King James Version

What Does Daniel 11:10 Mean?

Daniel 11:10 in the King James Version says “But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and over... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. shall be: or, shall war return: or, be stirred up again

Daniel 11:10 · KJV


Context

8

And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north. their precious: Heb. vessels of their desire

9

So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.

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. shall be: or, shall war return: or, be stirred up again

11

And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.

12

And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up ; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This describes Seleucus II's sons (Seleucus III and Antiochus III) assembling forces and campaigning. Antiochus III ('the Great') conducted major military campaigns including recovery of territory from Egypt. The prophecy's detail continues demonstrating supernatural foreknowledge.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Daniel chapter 11 contains some of Scripture's most detailed predictive prophecy, written c. 536 BC and fulfilled with remarkable precision 200-160 BC during Ptolemaic-Seleucid conflicts. The prophecies served multiple purposes: encouraging Jewish exiles that God controls history, providing roadmap for future generations facing Hellenistic pressures, and typologically pointing to end-times Antichrist. Reformed theology sees dual fulfillment: near historical events (Antiochus Epiphanes) typifying far eschatological realities (final Antichrist). This pattern validates divine inspiration—only God knows future details with such precision. For believers under persecution, these prophecies demonstrated that tyrannical opposition is temporary, God's sovereignty absolute, and ultimate victory certain. The historical fulfillment encourages trust that eschatological promises will similarly fulfill exactly as prophesied.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the remarkable precision of fulfilled prophecy strengthen faith in Scripture's divine origin?
  2. What does the dual fulfillment pattern (historical Antiochus typifying eschatological Antichrist) teach about biblical prophecy's layered meaning?
  3. How should these prophecies encourage believers facing persecution or opposition today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וּבָנָ֣ו1 of 14

But his sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְיִתְגָּרֶ֖ו2 of 14

and be stirred up

H1624

properly, to grate, i.e., (figuratively) to anger

וְאָסְפוּ֙3 of 14

and shall assemble

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

הֲמוֹן֙4 of 14

a multitude

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

חֲיָלִ֣ים5 of 14

forces

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

רַבִּ֔ים6 of 14

of great

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

ב֖וֹא7 of 14

and one shall certainly

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

ב֖וֹא8 of 14

and one shall certainly

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וְשָׁטַ֣ף9 of 14

and overflow

H7857

to gush; by implication, to inundate, cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer

וְעָבָ֑ר10 of 14

and pass through

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

וְיָשֹׁ֥ב11 of 14

then shall he return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

וְיִתְגָּרֶ֖ו12 of 14

and be stirred up

H1624

properly, to grate, i.e., (figuratively) to anger

עַד13 of 14
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

מָֽעֻזֹּֽה׃14 of 14

even to his fortress

H4581

a fortified place; figuratively, a defense


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 11:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 11:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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