But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.

DANIEL 11:44KJV
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Daniel 11:44 (KJV)

What does Daniel 11:44 mean?

Daniel 11:44 describes a powerful ruler who is alarmed by troubling news coming from the east and the north, prompting him to react with intense anger and to set out to destroy and eliminate many people. The verse highlights the ruler’s aggressive response to threats from these directions.

This verse is part of a vision given to Daniel, where an angel explains future conflicts involving kings and empires. The “tidings” refer to reports or rumors that unsettle the king, likely stirring fear of rebellion or invasion. The passage shows the ruler’s determination to crush opposition, setting the stage for further conflict in the prophecy.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 11:44

  • “Tidings” (שְׁמוּעָה, shemu‘ah) means news or reports. The word often carries the sense of alarming or significant news, not just everyday information, which helps explain the ruler’s strong reaction.
  • “Trouble” (בהל, bahal) means to terrify or disturb. This word shows that the news is not just inconvenient, but deeply unsettling to the ruler, causing panic or agitation.
  • “Fury” (חֵמָה, chemah) means intense anger or rage. The use of this word emphasizes the emotional force behind the ruler’s actions, not just a strategic or calculated response.

Why Daniel 11:44 matters

  • Daniel 11:44 clarifies that the ruler’s violent campaign is not unprovoked, but a reaction to specific threats, which gives insight into his motivations and the unfolding events.
  • The verse connects to the broader theme of Daniel 11, where political and military power is shown as unstable and reactive, often driven by fear and anger rather than wisdom.
  • Understanding the emotional and psychological state of the ruler helps make sense of the extreme actions described in the following verses, showing how fear can escalate conflict.

Where else these words appear

“tidings” Hebrew H8052 · used in 24 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD'S people to transgress.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:6 Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard.
  • Jeremiah 10:22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.

“trouble” Hebrew H926 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 45:3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.
  • Job 4:5 But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
  • Psalms 90:7 For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.

“away” Hebrew H2763 · used in 48 verses

  • Exodus 22:20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
  • Joshua 10:1 Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;
  • 1 Samuel 15:18 And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.

“east” Hebrew H4217 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 27:13 And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
  • Joshua 16:5 And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus: even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Atarothaddar, unto Bethhoron the upper;
  • 1 Chronicles 26:17 Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim two and two.