King James Version

What Does Daniel 11:11 Mean?

Daniel 11:11 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Daniel 11:11 · KJV


Context

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.

13

For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches. after: Heb. at the end of times, even years


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ptolemy IV Philopator's victory over Antiochus III at Raphia (217 BC) fulfilled this prophecy. Despite numerical advantage (Antiochus had 'multitude'), Ptolemy won, casting down 'many ten thousands.' The battle's historical details match prophetic prediction remarkably.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 15 words
וְיִתְמַרְמַר֙1 of 15

shall be moved with choler

H4843

to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively)

מֶ֣לֶךְ2 of 15

And the king

H4428

a king

הַנֶּ֔גֶב3 of 15

of the south

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

וְיָצָ֕א4 of 15

and shall come forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וְנִלְחַ֥ם5 of 15

and fight

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

עִמּ֖וֹ6 of 15
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

עִם7 of 15
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

מֶ֣לֶךְ8 of 15

And the king

H4428

a king

הַצָּפ֑וֹן9 of 15

of the north

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

וְהֶעֱמִיד֙10 of 15

and he shall set forth

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

הֶהָמ֖וֹן11 of 15

but the multitude

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

רָ֔ב12 of 15

a great

H7227

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

וְנִתַּ֥ן13 of 15

shall be given

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

הֶהָמ֖וֹן14 of 15

but the multitude

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

בְּיָדֽוֹ׃15 of 15

into his hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v


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 11:11 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 11:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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