And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.

DANIEL 11:25KJV
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Daniel 11:25 (KJV)

What does Daniel 11:25 mean?

Daniel 11:25 describes a powerful northern king gathering his strength and courage to attack the king of the south with a large army, while the southern king also prepares a very great and strong army for battle. Despite this, the southern king will not succeed, because plans and schemes will be made against him.

In the book of Daniel, this is part of a vision where an angel explains future conflicts between northern and southern kingdoms, often understood as the Seleucid and Ptolemaic empires after Alexander the Great. The verse highlights the intense military buildup and the behind-the-scenes plotting that leads to the southern king’s defeat, setting the stage for further struggles described in the chapter.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 11:25

  • "up" (עוּר, ʿur): This word means to rouse or stir up, emphasizing the deliberate effort and determination of the northern king to take action, not just a casual decision.
  • "power" (כֹּחַ, koach): This word means strength or might, pointing to both military resources and personal resolve being summoned for the conflict.
  • "courage" (לֵבָב, levav): Often translated as heart or inner resolve, this highlights the emotional and mental preparation for battle, not just physical readiness.
  • "forecast devices" (חָשַׁב מַחֲשָׁבוֹת, chashav machashavot): This phrase means to devise plans or schemes, making clear that the southern king’s downfall is due to strategic plotting, not just brute force.

Why Daniel 11:25 matters

  • Daniel 11:25 shows that the outcome of the battle is shaped as much by secret plans and alliances as by the size of the armies, warning readers not to judge by appearances alone.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme in Daniel of God revealing the hidden workings behind historical events, emphasizing that what happens on the surface often has deeper causes.
  • Understanding the specific words for strength, courage, and scheming helps clarify that this is not just a straightforward military defeat, but a story of manipulation and calculated betrayal.

Where else these words appear

“up” Hebrew H1624 · used in 13 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:5 Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession.
  • 2 Kings 14:10 Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?
  • Proverbs 28:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

“mighty” Hebrew H6099 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 18:18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
  • Deuteronomy 26:5 And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish was my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:
  • Isaiah 60:22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.

“devices” Hebrew H4284 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
  • Psalms 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
  • Isaiah 66:18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

“up” Hebrew H5782 · used in 65 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:
  • Psalms 73:20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
  • Isaiah 51:17 Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.