Daniel 11:6

And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king’s daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.

Daniel 11:6 (KJV)

Context

The book of Daniel contains prophetic visions about the rise and fall of empires. Chapter 11 records conflicts between the “king of the South,” generally associated with the Ptolemaic kingdom of Egypt, and the “king of the North,” generally associated with the Seleucid kingdom of Syria. In this verse, the king’s daughter of the South is identified by many scholars with Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy II Philadelphus, while the king of the North is identified with Antiochus II Theos.

Meaning

The passage describes a political alliance: the king’s daughter of the South comes to the king of the North to make an agreement, which historically took the form of a marriage between Berenice and Antiochus II. This marriage was intended to cement a diplomatic partnership between Egypt and Syria, joining the two kingdoms together “in the end of years.”

However, the alliance proved short-lived. The text notes that the daughter “shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm,” indicating that Berenice’s influence and Antiochus II’s reign did not endure. Historical accounts confirm that Berenice’s political power waned and that Antiochus II’s rule ended shortly thereafter. Both Berenice and her young son were later murdered, leading to the collapse of the intended Egyptian-Seleucid partnership.

The verse concludes by mentioning “them that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times,” implying that those who supported or facilitated the marriage also suffered adverse consequences. The turbulent aftermath affected many of the parties who had backed the alliance, resulting in further instability and conflict in the region.

Biblical connections

This verse demonstrates the fragility of human political schemes and the sovereignty of God over the rise and fall of kingdoms. The prophecy’s historical precision shows that God reveals future events in advance, affirming the reliability of Scripture. For the Christian reader, it serves as a reminder to trust in God’s eternal kingdom rather than in shifting political alliances, and it points to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan through Christ, who establishes a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Application

Believers today can learn that human alliances, even those sealed by marriage, cannot secure lasting peace or power. The verse also highlights the vulnerability of individuals used as pawns in political machinations, reminding us to place our confidence in God’s sovereign control over history rather than in earthly agreements.