King James Version

What Does Daniel 11:6 Mean?

Daniel 11:6 in the King James Version says “And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times. join: Heb. associate themselves an: Heb. rights he that begat: or, whom she brought forth

Daniel 11:6 · KJV


Context

4

And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

5

And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.

6

And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times. join: Heb. associate themselves an: Heb. rights he that begat: or, whom she brought forth

7

But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail: in: or, in his place, or, office

8

And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north. their precious: Heb. vessels of their desire


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse predicts political marriage alliance: Ptolemy II's daughter Berenice married Seleucid king Antiochus II (252 BC) to end war. The phrase 'she shall not retain the power of the arm' predicts her downfall—she and her son were murdered by Antiochus's first wife Laodice. This fulfilled prophecy demonstrates divine foreknowledge of specific historical details.

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 · 25 words
וּלְקֵ֤ץ1 of 25

And in the end

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

שָׁנִים֙2 of 25

of years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

יִתְחַבָּ֔רוּ3 of 25

they shall join themselves together

H2266

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

וּבַ֣ת4 of 25

daughter

H1323

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

מֶ֣לֶךְ5 of 25

for the king's

H4428

a king

הַנֶּ֗גֶב6 of 25

of the south

H5045

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

וּמְבִיאֶ֙יהָ֙7 of 25

and they that brought

H935

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

אֶל8 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֶ֣לֶךְ9 of 25

for the king's

H4428

a king

הַצָּפ֔וֹן10 of 25

of the north

H6828

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

לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת11 of 25

to make

H6213

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

מֵישָׁרִ֑ים12 of 25

an agreement

H4339

evenness, i.e., (figuratively) prosperity or concord; also straightness, i.e., (figuratively) rectitude (only in plural with singular sense; often adv

וְלֹֽא13 of 25
H3808

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

תַעְצֹ֞ר14 of 25

but she shall not retain

H6113

to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble

כּ֣וֹחַ15 of 25

the power

H3581

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

וּזְרֹע֔וֹ16 of 25

nor his arm

H2220

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

וְלֹ֤א17 of 25
H3808

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

יַעֲמֹד֙18 of 25

neither shall he stand

H5975

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

וּזְרֹע֔וֹ19 of 25

nor his arm

H2220

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

וְתִנָּתֵ֨ן20 of 25

but she shall be given up

H5414

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

הִ֤יא21 of 25
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וּמְבִיאֶ֙יהָ֙22 of 25

and they that brought

H935

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

וְהַיֹּ֣לְדָ֔הּ23 of 25

her and he that begat

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

וּמַחֲזִקָ֖הּ24 of 25

her and he that strengthened

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

בָּעִתִּֽים׃25 of 25

her in these times

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc


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 11:6 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 11:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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