Daniel 11:40 describes a dramatic conflict occurring at "the time of the end," where "the king of the South" launches an attack against "the king of the North." While the passage unmistakably places the events in the context of the end times, the identities of these two kings remain a subject of considerable debate. Understanding who these figures represent requires a closer examination of the broader context of Daniel 11, which outlines a detailed and complex prophecy spanning centuries.
Daniel 11 is a sweeping prophecy that covers significant historical events, starting from the Persian Empire and extending through the rise and fall of the Greek Empire, particularly focusing on the conflicts between the Seleucid (northern) and Ptolemaic (southern) dynasties following the death of Alexander the Great. The text provides astonishingly precise descriptions of political and military events involving these empires, leading many scholars to view much of the prophecy as already fulfilled through these historical occurrences.
But there is one little statement in Daniel 11 that some believe has yet to be fulfilled, Daniel 11:40,
At the time of the end, the king of the south shall attack him, but the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships. And he shall come into countries and shall overflow and pass through.
The passage at Daniel 11:40 shifts from describing past events to prophesying about future ones, with the phrase "the time of the end" indicating a transition to the final period of world history. This suggests that the figures of the "king of the North" and the "king of the South" in this verse may not directly correspond to historical figures from the ancient world, but rather represent future powers or leaders who will emerge during the end times.
Daniel 11 is divided into several sections, with each portion addressing different time periods and prophetic themes:
Verses 1-35: These verses provide a detailed account of historical events involving the Persian and Greek empires, as well as the ongoing conflicts between the Seleucid Empire (the "King of the North") and the Ptolemaic Empire (the "King of the South"). These events took place over several centuries and include the rise of various kings, alliances, wars, and persecutions that had a direct impact on the Jewish people. One of the key figures mentioned is Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid ruler who persecuted the Jews and desecrated the Temple in the 2nd century BC.
Verses 36-45: Many scholars see a shift in focus beginning with verse 36. The text moves away from a detailed historical account and begins to describe events that seem to go beyond the actions of Antiochus IV or other known historical figures. This section includes descriptions of a powerful king who exalts himself above all gods, engages in military conflicts, and comes to his end "between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain" (likely referring to Jerusalem).
Who is this “king of the North” and what do we need to know about the rest of Daniel 11 to understand his role?
Daniel 11 present a prophetic overview of significant events in the Persian and Greek empires, offering astonishing details that affirm the Bible's historical accuracy. These verses set the stage for the unfolding prophecy, beginning with the rise of Persian kings and leading to the conquest of the Persian Empire by Alexander the Great. In verse 4, we see a prophecy about the division of Alexander's kingdom into four distinct regions following his sudden death. This corresponds to the historical partitioning of his empire among his four generals, which marked the start of the Hellenistic period.
As the prophecy continues in verses 5-6, we encounter for the first time the figures known as "the king of the South" and "the king of the North." These titles are not merely geographical references but represent two rival powers whose territories lay to the south and north of Jerusalem, respectively. The use of "north" and "south" is intentional, as the entire prophecy in Daniel 11 focuses on events that would impact the Jewish people (Daniel 10:14). Thus, the directions are oriented in relation to the city of Jerusalem, positioning these kingdoms as forces that would significantly influence the fate of God's people.
The identities of these kings initially refer to the Ptolemaic dynasty (the "king of the South") in Egypt and the Seleucid dynasty (the "king of the North") in Syria, two of the four regions that emerged from the breakup of Alexander's empire. The prophecy meticulously traces the ongoing struggles and alliances between these two dynasties, whose conflicts had a direct impact on the land of Israel, which lay between them. These battles and political maneuverings often brought devastation to the Jewish people, who were caught in the middle of these territorial disputes.
While the details of Daniel 11 can be challenging to follow due to the sheer volume of historical references and the complex nature of the relationships between the kings, a careful study reveals a remarkable correspondence between the prophecy and actual historical events. For example, verse 6 speaks of an alliance through marriage between the Ptolemaic and Seleucid dynasties, which aligns with the historical marriage of Berenice, daughter of the Egyptian king Ptolemy II, to Antiochus II of the Seleucid Empire. This marriage, intended to seal peace, ultimately led to betrayal and conflict, just as the prophecy foretold.
If we aren’t careful biblical prophecy is one of those genres of literature where we can easily get lost in the weeds. We can argue about the exact meaning of unclear and disputable interpretations and miss the big picture of what the author is telling us. Daniel has a meaning that would be relevant to his original audience, even as he is outlining hundreds of years of history. He’s telling a consistent message, and that message is that God is sovereign over history, and He, along with those who trust Him, will be victorious over any perceived enemy.
If we miss that message, then no matter how correct we get the details of prophecy, we aren’t applying the scriptures correctly. We should read something like Daniel 11 and breathe a sigh of relief. That is what it is meant to do within our hearts. It’s to tell us to put on a hard hat because there might be tough sledding ahead, but to know that in the end, God is victorious, and in this, we can hope. I appreciate how Iain Duguid says it:
“On one level, it is the continual story of wars and rumors of wars, as one human ruler and empire after another seeks to gain power by cunning or force. Yet though the tide in the affairs of men comes in and goes out, in the end it accomplishes precisely nothing. The balance of power in earthly politics may shift but it never comes to a permanent rest. On the one hand, therefore, Daniel 11 shows us the fallen world pursuing the wind and finding it elusive. What do power and politics gain for all their toil? All this, as the writer of Ecclesiastes noted, is vanity” (Daniel: Reformed Expository Commentary).
The context, then, of Daniel 11 is a message to a group of exiles to put their present suffering into perspective. It’s to help them see the end of the story or at least parts of the end of the story. When we know that history has a purpose, when we know that our suffering is getting us somewhere, it makes it that much easier to endure. What, then, is all of this talk about the King of the North?
The “King of the North” is more a series of Greek kings in Syria. Specifically, they are part of the Seleucid dynasty. The mighty Greek king that this begins with is none other than Alexander the Great. He died almost 200 years after Daniel. And after Alexander died, the vast kingdom which he had conquered was divided among four generals.
The Northern kingdoms (Syria) were given over to the Seleucid Dynasty. Those in the South (Egypt) were known as the Ptolemaic dynasty. What Daniel outlines is the history of battles between these two dynasties from 322-163 BC. And their battles would have a massive effect on the people of Israel.
One of the worst of these leaders was a guy named Antiochus Epiphanes. He murdered a high priest, invaded Egypt, and even pillaged the temple in Jerusalem. He sacrificed unclean animals in the temple. This is likely what Daniel was referencing in 11:25-28.
The narrative in Daniel fits well with the exploits of Antiochus until we get to verse 40. And it is here, especially because of the phrase “at the time of the end,” that some believe Daniel is talking about a particular figure in the End Times that will be far more wicked than Antiochus. Who, then, is this King of the North?
Some have identified this person as the Antichrist, or the man of lawlessness mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2. Others have been more specific, identifying this with the Roman Catholic pope or various czars of Russia. Some modern Bible scholars are convinced that “the North” must be a reference to Russia.
It is also possible that this is simply a reference to Antiochus V and to the end of the Greek Empire. Even if that is the case, prophecy does often function by dual fulfillment. It’s possible that Antiochus IV is just a picture of a figure of greater evil to come onto the scene in world history.
The imagery of chariots, horsemen, and ships used to describe the "king of the North" suggests a formidable military force, overwhelming and aggressive, that will "overflow and pass through" many nations. This aligns with other biblical prophecies that foresee a time of great turmoil and conflict before the establishment of God's kingdom on earth.
The idea of a 2,000-year gap arises between verses 35 and 36 of Daniel 11. The reasoning behind this gap is that verse 35 concludes the historical events leading up to the time of the Maccabees and Antiochus IV, while verse 36 begins to describe events that have not yet occurred and are expected to take place in the future, during the end times. This gap aligns with the broader biblical prophetic framework, which often includes intervals of time between the fulfillment of different aspects of prophecy.
For instance, other biblical prophecies sometimes present events in a sequential manner, where there is an initial fulfillment followed by a long interval before the final fulfillment. The gap in Daniel 11 is seen by some as an example of this pattern, where there is a break in the timeline between the historical events of the ancient world and the prophetic events of the end times.
The approximate 2,000-year span between the historical fulfillment and the anticipated future fulfillment corresponds with the current age, often referred to by theologians as the "church age" or the time between Christ's first coming and His anticipated second coming. During this time, the events prophesied in the latter part of Daniel 11 remain unfulfilled, awaiting the appointed time of the end.
The idea of a 2,000-year gap in Daniel 11 significantly influences how we understand the prophecy's relevance to modern and future events. It suggests that some aspects of the prophecy remain unfulfilled, pointing to events that have yet to occur and which will have important implications for Israel, Jerusalem, and the world. This gap aligns with a broader eschatological framework that anticipates the fulfillment of end-time prophecies during a future period known as the Great Tribulation, a time of intense turmoil described in Daniel and other prophetic books, leading up to the second coming of Christ. Moreover, the concept of a prophetic gap emphasizes the sovereignty of God over history, illustrating that biblical prophecy covers not only past events but also future outcomes. The gap allows for a significant span of human history between the initial fulfillment and the final resolution, highlighting God's overarching control over time and His divine plan for the ages.
You probably were hoping to read the exact name of some contemporary figure or to read about some event that is set to happen in world events. Sorry to disappoint.
But I do have some good news. The message of Daniel is still a good message for us today. There is one King who is greater than all of these other kings. Jesus, the Son of Man — the Son of God.
History is held within his hand. And as such, we can take confidence that if the King of the North has come and gone, history marches forward and towards its climax of the revealing of Jesus Christ.
If there is still a King of the North who is to come, the same is true. Jesus is greater. And it is in him that we can trust. This is Daniel’s point. God is sovereign over human history. No matter what historical situation you are facing, God is the same God.
For further reading:
Why Does Daniel Have the Most Memorable Bible Stories?
How Is Jesus a King Like No Other?
What Does the Bible Say about the Antichrist?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/supawat bursuk
Mike Leake is husband to Nikki and father to Isaiah and Hannah. He is also the lead pastor at Calvary of Neosho, MO. Mike is the author of Torn to Heal and Jesus Is All You Need. His writing home is http://mikeleake.net and you can connect with him on Twitter @mikeleake. Mike has a new writing project at Proverbs4Today.