The events of Daniel 11:2-35 are presented in such a clear and precise way that there is little doubt among scholars that it furnishes a description of history from the Persian Empire to the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, A.D. 175.
Daniel 11:36-45 has been the subject of much controversy. The vital question is, who is the ‘king’ of Daniel 11:36-45? I believe the evidence is strongly in favour of the Roman emperors.
Thus, the chapter embraces a large portion of history which would be of interest to the Jewish people of that time. This revelation is made evidently to prepare them for the dreadful events that were ahead. There are at least six distinct periods of history covered in this chapter.
The person talking in here appears to be the angelic messenger who had come to Daniel, Daniel 11:10, and the person he is encouraging is Darius, Daniel 5:31.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.
‘It would seem that the mind of Darius was not wholly decided; that there were adverse influences bearing on it: that there were probably counsellors of his realm who advised against the proposed measures, and the angel here says that he stood by him, and confirmed him in his purpose, and secured the execution of his benevolent plan.’
Here we find the first period, the succession of the kings of Persia. Daniel is told the truth, John 17:17. Three kings imply four kings are under consideration, one of which was then ruling, Cyrus, at the time the vision was received, Cambyses, Darius 1, and Xerxes.
This fourth king was well known for his riches, Esther 1:3-4. Under Xerxes, the Persians attempted to conquer Greece in 480 B.C. but were defeated at Salamis. He attempted to invade Greece, and the Persian Empire reached its peak at this time.
Here we find the second period, Alexander the Great. After this succession of kings, there would arise one who would rule ‘with great dominion.’ There is no doubt that this refers to Alexander the Great, who conquered the world, including the great Persian Empire. From the time of the failed attempt to conquer Greece, the Persian Empire began to decline, and Alexander the Great finally overwhelmed it.
Here we find the third period, the state of his empire after Alexander’s death. The glory of Alexander was short-lived, for he died yet a young man, only thirty years old. Upon his death, his empire would be broken and divided into four parts.
His son, Alexander IV, his wife Roxanna, and his mother Olympia were slain, thus the kingdom did not go to his posterity. Instead, it was divided into four areas as follows: Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt. A different general ruled over each area.
Here we find the fourth period, the king of the south and the king of the north. Prophetic history now zooms in on two of these portions of the empire, the Ptolemy kings of the south, who ruled in Egypt and the Seleucid kings who ruled in Syria. With Palestine situated as it was between Syria and Egypt, it was inevitable that it would in some way become involved in the conflict between Syria and Egypt.
Warfel, in his summary of this section, says the following concerning Daniel 11:5-19.
‘Ptolemy I, the king of the south and Seleucus I, king of the north, fight. Ptolemy wins. Judah is sort of kicked back and forth between these two kingdoms, Daniel 11:5. A daughter of Ptolemy II is sent to the king of the north (Antiochus I) to help form an alliance, but this fails, and all concerned lose. Bernice, daughter of Ptolemy II, is sent to Antiochus I to marry his son in order to form an alliance, but fails because Laodice (the first wife of Antiochus II) plots the death of the king, Bernice, and her son; she has them poisoned, Daniel 11:6.’
Warfel continues and says the following.
‘Her family member will attack the king of the north and carry off much plunder. Then, it reigns in peace for some time. Then the king of the north will attack the king of the south and be defeated. Bernice’s brother (Ptolemy III) attacks the north (Seleucus II, son of Laodice) and is successful in bringing back much plunder and many captives. He does not attack the king of the north, but then Seleucus II attacks him and returns home with nothing, Daniel 11:7-9.’
Warfel continues and says the following.
‘The king of the north’s sons will make war with the south but fail. Seleucus II has three sons (Seleucus III, Antiochus II, and Seleucus IV) who war with Ptolemy III; they are beaten off, and many are taken captive. Antiochus III will make war with the king of the south, Daniel 11:10.’
Warfel continues and says the following.
‘The king of the south will war against the north, and a great multitude is given to him. Ptolemy IV will fight with Antiochus III, and many will be given to him, Daniel 11:11. When the king of the south carries off many, his heart is lifted up, but it will be short-lived. Ptolemy IV and the army are proud, but it will not last, Daniel 11:12.’
Warfel continues and says the following.
‘The king of the north will build a larger army, better supplied, and defeat the south. Antiochus III will raise a larger army and defeat the king of the south (Ptolemy IV), Daniel 11:13. Jews will ally with Syria against Egypt. Though many Jews ally with Antiochus III, it will be their undoing because this will allow Antiochus IV to rule Palestine, Daniel 11:14.’
Warfel continues and says the following.
‘King of Syria defeats Egypt. Antiochus III takes Sidon, where Scopas (Ptolemy’s general) took refuge after being defeated at Panium, Daniel 11:15. Syria is undefeatable at this point, and he takes Palestine. Now Judah is in the hands of the Seleucids (Antiochus III), Daniel 11:16.’
Warfel continues and says the following.
‘Syria tries to make an alliance with Egypt by giving a daughter as wife to Ptolemy. Antiochus III makes an alliance with Ptolemy V by giving him his daughter (Cleopatra) as a wife, but this fails because she does not stay loyal to her father but to her husband, Daniel 11:17.’
Warfel continues and says the following.
‘Syria turns its attention to the coast but is defeated by the Romans and dies at home. Antiochus III turns his attention to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea (Asia Minor, Thracia, Greece). A Roman general stops his attacks on their dominion. He was defeated at Thermopylae and Magnesium. The Romans placed heavy taxes on Antiochus III, so he lost all the property he held west and north of the Taurus Mountains. He turns his attention to his own territory while trying to raise money to pay the Roman taxes. He is killed (while robbing temples to raise money), Daniel 11:18-19.’
Butler, in his commentary, says the following.
‘It very nearly overwhelms the finite mind of man to realise that Daniel is being told 200 years of history before it happens. Details such as partitioning of kingdoms, wars, victories and defeats, treaties, marriages, deaths, taxations, all before the people are born and the battles are fought, all predicted centuries in advance! The Bible is the Word of God! And this word reveals that God not only knows history before it happens, but He is also active in and directs history to serve His glorious purpose to redeem all from iniquity and purify for Himself a people of His own who are zealous for good works. His immediate purpose was to reveal to Daniel, and subsequently to the Jews, all that they must endure as a purifying process preparing them for their presentation of the Messiah.’
Here we find period five, the contemptible person.
Warfel, in his summary of this section, says the following concerning Daniel 11:20-27.
‘Seleucus IV comes to power but is killed by his own prime minister. He is killed by Heliodorus after he returned from raising taxes for the Romans, Daniel 11:20. The despicable person comes to power by flattery and intrigue. Antiochus Epiphanes, the little horn of Daniel 8:9-12, was not in line to be king (Demetrius I is the son of Seleucus IV), but by flattery and intrigue, he gained support and took the throne, Daniel 11:21.’
Warfel continues and says the following.
‘Antiochus plunders the Temple. Antiochus Epiphanes replaces Onias III, the High Priest, with Jason, 2 Maccabees 4:7, and plunders the Temple, Daniel 11:22. He makes alliances with many but later, for his own gain, breaks them, Daniel 11:23. The despicable person comes to power by flattery and intrigue. By subduing small groups at a time, he gets stronger, though the Syrian people are not great in number. He even conquers Egypt this way, something his father could not do. Antiochus Epiphanes is successful against the armies of Ptolemy VI in part by sedition and men deserting the army. Ptolemy’s friends even help in his defeat, Daniel 11:24-26.’
Warfel continues and says the following.
‘Both kings are intent on doing evil and speak lies to each other at the peace table. Ptolemy VI and Antiochus IV speak lies to each other at the peace table, but God is in control and has set the time of their kingdoms’ ends, Daniel 11:27.’
McGuiggan, in his commentary, says the following.
‘All the apparent candour and joint projects discussed will mask only evil intentions. Neither of these kings will ultimately benefit anything since their end is appointed by God; both kingdoms will fall.’
Warfel, in his summary of this section, says the following concerning Daniel 11:28-31.
‘He returns home with much plunder, but his heart is set against the holy covenant. Antiochus IV returns to Syria with much booty and, on the way, stops at Jerusalem and tries to Hellenize Israel, Daniel 11:28. His acts against the Jews are described in Daniel 11:28 / Daniel 11:30-35. At the time God appoints, he returns to fight Egypt but fails. On God’s time schedule, Antiochus returns to fight with Egypt but fails, Daniel 11:29.’
Warfel continues and says the following.
‘Ships of Kittim are in Egypt. They order him out. On the way home, he desecrates the Temple. The Romans are in Egypt and order him to leave. On the way home, he is enraged, turns on God’s people, stops the daily sacrifices and offerings, sacrifices pigs on the altar, and places an idol in the Temple. He also forbids circumcision, observing the Sabbath, and no one can possess a copy of the Law, Daniel 11:30-31.’
Daniel mentions three different desolations.
1. One was previously caused by Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 9:17.
2. One was eventually caused by Antiochus Epiphanes, Daniel 8:13 / Daniel 12:11.
3. The series of desolations that would occur at the time of the Roman siege, from AD 68 to AD 70, Daniel 9:26-27 / Matthew 24:15 / Mark 13:14 / Luke 21:20.
Warfel, in his summary of this section, says the following concerning Daniel 11:32-35.
‘Some will be deceived, but others will be strong and faithful. Weak-willed Jews by smooth words will be deceived, but faithful Jews will resist. This may refer to the Maccabees (Mattathias, an elderly priest and his 5 sons), Daniel 11:32.’
Warfel continues and says the following.
‘Severe persecution will come on the faithful, but God has appointed a time when the Seleucid kingdom will end. Strong Jews will teach what is right, but will suffer great persecution. Some help will be given (Maccabees), but they will be hypocrites among them. Some will suffer, but they will be refined (it will work for their good) for the end (when God brings the Seleucids to an end because it is appointed), Daniel 11:33-35.’
Here we read part six, the Roman Empire. These verses have been the subject of much controversy. The question is, who is the king of Daniel 11:36? There have been four major views advocated.
1. Antiochus Epiphanes.
Kercheville, in his commentary, says the following.
Here are four reasons this king is not Antiochus. One. In Daniel 11:40, the king of the South moved against this king. However, the king of the South never moved against Antiochus. Two. Antiochus never fought a war against Egypt successfully after the events we have read in Daniel 11:21-35. Therefore, these verses cannot refer to him. Three. Antiochus never conquered the nations listed in Daniel 11:40-45. Four. Antiochus never gained control of all the riches listed in Daniel 11:43.’
2. Herod the Great.
Kercheville, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This view is rather easy to dismiss for the same reasons. One. Egypt never came against Herod the Great, as seen in Daniel 11:40. Two. Herod did not go and attack Egypt, nor did he conquer Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia, Daniel 11:41-44.’
3. The Antichrist.
This cannot be the antichrist because John mentions there are many antichrists, not just one, 1 John 2:18. Interestingly, John is the only writer in the New Testament who uses the term ‘antichrist’; in fact, he uses the term five times. He uses it twice in 1 John 2:18, he uses the term again in 1 John 2:22, he uses it again in 1 John 4:2-3, and finally he uses it again in 2 John 7.
In John’s day, not sometime in the future, but in John’s day, ‘the antichrists’ not ‘one antichrist’ but ‘many antichrists’ were individuals who had associated themselves with the apostles and other Christians, 1 John 2:19. But what these people did was that they had gone out on their own and were no longer in fellowship with the apostles.
4. The Romans.
Kercheville, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The logical understanding of this king is to see him as the Roman emperors. This seems to fit the chronology of what we have been reading. During the latter days, it was the Roman Empire that was the world’s power. Daniel 11:36 easily fits the description of the emperors who deified themselves and blasphemed God. Daniel 11:36-39 sounds very familiar to the description given to the Roman empire in Revelation 13:1-7. Finally, it was the Roman armies that surrounded Jerusalem and destroyed it, just as this vision depicts. Therefore, Rome fits this king the best.’
In view that he is speaking of matters related to the ‘latter days’ and the power of the Jews being broken, it seems that events associated with the Roman Empire best fit the description given in these verses. The historical scope of the book of Daniel is to take us from Babylon to Rome. This is evident in Daniel 2 and Daniel 7.
We are being brought to a ‘time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation,’ Daniel 12:1. Similar language in Matthew 24:21 makes it clear this is in the time of the Romans. The king of the North, who has been the Seleucid king, has now become the Roman king.
McGuiggan, in his commentary, says the following concerning Daniel 11:37.
‘There are numerous basic elements which move men. Family, religion, tradition, female companionship, home, etc. None of these things matters to this king in comparison to success and power.’
Butler, in his commentary, says the following concerning Daniel 11:38.
‘All strong fortresses and stratagems of war shall receive his adoration and worship. All who worship warfare and fortification will receive his support.’
Dunagan, in his commentary, says the following concerning Daniel 11:39-41.
‘His worship is only a political expediency. Whatever is necessary for gaining or holding on to power, he will do it. He will offer up sacrifices to the gods of anyone if it will gain his end, Daniel 11:39. ‘Not the end of the world, Daniel 11:40, such a time is pictured as being one of normal conditions, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3. Rather, the end time is the period leading up to the Messiah, the time of the last empire of Daniel 2:44. Here, we might have a prophecy concerning when the last of the Ptolemies moves against the Romans. Cleopatra, the last of the Ptolemy line, aided by Mark Antony, begins the push against Rome, which will move Rome to declare war on Egypt.’
Dunagan, in his commentary, continues says the following
‘After a few successful land engagements against the Romans, Mark Antony is urged by Cleopatra to execute the war as a predominantly naval affair. This was a grave mistake; the Romans finally overwhelmed Cleopatra at the battle of Actium in 31 B.C., and this ended the Ptolemy kingdom, the last vestige of the Greek empire. Following the above battle, Octavian will appoint Herod as ruler over Palestine,’ Daniel 11:41.’
The lands of Edom, Moab and Ammon did not have any appeal to Caesar Augustus; thus, they were not taken, Daniel 11:41. The Romans will conquer other countries, and Egypt doesn’t escape, Daniel 11:42. The whole Egyptian area came under his control, and there are plenty of goods taken along with captives from Libya and Ethiopia.
He would experience problems from the east and north, never completely subduing these areas, Daniel 11:43-44. Rome gains authority over Palestine, but when Rome has done its job, it will pass away, and no one can do anything to help as it decays, Daniel 11:45, her end has been set by God. All this will continue until God is finished with His purposes in the downfall of Judaism in A.D. 70.
We might label Daniel as the prophet of world history. This chapter covers a period of around five hundred and sixty years. The details of this period are given in such a precise way that one almost has to be a student of history to really appreciate the chapter.
How could Daniel lay out in such a vivid way the events of history for the five hundred and sixty years? He could not on the basis of his own wisdom and knowledge.
The answer is simply that he was provided divine help, or else it would have been impossible. This chapter is just one of the many examples of internal evidence that the Bible is the inspired word of God.
Critics and unbelievers will say the book was written after the events recorded in the days of the Maccabees, 168 B.C. They say the book is a historical fiction in which the name of Daniel was forged.
Halley, in his commentary, says the following.
‘We suspect that the real crux of the attempt to discredit the book of Daniel is the unwillingness of intellectual pride to accept the marvellous miracles and amazing prophecies recorded in the book.’