Ezekiel 11
Daniel 11 is a chapter that prophetically describes political turmoil around Israel. Overall, it deals in detail with history after the Persian period, and the endless conflict between the king of the North (the Seleucid dynasty) and the king of the South (the Ptolemaic dynasty) repeatedly appears. This chapter can be divided into
- Verses 1–2: The end of the Persian Empire and the rise of the Greek Empire
- Verses 3–20: The confrontation between the kings of the North and the South after the division of the Greek Empire
- Verses 21–35: Conflicts mainly between the king of the North (Seleucus) and the Jews
- Verses 36–45: Prophecies about an apocalyptic figure (the wicked king)
1verseMoreover the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the east gate of the LORD’s house, which looks eastward. Behold, twenty-five men were at the door of the gate; and I saw among them Jaazaniah the son of Azzur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.
2verseHe said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who devise iniquity, and who give wicked counsel in this city;
3versewho say, ‘The time is not near to build houses. This is the cauldron, and we are the meat.’
4verseTherefore prophesy against them. Prophesy, son of man.”
5verseThe LORD’s Spirit fell on me, and he said to me, “Speak, ‘The LORD says: “Thus you have said, house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind.
6verseYou have multiplied your slain in this city, and you have filled its streets with the slain.”
7verse“‘Therefore the Lord GOD says: “Your slain whom you have laid in the middle of it, they are the meat, and this is the cauldron; but you will be brought out of the middle of it.
8verseYou have feared the sword; and I will bring the sword on you,” says the Lord GOD.
9verse“I will bring you out of the middle of it, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will execute judgments among you.
10verseYou will fall by the sword. I will judge you in the border of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
11verseThis will not be your cauldron, neither will you be the meat in the middle of it. I will judge you in the border of Israel.
12verseYou will know that I am the LORD, for you have not walked in my statutes. You have not executed my ordinances, but have done after the ordinances of the nations that are around you.”’”
13verseWhen I prophesied, Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then I fell down on my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, “Ah Lord GOD! Will you make a full end of the remnant of Israel?”
14verseThe LORD’s word came to me, saying,
15verse“Son of man, your brothers, even your brothers, the men of your relatives, and all the house of Israel, all of them, are the ones to whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘Go far away from the LORD. This land has been given to us for a possession.’
16verse“Therefore say, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Whereas I have removed them far off among the nations, and whereas I have scattered them among the countries, yet I will be to them a sanctuary for a little while in the countries where they have come.”’
17verse“Therefore say, ‘The Lord GOD says: “I will gather you from the peoples, and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.”
18verse“‘They will come there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there.
19verseI will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them. I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh,
20versethat they may walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances, and do them. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
21verseBut as for them whose heart walks after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their way on their own heads,’ says the Lord GOD.”
22verseThen the cherubim lifted up their wings, and the wheels were beside them. The glory of the God of Israel was over them above.
23verseThe LORD’s glory went up from the middle of the city, and stood on the mountain which is on the east side of the city.
24verseThe Spirit lifted me up, and brought me in the vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to the captives. So the vision that I had seen went up from me.
25verseThen I spoke to the captives all the things that the LORD had shown me.
Main Content Flow
In Chapters 1–2, the consecutive appearances of the Persian kings and, afterward, Alexander the Great's conquest are described, as well as the process of the empire splitting into four after the collapse of the Greek empire. In Chapters 3–20, the most noteworthy of these focuses on political and military tensions between the two dynasties—namely, the southern (Egyptian) and the northern (Syrian) dynasties. Chapters 21–35 depict the appearance of an evil king whom many scholars regard as Seleucus's "Antiochus Epiphanes," and, beyond this perspective, they also emphasize faith amid suffering and resistance. Chapters 36–45 go further from historical descriptions of specific kings into more symbolic or eschatological portrayals, moving toward the final clash and hinting at an unknown ending.
Overall Meaning and Characteristics
Daniel 11 shows that even amid the rise and fall of political power and the uncertainty of human history God’s providence continues to work. Although various hardships and trials throughout history come upon the people of Israel, and upon all believers, evil is ultimately judged and the victory of the end times is on God’s side is suggested. It also highlights the perseverance and rising up of those who know God amid recurring trials that continue from generation to generation.
Meditation Point
- Let us meditate on God's sovereignty that does not waver even amid changes in history and power.
- Let us remember God's care and promises for those who live by keeping their faith even in suffering and pressure.
- Even in the lives of individuals and communities, we can think about what the 'wars of North and South'—repeated again and again—might mean in our lives today.
Try Applying It to Me
- Let’s choose faith in God amid changes in the world and unpredictable circumstances.
- In moments of difficulty and concern, let us imitate the way God’s will—just as the people of Israel long ago—was waited for with trust and perseverance.
- Through Daniel 11, look again at God’s work and providence in your life today and renew your commitment to faith and courage.
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