Study
13 From the Book of Daniel is: Daniel 11:2-20
This
passage is a forecast of history, not continuous, but selective. The period is
one of nearly 400 years, from the time of Daniel’s vision to the reign of
Antiochus Epiphanes. Verses 2-4 are introductory, having reference (a) to the
rulers of Persia, up to Xerxes (verse 2), and (b) to the rise of Alexander the
Great nearly 150 years later, and to the division of his kingdom into four
(verses 3, 4). From this point the prophecy confines itself to two of these
four kingdoms: Egypt, whose ruler is called ‘king of the south’, and Syria,
whose ruler is called ‘king of the north’. The successive rulers of these
kingdoms in historical succession were (a) Egypt: Ptolemy I (304-285 BC); Ptolemy
II (285-246 BC) Ptolemy III (226-221 BC) Ptolemy VI (221-205 BC.) Ptolemy V
(205-180 BC); Ptolemy VI (180-145 BC); (b) Syria: Seleucus I (312-280 BC);
Antiochus I (280-261); Antiochus II (261-246 BC); Seleucus II (246-226 BC);
Seleucus II (246-226 BC); Seleucus III (226-223 BC); Antiochus III, called the
Great (223-187 BC); Seleucus IV (187-175 BC); Antiochus IV, called Epiphanes
(175-163 BC).
Verse
5a of our chapter refers to Ptolemy I, and verse 5b to Seleucus I, who for a
time was one of Ptolemy’s general, but be came ruler of a wider empire then
Ptolemy’s. Verse 6 refers to Ptolemy II, who gave his daughter Berenice to
Antiochus II in marriage upon certain conditions. The conditions were, however,
broken and Bernice lost her life. Verses 7 and 8 refer to Ptolemy III, brother
of Berenice, who successfully attacked the kingdom of Syria under Seleucus II
and returned with great spoil. Seleucus II later invaded Egypt, but without
success (verse 9). Verses 10-19 predict continued wars between the kings of
Syria and Egypt in the reigns of Antiochus III, Ptolemy IV and Ptolemy V. The
victory turned now to the north (verse 10), and now to the south (verses 11,
12). Then Antiochus brought Egypt low
(verses 13-17), but, wishing to press westwards (verse 18), made an alliance
with Egypt by giving Ptolemy V his daughter Cleopatra in marriage (verse 17).
The plans for a conquest westward were, however, defeated by a Roman commander (verse
18), and Antiochus had to retire to his own kingdom, where he died verse 19.
Verse 20 refers to Seleucus IV, who imposed heavy taxes upon Palestine to build
up his kingdom’s finances. In all this time Palestine, named ‘the glorious
land’ (verse 16) and ‘the glory of the kingdom’ (verse 20), was the pathway of
marching armies, and a bone of contention between the warring nations. But it
had not yet suffered what it was soon to suffer under Antiochus IV.
1-
What was the purpose of this detailed prediction? In what way
would it help the remnant during the persecution which was to come?
2-
Ponder the words in verses 3 and 16 ‘shall do according to his
own will’. See also verse 36, and contrast Jn. 4:34; Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 Jn. 2:17.
Are you learning to say with Christ Mt. 26:42 and Heb. 10:7?
Note.
Verse 14. A party among the Jews will rise up, thinking by violence to bring to
pass the fulfilment of prophecy.
