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A Study Of The Prophetic Visions Of DanielLesson Fifteen –Chapter Eleven – Part One – The King Of The North
Daniel 11:1-2Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him. [2] And now will I show thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.
The 11th chapter of Daniel is divided into two parts – one historical, one prophetic. Verses 1-35 deals with actual events that took place in Daniel’s future but now are considered past history. It is this first historical part that was so accurately predicted by Daniel that caused many future scholars to doubt the validity of his prophetic gift and his own authorship of the book. Men underestimate God when they speak such foolishness. The Holy Spirit empowered Daniel to see into the future and nothing the Holy Spirit does is wrong. HE IS GOD! The second part of this chapter starting in the 36th verse changes course and deals with events “in the latter days.” Those events are yet future and have not been fulfilled as of yet. These verses show us that during the Great Tribulation period war will be an earmark of the Antichrist’s kingdom. The red horse rider of Revelation took peace from the earth killing millions, if not billions of people.
We know from John’s writings that at least 1/3 of all the population on earth will be killed during the great Tribulation period. If the world’s population is about 6 billion, that would be about 2 billion people who will die during the reign of Antichrist. Neighbor that is staggering and that is why we must be ready to meet Jesus at any time.
“Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all” is the 17th and last prophecy in Daniel. The statement “three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all” refers to four Persian Kings: 1. Cyrus reigned 2 years after Astyages or Darius the Mede had taken to Babylon in 538 B.C. and reigned 9 years (note, §Daniel 10:1). 2. Cambyses, the son of Cyrus, reigned 7 years over Persia, 527-520 B.C. (See pt. 6, The Seventy Weeks) 3. Darius I reigned 35 years, 520-485 B.C. (see pt. 6, The Seventy Weeks). He was the first king of Persia to invade Greece, but was defeated at the battle of Marathon 490 B.C. 4. Xerxes reigned 21 years, 485-464 B.C. (see pt. 6, The Seventy Weeks). He was the Persian king that stirred up all against the realm of Grecia, fulfilling Daniel 11:2. The Greeks in 480-479 B.C also defeated him. Darius had conquered Thrace as far west as the Strymon river and added it to the Persian Empire. This brought the Greeks and Persians face to face in a death struggle, and a crisis in history. Persia had completely adopted oriental culture. She represented the fullest possible growth of the ancient civilization of Egypt and Babylon. She was rooted deeply in the traditions of the past and was unable to produce a better civilization. The Greeks, on the other hand, were a fresh and youthful people. They were giving the world new ideas of literature, art, and individual rights in self-government. If the Persians had conquered, the progress of the world would have been set back many centuries. When the two powers started to fight it was a war that could only end in the destruction of one type of civilization or the other, the Western or Eastern. The struggle was not continuous, but broke out again and again over a period of 150 years. During this time the Greeks were developing in unity and culture. By 337 B.C. they were united in one nation under Philip of Macedon. In 336 B.C. Alexander the Great came to the throne. His northern Greek subjects rebelled. He soon crushed the rebels and was recognized as head of all Greek forces for a war against Persia that Philip had been making preparation for. In 13 years Alexander the Great had conquered the whole Persian Empire and the Greeks had become the masters of the known world. Kings of Persia After Xerxes: 1. Artaxerxes I (surnamed "The longarmed") reigned 40 years, 464-424 B.C. 2. Xerxes II reigned only 1 year, 423 B.C. 3. Darius II reigned 19 years, 423-404 B.C. 4. Artaxerxes II reigned 46 years, 404-358 B.C. 5. Artaxerxes III reigned 20 years, 358-338 B.C. 6. Darius III reigned 8 years 338-330 B.C. This is the king that was defeated by Alexander the Great whose empire succeeded the Medo-Persian Empire as the 5th world empire oppressing Israel in the times of the Gentiles, and the 3rd world empire of Daniel 2:37-45; Daniel 7:3-8; Daniel 8:3-8,20-21.
Daniel 11:3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.
This is Alexander the Great who carried out the plans of his father, Philip of Macedon, to invade the Persian Empire. The war began in 336 B.C. when Alexander came to the throne of Greece and Macedon. He had only 35,000 soldiers and $75,000 to start the war with, while the Persian king had yearly revenue of $11,000,000, many millions in the treasury, and hundreds of thousands of soldiers, besides a great navy. He hired 50,000 Greek soldiers with Greek generals. But in 13 years Alexander conquered the whole Persian Empire and beyond. He literally did "according to his will," fulfilling Daniel 11:3.
Daniel 11:4 And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.
The term “when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken,” refers to the breaking up of the Grecian Empire into 4 divisions after the death of Alexander the Great. The period from Alexander to the conquest of these 4 kingdoms by the Romans (336-100 B.C.) is called the Hellenistic or Alexandrian Age. For a time the generals of the army agreed to rule the various parts of the empire until Alexander's son by Roxane became of age to take the throne, but they all really desired to become king of the province they held. In 311 B.C. the child and his mother were murdered. Then the struggle for power became an open contest. Antigonus, one of the most able generals of Alexander, used Syria as a base to conquer the whole empire for himself. In 301 B.C. he was defeated by 4 other generals and slain. The 4 great generals then divided the empire. The phrase “not of his own posterity,” means that Alexander's kingdom was to be divided among others who were neither of his posterity nor according to the dominion by which he ruled. In 15 years not one of Alexander's family, including 3 wives, 2 sons, his brother and wife, and mother, was left alive
His kingdom was to be plucked up, even for others besides the 4 generals that would seize the greatest part of his empire. Minor parts of the empire did go to others from which they were taken.
Daniel 11:5 And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.
The “king of the south,” refers to Ptolemy I, king of the south, the founder of the Egyptian division of the Grecian Empire, which continued 323-30 B.C. when Rome took over Egypt. : Ptolemy I was the son of Lagus, Macedonian nobleman of Eordaea, one of Alexander's trusted general's and among his 7 bodyguards. Ptolemy I played a principal part in Alexander's campaigns in Afghanistan and India. His first occupation of Palestine was in 318 B.C. He left there in 315 B.C. due to a war with Antigonus. In 312 B.C. he and Seleucus, the fugitive satrap of Babylonia, invaded Palestine and defeated Antigonus at Gaza. Again Ptolemy I occupied Palestine and again a few months later he had to leave because his general lost another battle and Antigonus then entered Syria in force. He also lost Cyprus at this time. In 306-305 B.C. Antigonus invaded Egypt but was defeated. In 302 B.C. Ptolemy I joined in a coalition in a war against Antigonus. He invaded Palestine a 3rd time. On the report that Antigonus had won a great victory against Lysunachus in Asia Minor he left Palestine again. But when he learned Antigonus was defeated in 301 B.C. by Lysunachus and Seleucus, he entered Palestine the 4th time. The other members of the coalition had decided to give Palestine to Seleucus because they considered Ptolemy had deserted the coalition; and so, for the next 150 years the Seleucid and Ptolemaic dynasties fought over Palestine. Ptolemy I died in 283 B.C. leaving a strong realm after 50 years of wars. The term “south” has reference to Judea. Egypt is “south” of the land of Israel. He became strong, for he added Cyprus, Phoenicia, Caria, Corinth, etc. to his kingdom of Egypt. This was Seleucus I, called Nicator, the Conqueror, and founder of the Seleucid Empire, 312-280 B.C. He lost out to Antigonus who conquered Babylonia in 316 B.C. Seleucus fled to Egypt and distinguished himself as one of the commanders of Ptolemy I; hence, he is called a prince of Ptolemy (Daniel 11:5). In the victory won by Ptolemy at Gaza, 312 B.C., the way was opened for Seleucus to return to Babylonia. In 9 years he won the whole of the eastern part of Alexander's empire. In 301 B.C. he added Syria and part of Asia Minor to his empire. The Seleucid era was from 312-65 B.C. when the kingdom of Syria was reduced by Pompey to a Roman province.
Daniel 11:6 And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.
The phrase “end of years,” means literally, "after some years"—about 65 years. Thus a number of historical events are passed over at this point. They: the kings of the north (Syria) and of the south (Egypt) shall make a league together. Having been in a bloody war for several years, they agreed to terminate it in 250 B.C. by the marriage of Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy II Philadelphus, king of Egypt, 285-247 B.C., to Antiochus II Theos, the king of Syria, 262-246 B.C. The marriage was on condition that Antiochus would put away his wife, Laodice, and her children, and this he did. Since Berenice brought an immense fortune to her husband, it seemed that all would go well. But after a while Antiochus recalled his former wife, Loadice, and her children; and she, fearing that he might later recall Berenice, caused him to be poisoned and Berenice to be murdered with her son. She then set her own son Callinicus (Seleucus II) upon the throne. He was called Antiochus II. Antiochus I reined 280-262 B.C. The term “she shall not retain the power of the arm,” fulfilled the fact that Berenice did not retain the power of the Syrian throne (her posterity shall not reign over Syria). Antiochus II left her and her infant son in Antioch and returned to live with his divorced wife, Laodice, who was responsible for all three being killed. The statement “neither shall he stand, nor his arm,” predicts the death of Antiochus II by Laodice who poisoned him and put her own son on the throne. The phrase “but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times,” basically restates the fact Berenice was divorced. The Egyptian women who accompanied Berenice from Egypt strove to defend her when she was murdered and many were killed. Literally, "he whom she brought forth," refers to the son of Berenice who was killed with her. This refers to her own father who gave her to Antiochus for a wife. Daniel saw all these things to the letter!!!
Daniel 11:7-9 But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail: [8] 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. [9] So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.
The first phrase in this passage “a branch out of her roots,” means a branch of the same roots from which Berenice sprang. Her brother, Ptolemy III, who had just succeeded to the Egyptian throne, at once invaded the Seleucid realm to avenge his sister who was murdered at Antioch. He annexed the eastern provinces to Egypt and ravaged the coasts of Asia Minor with his navy, 246 B.C. The “his” in “his estate,” is Ptolemy, the father of Berenice who is referred to in Daniel 11:6, as "he that strengthened her." The king of the north was Seleucus II, son of Laodice who suffered defeat by Ptolemy III. He not only entered into the fortress of the king of the north, but plundered Seleucia, Susa, and Babylonia, even penetrating to the borders of India. Ptolemy III could not enjoy the fruit of his great victories due to trouble in his own country (Daniel 11:9). He did take many captives back to Egypt and the Egyptian gods which Cambyses, king of Persia, took from Egypt 300 years before (Daniel 11:8). Hence, the Egyptians called him Euergetes (benefactor).
The 8th verse states the king of the south shall continue more years than the king of the north. This refers to the death of Seleucus II which was due to a fall from a horse. Ptolemy III survived him 4 or 5 years. The phrase “come into his kingdom,” in verse 9, means that the king of the south shall come into the kingdom of Seleucus II. This refers to a second invasion of Syria, but having heard of rebellion in Egypt, Ptolemy III returned there to suppress it. Otherwise, he would have wholly destroyed the kingdom of Syria.
Daniel 11:10-12But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress. [11] And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand. [12] And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.
The sons of Seleucus II, Seleucus III, (Ceraunus, or Thunderbolt) and Antiochus III, called the Great. Seleucus II did assemble a great multitude of forces to recover his father's dominions, but was poisoned by two of his own generals after a reign of 2 years. His brother, Antiochus III, was then proclaimed king, so that only one of the sons actually started a war against Egypt. He retook Seleucia and regained Syria. He seemed disposed to invade Egypt, as he came to his fortress, even to the borders of Egypt.
Ptolemy Philopater, "Lover of Father" or Tryphon, son of Euergetes, reigned 221-204 B.C. Antiochus the Great of Syria declared war on him about 219 B.C. Philopater defeated Antiochus in the battle of Raphia near Gaza, 217 B.C. He became greatly exalted destroying and oppressing many in his own land especially the Jews (Daniel 11:12). He was not to be strengthened by his victories due to the constant decline of his kingdom brought about by permitting favorites to rule or ruin (Daniel 11:12).
Daniel 11:13-17 For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches. [14] 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. [15] So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand. [16] But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed. [17] He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.
The king of the north here is referred to as Antiochus III, called the Great, who ruled 223-187 B.C. Fourteen years after his defeat at Raphia, he returned to fight the Egyptians with a greater army than before and with many riches from his campaign in restoring the eastern parts of his empire. Antiochus the Great and Philip of Macedonia united in conquering Egypt. In 198 B.C. Egypt was defeated and Palestine was again under the Seleucids. The “king of the south,” was Ptolemy V, called Epiphanes, the Illustrious. He was only 5 years old at this time, when Philopater died. Rome for the first time interfered to make Antiochus surrender his conquests. Not daring to disobey Rome, Antiochus made peace with Ptolemy and betrothed to him his daughter Cleopatra, 193 B.C. The phrase “also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves,” refers to the Jews who rejected their religion and joined Ptolemy under Scopas, the Egyptian general defeated by Antiochus the Great in 198 B.C. “To establish the vision; but they shall fall,” meant to take the side of Syria to help fulfill the prophecy of liberating Judea. In doing so they fell under the wrath of the Egyptians, for Scopas came with a large army, while Antiochus was engaged in other parts, and subdued Palestine taking much spoil into Egypt. Antiochus the Great came to recover Judea. He defeated Scopas, taking several fenced cities; none of the Egyptian generals were able to oppose him (Daniel 11:15-16). The phrase “no strength was found to withstand,” meant Antiochus the Great would come against Ptolemy and doing as he pleased in his conquests. The phrase “and he shall stand in the glorious land,” means that Antiochus the Great was helped by the Jews who supplied him with provisions and assisted him in reducing the garrison of Scopas in the citadel at Jerusalem. Antiochus showed the Jews great favor at this time, bringing back the dispersed and freeing the priests from all tribute. The term “which by his hand shall be consumed,” referenced the land of Judea, which was greatly reduced to poverty through the long wars.
The 17th verse says “He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom,” meaning Antiochus the Great had purposed to march into Egypt, but chose instead to make a covenant of peace with Ptolemy, giving him his own daughter, Cleopatra. Antiochus the Great acted as if being influenced by nothing but upright views in his covenant with Ptolemy. This term “daughter of women,” denotes the beauty of Cleopatra. The phrase “corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him,” bore witness to the fact that Antiochus planned to corrupt Cleopatra causing her to be a snare to Ptolemy, but instead she helped her husband and put him on guard against her father.
Daniel 11:18-20After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him. [19] Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found. [20] Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.
“After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many” means that after making peace with Egypt, Antiochus the Great prepared a great fleet of ships, subdued most of the maritime places on the coast of the Mediterranean and took many islands, including Rhodes, Samos, Colophon, and others. Daniel then states “but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.” This refers to the Roman consul who defeated Antiochus, causing him to withdraw from Greece to Asia. The Romans then defeated him in Asia Minor, compelling him to abandon all the country north of the Taurus. Thus the reproach Antiochus planned to cause Rome to suffer was turned upon himself. “Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found,” refers to Antiochus the Great turning back to his own fort in Antioch. He was obliged to raise 15,000 talents for Rome, to pay for the war. He marched into his eastern provinces to exact the unpaid taxes and perished in a war in Luristan, 187 B.C. The phrase “then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes,” refers to the tax raiser who succeeded Antiochus the Great was his son, Seleucus IV, called Philopater, who reigned 187-176 B.C. His kingdom then consisted of Syria, Cilicia, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Media, and Persia. Seleucus IV was called a raiser of taxes because he was compelled to pay a yearly war indemnity exacted by Rome. He raised money from many new sources, even sending his minister, Heliodorus, to Jerusalem to plunder the temple. Heliodorus who sought to be king assassinated Seleucus IV. What is meant by the "few days" is not stated. It could not be that he ruled only a few days, for he reigned 11 years. This perhaps refers to his quick death from the time he sought to plunder the Jewish temple at Jerusalem to get the money deposited there, which is here called "the glory of the kingdom." The statement “he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle,” refers to the manner of death of Seleucus IV—not in anger and not in battle fighting with the enemy, but basely and treacherously assassinated by one in whom he trusted. He died of poison.
Daniel 11:21And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
This verse makes the first reference to Antiochus IV, called Epiphanes, the Illustrious, who reigned 175-163 B.C. He is called a “vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom.” All of Daniel 11:21-34 refers to him. Several details are given concerning things which the last Syrian king, the Antichrist, will also do, and that more completely. While he will do these things, Antiochus was NOT the Antichrist. The Antichrist is a future ruler, not past. There are 10 proofs that prove this point: 1. The expression "in his estate" is used in Daniel 11:7,20,21,38 of immediate succession, without a time break of over 2,000 years as would be the case if Antichrist had been referred to in Daniel 11:21-34. 2. There is no break mentioned in Daniel 11:21 as would be the case if there was to be a long period between Seleucus IV of Daniel 11:20 and the future Antichrist of Daniel 11:35-45. There is such a break at the end of the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, Daniel 11:34, and the beginning of the prophecy of the future Antichrist in Daniel 11:35 where it is clear that the reference is to the end time. 3. The kingdom was not given to Antiochus Epiphanes (Daniel 11:21), but in the case of Antichrist, he is given a crown (Rev. 6:1-2) and power to rule (Rev. 13:1-5). 4. Antiochus Epiphanes was forced to go back into his own land by the Romans (Daniel 11:28-30), but Antichrist is not to be so forced by the Romans or anyone else until Christ comes. He will do according to his own will (Daniel 11:36). 5. Antiochus Epiphanes made 2 invasions of Egypt (Daniel 11:25-31), while Antichrist will make only one (Daniel 11:40-45). 6. In the 2nd invasion of Egypt Rome forced Antiochus Epiphanes to return to Syria (Daniel 11:29-30), but when Antichrist takes Egypt (Daniel 11:40-45) the Romans will surrender to him (Daniel 7:23-24; §Rev. 17:12-17, notes). 7. Antiochus Epiphanes was deeply grieved at the Roman opposition but finally yielded to their demand to liberate Egypt (Daniel 11:30-31), while Antichrist will have no such opposition nor will he yield to Rome or any other power desiring to liberate Egypt (Daniel 11:40-45; § Rev. 17:12-17, notes). 8. The exploits of the Maccabees are definitely referred to in Daniel 11:32-33, as proved in the books of 1 Macc. and 2 Macc. of the Apocrypha (1 Macc. 1:10-24,54; 2 Macc. 4:4-22; 2 Macc. 5:11-21; 2 Macc. 6:2). 9. The spoiling of Israel many days by the sword, flame, and captivity could not apply to Israel in the days of Antichrist, for the woman representing Israel at that time reaches the wilderness safely, without destruction or captivity (Rev. 12:6,14-17). 10. The whole passage (Daniel 11:21-34) was too literally fulfilled concerning Antiochus Epiphanes, not to refer to him as we shall see in the comments on this passage. It seems very clear that prophecy of the future Antichrist begins in Daniel 11:35. The phrase “to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom,” references an event regarding the true heir, Demetrius, another son of Seleucus IV, who was being held in Rome as a hostage. This gave Antiochus Epiphanes the opportunity of seizing the throne. Daniel states “but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.” Antiochus Epiphanes was on his way from Rome when his father, Seleucus IV, died. Heliodorus who poisoned the king had already declared himself king, as had several others, but Antiochus came home peaceably (not in war) and obtained the kingdom with flattery. He flattered Eumenes, king of Pergamos, and Attalus his brother, and got their assistance. He flattered the Romans, and sent ambassadors to court their favor, paying them tribute that was in arrears. He flattered the Syrians, gained their favor, and took the throne with their backing. Here Antiochus Epiphanes is called a "vile person" because he was every man's companion. He resorted to the common shops and taverns, drank with the lowest characters, and sang debauched songs with them. For this, some Epimanes called him the Madman.
Daniel 11:22-25 And with the arms of a flood shall they be over flown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. [23] And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. [24] He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. [25] And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him. Daniel 11:26 Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.
“With the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken,” means that with the help of the arms of his supporters, his competitors for the throne were overthrown and broken. The phrase “also the prince of the covenant,” meant not only were his competitors overthrown but the high priest, Onias, was deposed and Jason, who had given him a great sum of money, was installed in his place (2 Macc. 4:4-10). “After the league made with him he shall work deceitfully,” refers to the agreement between Antiochus Epiphanes and Jason which was broken. Antiochus put wicked Menelaus in the position of high priest because he offered him more money than Jason did. Thus he acted deceitfully in his agreement with Jason (Daniel 11:22). The phrase “for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people,” refers to his coming back from Rome where he had been a hostage for the payment of the tax laid on his father. On his return Antiochus found but few to espouse his cause of becoming king, for the people were divided among many claimants to the throne. Being supported by the king of Pergamos and his brother, his few followers increased until he became strong enough to get the throne. Daniel says in verse 24 that he “shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province.” After becoming king, Antiochus Epiphanes laid claim on Coelesyria, Palestine, and Phoenicia, so war broke out between Syria and Egypt (Daniel 11:23). “And he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers: he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches,” refers to the policy of Antiochus in dividing the spoils of war among his friends and subjects, as well as his own revenues. He spent much in public show and in many ways manifested his liberality more than all other kings before him. He would even go out in the street and throw handfuls of money to any who would get it. “He shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time,” meant that Antiochus planned in various ways to prevent an invasion of his kingdom by Egypt, and strengthened the strongholds of defense on his borders while making preparation for a war on Egypt. This he did for a time. “He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand,” meant that after much preparation Antiochus Epiphanes finally made war on Egypt and was victorious. Ptolemy was taken prisoner. Antiochus then had himself also crowned king of Egypt (171-167 B.C.). “For they shall forecast devices against him,” refers to using means of corruption to turn away from Ptolemy certain key men who helped defeat Egypt. They that were fed by Ptolemy were corrupted by Antiochus and caused the fall of Egypt (Daniel 11:26). Daniel 11:27-29 And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed. [28] Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land. [29] At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.
The hearts of these kings, Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria and Ptolemy Philometer of Egypt (whom Antiochus took prisoner), were equally deceitful. Antiochus, the uncle of Ptolemy, pretended to have the interest of Ptolemy at heart, since the Alexandrians had rebelled and made Ptolemy's brother their king. When Antiochus came to Memphis, he and Ptolemy had frequent conferences at the same table. They both professed love for each other, yet both were planning how to ruin the other. Neither one prospered with his lies (Daniel 11:27). The reason Antiochus did not prosper was because the Romans demanded that he surrender Egypt. In this he yielded but retained Coelesyria, Palestine, and Phoenicia. Ptolemy did not prosper because of this settlement demanded by the Romans. The reason is given in Daniel 11:27: "for yet the end shall be at the time appointed." That is, the end of the appointed time was not yet come. “Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant,” meant that after conquering Egypt, Antiochus returned to Antioch with the spoils of Egypt (1 Macc. 1:19-20). Hearing that there had been great rejoicing in Jerusalem because they heard a report of his death, he turned against the Jews. “At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter,” means that Antiochus Epiphanes made a second invasion of Egypt, but it was not as successful as the first when Egypt was conquered and plundered. "The former" refers to his victory over the Egyptian army at Pelusium, and "the latter" to his subjugation of all Egypt, except Alexandria.
Daniel 11:30For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
The phrase “the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved,” gives us the reason for Antiochus not continuing his war on Egypt. This refers to the Romans who ordered him to cease his war on his two nephews. Antiochus said he would consult with his friends, but the Roman legate drew a circle around him demanding that he give his answer before stepping out of the circle. Antiochus yielded to the Roman demand and left the country after being within seven miles of Alexandria. This is what grieved him. The statement “return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant,” has need of explanation. While in Egypt he heard that Jason, who had been deceived by him and deposed of the high priesthood, had gathered an army and marched against Jerusalem to take it from the wicked Menelaus who was besieged in the castle Antiochus then came against Jerusalem and took it by storm; slew 40,000 Jews; sold many as slaves; boiled swine's flesh and sprinkled the broth in the temple and on the altar; broke into the holy of holies; took away the golden vessels and other sacred treasures; restored Menelaus to office; and made Philip, a Phrygian, governor of Judea (1 Macc. 1:24; 2 Macc. 5:21). He also prohibited Jewish worship and consecrated the Jewish temple to Jupiter Olympius. After taking away the Jewish sacrifices in the Jewish temple, Antiochus offered a swine upon the altar and made the temple desolate of divine worship (Daniel 11:30-31; 1 Macc. 1:44-50). All this brought about the rebellion of the Jews under the Maccabees (Daniel 11:32-34). This war with Antiochus lasted about four years after which he died in a war in Persia. Daniel 11:31-34And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate. [32] And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. [33] And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. [34] Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.
The phrase “take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate,” is not the same as cutting off the daily sacrifices and setting up the abomination of desolation by the future Antichrist (Daniel 8:9-14; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 12:7; Matthew 24:15; Rev. 13). There have already been over 2,100 years since Antiochus caused this abomination of desolation (1 Macc. 1:44-50). Daniel said “the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits,” referencing the exploits of the Jews under the Maccabees (Daniel 11:32-33; 1 Macc. and 2 Macc.) and any who know their GOD in any generation! The Jews received little help in all their struggles with Antiochus Epiphanes thus the statement “when they shall fall, they be holpen with a little help.” It’s always been that way throughout history in relation to Israel and her enemies. Many enemies, little help – but the LORD is FAITHFUL!
The 34th verse ends the historical section of this vision (Daniel 11:2-34), which was all prophecy when Daniel received the revelation of these events. Other kings continued in Syria and Egypt until these countries were taken over by the Romans about 30 B.C.
No Study Questions On Lesson 15 |