Daniel 11:40

And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

And at the time {H6256} of the end {H7093} shall the king {H4428} of the south {H5045} push {H5055} at him: and the king {H4428} of the north {H6828} shall come against him like a whirlwind {H8175}, with chariots {H7393}, and with horsemen {H6571}, and with many {H7227} ships {H591}; and he shall enter {H935} into the countries {H776}, and shall overflow {H7857} and pass over {H5674}.

"When the time for the end comes, the king of the south will push at him; while the king of the north will attack him like a whirlwind, with chariots, cavalry and a large navy. He will invade countries, overrun them and move on.

At the time of the end, the king of the South will engage him in battle, but the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots, horsemen, and many ships, invading many countries and sweeping through them like a flood.

And at the time of the end shall the king of the south contend with him; and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass through.

Commentary

Commentary on Daniel 11:40 (KJV)

Daniel 11:40 marks a pivotal point in one of the Bible's most detailed prophetic chapters, transitioning from historical fulfillments to events concerning the "time of the end." This verse describes a climactic conflict involving the "king of the South" and the "king of the North" against a powerful figure who has been the focus of the preceding verses.

Context

Chapter 11 of Daniel provides an extraordinarily precise prophecy of historical events, primarily detailing the rise and fall of various kings and empires, particularly the Ptolemaic (King of the South, ruling Egypt) and Seleucid (King of the North, ruling Syria) dynasties following the breakup of Alexander the Great's empire. The detailed accuracy of verses 1-39 is remarkable, covering figures like Antiochus IV Epiphanes. However, verse 40 shifts the focus from these historical conflicts to a future, eschatological period, often referred to as the "time of the end". The "him" refers to the prominent figure introduced in Daniel 11:36-39, widely interpreted by commentators as a powerful end-times ruler, often associated with the Antichrist or a precursor to him, who will exalt himself above every god.

Key Themes

  • Eschatological Conflict: This verse foretells a major global confrontation at the climax of human history, indicating a period of intense military and political upheaval before the ultimate establishment of God's kingdom.
  • Overwhelming Force: The "king of the north" is depicted as attacking "like a whirlwind," signifying a swift, destructive, and overwhelming military campaign involving significant traditional forces ("chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships"). This imagery conveys the immense power and rapid advancement of this end-times force.
  • Divine Sovereignty: Despite the chaos and immense power described, the ultimate message of Daniel's prophecies is God's unwavering control over human history and the fulfillment of His divine plan. Even in the midst of terrifying events, God remains sovereign, guiding all things to their appointed end (Daniel 2:21).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "time of the end" (Hebrew: 'eth qetz) is significant in Daniel, appearing multiple times (e.g., Daniel 12:9). It denotes a divinely appointed period that will culminate in the final events leading to God's ultimate kingdom. The description of the king of the north coming "like a whirlwind" uses the Hebrew word suphah, which vividly portrays a violent, rapidly moving storm, emphasizing the speed and destructive power of the impending invasion.

Practical Application

While the precise identities of the "kings" in the "time of the end" remain subjects of ongoing theological discussion, Daniel 11:40 serves as a powerful reminder of God's prophetic foresight and the certainty of His plan. For believers, it encourages vigilance and a deep understanding of biblical prophecy, not to instill fear, but to foster hope and trust in God's ultimate victory. It calls us to live faithfully, understanding that even amidst great global turmoil, God is actively working to bring about His purposes, culminating in the return of Christ and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Daniel 11:10

    But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and [one] shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, [even] to his fortress.

  • Isaiah 5:28

    Whose arrows [are] sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:

  • Daniel 11:35

    And [some] of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make [them] white, [even] to the time of the end: because [it is] yet for a time appointed.

  • Daniel 12:4

    But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

  • Zechariah 9:14

    And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.

  • Jeremiah 4:13

    Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots [shall be] as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.

  • Isaiah 21:1

    ¶ The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; [so] it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.