2/04/2023 – Daniel 11:10-20
Daniel 11:1-9 spans 12 kings of Persia (not counting Smerdis of 522 BC), and 4 Seleucid kings / 3 Ptolemaic kings, ending around 240 BC.
Daniel 11:10-20 spans 4 Seleucid kings / 3 Ptolemaic kings, from 225 BC until around 175 BC.
Thus, as we draw nearer to the main event, we come to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, where the narrative becomes more detailed. 15 verses (Vss 21-35) deal with Antiochus IV (175-163 BC) who is a type of the coming future antichrist of the final 7 years of Israel’s timeline. (Daniel 8:8-25 also involves a vision of Daniel’s about Antiochus IV.) But evil as he was, Antiochus IV was but a foreshadowing of the extreme evil of the future antichrist of whom Paul wrote:
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 – 3Let no man deceive you by
any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed,
the son of perdition; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is
worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple
of God, shewing himself that he is God.
The
antichrist takes up the remaining 10 verses (Vss
26-45) of this vision.
This is what this vision is all about: the explaining of Israel’s future until her transgression is finished, her sins are ended, she has reconciliation for her iniquity, and she reaches her everlasting righteousness (Daniel 9:24).
All dates quoted are historically vague and may vary by 1 or 2 years depending on who is the historical “expert” being researched.
Daniel 11:10 – But 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.
shall be stirred up – to excite oneself against (a
foe); engage in strife; engage in war. This term
is used twice in this verse.
forces – strength; might; efficiency; wealth; army.
a multitude of great forces –
Thus a mighty army is assembled from many armies.
and (one) shall certainly come – bow’ bow’
(where bow’ = to go in, enter, come, go, come
in). The double use of the word emphasises that one of these sons (or his
army, the “multitude”)
shall certainly enter into (the other kingdom)
with as much force as they can muster, in order to better ensure victory
against their enemy.
overflow, and pass through – shataph
‘abar. To overflow like a flood and run all
over the place. The same two Hebrew words are used in Isaiah 8:8a
– And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow (shataph) and go
over (‘abar) …. It pictures a flood of water that is so
extensive that it literally overflows and runs everywhere all around. The same
words are used of the antichrist in Daniel 11:40 (“… and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and
pass over.”)
His two sons referred to here are probably Seleucus III Ceraunos and Antiochus III the Great. It is not certain exactly what they were fighting over, but it did have something to do with Egypt (“the king of the south” Vs 11 below). Their father Seleucus II wasn’t able to regain all his empire (after the Third Syrian War) but instead had agreed to Egypt controlling all the land south of the northern border of Lebanon (which would have originally been part of the Seleucid empire). There also seemed to have been a fortress (Seleukeia in the province of Anatolia which is found in today’s Turkey) which was still held by Egyptian forces.
His two sons would have decided to regain at least the lands north of Israel, plus even Israel and Palestine as well. To do this they would have to take on Egypt who had great power and might and thus a huge army that poured like a flood was assembled to take on the might of Egypt.
At first Seleucus III was king but for only two years (225-223 BC); he was assassinated, possibly poisoned. Then his brother Antiochus III the Great ruled as king (223-187 BC). In 219 BC, Antiochus III firstly took back the fortress of Seleukeia, then the province of Cœle-Syria (parts of Syria and Lebanon today) which included Damascus that had been lost to Ptolemy III in 246-245 BC, and Phoenicia (including Tyre, Sidon and Ptolemais – now known as Acre in Israel today). In 218 BC Antiochus III ventured further south into Palestine, taking control as he went. He is said to have wintered in Ptolemais before returning to warfare in 217 BC. This may explain “then shall he return, and be stirred up, [even] to his fortress”, that is, a return to warfare in 217 BC after taking a break from his victories. Otherwise this wording is uncertain. In 217 Antiochus III’s army ventured forth again, but was halted by the Egyptian king at the battle of Raphia (= the Battle of Gaza) – see vs 11 below.
Daniel 11:11 – 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.
choler – marar
(to embitter one’s self; to be enraged)
Here “enraged” would be a good definition. We get “choleric” (= easily moved to often unreasonable or excessive anger:
hot-tempered) from this term.
Ruth 1:20 – And she said unto
them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara
(Mara’ = bitterness): for the Almighty
hath dealt very bitterly (marar)
with me.
The king of Egypt (Ptolemy IV) will be enraged at the boldness of the king of the north (Antiochus III) coming down toward him and taking control of everything as he goes. Ptolemy IV will come forth to battle with him at the Battle of Raphia (= the Battle of Gaza) in 217 BC. Antiochus III will gather his huge multitudinous army to join in battle, but this multitude will be given into the hand of Ptolemy IV. The king of the north will lose!
Cambridge – In the next spring (217) Antiochus and Ptolemy both take the field, with armies of 60,000 or 70,000 men each (v. 79). Ptolemy, starting from Alexandria, advances to within 50 stadia of Raphia (the border-fortress of Palestine, in the direction of Egypt); Antiochus first marches to Gaza, then by slow stages, passing Raphia, to within five stadia of the spot on which the army of Ptolemy was encamped (v. 80). In the battle which ensued (v. 82–85), Antiochus was defeated (with the loss of 10,000 infantry, 300 cavalry, besides 4,000 prisoners), and fell buck upon Gaza, retiring afterwards to Antioch (v. :86). He then sent to Ptolemy to ask terms of peace, which Ptolemy, satisfied with his victory, and with its natural consequence, the recovery of Cœle-Syria, granted for one year.
Keep in mind that while Gaza is called Palestine here (that is, the Philistines), this was land allocated by God to Israel a long time before this. Gaza was also the Philistine city where Sampson met his death. This area is very relevant to Israel.
Daniel 11:12 – [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].
shall cast down – or overthrow; cause to fall
(many) ten thousands
– ribbow
(myriad; ten thousand) The word is plural,
indicating more than one thousand and possibly many. (Note that “many” isn’t in the
original.)
It appears that Ptolemy IV, after his victory over
Antiochus III’s multitude at Raphia (Gaza) (where history records Antiochus III
as losing around 10,000 men), may not have followed this victory up properly. “The relatively mild terms of the peace and Ptolemy IV's
failure to capitalise on his victory by going on the offensive have caused some
surprise among modern scholars” (Wikipedia)
However, some maintain that Vs 12 above actually refers to Ptolemy IV’s attack on Judaea and Jerusalem (after his victory at Raphia) where he is reported to have slain between 40,000 and 60,000 Jews. While both explanations are possible, this must be considered the more likely scenario, given that this vision is all about Israel and her eternal future.
Benson says “After the retreat of Antiochus, Ptolemy visited the cities of Cœlosyria and Palestine, which had submitted to him; and, among others, in his progress, he came to Jerusalem, “where he took a view of the temple, and even offered sacrifices, &c., to the God of Israel. But, not being satisfied with viewing it only from the outer court, beyond which no Gentile was allowed to pass, he showed a great inclination to enter the sanctuary, and even the holy of holies itself. This occasioned a great uproar all over the city; the high-priest informed him of the holiness of the place, and the express law of God, by which he was forbid to enter it. But every sort of opposition only served to inflame his curiosity; he forced in as far as the second court, where, while he was preparing to enter the temple itself, he was struck by God with such terror, that he was carried off half dead. On this he left the city, highly exasperated against the whole Jewish nation, and loudly threatening future vengeance.” At his return, therefore, to Alexandria, he began a cruel persecution against the Jewish inhabitants of that city, and cast down many ten thousands; for it appears from Eusebius, that, about this time, forty thousand Jews, or, according to Jerome, sixty thousand, were slain. The loss of so many of his Jewish subjects, and the rebellion of the Egyptians, added to the mal-administration of the state, must certainly have very much weakened, and almost totally ruined his kingdom”
The battle of Raphia marked the end of the Fourth Syrian War (219-217 BC).
Daniel 11:13 – 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.
In 204 BC, Ptolemy IV died with an infant son Ptolemy V becoming king (204-180 BC) at around 6 years of age. The Fifth Syrian War (between the kings of the north and south) was fought from 202-195 BC. Antiochus now had assembled a larger army than he had previously when he had lost to Ptolemy IV at Raphia. In 198 BC, with this large army, Antiochus III fought and won the battle of Panium (= Caesarea Philippi), thus giving the Seleucids control of Judaea. It is said that the Egyptians were never again able to win over and rule Judaea from then onward.
History doesn’t tell us much about the size of Antiochus’ army, but the above verse says it was bigger than the army that Antiochus had sent into battle at Raphia and lost. It is said that he had won great victories and gained much riches in the years leading up to the Fifth Syrian War, wealth that he then put into the building and equipping of an army large enough to take on the Ptolemaic empire and win. Barnes says it was “Obtained in his conquests in Parthia and other portions of the East.” Pulpit Commentary says: “This second invasion resulted in Antiochus gaining possession of all Palestine.” Basically, this now included his rule over Judaea.
Daniel 11:14 – 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.
in those times – Referring to the Fifth Syrian War including the return of Antiochus III to do battle with Ptolemy V of Egypt (see Vs 13 above) at the battle of Panium.
the robbers – literally “sons of violent ones (robbers; murderers)” or “the sons of revolters”, that is, those who are violently rebellious.
of thy people – Of Daniel’s people, that is, Israel.
shall exalt – nasa’ (to lift; bear up; carry; take) It generally has the idea of lifting something up in order to do something with it. Here they are lifting themselves up in order to oppose the king of the south. It was translated “hath taken away” in Vs 12 above, that is, literally lifted up and removed.
shall fall – stumble; stagger; totter; be feeble. They shall not be able to achieve what they planned to do.
For some time, the Jews had been alternately under the rule of either Antiochus III or Ptolemy IV. Different factions arose, some supporting Antiochus III, other supporting Ptolemy IV, reasoning that if they had to be ruled by someone, then it should be the one they preferred. A significant faction was violently opposed to the rule of Egypt, so when Antiochus III declared war on Egypt (with an infant king newly on the throne), this faction rose up against the rule of Egypt in support of Antiochus III.
According to the angel, these violent people of Judaea would rise up in violent rebellion against the king of the south, hoping for the success of their aims, but actually assisting with establishing (or fulfilling) the vision for Israel, yet, while the vision is established, these rebellious men will stumble and fall. God will use even the rebellious acts of sinners to establish His will (and not necessarily establish the will of the sinners!). It is likely that this “fall” refers to the destruction that Antiochus brought about when he set about taking control of all Judaea. The assistance that these rebellious ones had given him didn’t help them at all; they remained under tight rule. They had exchanged one invader for another who may have been worse than the previous one. It is likely that Antiochus besieged Sidon before he took control of Judaea.
shall many stand up – Not only Antiochus III’s army but also his allies such as Philip (king of Macedonia). It also may include the many provinces rising in rebellion against Egypt at this time; note that the violent ones (“the robbers of thy people” – Jews) of Judaea may also be included here.
Daniel 11:15 – 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.
cast up a mount – literally, to pour out to make a mound. Thus to build a siege ramp by dumping huge amounts of earth and rocks to build earthworks to the level of the wall, allowing the enemy to literally walk over the top of the wall.
the arms of the south – the military strength (forces) of the south, or the armies of the south. Note that the king of the south, Ptolemy V, did not lead this army but instead appointed his general, Scopas, as commander. After their loss at Panium, Scopas fled with the Egyptian army to Sidon for safety, with Antiochus and his army in pursuit. The reference to “his chosen people” may refer to the 3 extra armies Ptolemy V sent to relieve Scopas after Antiochus besieged Sidon with the Egyptian army within the walls. Neither the army that Scopas led, nor the 3 armies selected to be sent by Ptolemy V, were able to remain standing in battle, neither did any of them have the strength to remain standing. That is, they all lost!
After his decisive loss (including his defeat at the siege of Sidon), Scopas returned to Egypt to set up defences in case Antiochus chose to attack Egypt itself. However, Antiochus III instead ensured his complete control of Judaea and then set about taking full control of all lands to the north of Judaea. Scopas was eventually imprisoned for plotting treason and executed in prison for his crimes.
shall not withstand & neither [shall there be any] strength to withstand – shall not remain standing, nor shall they even have the strength to remain standing even if they wanted to.
This verse probably occurs after the battle of Panium (Caesarea Philippi). After the defeat of the Egyptian army, Scopas fled with his army to Sidon, and Antiochus followed him there, determined to make his victory complete.
“So Antiochus III shall come (shall enter) and build a siege ramp with earthworks” (probably after the battle of Panium when the Egyptian general Scopas fled to Sidon). “Antiochus will besiege Sidon including building a siege ramp to reach the walls. He will also take many fenced (fortified) cities.” (The reference to “the most fenced cities” may be to those cities that may have had to be taken on the way to the siege of Sidon.) “And neither the Egyptian army, nor even the three extra Egyptian armies sent to relieve them, would be able to withstand the army of Antiochus III.”
And never again would Egypt have any measure of control or rule over Judaea.
Daniel 11:16 – 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.
shall do according to his own will – shall do whatever he wants to do and no-one will be able to stop him. The same Hebrew is used in Daniel 11:3 where Alexander the Great “shall do according to his own will”.
the glorious land – Israel
But Antiochus III who came against Egypt will end up doing whatever he wants to do and no-one in will be able to stand up to resist him. In particular this will apply to Judaea, noting that the rebellious Jewish faction that actually supported him when he first came would not gain any advantage at all from Antiochus III; they would face destruction like all the others in Judaea. And Antiochus III will stand in Judaea (the glorious or beautiful land) which will, by his hand (or power) be annihilated (completely destroyed). (Or all in the land will be consumed by his army?)
Daniel 11:17 – 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.
upright
ones – straight; upright; correct; right. This may apply to Jews who
would be considered in this vision to be an upright people (as opposed to the
heathen non-Jews of the world). As part of his requirements levied upon those
whom he conquered, Antiochus III may have required a contingent of soldiers
from Judaea to fight alongside his own soldiers. By this stage Antiochus III
was probably running short of finances to fund his expensive wars and was
probably already taxing his subjects considerably. (It is likely that his death
was caused by raiding a rich temple in order to take its wealth to pay for his
campaigns – see Vs 20 below.)
However, some have suggested that “thus shall he do” refers to a plan considered to
be upright compared with his previous treachery. On the other hand, his plan
was clearly devious in trying to use an arranged marriage to gain the advantage
over his enemies, so I do not consider this an acceptable explanation.
he shall give him the daughter of women
– Antiochus III will give his daughter Cleopatra in marriage to Ptolemy V.
corrupting – spoiling; ruin; perverting; corrupting (morally);
destroying. Some say that it was planned that Cleopatra would be corrupted in order
to make trouble for Ptolemy V, but history seems to demonstrate that she was
not a trouble-maker. On the other hand, there does seem to be some doubt over
who or what is being corrupted, and that it could actually
refer to her marriage corrupting or destroying Egypt; this does appear
to be a more logical explanation. Thus Antiochus III
was planning to use Cleopatra’s marriage to Ptolemy V to somehow destroy Egypt,
perhaps by using her to influence Ptolemy V who was still quite young at this
stage.
This appears
to be Antiochus III being determined to enter (or invade) with all the strength
his kingdom can supply (that is, throw everything possible at this, with all
the forces he can muster), including an arranged marriage of his daughter to
the king of Egypt. However, it appears that Cleopatra was very much more
supportive of her husband that she was of her father; thus
she did not stand with her father in his treachery, nor did she favour his
desires. So Antiochus III’s treachery failed!
Daniel 11:18 – After 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.
After this failure to obtain Egypt by marriage trickery, Antiochus III will turn his attention to the isles (or coastlands; coastal regions; probably referring to the coastal regions of the Mediterranean). In 196 BC he takes many towns and cities in Asia Minor (Anatolia, mostly known as Turkey today). Then he crossed the Hellespont (Dardanelles Strait) into Thrace (including parts of modern-day Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey). This brought him into conflict with the Romans who then declared him their enemy and pushed him back into Anatolia, to Ephesus.
The prince (chief; ruler; commander) was the Roman consul, Lucius Scipio. Antiochus III’s attack on Roman-ruled lands was seen as a reproach against Rome, and Scipio, with the might of Rome, behind him pushed Antiochus III back, causing his reproach to cease. Once the reproach against Rome has been removed, Scipio then causes the same reproach to be turned back upon Antiochus III. Effectively, Antiochus III will suffer the very fate that he had planned for Rome. Scipio, on behalf of Rome, pushes the attack further upon Antiochus III until all his previous victories in Asia Minor have been relinquished and Antiochus III is forced to sue for peace and pay tribute to Rome. If only he’d been satisfied with his victories in Asia Minor!
Barnes says: “The Romans lost only three hundred and twenty-five men; while, of the forces of Antiochus, fifty thousand infantry, four thousand cavalry, and fifteen elephants were left dead on the field, fifteen hundred men were made prisoners, and the king himself with great difficulty made his escape to Sardis. He now humbly sued for peace, and it was granted on the terms with which he had formerly refused compliance - that he should surrender all his possessions west of the Taurus, and that he should defray the expenses of the war.”
Daniel 11:19 – Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
Anntiochus III is literally broke; the campaign into Asia Minor has ended up costing him dearly. He is forced to turn back toward the strongholds (for protection and security) of his own land, but then is killed while trying to raise some urgently-needed finances for his kingly treasury by robbing a temple of its treasure. Some say that it was the temple of Bel (= Baal; some say Bel = Jove, short for Jupiter) in Elymais (Persia), while others say this temple of Bel was in Palmyra, Syria, or in Babylon (or Babylonia). The actual temple is not important; what is important that Antiochus III the Great (a title given by himself to himself) should flee from the mighty army of Rome for safety, only to be executed by angry citizens protecting their temple from robbers.
Daniel 11:20 – 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 Antiochus III came Seleucus IV who actually reigned for 12 years; however, his rule was uneventful apart from him being assassinated by his own treasurer Heliodorus. He inherited a financially-poor kingdom that had to pay a yearly tribute (said to be 1,000 silver talents) to Rome after the humiliating defeat of his father at the hands of the Roman General Scipio.
a raiser of taxes in the glory of his kingdom – In order to pay the tribute he had to tax his people heavily, and the best people to tax were those with plenty of money, thus the glory of his kingdom. Some say that it could refer to the glorious land of Israel; this could be so, but this isn’t clear. He is reported to have sent his treasurer, Heliodorus, to take money from the temple at Jerusalem; this reputedly failed.
While Heliodorus was sent to plunder the temple riches, it seems that something allegedly supernatural apparition. Cambridge says: “Heliodorus accordingly visited Jerusalem for the purpose; but was prevented from carrying it out (according to the author of 2 Macc.) by a supernatural apparition, which appeared to him just as he was on the point of entering the treasury.”
It was this same Heliodorus who is reputed to have poisoned him, thus he was destroyed, not in a fight of anger, nor in battle, but ingloriously by treacherous plotting against him.
The next stage of this vision deals with Antiochus IV, a forerunner or type of the future coming antichrist whose extreme persecution would be used to bring Israel back to righteous before their God.
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