Bible Commentaries

The foretelling of the glorious One is contained in this chapter. It covered a period to the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, and finally referred to the Messianic kingdom.

There would be yet three kings in Persia, and also a fourth, "richer than they all." The fourth would "stir up all against the realm of Greece." This undoubtedly would refer to Xerxes. Following the fourth there would be another, whose kingdom would be broken and scattered. Here the reference was to Alexander. Beyond that, there would be long conflict between the kings of the North and those of the South, until the coming of One who would cause an exactor to pass through the glory of the Kingdom, whose regime would be brief, and would end neither in anger nor in battle.

The reign of one contemptible in person, but gaining the kingdom by flatteries, is described at greatest length. There can be no doubt that the one referred to was Antiochus Epiphanes. His character and his methods were described. He would be unscrupulous, deceitful, and cruel, but the phrase, "even for a time," indicated that this man also would be within the government of God, and unable to proceed beyond the limit marked for him.

His campaigns against Egypt were foretold, together with his ultimate withdrawal, and his methods of deceit and corruption against the people of God. During the period of his oppression there would be a period of "a little help," the reference being to the rising under the Maccabees. Ultimately the king of the South would contend with him, but would be overwhelmed by him. As a result, Antiochus Epiphanes would set forth on a new campaign of conquest, and finally perish on his way to Jerusalem.