And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.

DANIEL 11:12KJV
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Daniel 11:12 (KJV)

What does Daniel 11:12 mean?

Daniel 11:12 describes a victorious king who, after defeating a large opposing force, becomes proud and destroys many more people, but ultimately does not gain lasting strength or security from his victories. The verse highlights that even great military success does not guarantee lasting power or stability.

In the context of Daniel’s vision, an angel is explaining future conflicts between powerful kingdoms, often understood as the kings of the North and South. Here, the "multitude" refers to a large army that is defeated, and the king’s heart is "lifted up" with pride. Despite his triumph and the destruction of "many ten thousands," the king’s gains are temporary, showing the fleeting nature of human power in these struggles.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 11:12

  • "away" — נָשָׂא (nasa’): This word often means "to lift" or "to carry away." Here, it points to the king removing or defeating a great multitude, emphasizing the scale of his victory.
  • "multitude" — הָמוֹן (hamon): This term means a large crowd or army. The focus is on the sheer size of the force that is overcome.
  • "heart" — לֵבָב (levav): In Hebrew thought, the heart is the center of will and emotion. The king’s "heart being lifted up" signals pride or arrogance after his victory.
  • "up" — רוּם (rum): This word means "to be high" or "exalted," reinforcing the idea of the king’s pride swelling after his success.
  • "down" — נָפַל (naphal): This verb means "to fall" or "to cast down." It describes the king causing the downfall or destruction of many.
  • "thousands" — רְבָבָה (revavah): This word means "ten thousand" or a very large number, stressing the massive scale of those defeated.
  • "strengthened" — עָזַר (azar): This verb means "to be strong" or "to prevail." The verse notes that, despite all the destruction, the king does not become truly secure or strengthened by his actions.

Why Daniel 11:12 matters

  • Daniel 11:12 clarifies that even overwhelming victories and the destruction of many enemies do not guarantee lasting power, highlighting the limits of human ambition and pride.
  • The verse connects to the broader theme in Daniel 11 of the rise and fall of earthly kingdoms, showing that success can be fleeting and unstable.
  • By focusing on the king’s pride and ultimate lack of strength, the verse warns against overconfidence and reminds readers that true security does not come from military might alone.

Where else these words appear

“thousands” Hebrew H7239 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 29:7 And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.
  • Nehemiah 7:66 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
  • Psalms 68:17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.

“strengthened” Hebrew H5810 · used in 12 verses

  • Judges 3:10 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.
  • Psalms 52:7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
  • Proverbs 8:28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

“multitude” Hebrew H1995 · used in 78 verses

  • Genesis 17:4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
  • Psalms 37:16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
  • Ezekiel 7:13 For the seller shall not return to that which is sold, although they were yet alive: for the vision is touching the whole multitude thereof, which shall not return; neither shall any strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life.