The Book of Daniel: Chapter 11
Chapter 11:1
{1} Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to
strengthen him.
"In the first year of Darius the Mede." This is
a retrogression chronologically. Chapter ten began with "in the third year of
Cyrus." This again indicates that the book is not completely chronological. It was
written around a logical rather than chronological plan. "Even I." This is a
reference to the angel who is speaking to Daniel. "Stood to confirm and strengthen
him." This seems to indicate that the angel strengthened or made sure the reign and
authority of Darius. Since the angel is speaking of helping the Jews, and resisting the
interests of the Persians, it seems only logical that he was helping to establish and
strengthen Darius because this would help the Jews.
Chapter 11:2
{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.
"And now I will show thee the truth." This does
not infer that what the angel has spoken heretofore was not true. It only means that, what
he will reveal now, will also be the truth. "Yet three kings in Persia." This
refers to three Persian monarchs yet to come after Darius who has already been mentioned.
The three who followed Darius were Cambyses, Smerdis, and Darius Hystaspis. This is based
on the assumption that this vision was given during the reign of Cyrus. The first verse of
chapter eleven would be explained simply as a reference to the past. "The fourth
shall be far richer than they all." This refers to the fourth king or the one
following Darius Hystaspis. This would make the fourth king to be Xerxes. The description,
given in this context, fits Xerxes. He inherited the wealth of the three previous
monarchs. "Shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia." We know the reality
of this statement from history. Xerxes gathered and equipped, probably, the largest army
that was ever assembled. Some authorities listed the army as large as two million six
hundred and forty-one thousand six hundred and ten men. There were besides the army
however many servants and other people who followed the army. This brought the total that
followed Xerxes to not less than five million.
Chapter 11:3-4
{3} And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do
according to his will. {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.
"And a mighty king shall stand up." There is no
indication from the context that would have helped those reading this prophecy in advance,
to know whether this referred to another ruler from among the Persian empire or from
another kingdom. Now that this has become history, we can see that this refers to
Alexander the great. It is interesting to note that the latter rulers of Persia, following
Xerxes, were not even considered. This shows how prophecy can eliminate many details
especially when they are not important details. Many times prophecy seems only to hit the
high spots of history. It is stated that these prophecies were shown to Alexander by the
high priest of the Jews, and that this helped greatly to conciliate Alexander toward the
Jewish people. "And when he shall stand." This refers to the might and power of
his kingdom. What is spoken here in the latter part of verse four comes when the kingdom
of Alexander is at its peak. "His kingdom shall be broken." When Alexander died
due to his illness and being physically run down, the kingdom fell apart. After the death
of Alexander, because he had no sons to be heirs to the throne, the kingdom was divided up
among his generals. Alexander had tried to unite the East and the West in his empire. He
had even commanded mass intermarriages between those who followed him and those whom he
conquered. Many of the Greek army resented his lenient attitude toward the lands he
conquered. Alexander did not destroy the existing governments, but placed some of the
Greeks in the government with the local officials. His kingdom did not remain in the hands
of his four successors, but others beside these gained the rule.
Chapter 11:5-20
{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. {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. {7} 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. {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. {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. {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. {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. {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. {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.
"And the king of the south." This expression
when used in the scripture finds its location in relationship to the land of Palestine.
Directions are set in relation to this land which is looked upon as the center of the
earth. So this expression could refer to any king and kingdom which is to the south of
Palestine. This refers to Egypt. The king of the south was Ptolemy Lagus. One of his
princes was Seleucus Nicator. "The King’s daughter of the south." This
refers to the Egyptian Princess Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy II. The king of the north
refers to Antiochus Theos. According to Gaebelein, the agreement was that Antiochus Theos
was to divorce his wife and make any child of Berenice his heir in the kingdom. This
agreement ended with calamity. When Ptolemy died, Antiochus Theos called back his former
wife. Berenice and her young son were poisoned and the first wife’s son Callinicus
was put on the throne as Seleucus II. "But out of a branch of her roots shall one
stand up in his estate." Berenice;s brother, Ptolemy Euergetes, avenged the death of
his sister. He conquered Syria. He slew the wife of Antiochus Theos. He seized the
fortress, the port of Antioch. Verse eight lists some of the plunder that Ptolemy
Euergetes, would take back to Egypt from Syria. History states that he returned with 4,000
talents of gold, 40,000 talents of silver, 2500 idols and idolatrous vessels. In 240 B.C.
Seleucus Calinicus, the king of the north, invaded Egypt, but he was defeated. His fleet
perished in a storm. "But his sons shall be stirred up." His sons were Seleucus
III and Antiochus the Great. Antiochus invaded Egypt even to the fortress of Gaza. In 217
Ptolemy aroused himself and fought with Antiochus the great. Antiochus was defeated. He
did not press his victory as verse twelve states "but he shall not be strengthened by
it." After 14 years in 203 B.C. Antiochus assembled a great army. He had for his
allies: Phillip of Macedon and certain wicked Jews in Egypt "robbers of thy
people". who helped Antiochus. Verses fourteen through sixteen describe the
conditions which prevailed during the capture of Egypt by Antiochus. Antiochus wanted to
control all of Egypt so he made a treaty with Ptolemy Epiphanes whereby he took the
daughter, Cleopatro, for his wife. Cleopatro is called the "daughter of women"
because she was so young that she was under the care of her mother and grandmother. This
treaty failed. Antiocus then turned his attention toward the isles on the coast of Asia
Minor. The captain that is mentioned is Scipio Asiaticus. Antiochus was defeated by the
Romans at Magnesia. Antiochus returned to his own land and was slain while trying to
plunder the temple of Belus in Elymais as noted in verse nineteen. The Seleucus Philopater
came to the throne. He was known as a raiser of taxes. His tax collector Heliodorus
poisoned him and so he died, "neither in anger, nor in battle."
Chapter 11:21-35
{21} And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give
the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by
flatteries. {22} And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown 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. {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. {27} 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. {30} For 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. {31}
And 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 maketh
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.
{35} And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make
them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
"A vile person." This vile person is
undoubtably none other than Antiochus Epiphanes. He was not the rightful heir to the
throne, but he seized control through trickery. He is the little horn that is referred to
in Daniel 8:9. Even though this portion of scripture speaks of Antiochus, there are
certain phrases and expressions which do not seem to fit him. It is therefore a distinct
possibility that this has a further fulfillment in the beast of Revelation 13. In the
first part of verse twenty-two we see the success of his military exploits. The latter
part of his verse refers to his victory over "the prince of the covenant." This
has been applied to his nephew Ptolemy Philometor: however, there is a distinct difficulty
in that he would normally have been called the king of the south. Another suggestion has
been that this refers to Onias III. This was the Jewish priest that Antiochus deposed. In
verse twenty-three we see the trickery of Antiochus. He marched down into Egypt with a
small force. This was done to dissolve the suspicions of the Egyptians toward his reasons
for coming, but when he arrived he conquered Egypt as far as Memphis. In verse twenty four
we see the description of the success that he had in Egypt. In verse twenty-five,
"The king of the south" refers to Ptolemy Physcon who was made king after
Antiochus had captured Philometor. Physcon had a very large army, but he did not win
because treason of those who claimed to support him. Those who supported Ptolemy and ate
of his provisions were some of the ones who later deserted him. "Destroy him."
This does not mean that they murdered Ptolemy but rather they destroyed his victory and
many of his soldiers were slain. In verse twenty-seven, the two kings mentioned are
Antiochus and Philometor. They made an alliance, but spoke lies to each other. Their plans
failed. In verse twenty eight, Antiochus returns home after his effort to conquer all of
Egypt. He has captured great riches. When he passed through Judea, he committed some of
his terrible deeds. A report had come to Antiochus that the Jews had reported that he was
dead. The Jews had celebrated the news. Antiochus was angry. The record of this is found
in the first and second book of Maccabees. Then Antiochus retired to Antioch, until he
made another attempt to conquer Egypt. This time however, he did not have the success that
he had the first time. In verse thirty we find a reference to the Roman fleet, "ships
of Chittim." When Antiochus was within a few miles of Alexandria, he heard that ships
had arrived. He went to salute them. He was given letters from the Roman senate. These
commanded Antiochus to end his wars against his nephews or else face the displeasure of
the Roman people. Antiochus said he would go consult with his friends on the matter, but
Popiluis, one of the Roman legates, took his staff and immediately drew a circle around
Antiochus in the sand. He commanded Antiochus not to pass from the circle till he had
given a definite answer. Antiochus was disheartened. The rage which he was unable to vent
against the Egyptians he turned upon the Jews. "He shall even return, and have
intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant." There was apostate Jews who
joined with Antiochus in his wicked plans. The ultimate in Antiochus wicked acts against
the Jews took place when he sent Apollonius with over 20,000 men to destroy Jerusalem.
Multitudes of people were slain. Many of the women and children were taken captive.
Apollonius issued a command that the Jews must conform to the Greek idolatry. A wicked
Greek was sent to enforce the command of Antiochus. He caused the sacrifices of the Jews
to cease. He desecrated the temple by offering sacrifices of swines’ flesh upon the
altar. The temple was dedicated to Jupiter Olympius. "But the people who know their
God shall be strong and do exploits." There were many apostate Jews who sided with
Antiochus: however; there were some who remained faithful to God. This is a reference to
the Maccabees. Though their number was not large, they were still able to accomplish
marvelous exploits. However, those who are faithful to Jehovah, will go through great
trials and suffering. "But many shall cleave to them with flatteries." There
were many who joined with the faithful because of the success which they had. Also they
undoubtedly did not want to receive the harsh treatment which was given to the apostate
Jews. "And some of them of understanding shall fall." This was a testing time
for those who were considered to be the faithful or wise. Some would fall or depart
because of the testing. This would be a means of separating the grain from the chaff.
Chapter 11:36-39
{36} And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and
magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of
gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined
shall be done. {37} Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of
women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. {38} But in his estate
shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour
with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. {39} Thus shall he
do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase
with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.
"The king shall ... exalt himself." In verses
thirty-six through thirty-nine we find a description of this king and his elevating of
himself. The context seems to apply this to Antiochus along with the previous verses;
however, there seem to be certain ideas which were not fulfilled completely in Antiochus
Epiphanes, and therefore require a future fulfillment in the man of sin or beast of
Revelation 13. The qualifications given to this king especially in the verses after and
including verse thirty-six illustrate this, "the king shall ... exalt himself, and
magnify himself above every god ... till the indignation be accomplished." The view
that this refers to the "man of sin" of II Thess. 2 who is commonly called
"the antichrist" is considered to be the traditional view of the Christian
church. "The desire of women." The desire of women is human love. This is
something that even the basest of men feel some attraction toward, but this person will be
so savage and selfish as to manifest himself as both ungodly and inhumane.
Chapter 11:40-45
{40} And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the
king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with
horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow
and pass over. {41} He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall
be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief
of the children of Ammon. {42} He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries:
and the land of Egypt shall not escape. {43} But he shall have power over the treasures of
gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the
Ethiopians shall be at his steps. {44} But tidings out of the east and out of the north
shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to
make away many. {45} And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in
the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
"At the time of the end." This
refers to the last part of the 70 weeks. This is during the period of the
tribulation when the Anti-Christ shall rule and be opposed by a king from
the south and a king from the north. This prophecy is still future. It is
impossible to state who will be the king of the south or the king of the
north without becoming a prophet |
