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:

But out of a branch {H5342} of her roots {H8328} shall one stand up {H5975} in his estate {H3653}, which shall come {H935} with an army {H2428}, and shall enter {H935} into the fortress {H4581} of the king {H4428} of the north {H6828}, and shall deal {H6213} against them, and shall prevail {H2388}:

But another branch from the same roots as hers will appear in her father's place. He will attack the army of the king of the north, enter his fortress and succeed in conquering them.

But one from her family line will rise up in his place, come against the army of the king of the North, and enter his fortress, fighting and prevailing.

But out of a shoot from her roots shall one stand up in his place, who shall come unto the army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail.

Commentary

Daniel 11:7 is a continuation of the detailed prophecy given to Daniel concerning the future conflicts between two major Hellenistic kingdoms: the Ptolemaic dynasty (referred to as the "king of the south," ruling Egypt) and the Seleucid dynasty (referred to as the "king of the north," ruling Syria and much of the former Persian Empire).

Context

This verse follows the tragic events described in Daniel 11:6, where the alliance between the king of the south (Ptolemy II Philadelphus) and the king of the north (Antiochus II Theos) through marriage fails, leading to the murder of the Egyptian princess Berenice and her son. Daniel 11:7 prophesies the rise of a new figure from Berenice's family line who will avenge her death. Historically, this refers to Ptolemy III Euergetes, Berenice's brother, who succeeded his father, Ptolemy II.

Key Themes

  • Divine Foreknowledge: The remarkable precision of this prophecy, detailing future historical events centuries before they occurred, underscores God's complete knowledge and control over human history and political affairs. It highlights the reliability of biblical prophecy concerning events like the rise and fall of kingdoms.
  • Vengeance and Conflict: The "branch of her roots" (Ptolemy III) is depicted as rising with an army to confront the "king of the north." This accurately describes the Third Syrian War (also known as the Laodicean War, 246-241 BC), initiated by Ptolemy III to avenge his sister's murder and reclaim territories.
  • Historical Fulfillment: The prophecy vividly portrays Ptolemy III's successful campaign, where he "shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail." Historical records confirm that Ptolemy III launched a devastating attack on the Seleucid empire, penetrating deep into its territory, even reaching as far as Mesopotamia and Susa, and successfully seizing much plunder and territory.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "branch of her roots" (Hebrew: מִנֵּצֶר שָׁרָשֶׁיהָ, minnetzer shorasheha) literally means "from a shoot of her roots." This signifies a successor from the same familial stock or lineage, emphasizing the direct familial connection of Ptolemy III to Berenice and his right to avenge her.

Practical Application

The fulfillment of such specific prophecies in Daniel 11 offers powerful reassurance of God's sovereignty and the trustworthiness of His Word. It reminds believers that God is actively involved in the course of human events, even in the midst of political turmoil and conflict. Just as He oversaw the intricate dynastic struggles of ancient kingdoms, He continues to guide and direct history toward His ultimate purposes, providing comfort and stability in an ever-changing world. This knowledge can strengthen faith and encourage trust in God's overarching plan, much like the broader message of God's eternal dominion.

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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

  • Ezekiel 17:18 (2 votes)

    Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these [things], he shall not escape.

  • Isaiah 11:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

  • Psalms 55:23 (2 votes)

    But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

  • Job 14:7 (2 votes)

    ¶ For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

  • Malachi 4:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

  • Daniel 11:19 (2 votes)

    Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.

  • Daniel 11:20 (2 votes)

    Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes [in] the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.