Of these, Seleucus I Nicator took control of Syria and Mesopotamia​—territories north and east of Daniel’s homeland, Judah. Ptolemy Lagus, another Greek general, took over Egypt and Palestine, which placed him south and west of Seleucus Nicator’s domain. Their relative positions made them “king of the north” and “king of the south,” respectively.​—Daniel 11:5, 6.

“North” and “south” became symbolic of powerful nations that filled certain prophetic roles.a Over the centuries, different nations have filled the roles of the two “kings”; but these nations have always fitted the prophetic identities. They have always been recognized by their rivalry, while usually controlling territories relatively north and south of each other.

Today those roles correspond with the designations “East” and “West.” These, too, are symbolic terms, since the territories overlap. The Biblical designations “north” and “south” are equally appropriate symbols despite similar overlapping.