North) dynasties. Verse 15 specifically advances the narrative of these struggles, following earlier accounts of their fluctuating fortunes and alliances (e.g., Daniel 11:6-14). It sets the stage for the subsequent rise of a more sinister figure, foreshadowing the ultimate culmination of human history under God's sovereign hand, a theme consistent with the broader eschatological focus of the book of Daniel.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The prophecy in Daniel 11:15 accurately describes events during the Fifth Syrian War (c. 202-198 BC), a conflict between Antiochus III (the Seleucid "king of the north") and Ptolemy V Epiphanes (the Ptolemaic "king of the south"). Following the death of Ptolemy IV, Antiochus III seized the opportunity to reclaim Coele-Syria, a contested territory. The "casting up a mount" refers to the common ancient siege tactic of building an earthen ramp or siege mound to overcome fortified city walls, a method employed by Antiochus III against cities like Sidon. The "fenced cities" were heavily fortified strongholds, and the "arms of the south" and "chosen people" refer to the Ptolemaic military, including their elite mercenary forces, which proved incapable of defending their territories against Antiochus's overwhelming assault.
  • Key Themes: This verse powerfully underscores several key themes prevalent throughout Daniel and the prophetic books. Firstly, it highlights Divine Foreknowledge, demonstrating God's ability to declare the end from the beginning, as seen in Isaiah 46:10. Secondly, it emphasizes the Fulfillment of Prophecy, providing compelling evidence for the divine inspiration and reliability of Scripture through its precise historical accuracy. Thirdly, the ongoing rise and fall of kingdoms, as depicted here, points to God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms, reinforcing the truth that He "removes kings and sets up kings" (Daniel 2:21). Finally, it subtly conveys the Transience of Human Power, showing that even the most formidable military might is ultimately subject to God's overarching plan and purpose.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • cast up (Hebrew, shâphak' H8210) a mount (Hebrew, çôlᵉlâh', H8210): The verb "shâphak" means "to spill forth" or "to pour out," often used for liquids, but here, in conjunction with "çôlᵉlâh" (a military mound or rampart), it describes the act of piling up earth and materials to construct a siege ramp. This was a standard, effective, and labor-intensive method for besieging heavily fortified cities, allowing attackers to bring siege engines to the wall level or to create a breach.
  • fenced (Hebrew, mibtsâr', H4013): Derived from a root meaning "to cut off" or "to make inaccessible," "mibtsâr" refers to a fortification, castle, or fortified city. The term emphasizes the strength and defensive capabilities of the cities targeted by the king of the north, highlighting the scale of his military achievement in overcoming such strongholds.
  • withstand (Hebrew, ʻâmad', H5975): This primitive root means "to stand" in various relations, including to stand firm, endure, or resist. Its repeated use in the negative ("shall not withstand," "neither shall there be any strength to withstand") powerfully conveys the complete and utter inability of the southern forces to offer any effective resistance or maintain their ground against the overwhelming assault of the northern king.

Verse Breakdown

  • "So the king of the north shall come,": This clause introduces the primary aggressor, the Seleucid king (historically, Antiochus III), emphasizing his proactive and determined military advance into the territory of the king of the south.
  • "and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities:": This details the specific and effective siege tactics employed by the northern king. He will construct siege ramps ("cast up a mount") to overcome the formidable defenses of the "most fenced cities," indicating a systematic and successful campaign against heavily fortified strongholds.
  • "and the arms of the south shall not withstand,": This signifies the complete failure of the Ptolemaic military power. "Arms" (Hebrew: zᵉrôwaʻ) here is a metonymy for military strength and might, indicating that the southern forces, despite their presumed power, will be utterly incapable of resisting the northern king's advance.
  • "neither his chosen people,": This further emphasizes the extent of the southern king's defeat, indicating that even his elite, select troops ("chosen people" or "best troops") will be unable to hold their ground or turn the tide of the battle.
  • "neither [shall there be any] strength to withstand.": This final phrase serves as a powerful reiteration and intensification of the previous clauses, underscoring the absolute and total lack of any effective power or ability on the part of the south to resist the northern king's overwhelming force. It highlights the completeness of their defeat.

Literary Devices

Daniel 11:15 employs several literary devices to convey its prophetic message with dramatic impact. The passage uses Metonymy when referring to "the arms of the south," where "arms" represents the military might and power of the southern kingdom, emphasizing their physical inability to resist. The repeated phrase "shall not withstand, neither... strength to withstand" is a form of Repetition and Emphasis, dramatically highlighting the utter and complete failure of the southern forces. This repetition creates a sense of inevitability and overwhelming defeat. There is also an element of Foreshadowing within the broader context of Daniel 11, as these precise historical details serve to build credibility for the later, more eschatological prophecies concerning the end times and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. The use of specific military actions like "cast up a mount" provides vivid Imagery, allowing the reader to visualize the ancient siege warfare tactics.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Daniel 11:15 stands as a profound testament to God's meticulous sovereignty over human history and the reliability of His prophetic word. The precise fulfillment of such detailed prophecies, centuries after their utterance, underscores that no earthly power, no military strategy, and no human will can ultimately thwart the divine plan. God is not merely an observer of history but its orchestrator, weaving the rise and fall of empires into His grand tapestry, ultimately for His glory and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. This passage assures believers that even amidst geopolitical turmoil and the clash of nations, God remains firmly on His throne, directing all events toward His predetermined ends.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

In a world often characterized by political instability, international conflicts, and the shifting sands of power, Daniel 11:15 offers a profound anchor for the soul. This ancient prophecy, detailing the precise historical outcomes of long-past empires, serves as a powerful reminder that God is not absent from the affairs of humanity. He possesses perfect foreknowledge and exercises ultimate control, even over the most formidable earthly forces. For believers, this truth cultivates deep trust and peace, knowing that our God reigns supreme, and His purposes will prevail regardless of the chaos we observe. It calls us to live with confidence, not in human strength or political solutions, but in the unwavering sovereignty of the Almighty. It encourages us to pray for leaders and nations, understanding that their authority is ultimately derived from Him, and to align our lives with His eternal kingdom, which will never be overthrown.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does the detailed fulfillment of prophecy in Daniel 11:15 strengthen your faith in God's sovereignty and the reliability of Scripture?
  • In what ways does this passage encourage you to trust God amidst current global conflicts or political uncertainties?
  • What practical steps can you take to live in light of God's ultimate control, rather than being swayed by the transient powers of this world?

FAQ

Who are the "king of the north" and "king of the south" in this prophecy?

Answer: In the immediate historical fulfillment of Daniel 11, the "king of the north" refers to the Seleucid dynasty, which ruled over Syria and Mesopotamia, while the "king of the south" refers to the Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled over Egypt. Both dynasties emerged from the division of Alexander the Great's empire after his death. This particular verse, Daniel 11:15, specifically describes the campaign of Antiochus III (Seleucid) against Ptolemy V (Ptolemaic) during the Fifth Syrian War, where Antiochus decisively defeated the Egyptian forces and captured key fortified cities in Coele-Syria.

How does this ancient prophecy apply to believers today?

Answer: While Daniel 11:15 details specific historical events, its enduring application for believers lies in its powerful demonstration of God's absolute sovereignty and the infallibility of His Word. It assures us that God is actively involved in human history, orchestrating the rise and fall of nations according to His divine plan. This provides immense comfort and confidence, reminding us that no earthly power can ultimately thwart God's purposes. Just as He precisely foretold these ancient conflicts, we can trust Him with the future, including the ultimate triumph of His kingdom and the return of Christ, as promised in passages like Revelation 21:4. It encourages us to place our trust not in human might or political systems, but in the unchanging power and wisdom of God.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Daniel 11:15 describes the overwhelming military victory of an earthly king, it ultimately points to the far greater and eternal triumph of Jesus Christ. The "king of the north" in this prophecy, despite his formidable power, was merely a temporal figure whose dominion eventually faded. In contrast, Jesus is the true King of all kings, to whom "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given" (Matthew 28:18). His victory was not merely over fortified cities or human armies, but over sin, death, and the spiritual powers of darkness, triumphing over them by His cross (Colossians 2:15). The inability of the "arms of the south" to withstand the northern king foreshadows the absolute inability of any opposing force—whether human or demonic—to withstand the sovereign power of Christ. He is the one who upholds the universe by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3), and His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom that shall never be destroyed or given to another people (Daniel 7:14). Ultimately, Daniel 11:15, like all prophecy, directs our gaze to the coming of the Messiah, the victorious Lamb who will return as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:11-16), establishing a reign against which no strength can withstand.

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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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Hippolytus of RomeAD 235
COMMENTARY ON DANIEL 2:30-31
“And a king shall stand up and shall enter into the fortress of the king of Egypt.” For Antiochus became king of Syria. He held the sovereignty in the 107th year of the kingdom of the Greeks. And in those same times indeed he made war against Ptolemy king of Egypt, and conquered him and won the power. On returning from Egypt he went up to Jerusalem, in the 103rd year, and carrying off with him all the treasures of the Lord’s house, he marched to Antioch.
JeromeAD 420
St. Jerome, Commentary on Daniel, CHAPTER ELEVEN
Verses 15, 16. "And the king of the North shall come, and shall cast up a mound and capture the best fortified cities, and the arms of the South shall not withstand. And his chosen ones shall rise up to resist, and they shall have no strength. And he shall come upon him and do according to his own desire, and there shall be none to stand against his face. And he shall stand in the glorious land and it shall be consumed by his hand." Purposing to retake Judaea and the many cities of Syria, Antiochus joined battle with Scopas, Ptolemy's general, near the sources of the Jordan near where the city now called Paneas was founded, and he put him to flight and besieged him in Sidon together with ten thousand of his soldiers. In order to free him, Ptolemy dispatched the famous generals, Eropus, Menocles and Damoxenus (Vulgate: Damoxeus). Yet he was unable to lift the siege, and finally Scopas, overcome by famine, had to surrender and was sent away with his associates, despoiled of all he had. And as for the statement, "He shall cast up a mound," this indicates that Antiochus is going to besiege the garrison of Scopas in the citadel of Jerusalem for a long time, while the Jews add their exertions as well. And he is going to capture other cities which had formerly been held by the Ptolemaic faction in Syria, Cilicia and Lycia (variant: Lydia). For at that time Aphrodisias, Soloe, Zephrion, Mallos, Anemurium (variant: Anemurum), Selenus, Coracesium, Coricus, Andriace, Lymira, Patara (variant: Patra), Xanthus, and finally Ephesus were all captured. These things are related by both Greek and Roman historians. And as for the statement, "And he shall stand in the glorious land, and it shall be consumed (or, finished) by his hand," the term "glorious land," or, as the Septuagint interprets it, "the land of desire" (that is, in which God takes pleasure) signifies Judaea, and particularly Jerusalem, to which Antiochus pursued those men of Scopas's party who had been honorably received there. Instead of the phrase, "glorious land," as Aquila rendered it, Theodotion simply puts the Hebrew word itself, Sabin; instead of that Symmachus translated it "land of bravery."
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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