DANIEL SIMPLIFIED
CHAPTER 11.21
Gleanings
from the Book of Daniel:
A
Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series
DANIEL
Chapter
Eleven
Daniel’s Final Vision
The Prophecy
The Ptolemaic and Seleucidae Wars
Part IV
Antiochus IV Epiphanes Part I
Review
Recall, the content of Chapter 11
contains the last of Daniel’s prophetic visions. It explains the key verse
given to Daniel by the archangel, Gabriel in Chapter 10:
Daniel
10:14 - Now I am come to make
thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the
vision is for many days.
Prophetically, the Chapter is twofold
in view:
1. By its historical fulfillment
The prediction of the transition of
world powers from Daniel to Christ
2. By its eschatological fulfillment
The prediction of the details of Daniel’s
Seventy Weeks and Israel at the end of the Age
Preview
Beginning with Verse 21 and through
Verse 35, Antiochus IV Epiphanes is characterized. He was a Syrian ruler, king
of the North, who came into power by flattery and deceit. Antiochus IV
Epiphanes is the Little Horn of
Daniel 8:9-14, 23-25 where he serves as a harbinger of the Antichrist at the
end of the Age.
CAST of CHARACTERS
A. Kings of the South – The Ptolemaic Dynasty (305-30 B.C.)
1. Ptolemy I Soter [meaning saviour] (323-285 B.C.)
2. Ptolemy II Philadelphus
[brother-loving] (285-246 B.C.)
3. Ptolemy III Euergetes [benefactor]
(246-221 B.C.)
4. Ptolemy IV Philopator [father-loving]
(221-203 B.C.)
5. Ptolemy V Epiphanes [god manifest]
(203-181 B.C.)
a. Cleopatra I Syra, wife
i. Daughter of Antiochus III the Great
6. Ptolemy VI Philometor [mother-loving]
(180-164; 163-145 B.C.)
a. Cleopatra II Thea, wife, and co-regent
7. Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator
[father-loving god] (145-116 B.C.)
[some
dates may vary]
B. Kings of the North – The Seleucid Dynasty (312-64 B.C.)
1. Seleucus I Nicator [victor] (305-281 B.C.
2. Antiochus I Soter [savior] (281-261 B.C.)
3. Antiochus II Theos [the Divine] (261-246 B.C.)
4. Seleucus II Callinicus [beautiful Victor] (246-225 B.C.)
5. Seleucus III Ceraunus [thunderbolt] (225-223 B.C.)
6. Antiochus III Megas [the Great] (223-187 B.C.)
a. Laodice III, wife
b. Fathered 8 children, 3 sons, and 5
daughters
c. Antiochus, first son, and heir (210 –
193)
d. Cleopatra I Syra, daughter, married
Ptolemy V
e. Laodice IV married 3 kings of the
south, her brothers
f. Seleucus IV Philopater, heir and
successor
g. Antiochus IV Epiphanes, 3rd
son
7. Seleucus IV Philopator [father-loving] (187-175 B.C.)
a. Younger brother of Antiochus III the
Great
a. Laodice IV, wife
a. Demetrius I Soter, oldest son, and
successor
b. Antiochus' infant son
8. Antiochus IV Epiphanies [god manifest] (175-163 B.C.)
a. Succeeded his older brother Seleucus
IV
b. Laodice IV, wife
c. Antiochus V Eupator (of a good
father), successor
d. Laodice V and VI, daughters
(Verse 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.
In place of Antiochus III the Great (his estate) shall rise up a vile,
despicable, contemptible person. And, the populous does not give him honour and
authority of the kingdom.
Following the murder of his older
brother’s son, Demetrius I Soter, and through a set of devious circumstances,
Antiochus IV Epiphanes ascended to the throne quietly, unexpectedly, and
peaceably, namely by initiating flatteries
(treachery, deceitfulness, and fraud), i.e., promising rewards and offices.
[Note: Antiochus IV Epiphanes is
profiled in Daniel Simplified 8.9.]
(Verse 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.
Backstory
Antiochus III the
Great had promised Ptolemy V Epiphanes the dowry of his ten-year-old daughter
Cleopatra I Syra as part of the marriage arrangement in a peace treaty to his
son Ptolemy VI Philometer, who was sixteen years of age at the time. Part of
the dowry consisted of the territories of Coelo-Syria and Palestine. However,
Antiochus III the Great reneged on the promise, thus causing another skirmish
between the North and South.
Aftermath of War
Two distinct outcomes
occurred as a result of the war with Egypt:
1. The defeat of the Egyptian army
Metaphorically, the arms of a flood are referencing opposing
military forces. In this case, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, in a preemptive strike
with the Egyptians (shall be broken) overthrew
their forces.
2. The defeat of the high priesthood
The Prince of the Covenant is a figure of speech depicting the murder
of the Jewish high priest, Onias III by Antiochus IV Epiphanes and replacing
him with his brother Jason, a pro-Syrian. This incident happened about 172 B.C.
It is well to note, the word for prince
here is in the collective form, thus typifying the Jewish state.
(Verse 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.
Behind the Scenes
After a short time,
Antiochus IV Epiphanes deceitfully initiated a peace accord with Egypt which he
intended not to honour. Meanwhile, a small number of Hellenistic Jews, who were
more political than religious, supported his cause of becoming king.
Significantly, they aligned themselves with Antiochus and rose to make up a special
military force. With his growing followers, Antiochus IV Epiphanes became
strong enough to overtake the Syrian throne.
(Verse 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.
Unprecedented Actions
At a time of
tranquility with Ptolemy VI Philometer, and with a small contingency of
partisans, Antiochus IV Epiphanes entered the richest provinces of Egypt
unexpectedly. He then seized much spoil and distributed the plunder, loot, and
possessions amongst his followers and subjects, keeping personal revenues for him
as well. This was a feat his predecessors and ancestors highly coveted but were
unable to accomplish.
Yea,
and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time
Additionally,
Antiochus IV Epiphanes devised plans to overthrow their strongholds. His rage did
not last continuously but for a time determined by God.
(Verse 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.
War against Egypt
Verse 25 is a restated
and more detailed version of what was summarized in verses 22 through 24.
Daniel was told by the angel that Antiochus IV Epiphanes had built up his power
and courage, i.e., his military and personal energy against the king of the
South, Ptolemy VI Philometer.
Described is the first
of three invasions against the Egyptians by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. In 170 B.C.
Antiochus IV Epiphanes entered Egypt at the Nile Delta with a multitude of
footmen, horsemen, chariots, elephants, and a great navy. This transpired
before he went in privately with a few strong men.
But he shall not stand: for they shall forecast
devices against him
In a devised plot to
overthrow Ptolemy VI Philometer, he was overcome with treason by his military leaders
who were corrupted by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Victorious Antiochus thus became
a self-proclaimed king of Egypt.
(Verse 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.
The Seeds of Betrayal
When young Ptolemy VI
PHilometer ascended the Egyptian throne, he was counseled by officials. Their
advice was intended to undermine him.
In the interim, although
it is not clear how Antiochus IV Epiphanes manipulated this conspiracy, it was
successful. Those that ate provisions at the Ptolemy VI Philometer’s table –-- family
members, confidential friends, counselors, ministers, and generals --- betrayed
him to his enemy Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This treasonous plot caused a number
of the larger Egyptian army to be slain at a battle at the Egyptian
fortress of Pelusium, along the border of Egypt and Syria.
(Verse 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.
Table Talk
The battle had been a
success for Antiochus IV Epiphanes which led to a summit meeting between him
and Ptolemy VI Philometer. They sat in a royal respectful manner face-to-face
at a conference table in Memphis, Egypt to negotiate a peace treaty, each
attempting to outwit the other.
However, when trying
to deceive the other for his advantage, they were unsuccessful. Antiochus IV
Epiphanes was not able to prosper because the Romans demanded he surrender
Egypt. He did but kept Palestine and Phoenicia. Because of this settlement,
Ptolemy VI Philometer did not prosper as well.
For yet the end shall be at the time appointed
Concerning the end of
enacted peace, there is a specific time it would take place which was
predetermined by God. He is in sovereign control. In other words, God designated
the time when the end of their peace shall befall.
Note: [For the idiom, at the time appointed. see also: Genesis
8:19; 11:27, 29, 35; Exodus 23:15; 34:18; Numbers 0:2-3, 7, 13; Joshua 8:14;
Psalm 75:2; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Isaiah 48:31; Matthew 26:18]
The escapades of
Antiochus IV Epiphanes will continue in the following study, Antiochus IV
Epiphanes, Part II (Vv. 28 – 35)…
QUESTIONS:
1. How did Antiochus IV Epiphanes become
king of the North?
2. What or who does the prince of the
covenant represent?
3. Who helped Antiochus Epiphanes gain power?
4. What did Antiochus achieve that no one
else could?
5. How did Antiochus manage Egypt’s spoils?
6. What was the main cause of Ptolemy
Phallometer’s defeat?
7. What is meant by an appointed time?
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