Daniel 11:14 · Bible study
Daniel 11:14 Commentary: Violent Ones and the Vision
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Commentary on Daniel 11:14: Jewish rebels attempt to fulfill prophecy by siding with Antiochus, but they fail. Historical context and lessons.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jewish rebels attempt to fulfill prophecy by allying with Antiochus against Egypt, but they fail and stumble.
- Key words: Peritsim ('violent ones'), nasa ('lift themselves up'), nikhshalu ('stumble, fall').
- Main debate: Whether 'the vision' refers only to Isaiah 19 or includes Daniel's own prophecies of judgment.
- Theological theme: God works through human sin to accomplish His declared purposes, but human schemes that co-opt God's plans collapse.
- Best use: A warning against using worldly power to force God's will; a call to trust God's timing.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
In those times many will rise up against the king of the South. Violent ones among your own people will exalt themselves in fulfillment of the vision, but they will fail.
WEB World English Bible 2000
“In those times many will stand up against the king of the south. Also the children of the violent among your people will lift themselves up to establish the vision, but they will fall.
KJV King James Version 1769
And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the children of the violent among thy people shall lift themselves up to establish the vision; but they shall fall.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and in those times many do stand up against the king of the south, and sons of the destroyers of thy people do lift themselves up to establish the vision--and they have stumbled.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And in those times shall many stand up against the king of the south; and the violent of thy people will exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And in those times many shall rise up against the king of the south, and the children of prevaricators of thy people shall lift up themselves to fulfil the vision, and they shall fall.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y en aquellos tiempos se levantarán muchos contra el rey del mediodía; é hijos de disipadores de tu pueblo se levantarán para confirmar la profecía, y caerán.
E naqueles tempos muitos se levantarão contra o rei do sul; e filhos dos violentos de teu povo se levantarão para confirmar a visão, e cairão.
En ce temps-là, plusieurs s’ élèveront contre le roi du midi, et des hommes violents parmi ton peuple se révolteront pour accomplir la vision, et ils succomberont.
Und zur selben Zeit werden sich viele wider den König gegen Mittag setzen; auch werden sich Abtrünnige aus deinem Volk erheben und die Weissagung erfüllen, und werden fallen.
Ook zullen er in die tijden velen opstaan tegen den koning van het Zuiden; en de scheurmakers uws volks zullen verheven worden, om het gezicht te bevestigen, doch zij zullen vallen.
E in quel tempo molti insorgeranno contro il re del mezzogiorno; e degli uomini violenti di fra il tuo popolo insorgeranno per dar compimento alla visione, ma cadranno.
Onychże czasów wiele ich powstanie przeciwko królowi z południa; ale synowie przestępników z ludu twego będą zniesieni dla utwierdzenia tego widzenia, i upadną.
В те времена многие восстанут против южного царя, и мятежные из сынов твоего народа поднимутся, чтобы исполнилось видение, и падут.
那時，必有許多 人起來 攻擊 南方 王，並且你本國 的強暴 人 必興起，要應驗 那異象，他們卻要敗亡。
In those times, a number will take up arms against the king of the south: and the children of the violent among your people will be lifting themselves up to make the vision come true; but it will be their downfall.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Daniel 11:14
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree this verse describes a turbulent period in Ptolemaic Egypt (early 2nd century BC). The 'many' who stand against the king of the south include foreign powers like Philip of Macedon and internal Egyptian rebels. But the focus narrows to Jewish rebels, called 'violen' or 'robbers' (Heb. peritsim, 'breaker, violent one'). These Jews, led by some priests or Onias, sided with Antiochus the Great against Ptolemy Epiphanes. They hoped to 'establish the vision', likely Isaiah 19:19, which promised an altar to God in Egypt. By building a temple at Leontopolis, they sought to claim that prophecy. Yet their scheme collapsed. Scopas, Ptolemy’s general, subdued the rebels and placed a garrison in Jerusalem. Calvin and others note that despite their religious pretext, their use of force and alliance with a pagan king led to failure. The Cambridge Bible emphasizes that the vision in view is the broader Danielic prophecy of judgment (Dan 8) and the rebels unwittingly advanced it. All sources stress that human efforts to force God's timeline, especially through violence and foreign entanglements, end in stumble (Heb. nikhshalu, 'they stumbled, fell').
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Strict historical fulfillment: Most commentators (Barnes, Cambridge, Keil) identify the rebels with the party that supported Antiochus III against Ptolemy V in the years 202–198 BC, aligning with known historical records.
- Typological-prophetic extension: Ellicott and others note the phrase 'in those times' connects to the larger vision that climaxes with Antiochus Epiphanes (little horn); thus the verse also prefigures the end-time apostasy.
What is clear: The verse describes a failed uprising of some Jews against the king of the south, involving violence and an attempt to establish a prophecy, but those Jews ultimately fell—whether historically or theologically.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of the 'violent ones' | They are Jewish rebels who broke with the mainstream community and sided with Antiochus against Ptolemy. | Some specify Onias IV and his followers at Leontopolis (Egypt); others point to a faction that defected to Scopas or simply sociopathic individuals (<i>peritsim</i> meaning 'robbers, assassins'). |
| Which vision is being established | The rebels aimed to fulfill earlier prophecy (likely Isa 19:19). | Jerome and most early interpreters saw it as the Isaiah promise; Calvin and others argue it refers to Daniel's own visions (Dan 8) or more generally to all prophetic warnings. |
| Why they fell | The rebellion collapsed when Scopas reconquered Judea for Ptolemy. | Some see divine judgment on their violence; others see a historical consequence of miscalculation without a direct theological verdict. |
| Relevance to end-times | The verse forms part of the chain leading to Antiochus Epiphanes and ultimately to God's final kingdom. | Some traditions (e.g., dispensationalist) see this as a type of future apostate Jews under Antichrist; others limit it entirely to 2nd century BC history. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The setting is the complex struggle between the Ptolemaic (south/Egypt) and Seleucid (north/Syria) empires after Alexander's death. In 202 BC, Antiochus III (the Great) allied with Philip V of Macedon to attack the young Ptolemy V Epiphanes. Palestine lay in the crossfire. Both kingdoms courted Jewish support.
Ptolemy IV had died after a dissolute reign, leaving a child king. Internal conspiracies weakened Egypt: Agathocles plotted regency; Scopas, an Aetolian general, planned a coup. Antiochus and Philip saw their chance. The 'violent ones of your people' (Jewish rebels) saw an opening. Some, like Onias IV (son of the high priest), fled to Egypt and were given land at Heliopolis. There they built a temple, claiming Isaiah 19:18, 19 foretold an altar to the Lord in Egypt. They intended to establish that vision by aligning with Antiochus, expecting him to protect their temple and grant autonomy to Judea.
But their calculation was wrong. Scopas marched south, defeated the Jewish forces, and left a garrison in Jerusalem's citadel. The rebels fell, either killed, scattered, or left powerless. Only when Antiochus returned and defeated Scopas at Paneion (198 BC) did he restore some Jewish privileges. Yet the temple in Egypt survived for centuries, a symbol of misguided zeal. The verse reminds readers that prophecy is fulfilled on God's terms, not through human scheming.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Daniel 11:14. The main interpretative differences arise from the phrase 'children of the violent' (benei paritsim), which some translations render as 'robbers' or 'tyrants,' but all depend on the same Hebrew text.
Reception History
Early Christian interpreters, including Jerome (4th century AD), identified this verse with the historical struggles between the Ptolemies and Seleucids, and specifically with the Jewish apostasy that led to the Maccabean crisis. Jerome saw the 'violent ones' as those who abandoned the law and joined Antiochus IV Epiphanes, though later commentators like Calvin argued the reference is strictly to the period of Antiochus III. Protestant interpreters of the 18th, 19th centuries (e.g., Gill, Matthew Henry) expanded the moral lesson: human attempts to fulfill prophecy through carnal means always fail. In modern scholarship, the consensus remains firmly historical, though some evangelical writers have used the verse as a caution against 'dominion theology' or political messianism. The verse has rarely been a central text in systematic theology, but it appears in studies of prophecy, sovereignty, and theodicy.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God's purposes include the plans of the wicked. Both foreign kings and Jewish rebels act freely, yet unknowingly serve God's vision (v. 14; cf. Acts 4:28).
- Human efforts to force God's promises through violence fail. The rebels 'exalted themselves' (Niphal of nasa, self-elevation) but 'stumbled.' Spiritual ends do not justify carnal means.
- Prophecy is accomplished, but not always as we expect. The vision was established, judgment came on Judea. But the rebels' own agenda was crushed.
Five-point outline
- The king of the south is weak, and many enemies gather (v. 14a).
- Among them are 'violent ones' from God’s own people (v. 14b).
- Their goal: 'establish the vision', to make prophecy happen on their terms.
- God’s response: they stumble and fall.
- The lesson: biblical hope clings to God’s sovereignty, not human strength.
Illustration hooks
- A church decides to 'claim a prophecy' by pressuring a politician for favorable laws, only to face public backlash and internal division.
- A Christian activist group uses aggressive tactics to 'advance the kingdom,' but ends up harming their witness and relationships.
- A person tries to force a relationship or a job because they believe it’s 'God’s will,' but the outcome is painful and confusing.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How can I know if my desire to see God’s promises fulfilled is actually from Him or my own ambition?
- Does this verse mean that if I fail, I was not really following God?
- Why does God allow human sin and violence to advance His plan?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows how even God's people can misuse prophecy. Before reading Daniel 11:14, consider: why do Christians sometimes try to 'help God out'? What does this verse warn us about using worldly power to accomplish spiritual work?
Discussion questions
- What does the phrase 'children of the violent' tell you about the character of these Jewish rebels? (Look at the Hebrew root parats, 'to break through.')
- Why did they think siding with Antiochus would 'establish the vision'? What does this reveal about their understanding of prophecy?
- The vision likely referred to Isaiah 19:19 (an altar in Egypt). Given that context, was their motive partly sincere? How can good intentions still lead to sinful actions?
- In what ways do believers today 'exalt themselves' to fulfill what they think God has promised?
- The rebels 'fell' (v.14c). Does their failure mean the prophecy failed? How does this verse affirm God's sovereignty over human rebellion?
- Read Acts 4:27, 28. How does the early church interpret the collaboration of earthly rulers with God's plan? How is it similar to Daniel 11:14?
- How can we pursue God's promises with prayer and patience, rather than with force or manipulation?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Acts 4:25 | who by the mouth of your servant David, said, ‘Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? |
| Acts 4:28 | to do whatever your hand and your counsel foreordained to happen. |
| Revelation of John 17:17 | For God has put in their hearts to do what he has in mind, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke identifies the robbers mentioned here as apostate Jews who abandoned their religion and sided with Antiochus. Their aim was to build a temple in Egypt, hoping to fulfill a prophecy of Isaiah, but Scopas conquered them and took spoils to Egypt.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes identifies "the robbers of thy people" as powerful but oppressive Jewish leaders who sided with Antiochus during Egypt's weakness. Their betrayal helped fulfill Daniel's prophecy, though they themselves fell and failed to gain the lasting advantage they sought.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin stresses that the phrase "his sons dissipation" points to factious men who shatter the nation's unity and leave Judah exposed to foreign powers. While some link this to Onias building a rival temple in Egypt, Calvin's focus is on how internal disloyalty, not just external enemies, brought ruin.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentary identifies the prophecy with specific Hellenistic rulers and battles, matching Antiochus III's campaigns against Ptolemy IV and V. It notes a Jewish faction that sided with Antiochus seeking to fulfill prophecy but was overthrown, and observes that the biblical sequence does not perfectly align with Polybius's historical account.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
And at the same time there shall many stand vp against the King of the South: also the rebellious children of thy people shall exalt them selues to establish the vision, but they shall fall.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill identifies the "robbers of your people" as apostate Jews who took advantage of the political chaos to commit thefts and side with Egypt against Antiochus. For a time they prospered, but Gill emphasizes that they eventually fell, being cut off when Antiochus invaded Judea and took Jerusalem.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB sees the "many" opposing Ptolemy as Philip of Macedon and Egyptian rebels, while the "robbers of thy people" are factious Jews who joined Antiochus and supplied his
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch stresses that the phrase "at the end of times, years" marks divinely appointed seasons in prophetic speech, not vague intervals. They also broaden "the prophecy" beyond Antiochus Epiphanes to include all warnings of judgment on Israel for apostasy, noting that violent Jewish rebels rise to fulfill these very threats.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange contends that the astonishingly exact historical detail in the middle of this chapter strongly suggests later interpolation by a Maccabean writer, while the opening and closing verses are original prophecy. For him, the precise predictions were designed to assure the persecuted that their suffering was the divinely ordained prelude to the Messianic age.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry reads these verses as a precise historical prophecy of the power struggles between the Ptolemies of Egypt and the Seleucids of Syria. He identifies the specific kings and alliances described, treating the text as God's foreordained record of the rise and fall of ancient empires.