King James Version

What Does Daniel 11:25 Mean?

Daniel 11:25 in the King James Version says “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 sout... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Daniel 11:25 · KJV


Context

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.

26

Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.

27

And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief , and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed. hearts: Heb. their hearts


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Antiochus's first Egyptian campaign (170 BC) against Ptolemy VI fulfilled this. Despite Egypt's large forces, Antiochus succeeded initially through superior tactics and Ptolemy's advisors' treachery ('forecast devices against him'). The prophecy's accuracy continues unbroken.

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 · 23 words
וְיָעֵר֩1 of 23

And he shall stir up

H5782

to wake (literally or figuratively)

כֹּח֨וֹ2 of 23

his power

H3581

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

וּלְבָב֜וֹ3 of 23

and his courage

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

עַל4 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וּמֶ֣לֶךְ5 of 23

against the king

H4428

a king

הַנֶּ֗גֶב6 of 23

of the south

H5045

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

בְּחַֽיִל7 of 23

army

H2428

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

גָּד֥וֹל8 of 23

great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וּמֶ֣לֶךְ9 of 23

against the king

H4428

a king

הַנֶּ֗גֶב10 of 23

of the south

H5045

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

יִתְגָּרֶה֙11 of 23

shall be stirred up

H1624

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

לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה12 of 23

to battle

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

בְּחַֽיִל13 of 23

army

H2428

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

גָּד֥וֹל14 of 23

great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וְעָצ֖וּם15 of 23

and mighty

H6099

powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous

עַד16 of 23
H5704

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

מְאֹ֑ד17 of 23

with a very

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

וְלֹ֣א18 of 23
H3808

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

יַעֲמֹ֔ד19 of 23

but he shall not stand

H5975

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

כִּֽי20 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יַחְשְׁב֥וּ21 of 23

for they shall forecast

H2803

properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou

עָלָ֖יו22 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מַחֲשָׁבֽוֹת׃23 of 23

devices

H4284

a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)


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 11:25 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 11:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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