THE FINAL VISION These chs, form a connected whole, with three sub-divisions. Daniel 10:1 to Daniel 11:1 are introductory; Daniel 11:2 to Daniel 12:4 contain a detailed account of future events down to the 'time of the end.' This time is further defined in the concluding section, Daniel 12:5. _(A)... [ Continue Reading ]
MICHAEL] see on Daniel 10:13, His intervention at this point indicates a special crisis in the fortunes of the Jews. THE BOOK] cp. Daniel 7:10. THE THIRD YEAR OF CYRUS] 636 b.c., the latest date mentioned in Daniel's life. But the TIME APPOINTED _was_ long] RV 'Even a great warfare.'... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY] The resurrection contemplated is not universal, though it will include both the righteous and the wicked. YET THREE KINGS] in succession to Cyrus who is already reigning (Daniel 10:1). The three are Cambyses, Darius I (Hystaspes), and Xerxes I (Ahasuerus). The fourth] including Cyrus I, is Xe... [ Continue Reading ]
A MIGHTY KING] Alexander the Great (333-322 b.c.). 4. The partition of Alexander's empire is described: see chapter Daniel 8:8; Daniel 8:22. 5-20. Along with the notes on these vv. the table of Syrian and Egyptian kings on p. 538 should be consulted. THEY THAT BE WISE] see Daniel 11:33; Daniel 11:... [ Continue Reading ]
HIDDEKEL] the Tigris (Genesis 2:14): see on 82. 7. Cp. Acts 9:7. KNOWLEDGE] better, with LXX, 'evils.' The last half of the v. sums up the confusions and calamities of the long period which has been described, between Daniel's days and the 'time of the end.' _(C) CONCLUDING EXPLANATIONS (DANIEL 1... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING OF THE SOUTH] Ptolemy I (Soter), the first Egyptian king. _One_ of his princes] Seleucus I (Nicator), the first Syrian king, was originally an officer under Ptolemy I. He] Seleucus. ABOVE HIM] above Ptolemy.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING'S DAUGHTER OF THE SOUTH] Berenice, the daughter of Ptolemy II (Philadelphus) was given in marriage to Antiochus 11 (Theos), THE KING OF THE NORTH, who divorced his former wife Laodice. On the death of Ptolemy II Antiochus divorced Berenice and took Laodice back. Laodice poisoned Antiochus,... [ Continue Reading ]
A BRANCH OF HER (BERENICE'S) ROOTS] her brother Ptolemy III. In his estate (RV 'place')] in place of Ptolemy II. THE FORTRESS] Seleucia.... [ Continue Reading ]
CONTINUE _more_ YEARS THAN] RV 'refrain some years from.' 9. Seleucus II (Callinicus) invaded Egypt in 242 b.c., but had to retreat. SO THE KING OF THE SOUTH, ETC.] RV 'And he' (Seleucus II) 'shall come into the realm of the king of the south' (Ptolemy III). 10-12. Seleucus II (Callinicus) was su... [ Continue Reading ]
See Acts 8:18. 11. Cp. Ezekiel 2:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT HIS SONS] Seleucus III and Antiochus III, the sons of Seleucus II. AND _one_] RV 'which.' THEN SHALL HE] RV 'and they shall.' HIS(Ptolemy's) FORTRESS] probably Gaza. 11. AND HE (Antiochus) SHALL SET FORTH.. INTO HIS (Ptolemy's) HAND] alluding to the battle of Raphia. THE WISE] RV 'they that be... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THY WORDS] RV 'for thy words' sake.' Refers to Ptolemy IV. 13, 14. Twelve years later Antiochus joined with Philip, king of Macedon, in an attack on Ptolemy V (Epiphanes), the son of Ptolemy IV.... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER CERTAIN YEARS] The actual interval was 12 years. PRINCE] guardian angel: cp. Daniel 10:20; Daniel 12:1. ONE AND TWENTY DAYS] the period of Daniel's fasting (Daniel 10:2). The conflict with the angel of Persia explains the speaker's delay. Michael] a second angelic name. In Daniel Michael is t... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY] referring to the Macedonian and other allies of Antiochus III. THE ROBBERS, etc.] RV 'the children of the violent among thy people.' The allusion seems to be to some faction among the Jews, which took the side of Syria, and thus helped indirectly to 'fulfil the vision' by establishing the powe... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MOST FENCED CITIES] RV 'a well-fenced city,' Sidon.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT COMETH] Antiochus III. AGAINST HIM] against Ptolemy V. THE GLORIOUS LAND] Palestine: see Daniel 8:9. So in Daniel 11:41. WHICH.. CONSUMED] RV 'and in his hand shall be destruction.'... [ Continue Reading ]
Antiochus III now gave his daughter Cleopatra in marriage to Ptolemy V. AND UPRIGHT ONES WITH HIM; THUS SHALL HE DO] read, with LXX, 'but shall make an agreement with him' (Ptolemy V). CORRUPTING HER] better, 'to destroy it.' Antiochus in this alliance aimed at the ultimate conquest of Egypt. 18,... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ISLES] RM 'coastlands,' the countries on the shore of the ægean Sea. A PRINCE FOR HIS OWN BEHALF] RM 'a captain,' the Roman general Scipio. Without his OWN REPROACH, ETC.] RV 'Yea, moreover, he (Scipio) 'shall cause his reproach' (the insults of Antiochus to the Romans) 'to turn upon him.'... [ Continue Reading ]
FORT (RV 'fortresses') OF HIS OWN LAND] After his defeat at Magnesia Antiochus withdrew to Syria.... [ Continue Reading ]
GRECIA] RV 'Greece.' The interests of the Jews would have to be maintained against the Persian and Greek powers in succession. Antiochus III was succeeded by Seleucus IV (Philopator), who sent his chief minister Heliodorus to take possession of the Temple treasures at Jerusalem (2 Maccabees 3). Hel... [ Continue Reading ]
SCRIPTURE] RV 'writing,' the book of destiny. IN THESE THINGS] RV 'against these' (the 'princes' of Persia and Greece) C. II. I. DARIUS THE MEDE] see on Daniel 5:31. HIM] Michael. _(B) HISTORY OF PERSIA, GREECE, SYRIA, AND EGYPT (DANIEL 11:2 TO DANIEL 12:4)_ The angel describes the reigns of the f... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY] the opponents of Antiochus. THE PRINCE OF THE COVENANT] the high priest Onias III, deposed by Antiochus in 175 b.c.: see on Daniel 9:26. 25-27. The first campaigns of Antiochus in Egypt. The king of Egypt was now Ptolemy VI (Philometor), the son of Ptolemy V and Cleopatra (see on Daniel 11:17... [ Continue Reading ]
The defeat of Ptolemy VI in 170 b.c. is traced to the treachery of his subjects. OVERFLOW] rather, 'be swept away.' 27. Describes the friendship which was afterwards professed between Antiochus and Ptolemy, but which was insincere on both sides. 28. Returning from Egypt after his first campaign A... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THE FORMER, ETC.] RV 'in the latter time as it was in the former.'... [ Continue Reading ]
INTELLIGENCE WITH] RV 'regard unto.' Antiochus favoured the apostate Jews who supported his policy: see Daniel 9:27. 31. See Daniel 8:11; Daniel 8:13; Daniel 9:27. SHIPS OF CHITTIM] the Roman fleet. Chittim is Cyprus. 30B-35. The persecution of the Jews by Antiochus. After the failure of his Egypt... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEOPLE, etc.] referring to the heroic resistance of the Jews, even to death (1Ma 1:62-64).... [ Continue Reading ]
UNDERSTAND] RV 'be wise.' Similarly in Daniel 11:35 : see Daniel 12:3; Daniel 12:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
A LITTLE HELP] the Maccabæan revolt (1 Maccabees 2-4). MANY.. FLATTERIES] The strict Jewish party had insincere adherents of its own. 35. The martyrs included leaders whose death tested and developed the faithfulness of their followers. The time of the end] see Daniel 8:17; Daniel 8:19; Daniel 9:26... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO HIS WILL] like Alexander the Great (Daniel 8:4; Daniel 11:3) and Antiochus the Great (Daniel 11:16). AND MAGNIFY HIMSELF, etc.] Antiochus IV called himself on his coins _Basileus Antiochus Theos Epiphanes_ ('King Antiochus, God Manifest'). THE INDIGNATION] of God against Israel: see Dan... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GOD (RV 'gods') OF HIS FATHERS] All the Greek kings of Syria were heathens, but Antiochus honoured the Greek Zeus (Jupiter) more than the Syrian deities of his forefathers. The desire of women] probably the Syrian god Thammuz, who was specially worshipped by women (Ezekiel 8:14)... [ Continue Reading ]
IN HIS ESTATE (RV 'place')] instead of Thammuz. The God (RV 'god') of forces (RV 'fortresses')] probably Zeus (Jupiter), to whom Antiochus built a temple at Daphne near Antioch.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOM HE SHALL ACKNOWLEDGE, etc.] RV 'Whosoever acknowledgeth him he will increase.' GAIN] RV 'a price.' Offices were disposed of for bribery. 40-43. A final Egyptian campaign of Antiochus. He invades Egypt with a great army and navy. Palestine is overrun and many countries are overthrown, but Edom,... [ Continue Reading ]
AT THE TIME OF THE END] This expedition introduces the historical crisis which terminates Daniel's prospect of the future. 44, 45. The sudden end of Antiochus. He is recalled from Egypt by tidings of trouble in his Asiatic dominions, returns in anger and encamps between the Mediterranean and Jerusa... [ Continue Reading ]
SEAS IN] RV 'sea and.' C.12. 1-4. These vv. describe the final tribulation of Israel which follows the death of Antiochus Epiphanes, the deliverance of the faithful Jews, the subsequent resurrection of the dead, both good and evil, and the glorious reward of the righteous, especially of their emine... [ Continue Reading ]