King James Version

What Does Daniel 11:15 Mean?

Daniel 11:15 in the King James Version says “So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south sha... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand. the most: Heb. the city of munitions his: Heb. the people of his choices

Daniel 11:15 · KJV


Context

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

14

And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall. the robbers: Heb. the children of robbers

15

So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand. the most: Heb. the city of munitions his: Heb. the people of his choices

16

But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed. glorious: or, goodly, etc.: Heb. land of ornament

17

He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him. upright: or, much uprightness: or, equal conditions corrupting: Heb. to corrupt


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Antiochus III's siege and capture of Sidon (198 BC) fulfilled this precisely. The phrase 'king of the south shall not withstand' describes Egypt's inability to stop Seleucid advance. Judea passed from Ptolemaic to Seleucid control, affecting Jewish political status.

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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 · 17 words
וְיָבֹא֙1 of 17

shall come

H935

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

מֶ֣לֶךְ2 of 17

So the king

H4428

a king

הַצָּפ֔וֹן3 of 17

of the north

H6828

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

וְיִשְׁפֹּךְ֙4 of 17

and cast up

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

סֽוֹלֲלָ֔ה5 of 17

a mount

H5550

a military mound, i.e., rampart of besiegers

וְלָכַ֖ד6 of 17

and take

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

עִ֣יר7 of 17

cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

מִבְצָר֑וֹת8 of 17

the most fenced

H4013

a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender

וּזְרֹע֤וֹת9 of 17

and the arms

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

הַנֶּ֙גֶב֙10 of 17

of the south

H5045

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

לֹ֣א11 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

לַעֲמֹֽד׃12 of 17

shall not withstand

H5975

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

וְעַם֙13 of 17

people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

מִבְחָרָ֔יו14 of 17

neither his chosen

H4005

select, i.e., best

וְאֵ֥ין15 of 17
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

כֹּ֖חַ16 of 17

neither shall there be any strength

H3581

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

לַעֲמֹֽד׃17 of 17

shall not withstand

H5975

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


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 11:15 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 11:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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