“His sons shall wage war and assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall keep coming and overflow and pass through, and again shall carry the war as far as his fortress.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights a significant shift from "his sons" to "one" person leading the charge, pointing to how one individual, Antiochus the Great, ultimately carried out the war plans of his father and brother. This change in number emphasizes how historical events often consolidate under a single, dynamic leader, even if initially conceived by a group.
“His sons shall wage war and assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall keep coming and overflow and pass through, and again shall carry the war as far as his fortress.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The narrative shifts to the sons of the king of the North, who are spurred to action and gather massive forces to reclaim lost territories. One of these sons, specifically Antiochus the Great, leads these armies in a series of overwhelming campaigns, pushing deep into enemy lands and even threatening their strongholds. This sets the stage for a confrontation with the king of the South.
The text mentions 'sons' at first, but then quickly focuses on 'one.' What does this switch reveal about the unfolding conflict?
Daniel 11:10 begins by referring to 'his sons' (plural), suggesting a joint effort or a succession plan. Historically, this points to the sons of Seleucus Callinicus of the North: Seleucus Ceraunus and Antiochus the Great. However, the narrative quickly pivots to 'one shall certainly come.' This isn't a grammatical error; it highlights a crucial historical reality. Seleucus Ceraunus died early in the conflict, leaving Antiochus the Great to carry the brunt of the war against the king of the South. This shift in the text mirrors the shift in leadership, emphasizing how a single, determined individual can drive the course of major conflicts, even when initially part of a larger plan.
The imagery of an army as a 'flood' is powerful. What does this tell us about the destructive force of warfare?
The verse uses vivid language: 'overflow and pass through.' This isn't just a description of movement; it's an analogy for the overwhelming, destructive nature of the invading army. Like a flood that inundates and sweeps away everything in its path, this military force is depicted as unstoppable and thorough in its advance. It suggests a force that doesn't just occupy territory but utterly consumes it, leaving devastation behind. The phrase 'as far as his fortress' indicates the ultimate goal of such an overwhelming advance – to strike at the very heart of the enemy's defenses.
Understand the original words
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milchamah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to military aggression, hostility, or the physical enactment of conflict between nations. It is often used to describe the turbulent affairs of earthly kingdoms throughout history.
This verse vividly portrays the ambition and military campaigns of Antiochus III the Great. Despite initial successes in reclaiming territory, his major confrontation with Egypt culminates in a significant defeat at the Battle of Raphia, highlighting the shifting fortunes of these Hellenistic powers.
226 BC
Seleucus III Ceraunus reigns
Seleucus III Ceraunus, son of Seleucus II Callinicus, begins his reign as king of the Seleucid Empire (the 'king of the north'). He mobilishes forces to reclaim lost territories.
c. 223 BC
Seleucus III Ceraunus assassinated
Seleucus III is assassinated by his own soldiers during a campaign in Asia Minor. His younger brother, Antiochus III, soon succeeds him.
223 BC
Antiochus III 'the Great' begins reign
Antiochus III becomes king of the Seleucid Empire and vows to reconquer the territories lost by his father and brother, particularly in Syria and Palestine, from the Ptolemaic kingdom of Egypt.
219 BC
Antiochus III invades Coele-Syria
Antiochus III launches a campaign to regain control of Coele-Syria. He captures the strategic port city of Seleucia from Ptolemaic forces.
217 BC— this verse
Battle of Raphia
Antiochus III confronts the Ptolemaic army led by Ptolemy IV Philopator near Raphia, a key fortress on the Egyptian border. Antiochus is decisively defeated and retreats.
217 BC
Armistice and peace treaty
Following his defeat at Raphia, Antiochus III negotiates a peace treaty with Ptolemy IV, ceding Coele-Syria and Palestine back to Egypt for a period.
This passage describes a flood overflowing and passing through a land, a vivid image also used in Daniel 11:10 to depict an invading army overwhelming the territory.
Jeremiah 47:2Similar to Daniel's imagery, Jeremiah uses the metaphor of water and floods to describe the destructive advance of an enemy, highlighting the overwhelming nature of war.
Daniel 11:25This verse also speaks of the 'king of the North' being 'stirred up' to make war, directly paralleling the language and theme of conflict initiated by this northern ruler found in verse 10.
2 Kings 14:10The phrase 'stirred up' in Daniel 11:10 echoes the Hebrew idiom used in 2 Kings 14:10, implying a challenge or aggressive engagement, fitting the context of military confrontation.
barnesDaniel 11:10: "But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress."
But his sons shall be stirred up - Margin, "or, war." The Hebrew word (יתגרוּ yı̂theggârû - from גרה gârâh) means, to be rough; then, in Piel, to excite, stir up; and then, in Hithpa, to excite one's self, to be stirred up to anger, to make war upon .... Here it means,…
bensonDaniel 11:10: "But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress."
Daniel 11:10 . But his sons shall be stirred up — “The sons of Seleucus Callinicus were Seleucus and Antiochus, the elder of whom, Seleucus, succeeded him in the throne, and, to distinguish him from others of the same name, was denominated Ceraunus, or the thunderer. He was i…
The verse highlights a significant shift from "his sons" to "one" person leading the charge, pointing to how one individual, Antiochus the Great, ultimately carried out the war plans of his father and brother. This change in number emphasizes how historical events often consolidate under a single, dynamic leader, even if initially conceived by a group.
The narrative shifts to the sons of the king of the North, who are spurred to action and gather massive forces to reclaim lost territories. One of these sons, specifically Antiochus the Great, leads these armies in a series of overwhelming campaigns, pushing deep into enemy lands and even threatening their strongholds. This sets the stage for a confrontation with the king of the South.
The narrative shifts to the sons of the king of the North, who are spurred to action and gather massive forces to reclaim lost territories. One of these sons, specifically Antiochus the Great, leads these armies in a series of overwhelming campaigns, pushing deep into enemy lands and even threatening their strongholds. This sets the stage for a confrontation with the king of the South.
"“His sons shall wage war and assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall keep coming and overflow and pass through, and again shall carry the war as far as his fortress." — The verse highlights a significant shift from "his sons" to "one" person leading the charge, pointing to how one individual, Antiochus the Great, ultimately carried out the war plans of his father an…
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Last reviewed October 2026