What is the meaning of Daniel 11:23? After an alliance is made with him • Daniel identifies “him” as the coming king of the North. In history this fits Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who secured the throne through a treaty with other contenders; in prophecy it foreshadows the final man of lawlessness who will also broker agreements for his own gain (cf. Daniel 8:23–25; 2 Thessalonians 2:9–10). • The verse stresses timing—deceit follows covenant. Just as Antiochus used a negotiated peace with Egypt to mask his ambitions, the future antichrist will “confirm a covenant with many for one week” (Daniel 9:27) before revealing his true intentions. • God’s Word warns repeatedly that alliances forged apart from His counsel become snares (Isaiah 28:14–15; Psalm 118:8–9). The text reminds believers to measure every agreement by Scripture, not expedience. he will act deceitfully • Deceit, not force, is the ruler’s primary tool. Antiochus employed flattery and intrigue, winning cities “by intrigue” (Daniel 11:21). Likewise, the last-days tyrant comes “with every wicked deception” (2 Thessalonians 2:10). • Scripture exposes the pattern: – Psalm 55:21—“His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart.” – Daniel 11:27—two kings “speak lies at the same table.” – Revelation 13:14—the beast “deceives those who dwell on the earth.” • Believers are called to sober discernment. Proverbs 14:15 cautions, “The simple believe every word, but the prudent consider their steps.” Taking God’s warnings literally keeps us from being seduced by polished words. for he will rise to power with only a few people • The ascent begins small. Antiochus returned from Rome with limited supporters, yet within a short time controlled a vast empire (Daniel 11:24). Jesus notes a similar end-time dynamic: “Many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Mark 10:31); God allows unlikely figures to rise so His foreknowledge is unmistakable. • Small beginnings magnify deceit’s role. With no mass movement behind him, the ruler relies on covert alliances and strategic favors—echoing Revelation 17:12-13, where ten kings “receive authority as kings for one hour with the beast.” • The phrase underscores God’s sovereignty. Psalm 75:6-7 declares, “Exaltation does not come from east, west, or desert, but God is Judge; He brings one down and lifts another up.” Even sinister thrones rise only within the limits He permits, serving His larger redemptive plan. summary Daniel 11:23 paints a precise sequence: a crafty leader enters covenant, immediately turns to deceit, and swiftly ascends from a modest base. History validates the prophecy in Antiochus IV; the New Testament projects it onto the future antichrist. Each clause reminds believers that (1) political agreements apart from God invite peril, (2) deception often precedes open aggression, and (3) apparent underdogs can wield vast power when God allows. Taking the verse literally equips us to recognize the same pattern in any age and to cling to the One whose kingdom alone is built on truth. |
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