This verse highlights the short-lived nature of earthly alliances and reminds us that God’s sovereignty transcends political treaties.
“After some years they will form an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the South will come to the king of the North to carry out a peaceful arrangement. But she will not retain her position of power, nor will he remain with his power; but she will be given up, along with those who brought her in and the one who sired her as well as he who supported her in those times.” (v.6)
In Daniel 11:6, the angel’s prophetic message looks ahead to political maneuverings between two major powers, described here as “the king of the South” and “the king of the North.” These two kingdoms are widely understood to be the Ptolemaic Empire in Egypt (to the south) and the Seleucid Empire in the region of Syria (to the north). The verse foretells after some years they will form an alliance (v.6), highlighting that a considerable span of time would pass before cooperation was attempted between them. According to many historical sources, this alliance was arranged through the marriage of the daughter of the king of the South—historically recognized as Berenice, the daughter of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (reigned 285-246 B.C.)—to Antiochus II Theos, ruler of the Seleucid Empire. Although intended to secure political partnership, this union soon collapsed when rival claims and betrayals led to Berenice’s downfall, thereby fulfilling she will not retain her position of power (v.6). These events occurred roughly in the mid-3rd century B.C., linking Daniel’s prophecy to the volatile dynamics of Hellenistic kingdoms.
The latter part of the verse underscores the impermanence of the arrangement: nor will he remain with his power; but she will be given up, along with those who brought her in (v.6). This points to Antiochus II losing his authority and the subsequent conspiracies that caused Berenice’s demise, along with many in her entourage. The prophecy displays how shifting alliances, however seemingly shrewd, ultimately crumble when leaders choose self-serving ambitions rather than genuine peace. Daniel received this revelation in the broader context of visions concerning future events for Israel, as explained in Chapter 10 when the angel declared he would reveal what will happen to your people in the latter days (Daniel 10:14). This sets the stage for Chapter 11’s detailed account of geopolitical struggles.
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Daniel 11:6 meaning
“After some years they will form an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the South will come to the king of the North to carry out a peaceful arrangement. But she will not retain her position of power, nor will he remain with his power; but she will be given up, along with those who brought her in and the one who sired her as well as he who supported her in those times.” (v.6)
In Daniel 11:6, the angel’s prophetic message looks ahead to political maneuverings between two major powers, described here as “the king of the South” and “the king of the North.” These two kingdoms are widely understood to be the Ptolemaic Empire in Egypt (to the south) and the Seleucid Empire in the region of Syria (to the north). The verse foretells after some years they will form an alliance (v.6), highlighting that a considerable span of time would pass before cooperation was attempted between them. According to many historical sources, this alliance was arranged through the marriage of the daughter of the king of the South—historically recognized as Berenice, the daughter of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (reigned 285-246 B.C.)—to Antiochus II Theos, ruler of the Seleucid Empire. Although intended to secure political partnership, this union soon collapsed when rival claims and betrayals led to Berenice’s downfall, thereby fulfilling she will not retain her position of power (v.6). These events occurred roughly in the mid-3rd century B.C., linking Daniel’s prophecy to the volatile dynamics of Hellenistic kingdoms.
The latter part of the verse underscores the impermanence of the arrangement: nor will he remain with his power; but she will be given up, along with those who brought her in (v.6). This points to Antiochus II losing his authority and the subsequent conspiracies that caused Berenice’s demise, along with many in her entourage. The prophecy displays how shifting alliances, however seemingly shrewd, ultimately crumble when leaders choose self-serving ambitions rather than genuine peace. Daniel received this revelation in the broader context of visions concerning future events for Israel, as explained in Chapter 10 when the angel declared he would reveal what will happen to your people in the latter days (Daniel 10:14). This sets the stage for Chapter 11’s detailed account of geopolitical struggles.