His temporary victory reminds us that human pride inevitably fails to secure lasting triumph.
Daniel 11:12 states, “When the multitude is carried away, his heart will be lifted up, and he will cause tens of thousands to fall; yet he will not prevail.” (v.12) This verse appears within a prophetic passage describing the ongoing struggles between earthly kings following the breakup of Alexander the Great’s empire. Historically, many interpret this particular prediction as involving the “king of the South,” who would experience a surge of military success—carrying away large numbers of enemy forces—only to grow prideful and thus fail to achieve lasting victory. Despite causing widespread devastation on the battlefield, he would ultimately be prevented from permanently consolidating his power, highlighting the recurring biblical theme that human arrogance leads to downfall. In the broader context of Daniel 11, these battles unfold as part of the intricate power shifts that occurred among the post-Alexandrian kingdoms, foreshadowing the ebb and flow of prominence for both the southern and northern dynasties. Daniel’s purposeful recording of these events reminds readers that even the mightiest conquerors remain under God’s sovereign hand.
This message of temporary triumph warns believers not to place eternal trust in political or military power. Though the king’s heart was “lifted up” by victory, he discovered his ultimate limitations—he could not prevail beyond God’s design. Scripture elsewhere teaches that pride precedes destruction (Proverbs 16:18), a principle reflected repeatedly throughout Daniel’s visions, including the humbling of powerful rulers. As noted in commentaries on adjacent chapters, the Lord reveals future events to Daniel not merely to predict geopolitical upheavals, but to emphasize that God alone possesses ultimate authority and demands humility from all nations.
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Daniel 11:12 meaning
Daniel 11:12 states, “When the multitude is carried away, his heart will be lifted up, and he will cause tens of thousands to fall; yet he will not prevail.” (v.12) This verse appears within a prophetic passage describing the ongoing struggles between earthly kings following the breakup of Alexander the Great’s empire. Historically, many interpret this particular prediction as involving the “king of the South,” who would experience a surge of military success—carrying away large numbers of enemy forces—only to grow prideful and thus fail to achieve lasting victory. Despite causing widespread devastation on the battlefield, he would ultimately be prevented from permanently consolidating his power, highlighting the recurring biblical theme that human arrogance leads to downfall. In the broader context of Daniel 11, these battles unfold as part of the intricate power shifts that occurred among the post-Alexandrian kingdoms, foreshadowing the ebb and flow of prominence for both the southern and northern dynasties. Daniel’s purposeful recording of these events reminds readers that even the mightiest conquerors remain under God’s sovereign hand.
This message of temporary triumph warns believers not to place eternal trust in political or military power. Though the king’s heart was “lifted up” by victory, he discovered his ultimate limitations—he could not prevail beyond God’s design. Scripture elsewhere teaches that pride precedes destruction (Proverbs 16:18), a principle reflected repeatedly throughout Daniel’s visions, including the humbling of powerful rulers. As noted in commentaries on adjacent chapters, the Lord reveals future events to Daniel not merely to predict geopolitical upheavals, but to emphasize that God alone possesses ultimate authority and demands humility from all nations.