King James Version

What Does Daniel 11:17 Mean?

Daniel 11:17 in the King James Version says “He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do:... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Daniel 11:17 · KJV


Context

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

18

After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him. for: Heb. for him the reproach: Heb. his reproach

19

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Antiochus III gave daughter Cleopatra I in marriage to Ptolemy V (194 BC), hoping to control Egypt through her. However, she sided with her husband rather than father, so the plan failed—exactly as prophesied ('she shall not stand on his side'). Divine foreknowledge extends even to personal loyalties.

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 · 19 words
וְיָשֵׂ֣ם׀1 of 19

He shall also set

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

פָּ֠נָיו2 of 19

his face

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

לָב֞וֹא3 of 19

to enter

H935

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

בְּתֹ֧קֶף4 of 19

with the strength

H8633

might or (figuratively) positiveness

כָּל5 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַלְכוּת֛וֹ6 of 19

of his whole kingdom

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion

וִישָׁרִ֥ים7 of 19

and upright ones

H3477

straight (literally or figuratively)

עִמּ֖וֹ8 of 19
H5973

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

וְעָשָׂ֑ה9 of 19

with him thus shall he do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וּבַ֤ת10 of 19

him the daughter

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

הַנָּשִׁים֙11 of 19

of women

H802

a woman

יִתֶּן12 of 19

and he shall give

H5414

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

ל֣וֹ13 of 19
H0
לְהַשְׁחִיתָ֔הּ14 of 19

corrupting

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

וְלֹ֥א15 of 19
H3808

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

תַעֲמֹ֖ד16 of 19

her but she shall not stand

H5975

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

וְלֹא17 of 19
H3808

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

ל֥וֹ18 of 19
H0
תִהְיֶֽה׃19 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)


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 11:17 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 11:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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