Daniel 11:23

After an alliance is made with him, he will act deceitfully; for he will rise to power with only a few people.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The prophet Daniel records a vision detailing the immediate aftermath of a military campaign and the destruction of a covenant prince. The narration shifts to describe the actions of a rising figure following the formation of a new political agreement.

The words — The Hebrew הִתְחַבְּר֣וּת (hit.cha.be.ru.t) literally denotes the formation of an alliance, while מִרְמָה (mir.mah) translates directly to deceit or fraud. The phrase בִּמְעַט (bi.m.'at) specifies that his rise to power occurs with only a small number of followers.

The thread — The theme of rising through craft and deceit appears in Daniel 8:25, where a figure causes deceit to prosper and exalts himself. The pattern of gaining influence through a small group and later lavishing wealth on followers parallels the description in Daniel 11:24.

Why it lands — The text establishes that political power can emerge from a newly formed agreement rather than open warfare, using deception to consolidate authority. It requires the reader to recognize that outward alliances do not guarantee loyalty, as the figure's subsequent actions deliberately violate the agreement to expand his control.

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The Hebrew words

וּמִן־u./min-and/ from when הִֽתְחַבְּר֥וּתhit.cha.be.Rutmade an alliance אֵלָ֖יו'e.La/vwith/ him יַעֲשֶׂ֣הya.'a.Sehhe will act מִרְמָ֑הmir.Mahdeceit וְעָלָ֥הve./'a.Lahand/ he will rise וְעָצַ֖םve./'a.Tzamand/ he will become mighty בִּמְעַט־bi/m.'at-with/ fewness of גּֽוֹי׃Goya nation

King James Version

And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.

Cross-references

Daniel 8:25 Through his craft and by his hand, he will cause deceit to prosper, and in his own mind he will make himself great. In a time of peace he will destroy many, and he will even stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be broken off, but not by human hands.
2 Thessalonians 2:9 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,
Genesis 34:13 But because Shechem had defiled their sister Dinah, Jacob’s sons answered him and his father Hamor deceitfully.
Psalms 52:2 Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit.
Proverbs 11:18 The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
Ezekiel 17:13 He took a member of the royal family and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath. Then he carried away the leading men of the land,
Romans 1:29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips,
2 Corinthians 11:3 I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.