So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand.

DANIEL 11:15KJV
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Daniel 11:15 (KJV)

What does Daniel 11:15 mean?

Daniel 11:15 describes a time when the "king of the north" will attack, build siege works, and capture some of the strongest fortified cities, while the "arms" (military forces) of the "south" will be unable to resist or defend themselves, even with their best troops. The verse shows a clear military defeat for the southern kingdom.

In the context of Daniel's vision, this is part of a detailed prophecy about future conflicts between northern and southern kingdoms after Alexander the Great's empire broke apart. The language highlights the overwhelming strength of the northern king and the helplessness of the southern forces, setting the stage for ongoing power struggles in the region.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 11:15

  • "king" (מֶלֶךְ, melek): This word refers to a ruler or monarch, here meaning the leader of the northern kingdom, which history often connects to the Seleucid Empire.
  • "mount" (סֹלְלָה, solelah): This word means a siege mound or ramp, a structure built to breach city walls. Its use shows the seriousness and preparation of the attack.
  • "fenced" (מִבְצָר, mivtsar): This word means fortified or strongly defended, emphasizing that even the most secure cities could not withstand the assault.
  • "arms" (זְרוֹעַ, zeroa): This term often means strength or military forces. Here, it refers to the fighting power of the southern kingdom, showing their inability to hold out.

Why Daniel 11:15 matters

  • Daniel 11:15 clarifies that even the most fortified defenses and elite troops of the south will not be enough to stop the northern king, highlighting the overwhelming nature of the defeat.
  • The verse emphasizes the historical reality of shifting power and the vulnerability of even the strongest human defenses, which is a theme throughout Daniel 11.
  • Understanding the specific terms for siege warfare and fortifications helps readers see the level of detail and realism in Daniel's prophecy, connecting it to real historical events and tactics.

Where else these words appear

“mount” Hebrew H5550 · used in 11 verses

  • 2 Samuel 20:15 And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.
  • Jeremiah 6:6 For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.
  • Ezekiel 4:2 And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about.

“chosen” Hebrew H4005 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 23:6 Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.
  • Isaiah 22:7 And it shall come to pass, that thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.
  • Ezekiel 23:7 Thus she committed her whoredoms with them, with all them that were the chosen men of Assyria, and with all on whom she doted: with all their idols she defiled herself.

“fenced” Hebrew H4013 · used in 37 verses

  • Numbers 13:19 And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;
  • 2 Kings 18:8 He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.
  • Jeremiah 34:7 When the king of Babylon's army fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities of Judah that were left, against Lachish, and against Azekah: for these defenced cities remained of the cities of Judah.

“arms” Hebrew H2220 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob;(from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
  • Job 38:15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
  • Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?