Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 11

Clinging to a Counterfeit Cross
Introduction

1  The overthrow of Persia by the king of Grecia.
5  Leagues and conflicts between the kings of the south and of the north.
30  The invasion and tyranny of the Romans.
Verse 1

Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.
in the
5:31, 9:1
to confirm
10:18, Acts 14:22
Verse 2

And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the 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.
will I
8:26, 10:1,21, Proverbs 22:21, Amos 3:7, John 10:35, 18:37,38, Revelation 21:5
three
These were, Cambyses, son of Cyrus; Smerdis the Magian imposter; and Darius Hystaspes.
Ezra 4:5,6
far
Psalms 73:6,7
stir
Herodotus says the army of Xerxes consisted of 5,283,220 men, besides the Carthaginians, consisting of 300,000 men, and 200 ships.
25, 7:5, 8:4
Verse 3

And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.
a mighty
Alexander the Great, whose kingdom after his death, as we have seen, was divided into four parts.
7:6, 8:5-8,21
do
16,36, 4:35, 5:19, 8:4-14, Ephesians 1:11, Hebrews 2:4, James 1:18
Verse 4

And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.
he shall stand
Job 20:5-7, Psalms 37:35,36, 49:6-12, 73:17-20, Luke 12:20
and shall be
7:6, 8:8,22, Psalms 39:6, Ecclesiastes 2:18,19, 4:8, Matthew 12:25
be plucked
7:8, Jeremiah 12:15,17, 18:7, 31:40, 45:4
Verse 5

And the king of the south 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.
the king
Ptolemy Lagus, king of Egypt, Cyrene, etc.
8,9,11,14,25,40
and one
3,4
he shall
Seleucus Nicator, who had Syria, etc., to which he added Macedonia and Thrace.
Verse 6

And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.
the end
13, Ezekiel 38:8,9
join themselves
Heb. associate themselves. for the king's. After many wars between Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt, and Antiochus Theos, king of Syria, they agreed to make peace, on condition that the latter should put away his wife Laodice, and her sons, and marry Berenice, Ptolemy's daughter.
king
7,13,15,40
an agreement
Heb. rights. retain.
Job 38:15, Psalms 10:5, Ezekiel 30:21, Zechariah 11:16
she shall be
Antiochus recalled Laodice, who, fearing another change, caused him to be poisoned, and Berenice and her son to be murdered, and set her son Callinicus on the throne.
he that begat her
or, whom she brought forth. he that strengthened. Her father Ptolemy, who died a few years before.
Verse 7

But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail:
out of
Job 14:7, Isaiah 9:14, 11:1, Jeremiah 12:2, Malachi 4:1
one stand
Ptolemy Euergetes, who, to avenge his sister's death, marched with a great army against Callinicus, took all Asia from mount Taurus to India, and returned to Egypt with an immense booty.
20, Psalms 49:10-13, 109:8, Luke 12:20
in his estate
or, in his place, or office.
and shall prevail
Psalms 55:23, Ezekiel 17:18
Verse 8

And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.
their gods
Genesis 31:30, Exodus 12:12, Numbers 33:4, Deuteronomy 12:3, Judges 18:24, Isaiah 37:19, 46:1,2, Jeremiah 43:12,13, 46:25, Hosea 8:6, 10:5,6
their precious vessels
Heb. vessels of their desire.
1:2,3, 10:3, Isaiah 2:16, Hosea 13:15
he shall continue
Callinicus died an exile, and Euergetes survived him four or five years.
Verse 10

But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.
his sons
Seleucus Ceraunus and Antiochus the Great, sons of Callinicus. But the former being poisoned, the latter was proclaimed king, retook Seleucia and Syria, and then, after a truce, returned and overcame the Egyptian forces.
be stirred up
or, war. overflow.
22,40, 9:26, Isaiah 8:7,8, Jeremiah 46:7,8, 51:42
then shall he return, and be stirred up
or, then shall he be stirred up again. to his.
7,39, Isaiah 25:12
Verse 11

And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.
the king of the south
5,9
moved
44, 8:7, Psalms 76:10
the multitude
10, 2:38, 1 Kings 20:13,28, Psalms 33:16,17, Ecclesiastes 9:11,12, Jeremiah 27:6
Verse 12

And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.
his heart
5:19,20,23, 8:25, Deuteronomy 8:14, 2 Kings 14:10, 2 Chronicles 25:19, 26:16, 32:25, Proverbs 16:18, Isaiah 10:7-12, Ezekiel 28:2,5,17, Habakkuk 2:4-6, Acts 12:22,23, 1 Timothy 3:6, 1 Peter 5:5
Verse 13

For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.
the king
6,7
after certain years
Heb. at the end of times, even years.
4:16, 12:7
Verse 14

And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.
robbers of thy people
Heb. children of robbers. exalt.
Acts 4:25-28, Revelation 17:17
Verse 15

So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand.
cast up
Jeremiah 5:10, 6:6, 33:4, 52:4, Ezekiel 17:17
most fenced cities
Heb. city of munitions. After fourteen years, Ptolemy Philopater having been succeeded by Ptolemy Epiphanes, then a minor, Antiochus raised a greater army than before, and having defeated his best troops under Scopas, recovered possession of Caelo-Syria and Palestine, with all their fortified cities.
shall not
6, 8:7, Joshua 1:5, Proverbs 21:30,31
his chosen people
Heb. the people of his choices.
Verse 16

But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.
shall do
3,36, 8:4,7
glorious land
or, goodly land.
41,45, 8:9, Isaiah 8:8
Heb
land of ornament.
Jeremiah 3:19; *marg:
Verse 17

He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.
He shall also
Being assisted by the Jews, he purposed to subdue Egypt; but, entering into treaty with Ptolemy, he gave him his daughter Cleopatra in marriage, thinking to engage her to betray the interests of her husband; but in which he was deceived
set
19, 2 Kings 12:17, 2 Chronicles 20:3, Proverbs 19:21, Ezekiel 4:3,7, 25:2, Luke 9:51
upright ones
or, much uprightness, or, equal conditions. corrupting. Heb. to corrupt. neither.
9:26, Psalms 56:9, Ezekiel 17:17, Matthew 12:30, Luke 11:23, Romans 8:31
Verse 18

After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.
he turn
He subdued most of the maritime places and isles of the Mediterranean; but, being driven from Europe by the Roman consuls, he took refuge in Antioch; and, in order to raise the tribute they impressed upon him, he attempted to rob the temple of Elymaïs, and was there slain.
the isles
Genesis 10:4,5, Jeremiah 2:10, 31:10, Ezekiel 27:6, Zephaniah 2:11
for his own behalf
Heb. for him. the reproach. Heb. his reproach. he shall cause.
Judges 1:7, Hosea 12:14, Matthew 7:2
Verse 19

Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
but
From the preceding verses in this chapter let us learn, 1. That God, in his providence, sets up one and pulls down another, as he pleases. 2. That this world is full of wars and fightings, which result from the indulgence of the lusts of men. 3. That all the changes and revolutions of states were plainly and perfectly foreseen by the God of heaven. 4. That no word of God can fall to the ground, but what he has declared shall infallibly come to pass. For the elucidation of the historical parts of Scripture, it is advantageous to notice the writings of heathen authors: light is thus thrown on many passages of Holy Writ, by shewing the accomplishment of the prophecies therein contained, or customs elucidated, which, in the course of years, or in our more northern latitude, would be to us inexplicable. We have therefore reason to bless God for human learning, by which many have done great service to the readers of His blessed word.
Job 20:8, Psalms 27:2, 37:36, Jeremiah 46:6, Ezekiel 26:21
Verse 20

Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.
estate
or, place.
7,21; *marg:
a raiser of taxes in the
Heb. one that causeth an exactor to pass over the, etc. Seleucus Philopater, who levied on his subjects the tribute imposed on his father, and was poisoned by his treasurer Heliodorus.
Deuteronomy 15:2,3, 2 Kings 23:35
anger
Heb. angers.
Proverbs 30:33
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.
estate
or, place.
7,20
shall stand
7:8, 8:9,23,25
a vile person
Antiochus Epiphanes, called also Epimanes, or madman, for his despicable conduct.
1 Samuel 3:13, Psalms 12:8, 15:4, Isaiah 32:5, Nahum 1:14
by flatteries
32,34, Judges 9:1-20, 2 Samuel 15:2-6, Psalms 55:21
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.
with
10, 9:26, Isaiah 8:7,8, Amos 8:8, 9:5, Nahum 1:8, Revelation 12:15,16
also
8:10,11,25
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.
work
8:25, Genesis 34:13, Psalms 52:2, Proverbs 11:18, Ezekiel 17:13-19, Romans 1:29, 2 Corinthians 11:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:9
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.
peaceably even upon the fattest
or, into the peaceable and fat, etc. he shall scatter.
Judges 9:4, Proverbs 17:8, 19:6
forecast his devices
Heb. think his thoughts.
7:25, Proverbs 23:7, Ezekiel 38:10, Matthew 9:4
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.
stir up
2,10, Proverbs 15:18, 28:25
the south with
Antiochus defeated the army of Ptolemy Philometor, and in the next campaign made himself master of all Egypt, except Alexandria. While they had frequent conferences at the same table, they spoke lies to each other; and the former returned to Syria laden with riches.
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.
that feed
2 Samuel 4:2-12, 2 Kings 8:14, 10:6-9, Psalms 41:9, Micah 7:5,6, Matthew 26:23, Mark 14:20, John 13:18
overflow
10,22
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.
hearts
Heb. their hearts. shall be to.
2 Samuel 13:26, Psalms 12:2, 52:1, 58:2, 64:6, Proverbs 12:20, 23:6-8, 26:23
speak lies
Psalms 62:9, Jeremiah 9:3-5, 41:1-3
but
Proverbs 19:21, Ezekiel 17:9
yet
29,35,40, 8:19, 10:1, Habakkuk 2:3, Acts 1:7, 17:31, 1 Thessalonians 5:1
Verse 28

Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.
the holy
The Jews having rejoiced at a report of his death, he took Jerusalem, and slew 40,000 of the inhabitants, and polluted the temple.
22,30-32, 8:24, Acts 3:25
Verse 29

At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.
time
8:19, 10:1, Isaiah 14:31, Acts 17:26, Galatians 4:2
as the former
23,25
Verse 30

For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
the ships
He was compelled to retire from Egypt by Roman ambassadors.
Genesis 10:4, Numbers 24:24, 1 Chronicles 1:7, Isaiah 23:1,12, Jeremiah 2:10, Ezekiel 27:6
and have indignation
28, 7:25, Revelation 12:12
have intelligence
Nehemiah 6:12, Matthew 24:10
Verse 31

And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
arms
8:24, Revelation 17:12
they shall pollute
8:11, 12:11, Lamentations 1:10, 2:7, Ezekiel 7:20,21, 9:7, 24:21,22
shall take
8:12,13,26, 9:27
the abomination
8:13, 9:27, 12:11, Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14, Luke 21:20
maketh desolate
or, astonisheth.
Acts 13:40,41
Verse 32

And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
shall be
Proverbs 19:5, 26:28
corrupt
or, cause to dissemble.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12, Revelation 13:12-15
the people
1 Chronicles 28:9, Psalms 9:10, Jeremiah 31:34, John 17:3, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, 1 John 2:3,4, 5:20
shall be
Micah 5:7-9, 7:15-17, Zechariah 9:13-16, 10:3-6,12, 12:3-7, 14:1-4, Malachi 4:2, 2 Timothy 2:1-3, Hebrews 10:32,33, Revelation 6:11, 7:9,10, 12:7-11
Verse 33

And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
understand
12:3,4,10, Isaiah 32:3,4, Zechariah 8:20-23, Malachi 2:7, Matthew 13:11,51,52, 28:20, Luke 24:44-47, Acts 4:2-4, 11:26, 14:21, 2 Timothy 2:24,25
yet
Matthew 10:21, 20:23, 24:9, John 16:2, Acts 12:2,3, 1 Corinthians 4:9, 2 Timothy 1:12, 4:6, Hebrews 11:34, Revelation 1:9, 2:13, 6:9, 7:14, 13:7-10, 17:6
Verse 34

Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.
they shall be
Revelation 12:2-6,13-17, 13:1-4
cleave
Matthew 7:15, Acts 20:29,30, Romans 16:18, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Galatians 2:4, 1 Timothy 4:1,2, 2 Timothy 3:1-7, 4:3, Titus 1:11, 2 Peter 2:1-3,18,19, 1 John 2:18,19, 4:1,5, 2 John 1:7, Jude 1:4, Revelation 2:20, 13:11-14
Verse 35

And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
some
33, 8:10, Matthew 16:17, 26:56,69-75, John 20:25, Acts 13:13, 15:37-39
to try
12:10, Deuteronomy 8:2,3,16, 2 Chronicles 32:31, Proverbs 17:3, Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:2-4, 4:1-3, James 1:2, 1 Peter 1:6,7, Revelation 2:10
them
or, by them. even.
29,40, 8:17,19, 9:27, 10:1, 12:4,11, Habakkuk 2:3, Revelation 14:15, 17:17
Verse 36

And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
do
16, 8:4, John 5:30, 6:38
and he
The preceding verses (from ver. 31) relate to the Romans, who not only destroyed the city and temple of Jerusalem, and crucified the Messiah, but during almost 300 years sought by every means to extirpate Christianity. The conversion of Constantine, though it stopped the rage of persecution, gave but little help to true religion. The power first exercised by the emperors, in calling and influencing ecclesiastical councils, gradually passed into the hands of the clergy; and the bishop and church of Rome at last carried it to an enormous length, magnifying themselves above every god.
exalt
7:8,20,25, Isaiah 14:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Revelation 13:5, 17:3
speak
8:11,24,25
the God
2:47, Deuteronomy 10:17, Joshua 22:22, Psalms 136:2
till
7:20-25, 8:19, 12:7,11-13, Revelation 11:2,3, 12:14, 13:5
for
4:35, 9:26, Job 23:13,14, Psalms 33:10, Proverbs 19:21, Isaiah 46:10, Acts 4:28, Revelation 10:7, 17:17
Verse 37

Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
the desire
Genesis 3:16, Deuteronomy 5:21, 21:11, Song of Solomon 7:10, Ezekiel 24:16, 1 Timothy 4:3
regard
Genesis 3:5, Isaiah 14:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:4
Verse 38

But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
But in his estate
or, But in his stead. Heb. But as for the almighty God, in his seat shall be honour, yea, he shall honour a god whom, etc.
1 Timothy 4:1
forces
or, munitions. Heb. Mauzzim, or, gods protectors. Saints and angels, who were invoked as intercessors and protectors, had miracles ascribed to them, their relics worshipped, and their shrines and images adorned with costly offerings.
a god
Revelation 13:12-17, 17:1-5, 18:12
pleasant things
Heb. things desired.
Isaiah 44:9
Verse 39

Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.
most strong holds
Heb. fortresses of munitions. gain. Heb. a price.
Revelation 18:9-13
Verse 40

And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
at the
35, 8:17, 12:4
the king of the south
The Saracens.
5,6, Ezekiel 38:14-18
the king of the north
The Turks. like.
Isaiah 5:28, 21:1, 66:15, Jeremiah 4:13, Zechariah 9:14
with horsemen
Ezekiel 38:4,15, Revelation 9:16, 16:12
overflow
10,22
Verse 41

He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
enter
45, Ezekiel 38:8-13
glorious land
or, goodly land.
Heb
land of delight, or, ornament. even.
Isaiah 11:13-15, Jeremiah 9:26, 48:47, 49:6
Verse 42

He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
stretch forth
Heb. send forth. and.
Ezekiel 29:14, Zechariah 10:10,11, 14:17, Revelation 11:8
Verse 43

But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
the Libyans
Jeremiah 46:9,10, Ezekiel 38:5
at his
Exodus 11:8, Judges 4:10
Verse 44

But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
east
11,30, Ezekiel 38:9-12, Revelation 16:12, 17:13, 19:19-21
Verse 45

And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
between
Joel 2:20, Zechariah 14:8
in the
16,41, Psalms 48:2, Isaiah 2:2, 14:13, Micah 4:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:4
glorious holy mountain
or, goodly. Heb. mountain of delight of holiness. he shall come.
2:35, 7:26, 8:25, Ezekiel 38:22,23, 39:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, Revelation 13:10, 14:14-20, Revelation 19:19-21, 20:2,9

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