Bible Strands
Daniel 11:5
The king of the South will grow strong, but one of his commanders will grow even stronger and will rule his own kingdom with great authority.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Daniel records this prophecy for exiled Judah regarding the fragmentation of a Hellenistic empire after a ruler's death. The text describes the immediate political shift when a subordinate seizes independent control.
The words — The Hebrew verb יֶחֱזַק (ye.che.Zak) means to grow strong or become powerful, used twice to contrast the king of the South with his rising commander. The verb מָשַׁל (ma.Shal) means to exercise dominion or rule, marking the commander's assumption of sovereign authority.
The thread — The narrative continues tracking this rivalry in Daniel 11:11, 11:14, and 11:25, where the king of the South mobilizes armies and faces internal uprisings. These passages maintain the focus on territorial shifts and military confrontations between the two powers.
Why it lands — The text states that authority transfers through force and ambition rather than hereditary right. It requires the reader to acknowledge that human political structures are inherently unstable and subject to division.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.
Cross-references
- Daniel 11:11 In a rage, the king of the South will march out to fight the king of the North, who will raise a large army, but it will be delivered into the hand of his enemy.
- Daniel 11:14 In those times many will rise up against the king of the South. Violent ones among your own people will exalt themselves in fulfillment of the vision, but they will fail.
- Daniel 11:25 And with a large army he will stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South, who will mobilize a very large and powerful army but will not withstand the plots devised against him.
- Daniel 11:3 Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great authority and do as he pleases.
- Daniel 11:8 He will take even their gods captive to Egypt, with their metal images and their precious vessels of silver and gold. For some years he will stay away from the king of the North,
- Daniel 11:40 At the time of the end, the king of the South will engage him in battle, but the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots, horsemen, and many ships, invading many countries and sweeping through them like a flood.