Daniel 11:12

When he hath taken away, &c.— Had Ptolemy pursued his blow, he might probably have deprived Antiochus of his kingdom: but his heart was lifted up with success: being delivered from his fears, he more freely indulged his licentious desires; and, after a few menaces and complaints, granted peace to Antiochus, that he might be no more interrupted in the gratification of his passions. What availed it to have conquered enemies from without, while thus overcome by vices from within? Indeed, he was so far from being strengthened by his success, that his subjects, offended at his inglorious peace, and more inglorious life, rebelled against him. But the prophet, in this passage, alludes more particularly to the case of his own countrymen. After the retreat of Antiochus, Ptolemy visited the cities of Coelo-Syria and Palestine; and in his progress came to Jerusalem, where he offered sacrifices, and attempted in the insolence of pride to enter into the holy of holies. His curiosity was with difficulty restrained, and he departed in heavy displeasure against the whole nation of the Jews. At his return, therefore, to Alexandria, he began a cruel persecution upon the Jewish inhabitants there, and cast down many ten thousands; for it appears, that sixty thousand, or forty thousand at least, were slain about this time. No king could be strengthened by the loss of such a number of useful subjects; but if we add to this loss the rebellion of the Egyptians, we shall evidently own, that his kingdom must have been much weakened, and in a very tottering condition. See Bishop Newton.