XI. (1) IN THE FIRST YEAR OF DARIUS. — These words must be closely connected with the last verse of Daniel 10. The allusion is, most probably, to the fall of Babylon and the return from the Exile, at which time, as at the Exodus, the angel of the Lord went before His people. There is also a referen... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TRUTH. — Comp. Daniel 10:21. This is the commencement of the revelation promised in Daniel 10:14; and from this point till the end of the book the difficulties that have to be encountered in attempting an exposition are almost insuperable. It has been customary from the time of St. Jerome, if no... [ Continue Reading ]
A MIGHTY KING. — No clue is given to show over what nation this king reigns. According to the context he might be either a Greek or a Persian, or he might belong to a kingdom not yet mentioned. Those who explain what follows to refer to the Ptolemies and Seleucidæ identify him with Alexander the Gre... [ Continue Reading ]
BROKEN. — The shortness of the king’s reign is implied; the moment that he has arisen he will come to nothing. As in Daniel 8:8, the great horn was broken, so here the kingdom is broken and dismembered. This has been explained to mean the sudden collapse of the Greek empire after the death of Alexan... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING. — This king of the south (see Daniel 11:8) is suddenly introduced to our notice. The vagueness of the language prevents us from asserting that the reference is to Ptolemy Soter, who assumed the title of king about B.C. 304. Equally obscure is the phrase “one of his princes.” Both the Greek... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE END. — Comp. Daniel 11:8; Daniel 11:13, and 2 Chronicles 18:2. Here again the reference is most obscure. If the “joining themselves together” refers to the marriage of Antiochus II. with Berenice, the daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus, and if “the agreement” (comp. “upright ones,” Daniel 11:17... [ Continue Reading ]
As yet there has been no account of any war between the northern and southern king, but it must not be forgotten that Ptolemy Philadelphus and Antiochus Theos were at war for ten years or more. In this and the following verses there is a description of a severe war, in which the southern king is vic... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL CONTINUE. — Apparently the meaning is (comp. the use of the preposition in Daniel 11:31) “He shall stand on the side of [_i.e.,_ as an ally of] the northern king several years.” Others translate, “He shall abstain from the king of the north some years.” In either case the sense is nearly th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING OF THE SOUTH. — According to the Hebrew text, these words are in the genitive case (so Theod. Jer.), though the English Version is supported by the LXX. In this case the meaning is, “The king of the north shall come into the kingdom of the southern king,” and then shall return to his own la... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS SONS. — The pronoun refers to the subject of Daniel 11:9, which is the northern king (though, according to the LXX. and English Version, it must be his rival). There is a marginal alternative in the Hebrew “son.” The LXX. supports the text. If the king of the north last mentioned is Seleucus Cal... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE KING. — The ambiguity of this verse is very great. “He” may refer to either king; so that while some commentators see in the words an account of the successes of Ptolemy against Antiochus in the battle of Raphia (B.C. 217) — the “multitude” being the army of Antiochus, which was severely def... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE. — It is not clear whether “the multitude” or “the king” is subject of the sentence, or whether the verb “he hath taken away” is to be translated active or passive. The verse might mean, “And the multitude is lifted up — _i.e.,_ takes courage — and its heart is exalted,” or, “when the mu... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL RETURN. — In this and the next two verses the causes are mentioned to which the failure of the southern king was due. He returns some years after his defeat to take revenge, and brings with him a larger army than he had on the previous occasion. MUCH RICHES — _i.e.,_ all that is necessary for... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THOSE TIMES. — It must be noticed that at this verse — the earliest in which there is any reference to Daniel’s people and to the vision (Daniel 10:1; Daniel 10:7) — we appear to be approaching the great crisis. We appear to be within “a very few days” (see Daniel 11:20) of the vile-person who co... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING OF THE NORTH. — This prince attacks the fortress of his rival, who is unable to resist him. Here it is supposed that the allusion is to the capture of Sidon by Antiochus the Great. The troops _of_ Ptolemy under Scopas had acquired possession of Jerusalem and of various portions of Syria dur... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT HE THAT COMETH. — We now hear of further proceedings of the northern king. He follows up the vision mentioned in the last verse, enters the glorious land (_i.e.,_ Palestine), and commits great ravages in it. The king is described in language which reminds us of Daniel 11:3. He acts just as he pl... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL ALSO. — He has further plans for subduing the dominions of the southern king. He brings together all the forces he can amass, and then attempts by means of a political marriage to establish peace; but this also proves a failure. UPRIGHT ONES. — Literally, _all that is right;_ hence the wor... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL HE TURN. — He goes northward, this being the direction indicated by “the isles.” This has been explained of the victories gained by Antiochus the Great in Asia Minor. He is stated to have reduced various towns and islands, and finally to have taken Ephesus. He was in this way brought into cont... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FORT. — The king of the north is forced to take refuge in his fortresses, and here meets with his end. This is explained of the death of Antiochus the Great at Elymais, where he had profaned a temple.... [ Continue Reading ]
A RAISER OF TAXES. — The marginal version is to be preferred, as it gives the meaning of the word “exactor,” or “oppressor,” which it has in Exodus 3:7, and in every passage where it occurs, except perhaps Isaiah 9:4. The new king of the north causes the “oppressor” to pass through “the majesty of t... [ Continue Reading ]
A VILE PERSON. — The meaning of the language will be plainer after a reference to Psalms 119:141; Jeremiah 22:28. The moral character of the man is especially described. The words that follow explain more fully that he was not worthy of receiving royal majesty. This person is generally identified wi... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH THE ARMS. — More correctly, _and the arms in a flood;_ that is, the overwhelming forces of invading armies are swept away by the troops of this terrible king. But besides the enemy, the “prince of the covenant” is to be destroyed also. This expression is most readily explained by observing that... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL WORK. — Apparently this verse explains more fully the means by which the king succeeds in maintaining his influence. He has already destroyed those who are at peace with him. From the time that he first becomes their confederate, he works deceitfully, coming up with hostile intent, accompan... [ Continue Reading ]
PEACEABLY. — The subject continues to be the perfidious conduct of the king mentioned in the last two verses. While the inhabitants are expecting nothing of the sort, he enters the richest parts of the province, and while he scatters largesses with profuseness and in apparent friendship, he is reall... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SOUTH. — Here, for the first time in the second portion of the prophecy, mention is made of the southern king. It is highly probable that the deceit mentioned in the last three verses had this king and his provinces for its object. This and the next two verses are supposed to describe the war of... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY THAT FEED. — The context points to treachery. The false companions of the southern king betray him to the enemy; he is broken, the hostile army pours in, and many are slain. This has been referred to the second campaign of Antiochus in Egypt; however, history is silent of any treachery against... [ Continue Reading ]
BOTH THESE KINGS. — The two rival kings are here described as living upon terms of outward friendship, while each is inwardly trying to outwit the other. The context is opposed to any reference to the combination of Antiochus and Philometor against Physcon (see Livy, xlv. 11; Polyb. xxix. 8). The ob... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHALL HE RETURN. — He returns, apparently bringing abundant spoils with him, and while on the journey sets his heart against the holy covenant. GREAT RICHES. — The prophecy points distinctly to Antiochus after his return from Egypt. (See 1Ma. 1:19-28; 2Ma. 5:11-17.) This was the occasion of hi... [ Continue Reading ]
AT THE TIME APPOINTED — _i.e._, in God’s own time. According to 1Ma. 1:29, it was after two years were fully expired since his return to Syria that Antiochus made another attack upon Jerusalem. This attack was made after his return from Egypt. BUT IT SHALL NOT BE. — No such success attended him at... [ Continue Reading ]
SHIPS OF CHITTIM. — On Chittim, see Genesis 10:4; comp. Numbers 24:24. The LXX. explain this of the Romans, referring to the story in Livy, xlv. 11. HE SHALL BE GRIEVED. — Literally, _he shall lose heart._ Compare the words of Livy, which describe the feelings of Antiochus at the peremptory demands... [ Continue Reading ]
ARMS. — A further statement of the assistance which the king obtains in his attacks upon all sacred institutions. The word “arms,” as in Daniel 11:5, means “assistance,” especially military assistance, or some other aid, with which is contrasted in the next verse the help given by the apostates. THE... [ Continue Reading ]
SUCH AS DO WICKEDLY. — In these verses are traced the effects of the apostasy upon the people of God. These persons have been already spoken of in Daniel 11:30. They had begun with indifference to true religion, they have now become intolerant of it. CORRUPT. — Literally, _make profane._ On the Heb... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY THAT UNDERSTAND. — This is the name by which those are called who were spoken of in the last verse as “knowing their God.” (Comp. Daniel 12:10; Psalms 111:10.) SHALL INSTRUCT MANY. — That is, their example shall give instruction to “the many” who yield to the flatteries mentioned in the last v... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHEN THEY SHALL FALL. — Referring to those who suffer during this persecution, to whichever class they belong. (See last Note). These will not be entirely without help, but there will be some small assistance given them. It will be small, either compared with their present needs, or contrasted w... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME OF THEM. — The reason of this persecution is revealed. Whilst in Daniel 11:33 it appears that the sufferings of “those that understand” would instruct others, it appears that they would themselves profit by their sufferings. These gradations are mentioned (1) “to try “ — _i.e.,_ to refine, as a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING. — He raises himself by his thoughts and deeds, not only above the heathen deities, but above the true God. Though there can be no doubt that the northern king is still spoken of, it must be remarked that the features of Antiochus are gradually fading away from the portrait. In no sense can... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER SHALL THEY. — A further description is now given of the godlessness of this king, but the people of Israel are no longer mentioned in their relation to him. The northern king appears twice again in Palestine (Daniel 11:41; Daniel 11:45), and apparently dies there. He discards his hereditary... [ Continue Reading ]
(39). A STRANGE GOD. — By this help he carries out his schemes, and all who acknowledge him are rewarded. (Comp. Revelation 13:4; Revelation 13:16.) DIVIDE THE LAND. — This is evidently done as a reward offered to those who join his ranks. No such conduct of Antiochus is recorded. Bribery, however,... [ Continue Reading ]
AT THE TIME OF THE END. — These verses speak of the last expedition of the northern king, and of the disappearance of the king of the south. The portrait of Antiochus, as noticed in the Note on Daniel 11:36, was gradually fading away, and now not a line of it remains. No such invasion of Egypt as th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GLORIOUS LAND. — See Daniel 11:16. On the occasion of his hasty march against Egypt, while passing through Palestine, the king takes the shortest route, avoiding the three tribes which had been distinguished by their hostility towards the people of Israel. It is remarkable that these nations (tw... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL STRETCH FORTH. — He seizes various countries through which he passes, and among them Egypt is especially selected for mention, representing, as it does, the most powerful of them. The king has at last attained his object. He has frequently been partially successful in his attempts (see Dani... [ Continue Reading ]
LIBYANS... ETHIOPIANS. — These nations are specified as allies of Egypt. (See Ezekiel 30:5; Jeremiah 46:9.) They are represented as following the steps of the conqueror (comp. Exodus 11:8), and as submitting themselves to him.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL GO FORTH. — The end of the northern king. While in Egypt he has bad news brought to him from the north and from the east, which stirs up feelings of revenge. Once again he halts in Palestine, where he comes to an end. That this cannot apply to Antiochus is evident from the following facts —... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL PLANT... — For a similar prophecy, comp. Jeremiah 43:10 (where see the Targum). The king is here represented as halting while a palatial tent is being erected for him. The word “palace” is omitted by the LXX., and simply transliterated “Apedno” by St. Jerome and Theodotion, as if it were a... [ Continue Reading ]