Daniel Chapter 11
Daniel Chapter 11 — Wars of the Kings and the Sovereignty of God
Introduction
Daniel 11 contains one of the most specific and detailed prophecies in all of Scripture, spanning roughly 375 years of history and extending into the end times. The chapter’s remarkable accuracy has led critics who reject supernatural prophecy to insist it must have been written after the fact. However, a high view of Scripture, in keeping with Baptist doctrine, affirms this is true prophecy inspired by God, not a literary fraud. As commentator Joyce Baldwin notes, if one denies the prophetic nature of this chapter, one must also deny the divine authorship of Daniel altogether.
This chapter presents a historical progression of kingdoms, especially focusing on the struggle between the Seleucid (North) and Ptolemaic (South) empires, with Israel caught between them. The detailed conflicts serve as both a warning and a reassurance: God is sovereign over kings, nations, and centuries.
Daniel 11:2 (NKJV) — "And now I will tell you the truth: Behold, three more kings will arise in Persia, and the fourth shall be far richer than them all; by his strength, through his riches, he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece."
This prophecy speaks of the Persian kings who would follow Cyrus. The fourth, identified historically as Xerxes I, used his vast wealth to launch an invasion of Greece that provoked the long Greco-Persian wars. Though powerful, his campaign ultimately failed and marked the beginning of Persian decline.
Daniel 11:3-4 (NKJV) — "Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. And when he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not among his posterity nor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be uprooted, even for others besides these."
The “mighty king” is unmistakably Alexander the Great, whose empire extended from Greece to India. Upon his death at age 32, his kingdom was divided among four generals, not among his children. Alexander’s infant son and half-brother were both murdered in succession. The empire fractured, and the prophecy of the four winds was fulfilled in the Ptolemaic, Seleucid, Lysimachian, and Cassandrian divisions.
Daniel 11:5 (NKJV) — "Also the king of the South shall become strong, as well as one of his princes; and he shall gain power over him and have dominion. His dominion shall be a great dominion."
This verse introduces the theme of conflict between the kings of the South (Egyptian Ptolemies) and North (Syrian Seleucids). The “prince” who rose to power was Seleucus I Nicator, originally an officer under Ptolemy I. He eventually established his own powerful empire in the North.
Daniel 11:6 (NKJV) — "And at the end of some years they shall join forces, for the daughter of the king of the South shall go to the king of the North to make an agreement; but she shall not retain the power of her authority, and neither he nor his authority shall stand; but she shall be given up, with those who brought her, and with him who begot her, and with him who strengthened her in those times."
This refers to the political marriage of Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy II (South), to Antiochus II (North). The peace was short-lived. Upon the death of Ptolemy II, Antiochus returned to his former wife Laodice, who then poisoned him and had Berenice and her attendants killed. The failed alliance fulfilled every element of this verse.
Daniel 11:7-9 (NKJV) — "But from a branch of her roots one shall arise in his place, who shall come with an army, enter the fortress of the king of the North, and deal with them and prevail. And he shall also carry their gods captive to Egypt, with their princes and their precious articles of silver and gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the North. Also the king of the North shall come to the kingdom of the king of the South, but shall return to his own land."
This “branch” was Berenice’s brother, Ptolemy III. He launched a military campaign to avenge his sister’s murder and succeeded in looting Syrian temples and gaining victory. He ruled longer than Seleucus II, the king of the North at the time.
Daniel 11:10 (NKJV) — "However his sons shall stir up strife, and assemble a multitude of great forces; and one shall certainly come and overwhelm and pass through; then he shall return to his fortress and stir up strife."
Seleucus II’s sons, particularly Antiochus III (the Great), waged war to recover lost territories. He succeeded in retaking the Holy Land from Egypt, thus “passing through” and stirring up conflict in the region.
Daniel 11:11-12 (NKJV) — "And the king of the South shall be moved with rage, and go out and fight with him, with the king of the North, who shall muster a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into the hand of his enemy. When he has taken away the multitude, his heart will be lifted up; and he will cast down tens of thousands, but he will not prevail."
Ptolemy IV retaliated with fury, defeating Antiochus III at the Battle of Raphia in 217 B.C. Despite the great slaughter and initial success, he did not follow up decisively. Pride led him to squander his opportunity, and within years the North recovered, setting the stage for further conflict.
Summary from a Baptist Theological Perspective
Daniel 11 affirms God's foreknowledge and sovereignty. History unfolds exactly as He reveals.
The specificity of fulfilled prophecy bolsters faith and stands as an apologetic defense for the divine inspiration of Scripture.
The people of God are often caught between warring empires, but they are never outside God’s providential care.
Spiritual fidelity in times of political upheaval is a key theme. These events foreshadow future global conflicts centered around Israel.
This chapter continues with astonishing clarity in verses 13–45, leading eventually into the eschatological prophecies surrounding Antichrist and the time of the end.
Daniel 11:13–16 (NKJV) — The King of the North Returns with Power
"For the king of the North will return and muster a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come at the end of some years with a great army and much equipment. Now in those times many shall rise up against the king of the South. Also, violent men of your people shall exalt themselves in fulfillment of the vision, but they shall fall. So the king of the North shall come and build a siege mound, and take a fortified city; and the forces of the South shall not withstand him. Even his choice troops shall have no strength to resist. But he who comes against him shall do according to his own will, and no one shall stand against him. He shall stand in the Glorious Land with destruction in his power."
This passage foretells the resurgence of the Seleucid king, Antiochus III, who returns with an even greater army to challenge the southern kingdom. His campaign is successful, overcoming Egypt’s defenses and occupying the Glorious Land—Judah—with devastating authority.
The “violent men of your people” refers to Jews who collaborated with Antiochus in hopes of gaining favor or autonomy. Their efforts backfired, as Antiochus ultimately betrayed them, bringing destruction.
Key Insight:
Even when earthly powers dominate, their victories are under God’s control. Israel’s affliction served prophetic fulfillment, but also a spiritual test.
Daniel 11:17 (NKJV) — A Failed Political Marriage
"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 to destroy it; but she shall not stand with him, or be for him."
Antiochus III attempted to secure long-term influence over Egypt by giving his daughter Cleopatra to Ptolemy V in marriage. He hoped she would serve as his agent within the Egyptian court. However, the plan failed—Cleopatra remained loyal to her husband and thwarted her father’s intentions.
Key Insight:
Human schemes to manipulate power often fail. God’s purposes override political intrigue.
Daniel 11:18–19 (NKJV) — A Humbling Defeat for the King of the North
"After this he shall turn his face to the coastlands, and shall take many. But a ruler shall bring the reproach against them to an end; and with the reproach removed, he shall turn back on him. Then he shall turn his face toward the fortress of his own land; but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found."
Following his failure in Egypt, Antiochus III moved westward into Asia Minor and Greece. Despite some early victories, he was defeated by Roman forces led by General Scipio Asiaticus. Humiliated, Antiochus returned home, where he was killed while looting a temple to fund war reparations.
Key Insight:
Pride precedes destruction. Antiochus III fell not in battle, but in disgrace, ending his reign dishonorably.
Daniel 11:20 (NKJV) — A Tax Collector Meets a Swift End
"There shall arise in his place one who imposes taxes on the glorious kingdom; but within a few days he shall be destroyed, but not in anger or in battle."
This refers to Seleucus IV, son of Antiochus III. He levied heavy taxes on Israel to pay Rome, including plans to loot the Temple. His rule was brief; he was assassinated—likely by his brother, Antiochus IV.
Key Insight:
Even taxation and governance are under God's sovereign timeline. Seleucus’ short reign fulfilled divine timing.
Daniel 11:21 (NKJV) — The Rise of a Vile King: Antiochus Epiphanes
"And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue."
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, considered one of the most wicked rulers in Jewish history, usurped the throne through deceit. Not the rightful heir, he manipulated Roman and local powers, taking control under the guise of peace.
He called himself “Epiphanes” (illustrious), but was mockingly called “Epimanes” (madman) due to his erratic behavior.
Key Insight:
Tyrants may rise through manipulation, but their reigns are temporary under God's eternal rule.
Daniel 11:22–27 (NKJV) — Military Deceit and False Alliances
Antiochus IV made deceptive pacts and launched attacks on Egypt. Though initially successful, his army was eventually defeated—partially due to Roman interference and internal betrayal.
The phrase “they shall speak lies at the same table” shows the duplicity of both Antiochus and the Egyptian king—each attempting to outmaneuver the other politically, but neither achieving long-term gain.
Key Insight:
Evil alliances based on lies are doomed. Though cunning may succeed for a time, God has “an appointed time” for judgment.
Daniel 11:28–35 (NKJV) — Desecration and Persecution in the Glorious Land
Returning from Egypt, Antiochus Epiphanes unleashed fury on Jerusalem. He outlawed Jewish practices, installed a statue of Zeus in the temple, and desecrated the altar with unclean sacrifices. This act is known as the “abomination of desolation.”
Despite terror, faithful Jews resisted. Many suffered and died, but their courage laid the foundation for the Maccabean revolt.
Key Insight:
God refines His people through trials. The righteous resist cultural compromise and endure suffering for the sake of the covenant.
Daniel 11:36 (NKJV) — Foreshadowing the Antichrist: The Willful King
"Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done."
This verse transitions to the eschatological figure known as the Antichrist. Like Antiochus Epiphanes, this final world ruler will exalt himself, defy all religion, and blaspheme the true God.
Jesus referenced this future “abomination of desolation” (Matthew 24:15), and Paul elaborated on the Antichrist’s blasphemy and deception (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4).
Key Insight:
Antiochus Epiphanes is a type of the Antichrist. Just as he desecrated the temple and persecuted God’s people, so too will the final world ruler before Christ’s return. Yet his days are numbered: “What has been determined shall be done.”
Summary of 11:13–36
God revealed specific geopolitical events centuries in advance to affirm His control over history.
Betrayal, warfare, and persecution highlight the fallen nature of mankind—but also the courage of those who truly know their God.
The career of Antiochus IV anticipates the character and conduct of the Antichrist, foreshadowing end-times events.
Daniel 11:37–39 (NKJV) — The Character and Power of the Antichrist
"He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things. Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain."
This passage continues the prophecy by revealing more details about the end-times king, widely understood to be the Antichrist. He will exhibit a striking level of arrogance, exalting himself above all gods, including the God of his fathers—a phrase that may hint at Jewish heritage. Furthermore, he will show no regard for “the desire of women,” which some interpret as a rejection of natural affections or, more theologically, a rejection of the Messiah (see Haggai 2:7).
Rather than honoring traditional deities, this ruler will venerate a "god of fortresses"—a symbol of military might and conquest. His devotion to this foreign god will be displayed through wealth, worship, and militaristic dominance, enabling him to crush powerful opponents and manipulate territorial divisions for political and financial gain.
Key Insight:
The Antichrist will reject historic faith and natural order, elevating military power as his true god. Through wealth and war, he will consolidate authority—but only for a season.
Daniel 11:40–45 (NKJV) — The Final Campaign and Fall of the Antichrist
"At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him."
In this dramatic conclusion, Daniel is shown the final military campaign of the Antichrist. As end-time alliances erupt in global conflict, armies from the South and North confront this tyrant. His conquest stretches into the Glorious Land (Israel), and his power expands over Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia. However, unsettling news from the east and north provokes his wrath, leading to a final campaign of mass destruction.
He will establish his command post “between the seas and the glorious holy mountain,” positioning himself in Jerusalem. Yet, despite all his conquests and military brilliance, his fall is certain—"he shall come to his end, and no one will help him."
Key Insight:
The Antichrist’s dominance will provoke global war and desecration of the Holy Land. Yet his defeat is foreordained. No coalition, no fortress, and no power will save him from God’s appointed judgment.
Summary of 11:37–45
The Antichrist will be marked by blasphemy, pride, and military obsession. He will reject faith, exploit power, and devastate nations.
In the end, his strength will fail. God alone determines history’s course—and the Antichrist’s end is divinely decreed.
Daniel 11 (NKJV) — The Kings of the North and South, and the Rise of the Antichrist
Daniel 11 is one of the most detailed prophetic chapters in the Bible, offering a precise and complex vision of political struggle between two dominant post-Alexandrian kingdoms: the Seleucids (the “king of the North”) and the Ptolemies (the “king of the South”). The chapter culminates in a transition to eschatological prophecy, revealing the rise of the Antichrist.
Daniel 11:1–4 — The Rise and Division of Alexander’s Empire
These verses recount the Persian succession and the rise of Alexander the Great, whose kingdom is ultimately divided among four generals after his untimely death. Importantly, his kingdom is not passed to his posterity but fractured.
Key Insight:
God's sovereignty over history is evident. He foretells not only the rise of empires but their collapse. Alexander's empire, vast as it was, could not endure without God's sustaining will.
Daniel 11:5–20 — Wars Between the North and South
These verses recount over 130 years of conflict between the Seleucids and Ptolemies. Numerous historical fulfillments—like the marriage alliance between Antiochus II and Berenice—are given in intricate prophetic detail. The "Glorious Land" (Israel) is repeatedly caught in the middle, as a pawn between warring empires.
Baptist Theological Note:
The meticulous fulfillment of these prophecies provides overwhelming evidence of the Bible’s supernatural origin. A high view of Scripture affirms that God not only reveals the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10) but intervenes purposefully in the affairs of nations to preserve His covenant people.
Daniel 11:21–35 — The Rise of Antiochus Epiphanes
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a prototype of the future Antichrist, is introduced as a "vile person." His deceitful rise to power, military campaigns, and violent desecration of the temple—including the placement of the abomination of desolation—foreshadow the Antichrist’s future career.
Key Insight:
This section is not merely historical; it is typological. Antiochus Epiphanes prefigures the final Antichrist in character, methods, and actions. His persecution of the Jews, defilement of the sanctuary, and use of flattery to corrupt the covenant people mirror the future tribulation.
Daniel 11:36–39 — Transition to the Willful King (the Antichrist)
Here, the prophecy shifts to the eschatological future. The “king” exalts himself above every god, blasphemes the true God, and honors a god of fortresses—indicating a military-focused, self-deifying ruler. This figure does not match any known historical figure after Antiochus and is understood as the final Antichrist.
Supporting Texts:
2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 — Paul quotes this passage, connecting it directly to the “man of sin.”
Matthew 24:15 — Jesus affirms the abomination of desolation is still future.
Revelation 13 — Further describes the Antichrist’s power and blasphemies.
Baptist Dispensational View:
The Antichrist rises during the seventieth week of Daniel (Daniel 9:27), specifically ruling with full authority during the final three and one-half years, known as the Great Tribulation.
His blasphemy and global dominance reflect Satanic empowerment and God’s temporary allowance for him to “prosper until the wrath has been accomplished.”
Daniel 11:40–45 — The Final World War and Fall of the Antichrist
The chapter closes with a description of military conflict involving the Antichrist and rival kings from the South and North. He invades many nations, enters the Glorious Land, and establishes his palace near Jerusalem. Despite his power, he is brought to his end with no helper—an ominous prophecy of sudden divine judgment.
Key Insight:
This final conflict likely corresponds with the events of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16) and Christ’s Second Coming (Revelation 19:11–21). Though the Antichrist appears invincible, his destruction is certain and sovereignly decreed.
Doctrinal Applications and Theological Reflections
God Rules History Precisely
Every king, conflict, and conspiracy in Daniel 11 unfolds exactly as foretold. As Baptists, we affirm verbal plenary inspiration, and Daniel 11 proves that every word matters. History is not chaotic—it is governed by God’s hand.The Covenant People Remain Central
Israel is not a historical relic. The repeated mention of the “Glorious Land” and the role of Michael in Chapter 12 affirm that God is not done with national Israel (cf. Romans 11:25–29). His covenant with Abraham is irrevocable.Persecution Precedes Purification
Verses 32–35 describe a time when those “who know their God shall be strong,” standing firm against Antiochus’ persecution. This parallels the future faithfulness of tribulation saints. Suffering purifies the faithful (cf. Malachi 3:3).Antiochus Epiphanes as a Type of Antichrist
Antiochus foreshadows the final Antichrist, just as David foreshadowed Christ. The typology is important in understanding how God prepares His people through patterns before fulfilling prophecy in its ultimate sense.The Sovereignty of God Over Evil
Even as the Antichrist exalts himself, verse 36 reminds us: what has been determined shall be done. Evil may rise, but it will only ever fulfill the sovereign plan of God.
Summary of Daniel 11:
Verses 1–35: Historical prophecy fulfilled with remarkable accuracy.
Verses 36–45: Eschatological prophecy focused on the final world dictator.
Major themes: God’s sovereignty, Israel’s centrality, the pattern of persecution, and the certainty of deliverance.
