Daniel 11

Daniel 11:1

ALso I] These are also words of the Angel, who was mentioned in the former Chapter; his meaning is: I have been assisting to the destruction of Nebuchadnezzars progenie by Darius, and so have begun to beat downe the Chaldeans Empire; now I will declare unto thee the continuation of Gods victories over such enemies: Others take this Darius to be Chiasseres, King of Media, made for his honour, King of Babylon by Cyrus: see upon Daniel 5:31. and then the meaning would be; I have upheld these beginnings of Cyrus raigne, whilest he hath been favourable to my Church: Ezekiel 1:1-2. Then I resisted Cambises, the sonne of Cyrus: Daniel 10:13. Now I will tell thee what shall follow.

Daniel 11:2

Three Kings] which are according to some: Cyrus, Cambises, and Darius the son of Hystaspes: Others leave out Cyrus, as having resigned the Kingdome to his sonne Cambises: and Count Cambises, Smerdes and Darius The fourth] namely, Xerxes, surnamed the Terror of Greece: not that hee was the last King of Persia; but because through his so famous enterprize against Greece: he gave the first occasion of warre betweene the Persians and the Greekes: which at last caused the totall ruine of the Persians by Alexander the great Stirre up all] A hyperbolicall terme, meaning; an innumerable company of all manner of people.

Daniel 11:3

A mightie King] namely, Alexander, Dan. 7. 6. and 8. 5.

Daniel 11:4

And when] the Italian, And as soone] namely, Some twelve yeeres after that he shall be come to the crowne: see Daniel 8:8 Toward the foure] Into foure principall Satrapies and Provinces, Dan. 7. 6. and 8. 8 To his Posterity] Which perished all after the death of Alexander Nor according] namely, In greatnesse or strength, Daniel 8:22 Pluct up] By the totall extermination of Alexanders race Besides] Besides those foure Satrapies; there shall be other petty Governours and Kings, of some small parcels of the ruine of Alexanders Empire: Others translate it to others, besides those; namely, them of Alexanders line.

Daniel 11:5

The King of] At the last these foure Satrapies shall be reduced to two principall Kingdomes; namely, of Egypt: seized upon by Ptolomie the sonne of Lagus, called the King of the South: and the Kingdome of Babylon and Asia, possessed by Seleucus Nicanor, called King of the North, who were both Alexanders captaines And hee shall] namely, The King, and Kingdome of Asia Above him] namely, Above that of Egypt: Or, against him, because he tooke away all Syria and Judea; and divers other countries from him.

Daniel 11:6

Shall joyne] the King of Asia, Antiochus Soterus, the sonne of Seleucus, and the King of Aegypt, Ptolomeus Seleucus, shall joyne together in amity: and their sonnes, Ptolomeus Philadelphus, and Antiochus Teus by marriages: according to the prophecye, Dan. 3. 43 Daughter] namely, Bernice, the daughter of Ptolomeus Philadelphus, married to Antiochus Teus; who for the love of her, did put away Laodice his lawfull wife; and sister to the said BerniceTo make] to keep the peace, and end all differences; by reason of which, they were ready to goe to warres She shall not] this marriage shall not hinder them from comming shortly to open warre Neither shall he] Antiochus Teus shall soone after that be poisoned, and the forces of his kingdome shall be overthrown by diverse sinister accidents, which shall be set downe hereafter But she] namely, Bernice and her sonne; and all those that tooke her part, and her followers; shall be constrained to yeeld to the mercy of Seleucus Callinicus, the sonne of Teus and Laodice: Who shall put them all to death, by the instigation of his mother He that begate her] the Italian, her sonne] Others, her father; namely, the King of Aegypt, who died presently after.

Daniel 11:7

Out of a branch] namely, Ptolomeus Evergetes, brother to Bernice; shall succeed Ptolomeus Philadelphus his father, in the kingdome of Aegypt; and to revenge his sisters death, shall with very good successe set upon Seleucus Shall prevaile] or shall strengthen himselfe.

Daniel 11:8

Their Gods] according to the custome of heathen conquerours. See 1 Samuel 5:1. Isaiah 46:2 Then the King] the Italian, without feare of the King] or the King of the North being not able to hinder him: or being secured from him: or being more powerfull then he.

Daniel 11:9

Shall come] shall cause himselfe to be crowned King of Syria, which he shall hold for many yeares.

Daniel 11:10

His sonnes] namely, Seleucus Cherau nus, and Antiochus the Great, sonnes of Callinicus, King of Asia, 〈…〉red up] the Italian shall commence war] against Ptolomeus Evergetes, King of Aegypt, to get the kingdome of Syria againe And one] namely, Antiochus the Great, with a sudden force, like unto an overflowing streame, shall regaine a great part of his kingdome Returne] the yeare following he shall returne with great power; and having discomfited the army of Ptolomeus Philopater, the sonne of Evergetes, shall come unto a principall fort of his, called Raphia, upon the frontiers of Aegypt, and shall take it. Others, understand this of another fort, called Rabathamam.

Daniel 11:11

And the King] namely, Ptolomeus Philopater The multitude] that great army shall be discomfited by Philopater.

Daniel 11:12

His heart shall be lifted up] being puffed up by this victory, shall contemne his enemy, and give himselfe up to dissolute pleasures; and shall not follow Antiochus to his totall ruine.

Daniel 11:13

The King] namely, Antiochus, after the death of Philopater, shall againe assault Ptolomeus Epihanes, the sonne of Philopater, being yet young, against whom many of his subjects shall rebell, and many Princes combine.

Daniel 11:14

The robbers] he seemes to meane some seditious, and peradventure apostated Jewes, who joyned themselves to the King of Aegypt his faction, and to his false Religion To establish] the Italian, to fulfill] taking this for a pretence of their faction, which Isaiah chap. 19. 19, 21. had spoken of, namely, Aegypts spirituall union with the Church They shall fall]being persecured by Antiochus, as rebels to him.

Daniel 11:15

The armes] that is to say, the strength.

Daniel 11:16

But he] namely, Antiochus the Great, the glorious land] namely, Judea. See Daniel 8:9.

Daniel 11:17

He shall also] namely, Antiochus the Great, shall set upon Aegypt againe with prosperous successe; but for feare of the Romans, who shall interpose themselves in the behalfe of Ptolomeus Epiphanes: he shall make peace with him; giving him Cleopatra his daughter to wife, having before suborned her to kill her husband: which neverthelesse, he would not performe, but went with her husband against her father. See Daniel 2:43.

Daniel 11:18

Shall he turne] Antiochus shall warre against the Islands and Provinces beyond the Seas; which were subject, or confederate with the Romans A Prince] the Italian, a Captaine]namely, Scipio, a Roman Consul, with his brother cause the] he shall not only force Antiochus to retreate out of all those places, which he had taken from the Romans, or their friends, to the disgrace of the Common-wealth of Rome; but shall also overcome him in a pitched battell, and shall spoile him of part of his dominions; and force him to accept of a disgracefull peace.

Daniel 11:19

He shall turne] he shall goe into Syria; keeping himselfe in strong holds; and shall not dare to wage warre any more Stumble] being killed in a tumult, as he would have spoiled the Temple of Belus, in the Elimeans countrey.

Daniel 11:20

A raiser of] Seleucus Philopater, the sonne of Antiochus the Great; whose Raigne shall be tyrannicall, and full of exactions; which he shall endeavour to have even out of Gods Temple, 2Ma 3:4 Shall be] he shall be poisoned; not killed in war, nor by any open violence.

Daniel 11:21

A vile] Antiochus, sirnamed Epiphanes; that is to say, illustrious: opposite to that which the Spirit cals him, by reason of his execrable deeds and qualities. See Dan. 7. 8. and 8. 9.To whom] who shall neither be created nor crowned King, nor shall not obtaine the kingdome by force of armes: but shall advance himselfe as tutor to Demetrius; his nephew, the sonne of Seleucus; and shall win mens hearts with presents, curtesies, and secret practises; and so shall install himselfe in the kingdome Peaceably] namely, by deceipts, Daniel 8:23-24.

Daniel 11:22

The armes] the power of Aegypt shall be suddenly assaulted, and overthrowne by him: which Aegypt, is a countrey that is yearely overflowne by the river Nilus: whence proceeds the great fruitfulnesse and strength of it The Prince] namely, God Himselfe, Daniel 8:11; Daniel 8:25 who is the Prince of his people, and joyned to them by his holy covenant. And so in this verse are summarily comprehended, Antiochus his two greatest enterprizes; namely, upon Aegypt, and Judea: both which are afterwards more particularly specified.

Daniel 11:23

With him] namely, with Ptolomeus Philometer, King of Aegypt Shall come up] he shall come into Aegypt, bringing but small power with him, for feare of affrighting the Aegyptians; and yet he shall gaine into his hands the chiefe forts.

Daniel 11:24

Peaceably] namely, into Aegypt; which at that time shall enjoy both peace and plenty Shall doe that] gaining the greatest part of Aegypt, which his forefathers could never doe He shall scatter] See concerning Antiochus his infinite bountifulnesse to his souldiers, 1Ma 3:30 Strong holds] of Aegypt For a time] untill such time as Philometer being come to age, drove out his garrisons.

Daniel 11:25

For they shall] his great ones, his Officers and Counsellors, being corrupted by Antiochus, shall betray him, whereby he shall lose the battell.

Daniel 11:26

Destroy him] by their treachery they shall cause him to be overthrowne His Army] namely, Antiochus his army:

Daniel 11:27

Hearts shall be] after Philometer shall be discomfited; he shall make peace with Antiochus, and shall receive him with great feasts, and shewes of courtesie; but all that shall be but fained; both of them still retaining their ancient hatreds The end] of this false peace, at that time as God shall appoint. See v. 29, and 40.

Daniel 11:28

Shall be] namely, Antiochus His heart] he shall undertake to overthrow the true worship of God, and to destroy his people, v. 22. Dan. 7 25. and 8. 24. 1Ma 1:46-47.

Daniel 11:29

At the time] of which time see v. 27.

Daniel 11:30

Shall come] namely, the Romans, called by the King of Aegypt to ayd him; who shall come by sea, out of the harbours of Grecia, called Chittim, Numb. 24. 24. or out of Italy and Cilicia; enjoyning Antiochus by an expresse embassage, to let Aegypt live in peace; which he shall doe inforcibly, and then shall vent his rage upon the Jewes Shall euen returne] at the end of two yeares, 1Ma 1:30. 2Ma 5:24 Shall have intelligence] the Italian shall lend the are] to wicked perswasions, and the advices of certaine apostated Jewes, to oppresse and injure even their owne brethren, such as Jason was, 2 Mac. 1. 7. and 4. 7. and Menealus 2Ma 4:23

Daniel 11:31

Armes] many of the mightiest among the people shall follow him, 1Ma 1:45 Of strength] namely, of Jerusalem, a place exceeding strong by scituatian. Or of the Temple, which was the great Kings rocke. See Zech. 9. 12. and 11. 2 Shall take away] they shall bring all Gods service to nothing, Daniel 8:11 The abomination] according to some it is the idoll of the Olympicke Jupiter; 2Ma 6:2. according to others, an idolatrous Altar erected above Gods Altar, 1Ma 1:54; 1Ma 1:59 for which things, the people refusing to consent to idolatry; were destroyed, and the Temple and Gods service made desolate.

Daniel 11:32

By flatteries] by gifts, promises, and allurements, he shall draw the Jewes to his side, to prostitute themselves to idolatry; for to draw others to it by their example The people]namely, the true beleevers; amongst whom, Gods true people shall be preserved; shall shew themselves constant, and perseverant in his pure service Doe exploits] shall overcome all their temptations.

Daniel 11:33

That understand] those whom God shall enlighten by his Word and Spirit; shall instruct, and strengthen their brethren by their doctrine and example. Others understand this, of a certain religious society, which was newly set up in those dayes, called the Asideans: that is to say; pious, and holy, very understanding and zealous in the Law of God. See 1 Mac. 2. 42. and 7. 13. 2Ma 14:6.

Daniel 11:34

They shall be] namely, by Mattathias, and other Asmoneans, or Maccabees, 1Ma 2:1. and 2Ma 8:1 Many] of Gods people; who being run into idolatry; when they shall see some enlargement, by the meanes of the Maccabees, shall unite themselves to their brethren; yet without any inward faith or piety.

Daniel 11:35

Shall fall] many of them shall suffer martyrdome; that the triall of their faith, and the purification of their hearts and works, may be in this world, by the fire of afflictions, to their everlasting salvation. See Daniel 12:10 To the time] which is appointed by Gods counsell, to have an end of these persecutions

Daniel 11:36

Above every] because he shall forbid the use and exercise of any Religion; but only of that which he shall establish, 1 Mac. 1. 43. and 3. 29 Marvellous things. See Dan. 7. 25. and 8. 10. 25. 1Ma 1:46, &c Till the] untill the time as God hath set downe for his judgments and visitations of his people.

Daniel 11:37

Shall be regard] he shall disannull his owne ancient Religion, 1Ma 1:43 Nor the desire] Antiochus shall be so rigorous in his superstition; that he shall not suffer any of his women, (whereof he shall have many, and amongst the rest a Jewesse) to use their own religion as other Kings have done, 1 Kings 11 4. & 16. 31. Others refer this to the cruely of this Kings heart, who would never be moved by any naturall affection. Unlesse the sin against nature be here meant.

Daniel 11:38

The God of] namely; the Olympian Jove, to whom Antiochus had consecrated the Temple of God, 2Ma 6:2. and so he placed him, as it were, in Gods own rock, v. 31 Whom his fathers] for the said Olimpian Jove was an Athenian Idoll; and not a Syrian one: which was Antiochus his native countrey With gold] namely, with gifts, and offerings of such things, according to the manner of Idolaters.

Daniel 11:39

Thus shall] the Italian, he shall come] that is to say; he shall seaze upon Jerusalem, and especially; upon the strong City and fort of David: which hee having well fortified and furnished with men; shall put downe Gods true service, and establish his owne abominable idolatry in the Temple, 1Ma 1:35; 1Ma 1:38. As if that Idoll were his protector against God And increase] he shall raise these Jewes to honour, who shall take pleasure in his wicked counsels and enterprizes, as Jason, 2Ma 4:7-8. and Menelaus 2Ma 4:23-24; 2Ma 4:50. Whom for money he made High Priests and Governours of the people.

Daniel 11:40

The end] when God shall have set a period to Antiochus his reigne and persecutions, v. 35 The King] Philometer, King of Egypt, shall come against Antiochus: who with great strength and celerity shall set upon him, overcome him, and drive him out of his dominions, and shall victoriously over-run Egypt, and other neighbouring countries.

Daniel 11:41

The glorious land] namely, Judea. See Dan. 8. 9. & 11. 6 Overthrowne] by the incursions and spoiling of the countrey Shall escape] because they shall hold of Antiochus his side.

Daniel 11:43

The Lybians] a people of Africa, subjects to Philometer, who after that he was overcome; submitted himselfe to Antiochus his service.

Daniel 11:44

But tydings] of the Persians and Parthians rebellion, which were nations towards the North-east of Syria; and of their invasion made upon Antiochus his dominions Shall trouble him] in his enterprize against the Jewes, who shall have shaken off their yoake, and shall be set at liberty under Judas Maccabeus, 1Ma 3:27 Goe forth] he shall send his Captaines with a mighty army, to destroy all the Jewish nation, 1Ma 7:31; 1Ma 7:35.

Daniel 11:45

Shall plant] Antiochus his army shall intrench it selfe, having the royall tent set up for a signe of full power given to his Captaines in Emmaus, betweene the Sodome and Mediterranean sea, neer to Jerusalem, 1 Mac. 3. 40. & 4. 3. and there it shall be overthrowne In the glorious] See Psal 48. 1. Daniel 8:9 To his end] whereof see 1 Mac. 6 8.