Daniel 11

— then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.] Or, “he shall again be stirred up,” &c. At the spring of the next year he shall take the field again, and encamp at Raphia, a frontier town upon the borders of Egypt. W. Lowth.

&c.] Ptolemy Philometor by some means, of which history does not inform us, came into the hands of Antiochus: and after Antiochus was come to Memphis, and the greater part of Egypt had submitted to him, he and Philometor did frequently eat and converse together “at one table;” but, notwithstanding this appearance of peace and friendship, “their hearts” were really bent “to do mischief,” and they “spoke lies” the one to the other. For Antiochus pretended to take care of his nephew Philometor’s interest, and promised to restore him to the crown, at the same time that he was plotting his ruin, and was contriving means to weaken the two brothers by a war against each other, that the conqueror, wearied and exhausted, might fall an easy prey to him. On the other side, Philometor laid the blame of the war on his governour Eulæus, professing great obligations to his uncle, and seemed to hold the crown by his favour, and at the very same time that he was resolved to take the first opportunity of breaking the league with him, and of being reconciled to his brother: and accordingly, as soon as ever Antiochus was withdrawn, he made proposals of accommodation, and by the mediation of their sister Cleopatra a peace was made between the two brothers, who agreed to reign jointly in Egypt and Alexandria. But still this artifice and dissimulation did not prosper on either side. For neither did Antiochus obtain the kingdom, neither did Philometor utterly exclude him, and prevent his returning with an army, as each intended and expected by the measures which were taken; for these wars were not to have an “end” till the “time appointed,” which was not yet come. Bp. Newton.

south push at him: &c.] The minute and astonishing conformity of the foregoing prophetic description, ver. 31-39, throughout with the events, and its exact harmony with the parallel prophecies of Daniel himself and with corresponding passages in the New Testament, afford a high probability to the correctness of the interpretation, which Bp. Newton has supported with great learning and ability, and at considerable length, in his Dissertations on the Prophecies. The last part of this vision, ver. 40-45, appears to be unfulfilled. It is therefore “scaled” or “shut up” at present, till further light shall be furnished by the events. Dr. Hales. Chap. XII. ver. 1. And at that time shall Michael stand up.] To defend the cause of the true people of God, and to destroy the enemies of the true religion. Wintle. — and there shall be a time of trouble.] When the Jews shall be restored, there shall be such calamities as no nation hath ever before experienced, since men were formed into civil societies. Tribulations are often mentioned in Scripture, as preceding extraordinary events; see Ezek. xxx. 2, 3: and especially, as ushering in the kingdom of God, whether that kingdom relate to the first or second advent of the Messiah. See Isa. viii. 22; Jer. xxx. 7; Matt. xxiv. 21: at which last place an expression is used of like import with this of Daniel. This unusual and extraordinary time of trouble is supposed to correspond with that represented by St. John, to follow upon the pouring out of the seventh vial, Rev. xvi. 18: yet the people of God shall escape. Wintle. — every one that shall be found written in the book.]

Daniel 11:2

2. — Behold, there shall stand up &c.] The angel first prophesies of the Persian empire, which was then subsisting, “There shall stand up yet,” that is, after Cyrus, the founder of the empire, who was then reigning, “three kings in Persia;” these were Cambyses, Smerdis the Magian, and Darius the son of Hystaspes. “And the fourth shall be far richer than they all.” The fourth after Cyrus was Xerxes; of whom Justin truly remarks, that his riches were so abundant, that when

fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.

Daniel 11:3

3. And a mighty king &c.] That Alexander was “a mighty king” and conqueror; that he not only “ruled with great dominion” over Greece and the whole Persian empire, but likewise added India to his conquests; and that he “did according to his will,” no one, not even his friends daring to contradict and oppose him, or, if they did, like Clitus and Callisthenes, paying for it with their lives; are facts too well known to require any particular proof or illustration. Bp. Newton. See the notes on chap. vii. 6; viii. 5, 6.

Daniel 11:4

4. And when he shall stand up, &c.] When he shall be in the height of his prosperity. W. Lowth. The particulars, foretold in this verse, were in a good measure suggested before, chap. viii. 8; see the note there. Thus was Alexander’s kingdom “broken and divided, not to his posterity,” but “was plucked up, even for others beside those.” Bp. Newton.

Daniel 11:5

5. And the king of the south shall be strong, &c.] Though the kingdom of Alexander was divided into four principal parts, yet only two of them are here mentioned, Egypt and Syria: partly because these two were by far the greatest and most considerable; but more particu-

Before CHRIST about 534. Leagues and conflicts between the kings of the south and north. Or, whom she brought forth.

shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.

Daniel 11:6

6. And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; &c.] After many years of hostility between the kings of Egypt and Syria, Ptolemy Philadelphus, the second king of Egypt, and Antiochus Theus, the third king of Syria, agreed to make peace upon condition, that Antiochus should put away his former wife Laodice and her two sons, and should marry Berenice the daughter of Ptolemy. “For the king’s daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make” rights or agreements: and accordingly, Ptolemy Philadelphus brought his daughter to Antiochus Theus, and with her an immense treasure, so that he received the appellation of the dowry-giver. “But she shall not retain the power of the arm,” that is, her interest and power with Antiochus; for after some time, he brought back his former wife Laodice with her children to court again. “Neither shall he stand, nor his arm,” or his seed: for Laodice, fearing the fickle temper of her husband, lest he should recall Berenice, caused her husband to be poisoned; and neither did his seed by Berenice succeed him in the kingdom, but Laodice contrived and managed matters so that her eldest son Seleucus Callinicus was fired on the throne of his ancestors. “But she shall be given up;” for Laodice, not content with poisoning her husband, caused also Berenice to be murdered. “And they that brought her;” for her Egyptian women, in endeavouring to defend her, were many of them slain with her. “And he that begat her,” or rather, as it is in the margin, “he whom she had brought forth;” for the son was murdered as well

as the mother, by order of Laodice. “And he that strengthened her in these times,” her husband Antiochus as St. Jerome conceives; or those who took her part and defended her; or rather, her father, who died a little before, and was so very fond of her that he took care continually to send her fresh supplies of the water of the Nile, thinking it better for her to drink of that than of any other river, as Polybius relates. Bp. Newton.

Daniel 11:7

7—9. But out of a branch of her roots &c.] Such wickedness was not to pass unpunished and unrevenge of. Out of the same “root” with Berenice sprang Ptolemy Euergetes, her brother; who no sooner succeeded his father Ptolemy Philadelphus in the kingdom, than “he came with an army, and entered into the fortress,” or fenced cities, “of the king of the north,” that is, of Seleucus Callinicus, who with his mother Laodice reigned in Syria: and he “dealt,” or acted, “against them, and prevailed” so far that he took Syria, and Cilicia, and the upper parts beyond Euphrates, and almost all Asia. And when he had heard that a sedition was raised in Egypt, he plundered the kingdom of Seleucus, and took 40,000 talents of “silver,” and “precious vessels,” and images of their “gods” two thousand and five hundred. “So the king of the south came into the kingdom of the north, and then returned into his own land.” He likewise “continued more years than the king of the north;” for Seleucus Callinicus died in exile of a fall from his horse, and Ptolemy Euergetes survived him about four or five years. Bp. Newton.

Daniel 11:10

10. But his sons shall be stirred up, &c.] The sons of the king of the north should endeavour to vindicate and avenge the cause of their father and their country. The sons of Seleucus Callinicus were Seleucus Cerannus and Antiochus the Great. The former, who succeeded his father on the throne, was indeed “stirred up, and assembled a multitude of great forces,” in order to recover his father’s dominions, but was poisoned by two of his generals after an inglorious reign of two or three years. Upon his decease his brother Antiochus was proclaimed king. The Prophet’s expression is very remarkable, that “his sons should be stirred up, and assemble a multitude of great forces;” but then the number is changed, and only “one should certainly come; and overflow, and pass through.” Accordingly Antiochus came with a great army, retook Seleucia, and recovered Syria. Then after a truce, wherein both sides treated of peace, but prepared for war, Antiochus “returned,” and overcame in battle Nicolaus the

Leagues and conflicts between the kings of the south and north. Before CHRIST about 554. then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.

Daniel 11:11

11. And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, &c.] Ptolemy Philopator, the king of Egypt, though a luxurious prince, was at length roused by the near approach of danger. And he “came forth:” he marched out of Egypt with a numerous army to oppose the enemy, and encamped not far from Raphia, which is the nearest town to Egypt after Rhinocorura. And there he “fought with him, even with the king of the north;” for thither likewise came Antiochus with his army, and a memorable battle ensued. “And he,” the king of the north, “set forth a great multitude,” amounting to 62,000 foot, 6000 horse, and 102 elephants. But yet “the multitude was given into his hand,” that is, into the hand of the king of the south: for Ptolemy obtained a complete victory; and Antiochus, having lost about 10,000 foot, 300 horse, and 4000 prisoners, was obliged to solicit a peace. Bp. Newton.

Daniel 11:12

12. And when he hath taken away the multitude, &c.] Ptolemy knew not how to make a proper advantage of his victory, but “his heart was lifted up” by success. Being delivered from his fears, he now more freely indulged his lusts; so that, instead of being “strengthened” by his victory, he provoked even his own subjects to rebel against him. But the Prophet in this passage more particularly foretold the case of his own countrymen. After the retreat of Antiochus, Ptolemy visited the cities of Cœle-Syria and Palestine, which had submitted to him; and among others in his progress he came to Jerusalem. He there offered sacrifices, and was desirous of entering into the Holy of Holies, contrary to the custom and religion of the place, being, as the writer of Maccabees says, greatly lifted up by pride and confidence. His curiosity was restrained with great difficulty, and he departed with heavy displeasure against the whole nation of the Jews. At his return therefore to Alexandria, he began a cruel persecution upon the Jewish inhabitants of that city, who had resided there from the time of Alexander, and enjoyed the privileges of the most favoured citizens. “And he cast down many ten thousands;” for it appears from Eusebius, that about this time forty thousand Jews were slain, or sixty thousand, as they are reckoned in St. Jerome’s Latin

years with a great army and with much riches.

Daniel 11:13

13. For the king of the north shall return, &c.] After a peace of about fourteen years, in the course of which Ptolemy Philopator had died of intemperance, and was succeeded by his son Ptolemy Epiphanes, a child of four or five years old, Antiochus, having acquired “great riches,” and collected many forces in an eastern expedition, which enabled him to “set forth a greater multitude than the former, returned:” not doubting to have an easy victory over an infant king. Bp. Newton.

Daniel 11:14

14. And in those times there shall many stand up &c.] Not only Antiochus rose up against young Ptolemy, but others also confederated against him. The provinces, which were before subject to Egypt, rebelled; and Egypt itself was disturbed by seditions. Philip, too, the king of Macedon, entered into a league with Antiochus, to divide Ptolemy’s dominions between them. “Also the robbers of thy people:” it is literally “the sons of the breakers,” the sons of the revolters, the factions and refractory ones, “of thy people,” the Jews, who were at that time much broken into factions. These were to “exalt themselves to establish the vision:” accordingly they revolted from Ptolemy, and thereby contributed greatly, without knowing it, to the accomplishment of this prophecy concerning the calamities, which should be brought upon the Jewish nation by the succeeding kings of Syria. “But they shall fall:” for Scopas came with a powerful army from Ptolemy, and, in the absence of Antiochus, soon reduced the cities of Cœle-Syria and Palestine to their former obedience. Bp. Newton.

Daniel 11:15

15, 16. So the king of the north shall come, &c.] Antiochus, wishing to recover the cities and countries which Scopas had taken, came again into those parts; and having defeated Scopas, pursued him to Sidon, which he closely besieged, and at length compelled to surrender. This event probably was principally intended by his “casting up a mount, and taking the city of munitions,” as in the margin; for Sidon was an exceeding strong city both in situation and fortifications: besides which, he took other “the most fenced cities,” as in the text, as recited by the Greek and Roman historians. “The arms of the south could not withstand him, neither his chosen people;” neither Scopas, nor the other great generals, nor the choicest troops that

Leagues and conflicts between the kings of the south and north. Or, much uprightness: to equal conditions. Heh, to corrupt. Heh, for him. land, which by his hand shall be consumed.

Daniel 11:21

21. And in his estate shall stand up a vile person.] Antiochus Epiphanes, who succeeded to the kingdom, was at Athens, when his brother Seleucus died by the treachery of Heliodorus: and “the honour of the kingdom was not given to him,” for Heliodorus attempted to get possession of it himself; another party declared in favour of Ptolemy Philometor, king of Egypt, whose mother Cleopatra was the daughter of Antiochus the Great, and sister of the late king Seleucus: and neither was Antiochus Epiphanes the right heir to the crown, but his nephew Demetrius, the son of Seleucus, then an hostage at Rome. However, he “obtained the kingdom by flatteries.” He flattered Eumenes king of Pergamus, and Attalus his brother, and by fair promises engaged their assistance. He flattered the Syrians, and with great shew of clemency obtained their concurrence. He flattered the Romans also, and sent ambassadors to court their favour by presents and promises of fidelity. Thus he “came in peaceably:” and as he flattered the Syrians, the Syrians flattered him again, and bestowed on him the title of Epiphanes, or the illustrious: but the epithet of “vile,” or rather “despicable,” given him by the Prophet, agrees better with his true character. For he disgraced himself by such profligate, low, ridiculous, and indecent conduct, as induced Polybius, who was a contemporary writer, and others after him, instead of Epiphanes, or the illustrious, more rightly to call him Epimanes, or the madman. Bp. Newton.

He is called here “a vile person,” not for any want of wit or parts, but for the extravagance of his life and actions. W. Lowth.

Daniel 11:22

22. And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him.] Heliodorus, the murderer of Seleucus, and his partisans, as well as those of the king of Egypt, who had formed designs upon Syria, were vanquished by the forces of Eumenes and Attalus, and dissipated by the arrival of Antiochus, whose presence disconcerted all their measures. “The prince also of the covenant was broken:” that is, the high priest of the Jews. As soon as Antiochus was seated on the throne, he removed Onias from the high priesthood, and preferred Jason, the brother of Onias, to that dignity: but though he had “made a league” with Jason, the new high priest, he did not adhere to it faithfully, but acted “deceitfully;” and having deposed Jason, substituted Jason’s younger brother, Menelaus, in his room. Bp. Newton.

Daniel 11:23

23, 24.—for he shall come up.] Rather, “and he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.” Antiochus Epiphanes had been many years an hostage

VOL. II.

at Rome; and coming from thence with only a few attendants, he appeared in Syria little at first, but soon received a great increase, “and became strong with a small people.” By the friendship of Eumenes and Attalus he “entered peaceably,” ver. 24, upon the upper provinces: as likewise upon the provinces of Coele-Syria and Palestine. And wherever he came, he outdid his “fathers and his fathers’ fathers” in liberality and profusion. He “scattered among them the prey, and spoil, and riches.” The “prey” of his enemies, the “spoil” of temples, and the “riches” of his friends, as well as his own revenues, were expended in publick shows, and bestowed in largesses among the people. The writer of the first book of Maccabees affirms, that, in the liberal giving of gifts, “he abounded above the kings that were before him,” I Mar. iii. 30. After some time, apprehensive of a war with Egypt, he went into Phemia, to fortify his own “strong holds,” and to “forecast his devices against” those of the enemy: thus he did “even for a time,” and employed some years in his hostile preparations. Bp. Newton.

Daniel 11:25

25, 26. And he shall stir up his power &c.] The transactions, here foretold, are thus related by the writer of the first book of Maccabees: “Now when the kingdom was established” &c. see chap. i. ver. 16—19. “He shall stir up his power against the king of the south with a great army,” says the Prophet: “he entered into Egypt with a great multitude,” says the historian. “The king of the south shall not stand,” says the Prophet: “Ptolemy was afraid and fled,” says the historian. “Many shall fall down slain,” says the Prophet: “and many were wounded to death,” says the historian. The misfortunes of Ptolemy Philometor are by the Prophet ascribed principally to the treachery and baseness of his own ministers and subjects: “for they shall forecast devices against him; yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him.” And it is certain, that Eulæus was a very wicked minister, and bred up the young king in luxury and effeminacy contrary to his natural inclination. Ptolemy Macron too, who was governor of Cyprus, revolted from him, and delivered up that important island to Antiochus; and for the reward of his treason was admitted into the number of the king’s principal friends, and was made governor of Coele-Syria and Palestine. Nay even the Alexandrians, seeing the distress of Philometor, renounced their allegiance; and taking his younger brother Eusegetes or Physcon, proclaimed him king instead of the elder brother. Bp. Newton.

27. And both these kings’ hearts shall be to do mischief,

Daniel 11:29

29. Then shall he return into his land with great riches;] He did indeed “return with great riches;” for the spoils which he took in Egypt were of immense value. Returning thence, he set “his heart against the holy covenant;” for having heard of some disturbances, which had arisen at Jerusalem on a report of his death, and concluding that the whole nation of the Jews had revolted, he marched against Jerusalem; besieged the city, and took it by force of arms: view 40,000 of the inhabitants, and sold as many more for slaves; polluted the temple and altar with swine’s flesh, profaned the Holy of Holies by breaking into it, and took away the golden vessels and other sacred treasures to the value of 1500 talents. When he had “done” these “exploits,” he “returned to his own land.” Bp. Newton.

29, 30. At the time appointed] Namely, the time hinted at before, ver. 25, “he shall return” &c. Antiochus, perceiving that the two brothers had provided for their mutual safety and interests by making peace, was so offended that he again invaded Egypt. But this expedition was not so successful as his “former” once; because “the ships of Chittim,” which brought the Roman ambassadors from Italy, to command a peace between the contending kings, “came against him.”

Daniel 11:31

31. And arms shall stand on his part, &c.] The last attack of Antiochus on the city and people of the Jews has been already noticed. Another power was introduced at the thirtieth verse, in the term “ships of Chittim;” and to this the narrative most probably now turns, and will be found applicable to the affairs and consequences of this fourth beast or kingdom to the end of the book, although there are various opinions concerning the application of this part of the prophecy. Wintle, Bp. Newton.

In the same year that Antiochus by command of the Romans retired out of Egypt, and set up the worship of the Greeks in Judea, the Romans conquered the kingdom of Macedon, the fundamental kingdom of the empire of the Greeks, and reduced it into a Roman province; and thereby began to put an end to the reign of Daniel’s third beast. This is thus expressed by Daniel. And after him “arms;” that is, Romans “shall stand up.” “Arms” are every where in this prophecy put for the military power of a kingdom; and they “stand up,” when they conquer and grow powerful. Hitherto Daniel described the actions of the kings of the north and south; but upon the conquest of Macedon by the Romans, he left off describing the actions of the Greeks, and began to describe those of the Romans in Greece. They conquered Macedon, Illyrieum, and Epirus, in the year of Nabonassar 580; thirty-five years after, by the last will and testament of Attalus the last king of Pergamus, they inherited that rich and flourishing kingdom; that is, all Asia westward of mount Taurus; sixty-nine years after they conquered the kingdom of Syria, and reduced it into a province, and thirty-four years after they did the like to Egypt. By all these steps the Roman “arms stood up” over the Greeks: and after ninety-five years more, by making war upon the Jews, “they polluted the sanctuary of strength, and took away the daily sacrifice, and then placed the abomina-

The invasion and tyranny of the Romans. Before CHRIST about 534. I Or, come to dissemble.

Daniel 11:32

32, 33. And such as do wickedly against the covenant &c.] The Roman magistrates and officers made use of the most alluring promises, as well as of the most terrible threatening, to prevail upon the primitive Christians to renounce their religion, and offer incense to the statues of the emperours and images of the gods. Many were induced to comply with the temptation, and apostatized from the faith: but the true Christians, “the people that knew their God, were strong,” remained firm to their religion, and gave the most illustrious proofs of the most heroic patience and fortitude. It may be said also with the strictest truth and propriety of the primitive Christians, that being dispersed every where, and preaching the Gospel in all the parts of the Roman empire, they “instructed many,” and gained a great number of proselytes to their religion: “yet they fell by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days;” for they were exposed to the malice and fury of ten general persecutions, and suffered all manner of injuries, afflictions, and tortures, with little intermission for the space of three hundred years. Bp. Newton.

Daniel 11:34

34, 35. Now when they shall fall, &c.] The Church had now laboured under long and severe persecutions from the civil power. The tenth and last general persecution was begun by Diocletian: it raged, though not at all times equally, ten years; and was suppressed entirely by Constantine, the first Roman emperor, who made open profession of Christianity: and then the Church was no longer persecuted, but was protected and favoured by the civil power. But still this is called only “a little help:” because, though it added much to the temporal prosperity, yet it contributed little to the spiritual graces and virtues, of Christians. It was attended with this peculiar disadvantage, that “many clave to them with flatteries.” Many became Christians for the sake of temporal emolument, and pretended to be of the religion, only because it was the religion of

and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

Daniel 11:36

36. And the king shall do according to his will; &c.] The prophecy now proceeds to describe the principal author of the persecutions which should be permitted for the trial of the Church. A “king” or “kingdom,” as before noticed, signifies any government, state, or potentate: and the meaning of this verse appears to be, that, after the empire was become Christian, there should spring up in the Church an antichristian power, that should act in the most absolute and arbitrary manner, exalt itself above all laws divine and human, dispense with the most solemn and sacred obligations, and in many respects enjoin what God had forbidden, and forbid what God had commanded. This power began in the Roman emperours, who summoned councils, and directed and influenced their determinations almost as they pleased. After the division of the empire, this power still increased, and was exerted principally by the Greek emperours in the East, and by the bishops of Rome in the West; as we shall see in the several particulars hereafter specified by the Prophet. This power too was to continue in the Church, and “prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.” This must denote some particular period. Bp. Newton.

Daniel 11:37

37. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, &c.] He shall apostatize in some measure from the religion of his Christian fathers, as he actually did, both in the Greek and Latin Church, by worshipping “Mahuzzin” instead of the true God blessed for ever. “Nor shall he regard the desire of women,” or conjugal affection: the meaning is, he shall neglect and discourage marriage, as both the Greeks and Latins did, to the great detriment of human society, and to the great discredit of the Christian religion. Thus did the power here described “magnify himself above all,” even God Himself, by contradicting the primary law of nature; and making that dishonourable which the Scripture hath

Daniel 11:38

38. But in his estate shall he honour the god of forces.] Or “Mahuzzim,” that is, properly, “munitions, bulwarks, fortresses;” or, as the word may signify, “protectors, defenders, guardians.” Them he should worship as God, or with God: and it is notorious, that the worship of saints and angels was established both in the Greek and Latin Church; and that their shrines and images were adorned with the most costly offerings, and “honoured with gold and silver, and with precious stones, and desirable things.” What renders the completion of the prophecy still more remarkable is, that they were celebrated and adored under the title of Mahuzzim, of bulwarks and fortresses, of protectors and guardians, of mankind. Bp. Newton. 39. Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, &c.] This verse contains other instances of his regard to Mahuzzim; but for the better understanding of this part of the prophecy, it may be proper to propose a more literal translation of it. “Thus shall he do: to the defenders of Mahuzzim, together with the strange god whom he shall acknowledge, he shall multiply honour; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and the earth he shall divide for a reward.” That is, “He shall multiply honour” to the defenders and champions of Mahuzzim, as well as to Mahuzzim themselves: deifying Mahuzzim, he shall also glorify their priests and ministers: “and he shall cause them to rule over many, and the earth he shall divide for a reward.” The defenders and champions of Mahuzzim were the popula cœdemaxtorks and religious orders: and that they have been honoured and reverenced, and almost adored in former ages, that their authority and jurisdiction have extended over the purses and consciences of men, that they have been enriched with noble buildings and large