Antiochus III and his slain brother Seleucus III exemplify how the sons of the northern king mustered huge armies, marched through the lands, and renewed war, confirming the precise fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy.
“However, his sons will mobilize and assemble a multitude of great forces; and one of them will keep on coming and overflow and pass through, that he may again wage war up to his very fortress.” (v.10)
Daniel 11:10 continues the prophecy describing the ongoing power struggles between dynasties that rose after Alexander the Great’s death in 323 B.C. Here, the text focuses on the northern kingdom—in this instance, the Seleucid dynasty in Syria—with his sons referring to Seleucus III and Antiochus III (nicknamed “the Great”). These two northern kings mobilize by assembling a multitude of great forces to wage war against their rivals. Historically, Seleucus III took the throne around 226 B.C., but was soon murdered after a short reign, leaving his brother Antiochus III to carry on the cause. Antiochus III was known for his extensive military campaigns and eventually came to prominence around 219 B.C. when he attacked Ptolemaic territories in Phoenicia and Palestine. The fortress mentioned is likely the Ptolemaic stronghold in the southern region (Egypt), illustrating that Antiochus III would move southward, overflow and pass through on his way to regain or expand territory. This verse foreshadows the mounting tension that would erupt in major battles between the Seleucid (northern) realm and the Ptolemaic (southern) kingdom.These wars had a massive impact on smaller nations caught in the crossfire, including Israel, which at various points fell under either Ptolemaic or Seleucid control. The instability of this era is part of a broader narrative where God reveals to Daniel that earthly powers rise and fall, yet ultimately God’s sovereign plan will prevail. Even as armies are set in motion by ambition and political machinations, the Lord’s prophetic word stands in history, demonstrated by how accurately these events later unfolded. This underscores a central theme of the book of Daniel: God raises kings and kingdoms for His purposes, and He alone oversees the destiny of nations.
As with many prophecies in Daniel, this verse helps portray the grand tapestry of kingdoms that came and went, all in alignment with God’s foretelling. Though the kings of the north—especially Antiochus III—would achieve significant victories, they would ultimately be subject to God’s judgment. The repeated attempts to wage war up to his very fortress remind readers that no fortress is ultimately beyond God’s reach.
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Daniel 11:10 meaning
“However, his sons will mobilize and assemble a multitude of great forces; and one of them will keep on coming and overflow and pass through, that he may again wage war up to his very fortress.” (v.10)
Daniel 11:10 continues the prophecy describing the ongoing power struggles between dynasties that rose after Alexander the Great’s death in 323 B.C. Here, the text focuses on the northern kingdom—in this instance, the Seleucid dynasty in Syria—with his sons referring to Seleucus III and Antiochus III (nicknamed “the Great”). These two northern kings mobilize by assembling a multitude of great forces to wage war against their rivals. Historically, Seleucus III took the throne around 226 B.C., but was soon murdered after a short reign, leaving his brother Antiochus III to carry on the cause. Antiochus III was known for his extensive military campaigns and eventually came to prominence around 219 B.C. when he attacked Ptolemaic territories in Phoenicia and Palestine. The fortress mentioned is likely the Ptolemaic stronghold in the southern region (Egypt), illustrating that Antiochus III would move southward, overflow and pass through on his way to regain or expand territory. This verse foreshadows the mounting tension that would erupt in major battles between the Seleucid (northern) realm and the Ptolemaic (southern) kingdom.These wars had a massive impact on smaller nations caught in the crossfire, including Israel, which at various points fell under either Ptolemaic or Seleucid control. The instability of this era is part of a broader narrative where God reveals to Daniel that earthly powers rise and fall, yet ultimately God’s sovereign plan will prevail. Even as armies are set in motion by ambition and political machinations, the Lord’s prophetic word stands in history, demonstrated by how accurately these events later unfolded. This underscores a central theme of the book of Daniel: God raises kings and kingdoms for His purposes, and He alone oversees the destiny of nations.
As with many prophecies in Daniel, this verse helps portray the grand tapestry of kingdoms that came and went, all in alignment with God’s foretelling. Though the kings of the north—especially Antiochus III—would achieve significant victories, they would ultimately be subject to God’s judgment. The repeated attempts to wage war up to his very fortress remind readers that no fortress is ultimately beyond God’s reach.