Daniel 11:19

Translation
King James Version
Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
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KJV (with Strong's)
Then he shall turn H7725 his face H6440 toward the fort H4581 of his own land H776: but he shall stumble H3782 and fall H5307, and not be found H4672.
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Complete Jewish Bible
After this, he will put his attention on the strongholds in his own land; but he will stumble, fall and not be seen again.
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Berean Standard Bible
After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble and fall and be no more.
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American Standard Version
Then he shall turn his face toward the fortresses of his own land; but he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found.
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World English Bible Messianic
Then he shall turn his face toward the fortresses of his own land; but he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
For he shall turne his face toward the fortes of his owne land: but he shall be ouerthrowen and fall, and be no more founde.
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Young's Literal Translation
And he turneth back his face to the strongholds of his land, and hath stumbled and fallen, and is not found.
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See also
Psalms 37:36Ezekiel 26:21Jeremiah 46:6Psalms 27:2Job 20:8
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SUMMARY

Daniel 11:19 succinctly prophesies the ignominious end of a powerful earthly ruler, widely identified as Antiochus III (Antiochus the Great). Following a significant military defeat, the prophecy foretells his retreat to his own territory, only to meet a sudden and inglorious demise, effectively vanishing from the stage of power and influence. This brief statement underscores the transient nature of human authority and the absolute sovereignty of God over the destinies of nations and their leaders.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Daniel 11 is renowned for its highly detailed and remarkably accurate prophecies, primarily concerning the conflicts between the "King of the South" (the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt) and the "King of the North" (the Seleucid dynasty in Syria) following the death of Alexander the Great. This specific verse, Daniel 11:19, concludes a section describing the campaigns and ultimate fate of one of the most prominent figures in this prophetic narrative: the King of the North, widely identified by scholars as Antiochus III. Prior verses, such as Daniel 11:18, describe his extensive military successes and then his significant defeat by the Romans at the Battle of Magnesia. This verse picks up immediately after that defeat, predicting his return to his own land and his final, unceremonious demise, marking the end of his personal narrative within this prophetic chapter.

  • Historical & Cultural Context: The historical backdrop for Daniel 11 is the Hellenistic period, specifically the centuries following the death of Alexander the Great (323 BC), when his vast empire was divided among his generals, leading to the establishment of the Ptolemaic (Egypt) and Seleucid (Syria) dynasties. Antiochus III, who reigned from 223-187 BC, was a formidable Seleucid king who expanded his empire significantly, earning him the title "the Great." His ambition eventually led him into conflict with the rising power of Rome. After his crushing defeat by the Romans at the Battle of Magnesia in 190 BC, he was forced to sign the humiliating Treaty of Apamea (188 BC), which stripped him of much territory and imposed a massive indemnity. Culturally, kings were expected to die gloriously, often in battle or peacefully in their palaces. Antiochus III's death, as prophesied, was far from this ideal, occurring while he was attempting to plunder a temple to pay his debts, a highly ignominious end for such a powerful ruler.

  • Key Themes: Daniel 11:19 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes found throughout the book of Daniel. First, it highlights Divine Sovereignty, illustrating God's absolute control over human history and the destinies of even the most powerful rulers. No king, however mighty, can escape the divine decree, a truth consistently emphasized in Daniel, such as in Daniel 4:17, which declares God's dominion over earthly kingdoms. Second, the verse underscores the Transience of Earthly Power and the Fall of Pride. Antiochus III was a formidable ruler, but his ambition and power ultimately led to his downfall, as prophesied. The phrase "stumble and fall, and not be found" speaks to the sudden and complete end of his influence and life, serving as a stark warning against human arrogance. Finally, this verse, like much of Daniel 11, showcases the incredible Accuracy and Reliability of Biblical Prophecy, foretelling events centuries before they occurred with remarkable precision.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • stumble (Hebrew, kâshal', H3782): This primitive root means "to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall." It carries connotations of collapse, ruin, and being overthrown. In the context of a king, it signifies a profound and irreversible defeat, a loss of footing not just physically but in terms of power, authority, and stability.
  • fort (Hebrew, mâʻôwz', H4581): This term refers to "a fortified place; figuratively, a defence; force, fort(-ress), rock, strength(-en), ([idiom] most) strong (hold)." The "fort of his own land" represents a place of presumed security, a stronghold where a king might expect to find safety and regroup. The irony here is that even within his own "fort" or secure territory, this king will meet his downfall, emphasizing that no earthly stronghold can protect against divine decree.
  • not be found (Hebrew, mâtsâʼ', H4672): The root means "to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire." When used in the negative, as here, "not be found" (lo' yimmatse'), it signifies a complete disappearance, a vanishing from prominence, power, and even memory in a significant capacity. It implies an utter cessation of influence and a final, inglorious end, leaving no trace of former glory or authority.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land:" This clause describes the immediate aftermath of the King of the North's significant defeat, forcing him to retreat from his foreign campaigns and seek refuge or re-establishment within his own territory. The "fort of his own land" suggests a place of expected security and control, a return to his base of power after his expansionist failures.
  • "but he shall stumble and fall," This phrase indicates a sudden, irreversible, and ignominious downfall. Despite returning to his own land, he does not recover or regain his former strength. "Stumble" implies an unexpected loss of balance, while "fall" signifies a complete collapse. This is not merely a defeat but a personal catastrophe, signifying the end of his effective reign and life.
  • "and not be found." This final, powerful declaration emphasizes the completeness and finality of his demise. It suggests that his power, prestige, and even his physical presence would utterly vanish from the stage of history in any meaningful, glorious sense. He would not be found in a position of authority or honor, his legacy effectively erased or diminished to insignificance.

Literary Devices

The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. Metaphor is central, as "stumble and fall" serves as a vivid metaphor for the king's utter defeat and demise, extending beyond a mere physical act to encompass his loss of power and status. The phrase "not be found" acts as a powerful hyperbole or metonymy, signifying not literal disappearance but a complete cessation of influence, a vanishing from the realm of significant power and a loss of any honorable legacy. The "fort of his own land" functions as symbolism, representing a place of presumed safety and control that ultimately fails to protect him from his destined end. The concise and stark phrasing of the verse contributes to its brevity and impact, emphasizing the suddenness and finality of the powerful ruler's downfall, making the prophecy's fulfillment all the more striking.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Daniel 11:19 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of earthly power versus divine sovereignty. It illustrates that no human ruler, regardless of their might or ambition, can ultimately thwart the purposes of God. The swift and inglorious end of Antiochus III, a king who had previously achieved immense military success, stands as a testament to the fleeting nature of human glory and the ultimate accountability of all rulers before the Most High. This truth resonates throughout Scripture, reminding believers that God alone exalts and brings low, and that true security and lasting significance are found not in earthly strongholds or human might, but in humble submission to divine will.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Daniel 11:19 offers timeless lessons for believers today, even centuries after its historical fulfillment. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's sovereign hand is at work in all of history, orchestrating the rise and fall of nations and leaders according to His perfect plan. In a world often characterized by political turmoil, shifting powers, and the ambition of human leaders, this verse provides a profound sense of peace and assurance that God remains firmly on His throne. It calls us to cultivate humility, recognizing that earthly power, wealth, and influence are transient. Those who rely solely on their own strength are destined to "stumble and fall," while those who place their trust in God find enduring security and purpose. Furthermore, the remarkable precision with which this ancient prophecy was fulfilled strengthens our faith in the reliability and divine inspiration of the Bible, encouraging us to trust God's Word not only for historical accuracy but also for its promises concerning our lives and the future.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does the fulfillment of this prophecy strengthen your faith in God's absolute sovereignty over history and current events?
  • In what areas of your life might you be tempted to rely on your own strength, influence, or "forts," rather than on God's provision and guidance?
  • What does the "stumbling and falling" of powerful figures like Antiochus III teach us about the true source of lasting significance and security?

FAQ

Who is the "he" in Daniel 11:19?

Answer: The "he" in Daniel 11:19 is widely identified by biblical scholars as Antiochus III, also known as Antiochus the Great, a prominent king of the Seleucid Empire. This identification is based on the detailed historical accuracy of the preceding verses in Daniel 11, which describe his military campaigns, his schemes against Egypt, and his ultimate defeat by the Romans, all of which align perfectly with known historical events of the Hellenistic period.

How was this prophecy fulfilled historically?

Answer: The prophecy of Daniel 11:19 was fulfilled with remarkable accuracy. After his decisive defeat by the Romans at the Battle of Magnesia in 190 BC, Antiochus III was forced to sign the humiliating Treaty of Apamea, which imposed a massive war indemnity. To pay this debt, he attempted to plunder the temple of Bel in Elam (modern-day Iran) in 187 BC. However, he was killed by the local inhabitants during this attempt, a highly inglorious and unexpected end for such a powerful monarch. His death marked a significant decline in the Seleucid Empire's peak power, and he truly "stumbled and fell, and not be found" in the powerful position he once held.

What is the broader message of Daniel 11?

Answer: The broader message of Daniel 11 is a profound demonstration of God's meticulous sovereignty over human history. It reveals that even the most intricate political maneuverings, military conflicts, and the rise and fall of empires are not random but are precisely foreknown and ultimately orchestrated by God to fulfill His divine purposes. The chapter emphasizes that earthly power is temporary and ultimately subservient to the eternal plan of the Almighty, providing assurance that God is in control, even amidst the chaos of human affairs.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Daniel 11:19 directly describes the historical demise of an earthly king, its theological resonance points powerfully to the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment of all prophecy and the nature of true kingship. The "stumbling and falling" of Antiochus III, a mighty earthly ruler, stands in stark contrast to the eternal, unshakable reign of Jesus Christ. All earthly powers, no matter how formidable, are destined to "stumble and fall" before the King of Kings. Unlike Antiochus, who sought security in the "fort of his own land" only to meet an ignominious end, Christ's kingdom is not of this world, and His authority is not derived from human strength or territory (John 18:36). He is the one to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given (Matthew 28:18). The ultimate "not be found" for all who oppose God's will will be at the feet of Christ, for "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" (Philippians 2:10). Christ's triumphant return will see all earthly kingdoms and their proud rulers utterly vanquished, establishing His eternal dominion, as depicted in Revelation 19:11-16, where He is revealed as the one who "treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty." Thus, Daniel 11:19 serves as a prophetic whisper, foreshadowing the complete and final triumph of God's anointed King over all transient human power.

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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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JeromeAD 420
St. Jerome, Commentary on Daniel, CHAPTER ELEVEN
Verses 17-19. "And he shall set his face to come and possess all his kingdom, and he shall make upright conditions with him. And he shall give him the daughter of women, that she may overthrow him" (Vulgate: it). That is to say, the intention is to overthrow him, that is, Ptolemy, or else to overthrow it, that is, his kingdom. Antiochus not only wished to take possession of Syria, Cilicia, and Lycia, and the other provinces which had belonged to Ptolemy's party, but also to extend his empire to Egypt. He therefore used the good offices of Eucles of Rhodes to betroth his daughter, Cleopatra, to young Ptolemy in the seventh year of his reign; and in his thirteenth year she was given to him in marriage, professedly endowed with all of Coele-syria and Judaea as her marriage-portion. By pleonasm she is called a daughter of women, just as the poet says:

...Thus she spake with her mouth... And with these ears did I drink in her voice.

"And she shall not stand, neither shall she be for him. And he shall turn his face to the islands and shall capture many; and she shall cause the prince of her reproach to cease, and his reproach shall be turned upon him. And he shall turn his face to the empire of his own land; and he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found." For he was unable to take possession of Egypt, because Ptolemy Epiphanes and his generals detected the strategem and followed a cautious policy. And besides, Cleopatra inclined more to her husband's side than to her father's. And so he turned his attention to Asia Minor, and by carrying on naval warfare against a large number of islands, he seized Rhodes, Samos, Colophon (variant: Colophonia and Bocla), Phocea and many other islands. But he was opposed by Lucius Scipio Nasica and also his brother, Publius Scipio Africanus, who had vanquished Hannibal. For since the consul Nasica, the brother of Africanus, was of a somewhat sluggish disposition, the Roman senate was unwilling to entrust to him a war against so mighty a king as Antiochus. Africanus therefore offered to assume the post of deputy on a voluntary basis, in order to obviate any damage that his brother might cause. Consequently Antiochus was vanquished and commanded to confine his rule to the other side of the Taurus range. And so he took refuge in Apamia and Susa and advanced to the easternmost cities of his realm. And during a war against the Elymaeans he was destroyed together with his entire army. And so this is what the Scripture refers to in this passage, when it states that he would capture many islands, and yet because of the Roman conqueror he would lose the kingdom of Asia; and that the disgrace he had inflicted would come back upon his own head; and that in the end he would flee from Asia Minor and return to the empire of his own land, and would then stumble and fall, so that his place would not be found.
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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