King James Version

What Does Daniel 11:8 Mean?

Daniel 11:8 in the King James Version says “And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and o... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Daniel 11:8 · KJV


Context

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

9

So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.

10

But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress. shall be: or, shall war return: or, be stirred up again


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ptolemy III carried Egyptian idols and vessels to Egypt, fulfilling the prediction. The phrase 'he shall continue more years than the king of the north' accurately describes Ptolemy III outliving Seleucus II. Such specific details, written centuries before fulfillment, demonstrate divine inspiration.

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 · 17 words
וְגַ֣ם1 of 17
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֱֽלֹהֵיהֶ֡ם2 of 17

their gods

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

עִם3 of 17
H5973

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

נְסִֽכֵיהֶם֩4 of 17

with their princes

H5257

properly, something poured out, i.e., a libation; by implication, a prince (as anointed)

עִם5 of 17
H5973

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

כְּלֵ֨י6 of 17

vessels

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

חֶמְדָּתָ֜ם7 of 17

and with their precious

H2532

delight

כֶּ֧סֶף8 of 17

of silver

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וְזָהָ֛ב9 of 17

and of gold

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

בַּשְּׁבִ֖י10 of 17

captives

H7628

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

יָבִ֣א11 of 17

And shall also carry

H935

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

מִצְרָ֑יִם12 of 17

into Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְהוּא֙13 of 17
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

שָׁנִ֣ים14 of 17

more years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

יַעֲמֹ֔ד15 of 17

and he shall continue

H5975

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

מִמֶּ֖לֶךְ16 of 17

than the king

H4428

a king

הַצָּפֽוֹן׃17 of 17

of the north

H6828

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


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 11:8 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 11:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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