King James Version

What Does Daniel 11:23 Mean?

Daniel 11:23 in the King James Version says “And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.”

Daniel 11:23 · KJV

Context

21

And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. estate: or, place

22

And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.

23

And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.

24

He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. peaceably: or, into the peaceable and fat, etc forecast: Heb. think his thoughts

25

And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.

Read Daniel 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Antiochus's deceptive practices—making leagues and working deceitfully—characterized his reign. Starting with few supporters, he became strong through manipulation. This pattern of deceit prefigures Antichrist's tactics (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10).

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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 · 9 words
וּמִן1 of 9
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הִֽתְחַבְּר֥וּת2 of 9

“And after the league”

H2266

to join (literally or figuratively); specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate

אֵלָ֖יו3 of 9
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה4 of 9

“made with him he shall work”

H6213

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

מִרְמָ֑ה5 of 9

“deceitfully”

H4820

fraud

וְעָלָ֥ה6 of 9

“for he shall come up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

וְעָצַ֖ם7 of 9

“and shall become strong”

H6105

to bind fast, i.e., close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; to crunch the bones

בִּמְעַט8 of 9

“with a small”

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

גּֽוֹי׃9 of 9

“people”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

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 11:23 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 11:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 8:252 Thessalonians 2:9Romans 1:29Psalms 52:22 Corinthians 11:3Ezekiel 17:13-19

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