What Does Daniel 11:8 Mean in the King James?
And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
What is worshiped can become cargo when its power changes hands.
THE MEANING
What is treated as sacred power, political rank, and precious value can all be carried away together. The ruler’s advantage is measured by how long he stands, while the things he takes become spoil.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse undoes the belief that what is revered or prized must be untouchable: here, gods and treasures are carried away as captives.
THE ROOT
בַּשְּׁבִי
ba-shevi
GROWS FROM
שׁבה
To take captive or carry away.
The verse applies captivity language to the gods and valuables, placing sacred objects and wealth in the same fate as captives. Their shared root makes clear that everything in the procession is carried away.
ALSO GROWS
shavah: To take captive
שָׁבָה
This verb names the force acting on the objects: they are seized and taken away.
shevi: Captivity; captives
שְׁבִי
This noun names their condition in the verse: even the gods enter captivity.
מִצְרַיִם
Mitsrayim
GROWS FROM
צרר
To bind, press in, or constrict; the name carries the associated sense of צַר (tsar), narrow, with the dual ending -ַיִם (-ayim).
“Egypt” in this verse is Mitsrayim. Mitsrayim carries the image of narrowness doubled. The captured gods and valuables are carried into the constricting place itself: what appears powerful is enclosed within a narrowness it cannot command.
ALSO GROWS
tsar: Narrow, constricted
צַר
This is the narrowness carried in the name of Egypt, the destination named for the captives.
metsar: A strait or narrow place; distress
מֵצַר
The related word makes narrowness a place of pressure, deepening the image of the captives being enclosed.
יַעֲמֹד
ya'amod
GROWS FROM
עמד
To stand, remain, or hold one’s place.
The Hebrew behind “continue” gives the more embodied image of standing. As the gods and valuables are carried off, the ruler’s advantage is measured by how long he remains standing; his power lasts for a season.
ALSO GROWS
ʿamad: To stand or remain
עָמַד
This is the basic image behind the ruler’s continuing longer than his rival.
ma'amad: Standing, position
מַעֲמָד
The related noun links standing with holding a position, the ruler’s temporary advantage in the verse.
THE PATTERN
Things treated as divine or secure can themselves be carried into captivity when power changes hands.
For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.THE THREAD
They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.Daniel’s בַּשְּׁבִי (ba-shevi, into captivity) and Isaiah’s בַּשְּׁבִי (ba-shevi, into captivity) use the same word from שׁבה (sh-b-h, to take captive). Isaiah sharpens the image: the gods cannot release even their own burden, and they themselves are carried away.
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