Daniel chapter 11
Daniels chapter 11 is perhaps the greatest prophetic chapter in the entire bible. No other chapter in this great book covers as much history at one time than this chapter right here. Over 2400 years of history is covered in its pages with astounding accuracy, even down to the smallest of details. This is the “big picture” folks…the chapter that combines all of Daniels visions into one, letting the student finally see how everything is put together according to history. This is also one of the most twisted chapters in the entire bible when it comes to today’s teachings. Most teach this chapter does nothing more than expose the life and times of the Seleucid ruler Antiochus Epiphanes, of which I can assure you, it does much more than just that. The bible itself will prove to you beyond any reasonable doubt, that Antiochus is mentioned only once in verse 13, and by verse 14 is dead and buried. Which makes the teaching of today stand out as nothing but foolishness, and a vain attempt at masking the truth this great chapter is trying to tell.
There’s no reason to go into any great detail explaining it, the book does just fine in explaining itself. Its best just to let the chapter speak for itself. All we will do here, is read its verses, and allow them to guide us throught the pages of history.
We will not anything to it, and we will take nothing away.
There’s no reason to go into any great detail explaining it, the book does just fine in explaining itself. Its best just to let the chapter speak for itself. All we will do here, is read its verses, and allow them to guide us throught the pages of history.
We will not anything to it, and we will take nothing away.
1 “Also in the first year of Darius the Mede, I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him.)
.) 2 And now I will tell you the truth: Behold, three more kings will arise in Persia, and the fourth shall be far richer than them all; by his strength, through his riches, he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece.
Right from the start the scholars and theologians toy with this vision of Daniels by saying there never was a Darius the Mede as the first king of the Medo Persian empire. But the bible makes it abundantly clear who this is describing, and it did so in chapter 5 where Daniel was interpreting writing on a wall at a feast…
30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. 31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.
Daniel 5
Those of you that have followed these studies from the beginning, have seen this transfer of power take place in chapter 5, during the feast of Belshazzar son of Nebuchadnezzar. Where Belshazzr held a feast, and commanded that the treasure of Jerusalem be brought to him, so he and his guests could drink from the golden and silver cups that were taken from Solomons temple in Jerusalem.
According to the 5th-century-bc Greek historian Herodotus, Cyaxares renewed the war with the Assyrians after his father, Phraortes, had been slain in battle. While besieging Nineveh, he was attacked and defeated by a great army of Scythians, who then ruled Media (653–625) until their chiefs were slain by Cyaxares at a banquet. It was probably Cyaxares, not his father, as is maintained by Herodotus, who united the tribes of ancient Iran.
Encyclopedia Britannica
And the hisory books say the same. After briefly uniting with the Babylonian empire to wage war against the Assyrians, the Medes killed the chief men of Babylon at a banquet ( i.e. a feast) and took control of the empire for themselves.
So with this being said, we are to count 4 kings past Cyaxares ( i.e. Darius the Mede) and we will find a king that reigned during the peak of their empire, and one that will also stir up all the realm of Greece…
1. three more kings will arise in Persia, and the fourth shall be far richer than them all; by his strength, through his riches, he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece. Daniel 11
According to history,
1. Astyages succeeded his father Cyaxares (Darius the Mede) in 585 BCE
2. Cyrus ( Cyrus the great) succeeded his father Astyages in 559
3. CambysesII succeeded his father Cyrus in 530 BC.
Right from the start the scholars and theologians toy with this vision of Daniels by saying there never was a Darius the Mede as the first king of the Medo Persian empire. But the bible makes it abundantly clear who this is describing, and it did so in chapter 5 where Daniel was interpreting writing on a wall at a feast…
30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. 31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.
Daniel 5
Those of you that have followed these studies from the beginning, have seen this transfer of power take place in chapter 5, during the feast of Belshazzar son of Nebuchadnezzar. Where Belshazzr held a feast, and commanded that the treasure of Jerusalem be brought to him, so he and his guests could drink from the golden and silver cups that were taken from Solomons temple in Jerusalem.
According to the 5th-century-bc Greek historian Herodotus, Cyaxares renewed the war with the Assyrians after his father, Phraortes, had been slain in battle. While besieging Nineveh, he was attacked and defeated by a great army of Scythians, who then ruled Media (653–625) until their chiefs were slain by Cyaxares at a banquet. It was probably Cyaxares, not his father, as is maintained by Herodotus, who united the tribes of ancient Iran.
Encyclopedia Britannica
And the hisory books say the same. After briefly uniting with the Babylonian empire to wage war against the Assyrians, the Medes killed the chief men of Babylon at a banquet ( i.e. a feast) and took control of the empire for themselves.
So with this being said, we are to count 4 kings past Cyaxares ( i.e. Darius the Mede) and we will find a king that reigned during the peak of their empire, and one that will also stir up all the realm of Greece…
1. three more kings will arise in Persia, and the fourth shall be far richer than them all; by his strength, through his riches, he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece. Daniel 11
According to history,
1. Astyages succeeded his father Cyaxares (Darius the Mede) in 585 BCE
2. Cyrus ( Cyrus the great) succeeded his father Astyages in 559
3. CambysesII succeeded his father Cyrus in 530 BC.
And then this happened...
According to Darius the Great, Cambyses II, after becoming king of Persia but before setting out for Egypt, killed Bardiya and kept this secret. However according to Herodotus who gives two detailed stories, Bardiya went to Egypt with Cambyses and was there for some time but later Cambyses sent him back to Susa out of envy, because "Bardiya alone could draw the bow brought from the Ethiopian king." Herodotus then states that "Cambyses had a dream in which he saw his brother sitting on the royal throne. As a result of this dream Cambyses sent his trusted counselor Prexaspes from Egypt to Susa with the order to kill Smerdis" Wikipedia
CambysesII was to be replaced by his half brother Bardiya. CambysesII had his brother killed in secret, and Darius the great assumed the throne in his place. So according to Daniels prophesy, Darius the great will be on the throne during the peak of the Medo Persian empire, and through his power he shall stir up all the realm of Greece.
And he was...
Darius I, known as Darius the Great, was the third "king of kings" (emperor) of the Achaemenid Empire. Darius held the empire at its peak, then including Egypt, northern India, and parts of Greece. Wikipedia
Aristagoras secured military support from Athens and Eretria, and in 498 BC, these forces helped to capture and burn the Persian regional capital of Sardis. The Persian king Darius the Great vowed to have revenge on Athens and Eretria for this act. The revolt continued, with the two sides effectively stalemated throughout 497–495 BC. In 494 BC, the Persians regrouped, and attacked the epicentre of the revolt in Miletus. At the Battle of Lade, the Ionians suffered a decisive defeat, and the rebellion collapsed, with the final embers being stamped out the following year. Wikipedia
During these wars ( i.e. the Greco Persian wars), Athens was invaded, and the sacred temples of Athena were destroyed. The Greeks held a 150 year old grudge against Darius the great for these actions, and in 330 BC, the Macedonian empire commissioned Alexander the great to exact revenge of the Persians for the destruction of the Athenian temples. Which brings us with astounding accuracy to verse 3 of Daniel 11...
CambysesII was to be replaced by his half brother Bardiya. CambysesII had his brother killed in secret, and Darius the great assumed the throne in his place. So according to Daniels prophesy, Darius the great will be on the throne during the peak of the Medo Persian empire, and through his power he shall stir up all the realm of Greece.
And he was...
Darius I, known as Darius the Great, was the third "king of kings" (emperor) of the Achaemenid Empire. Darius held the empire at its peak, then including Egypt, northern India, and parts of Greece. Wikipedia
Aristagoras secured military support from Athens and Eretria, and in 498 BC, these forces helped to capture and burn the Persian regional capital of Sardis. The Persian king Darius the Great vowed to have revenge on Athens and Eretria for this act. The revolt continued, with the two sides effectively stalemated throughout 497–495 BC. In 494 BC, the Persians regrouped, and attacked the epicentre of the revolt in Miletus. At the Battle of Lade, the Ionians suffered a decisive defeat, and the rebellion collapsed, with the final embers being stamped out the following year. Wikipedia
During these wars ( i.e. the Greco Persian wars), Athens was invaded, and the sacred temples of Athena were destroyed. The Greeks held a 150 year old grudge against Darius the great for these actions, and in 330 BC, the Macedonian empire commissioned Alexander the great to exact revenge of the Persians for the destruction of the Athenian temples. Which brings us with astounding accuracy to verse 3 of Daniel 11...
3 Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.
Philip II king of Macedon was elected as leader of the army of invasion against the Persian Empire. In 336 BC, when the invasion of Persia was in its very early stage, Philip was assassinated, and was succeeded on the throne of Macedon by his son AlexanderIII (Alexander the great)
Wikipedia
Alexander invaded Persia and conquered them in 330 BC, only to die at the peak of his empire from sickness at the age of 33. Which with astounding accuracy again, brings us to verse 4 of chapter 11...
4 And when he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not among his posterity nor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be uprooted, even for others besides these.
Alexander’s deathbed request was that his empire was to go to the strongest because of his lack of a legitimate heir. His empire went to his 4 generals, known today as his “Diadochi” or, his successors. Which fits perfect according to this part in verse 4…
4. his kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward the four winds of heaven,
As we continue reading this verse, we see the dividing of his empire will not be according to his prosperity, or according to his dominion. And that’s exactly what happened… Alexander had no legitimate heir, and his name died with him, but also, his generals, Seleucus, Ptolemy, Cassander and Lysimachus immediately began fighting among themselves, and the Macedonian empire was broken up into 4 parts instead of one united kingdom. After fighting the Diadochi wars from 322 to 302 BC, the kingdom was split between 2 of his generals, the two victors...Seleucus king of the north, and Ptolemy ruler of Egypt, the king of the south. Cassander and Lysimachus were no longer found.
5 “Also the king of the South shall become strong, as well as one of his princes; and he shall gain power over him and have dominion. His dominion shall be a great dominion.
As you can see in this next verse, we begin to discuss the Ptolemaic kingdom kingdom of the south, the Egyptian kingdom. This verse is discussing the very beginning of the Ptolemiac kingdom, and will do so down to the smallest of details. It says that the king of the south shall become strong, as well as one of his princes.
Wikipedia
Alexander invaded Persia and conquered them in 330 BC, only to die at the peak of his empire from sickness at the age of 33. Which with astounding accuracy again, brings us to verse 4 of chapter 11...
4 And when he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not among his posterity nor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be uprooted, even for others besides these.
Alexander’s deathbed request was that his empire was to go to the strongest because of his lack of a legitimate heir. His empire went to his 4 generals, known today as his “Diadochi” or, his successors. Which fits perfect according to this part in verse 4…
4. his kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward the four winds of heaven,
As we continue reading this verse, we see the dividing of his empire will not be according to his prosperity, or according to his dominion. And that’s exactly what happened… Alexander had no legitimate heir, and his name died with him, but also, his generals, Seleucus, Ptolemy, Cassander and Lysimachus immediately began fighting among themselves, and the Macedonian empire was broken up into 4 parts instead of one united kingdom. After fighting the Diadochi wars from 322 to 302 BC, the kingdom was split between 2 of his generals, the two victors...Seleucus king of the north, and Ptolemy ruler of Egypt, the king of the south. Cassander and Lysimachus were no longer found.
5 “Also the king of the South shall become strong, as well as one of his princes; and he shall gain power over him and have dominion. His dominion shall be a great dominion.
As you can see in this next verse, we begin to discuss the Ptolemaic kingdom kingdom of the south, the Egyptian kingdom. This verse is discussing the very beginning of the Ptolemiac kingdom, and will do so down to the smallest of details. It says that the king of the south shall become strong, as well as one of his princes.
Ptolemy I Soter I , Ptolemy the Savior, c. 367 BC – c. 283 BC)
was a Macedonian Greek general under Alexander the Great, who became ruler of Egypt (323 BC – 283 BC) and founder of both the Ptolemaic Kingdom and the Ptolemaic Dynasty. In 305/4 BC he took the title of pharaoh.
Wikipedia
According to Daniel, this king will have a son that will eventually rule over his father. And he did, Ptolemy Soter also ruled as co-regent with his son Ptolemy II Philadelphus…
He began his reign as co-regent with his father Ptolemy I from ca. 290 BCE–ca. 283 BCE Wikipedia
The bibles description of the beginning of the Ptolemaic kingdom is perfect, and as you will soon see, so will the rest its description of world history.
6 And at the end of some years they shall join forces, for the daughter of the king of the South shall go to the king of the North to make an agreement; but she shall not retain the power of her authority, and neither he nor his authority shall stand; but she shall be given up, with those who brought her, and with him who begot her, and with him who strengthened her in those times.
Wikipedia
According to Daniel, this king will have a son that will eventually rule over his father. And he did, Ptolemy Soter also ruled as co-regent with his son Ptolemy II Philadelphus…
He began his reign as co-regent with his father Ptolemy I from ca. 290 BCE–ca. 283 BCE Wikipedia
The bibles description of the beginning of the Ptolemaic kingdom is perfect, and as you will soon see, so will the rest its description of world history.
6 And at the end of some years they shall join forces, for the daughter of the king of the South shall go to the king of the North to make an agreement; but she shall not retain the power of her authority, and neither he nor his authority shall stand; but she shall be given up, with those who brought her, and with him who begot her, and with him who strengthened her in those times.
Berenice, also called Berenice Syra,
...was the daughter of Ptolemy II Philadelphus and his first wife Arsinoe I of Egypt.
In 261 BC she married the Seleucid monarch Antiochus II Theos, who, following an agreement with Ptolemy (249 BC), had divorced his wife Laodice I and transferred the succession to Berenice's children.
In 246 BC, when Ptolemy died, Antiochus II took up again with his first wife, Laodice. The Syrian King died shortly after, many suspect from poisoning. Queen Berenice claimed the Regency for her son, Seleucus and conquered Soloia with her army, however, she and her son were both poisoned by Laodice as well. Berenice's brother, Ptolemy III Euergetes succeeded their father and set about to avenge his sister's murder by invading Syria and having Laodice killed. This is also mentioned in the Book of Daniel 11:6. Wikipedia
As you can see, Ptolemy I Soter made an agreement with the Seleucid monarch Antiochus II or, the king of the north. The agreement was that Antiochus was to divorce his current wife Laodice, and marry his granddaughter Berenice Syra, as a guarantee that Ptolemy’s granddaughter would give birth to a legitimate heir to the Seleucid empire, which would make peace between the two kingdoms, because there was no peace between the two empires, 274-253 BC the Ptolemy’s fought with the Seleucids in the first 2 Syrian wars. Shortly after the agreement was made between the two kings, the Seleucid king died, and Laodice (i.e. former Seleucid queen), had both Berenice and her infant son poisoned. Which fits perfect to this verse, all the down to Antiochus’s death…
6. but she shall be given up, with those who brought her, and with him who begot her, and with him who strengthened her in those times. Daniel 11
In 261 BC she married the Seleucid monarch Antiochus II Theos, who, following an agreement with Ptolemy (249 BC), had divorced his wife Laodice I and transferred the succession to Berenice's children.
In 246 BC, when Ptolemy died, Antiochus II took up again with his first wife, Laodice. The Syrian King died shortly after, many suspect from poisoning. Queen Berenice claimed the Regency for her son, Seleucus and conquered Soloia with her army, however, she and her son were both poisoned by Laodice as well. Berenice's brother, Ptolemy III Euergetes succeeded their father and set about to avenge his sister's murder by invading Syria and having Laodice killed. This is also mentioned in the Book of Daniel 11:6. Wikipedia
As you can see, Ptolemy I Soter made an agreement with the Seleucid monarch Antiochus II or, the king of the north. The agreement was that Antiochus was to divorce his current wife Laodice, and marry his granddaughter Berenice Syra, as a guarantee that Ptolemy’s granddaughter would give birth to a legitimate heir to the Seleucid empire, which would make peace between the two kingdoms, because there was no peace between the two empires, 274-253 BC the Ptolemy’s fought with the Seleucids in the first 2 Syrian wars. Shortly after the agreement was made between the two kings, the Seleucid king died, and Laodice (i.e. former Seleucid queen), had both Berenice and her infant son poisoned. Which fits perfect to this verse, all the down to Antiochus’s death…
6. but she shall be given up, with those who brought her, and with him who begot her, and with him who strengthened her in those times. Daniel 11
Then this happened...
7 But from a branch of her roots one shall arise in his place, who shall come with an army, enter the fortress of the king of the North, and deal with them and prevail. 8 And he shall also carry their gods captive to Egypt, with their princes and their precious articles of silver and gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the North.
Ptolemy III invaded Syria with great success on behalf of his sister Berenice’s death which is known as the 3rd Syrian war, or the Laodicean war…
Ptolemy declared war on Laodice's newly crowned son, Seleucus II, in 246 BC, and campaigned with great success (his forces possibly being commanded by Xanthippus of Sparta, aka Xanthippus of Carthage, the mercenary general responsible for defeating a Roman army at Tunis/Bagrades in 255). He won major victories over Seleucus in Syria and Anatolia, briefly occupied Antioch and, as a recent cuneiform discovery proves, even reached Babylon. Wikipedia
In verse 8 it states that the king of the south shall continue more years than the king of the north, which is exactly what happened…
Ptolemy III reigned 246 BC–222 BC) was the third ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt.
Seleucus II was a ruler of the HellenisticSeleucid Empire, who reigned from 246 to 225 BC
Even though Seleucus was much younger than Ptolemy, he died 3 years earlier. Exactly as the bible states would happen.
9 “Also the king of the North shall come to the kingdom of the king of the South, but shall return to his own land.
In the interior of Asia Minor Seleucus maintained himself, and when Ptolemy returned to Egypt he recovered Northern Syria and the nearer provinces of Iran. Encyclopedia Britannica
When Ptolemy III turned his back and headed home with the spoils of war, Seleucus II attacked, and regained some of the land lost in the 3rd Syrian war. His efforts would not produce much gain however, and he returned back to his own lands defeated.
Ptolemy III invaded Syria with great success on behalf of his sister Berenice’s death which is known as the 3rd Syrian war, or the Laodicean war…
Ptolemy declared war on Laodice's newly crowned son, Seleucus II, in 246 BC, and campaigned with great success (his forces possibly being commanded by Xanthippus of Sparta, aka Xanthippus of Carthage, the mercenary general responsible for defeating a Roman army at Tunis/Bagrades in 255). He won major victories over Seleucus in Syria and Anatolia, briefly occupied Antioch and, as a recent cuneiform discovery proves, even reached Babylon. Wikipedia
In verse 8 it states that the king of the south shall continue more years than the king of the north, which is exactly what happened…
Ptolemy III reigned 246 BC–222 BC) was the third ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt.
Seleucus II was a ruler of the HellenisticSeleucid Empire, who reigned from 246 to 225 BC
Even though Seleucus was much younger than Ptolemy, he died 3 years earlier. Exactly as the bible states would happen.
9 “Also the king of the North shall come to the kingdom of the king of the South, but shall return to his own land.
In the interior of Asia Minor Seleucus maintained himself, and when Ptolemy returned to Egypt he recovered Northern Syria and the nearer provinces of Iran. Encyclopedia Britannica
When Ptolemy III turned his back and headed home with the spoils of war, Seleucus II attacked, and regained some of the land lost in the 3rd Syrian war. His efforts would not produce much gain however, and he returned back to his own lands defeated.
10 However his sons shall stir up strife, and assemble a multitude of great forces; and one shall certainly come and overwhelm and pass through; then he shall return to his fortress and stir up strife.
Seleucus II had two sons, Seleucus III and Antiochus III or, otherwise known as Antiochus the great.
Seleucus II was succeeded by his eldest son Seleucus III who did not live up to his name, he led a brief reign as king, and then was succeeded by his younger brother Antiochus III the great…
Seleucus took up the task of reconquering Pergamum in Asia Minor from a cousin, Attalus I. The first general whom he sent, Andromachus, was decisively defeated by Attalus and captured. Seleucus III then led an army across the Taurus himself. In Phrygia, however, he was assassinated. He was succeeded by his younger brother, Antiochus III the great.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Antiochus the great was much more successful than his older brother, and led the Seleucid empire on many successful campaigns…
Upon taking the Seleucid throne in 223 BC, Antiochus III (241–187 BC) set himself the task of restoring the lost imperial possessions of Seleucus I Nicator, which extended from Greco-Bactrian Kingdom to India in the east, the Hellespont in the north, and Syria in the south. By 221 BC, he had re-established Seleucid control over the eastern provinces and taken Anatolia back from his rebellious uncle Achaeus. The ambitious king turned his eyes toward Syria and Egypt. Egypt had been significantly weakened by court intrigue and public unrest. The rule of the newly inaugurated Ptolemy IV Philopator (reigned 221-204 BC) began with the murder of queen-mother Berenice II. The young king quickly fell under the absolute influence of imperial courtiers. His ministers used their absolute power in their own self-interest, to the people's great chagrin. Antiochus sought to take advantage of this chaotic situation. After an invasion in 221 BC failed to launch, he finally began the Fourth Syrian War in 219. He recaptured Seleucia Pieria as well as cities in Phoenicia, amongst them Tyre. Rather than promptly invading Egypt, Antiochus waited in Phoenicia for over a year, consolidating his new territories and listening to diplomatic proposals from the Ptolemaic kingdom. Wikipedia
It says in verse 10 that after battling the king of the south, the king of the north, Antiochus the great, would set his eyes on his own land and stir up strife…
10. then he shall return to his fortress and stir up strife.
In 221 BC Antiochus at last went east, and the rebellion of Molon and Alexander collapsed which Polybios attributes in part to his following the advice of Zeuxis rather than Hermeias. The submission of Lesser Media, which had asserted its independence under Artabazanes, followed. Antiochus rid himself of Hermeias by assassination and returned to Syria (220 BC). Meanwhile Achaeus himself had revolted and assumed the title of king in Asia Minor. Since, however, his power was not well enough grounded to allow an attack on Syria, Antiochus considered that he might leave Achaeus for the present and renew his attempt on Ptolemaic Syria. Wikipedia
11 “And the king of the South shall be moved with rage, and go out and fight with him, with the king of the North, who shall muster a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into the hand of his enemy.
While Antiochus the great was busy in his own lands, Ptolemy IV was busy gathering forces to regain what he had lost in the previous battles. The two met again in battle, but this time the outcome was much different…
Meanwhile, Ptolemy's minister Sosibius began recruiting and training an army. He recruited not only from the local Greek population, as Hellenistic armies generally were, but also from the native Egyptians, enrolling at least thirty thousand natives as phalangites. This innovation paid off, but it would eventually have dire consequences for Ptolemaic stability. In the summer of 217, Ptolemy engaged and defeated the long-delayed Antiochus in the Battle of Raphia, the largest battle since the Battle of Ipsus over eighty years earlier. Wikipedia
Seleucus II was succeeded by his eldest son Seleucus III who did not live up to his name, he led a brief reign as king, and then was succeeded by his younger brother Antiochus III the great…
Seleucus took up the task of reconquering Pergamum in Asia Minor from a cousin, Attalus I. The first general whom he sent, Andromachus, was decisively defeated by Attalus and captured. Seleucus III then led an army across the Taurus himself. In Phrygia, however, he was assassinated. He was succeeded by his younger brother, Antiochus III the great.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Antiochus the great was much more successful than his older brother, and led the Seleucid empire on many successful campaigns…
Upon taking the Seleucid throne in 223 BC, Antiochus III (241–187 BC) set himself the task of restoring the lost imperial possessions of Seleucus I Nicator, which extended from Greco-Bactrian Kingdom to India in the east, the Hellespont in the north, and Syria in the south. By 221 BC, he had re-established Seleucid control over the eastern provinces and taken Anatolia back from his rebellious uncle Achaeus. The ambitious king turned his eyes toward Syria and Egypt. Egypt had been significantly weakened by court intrigue and public unrest. The rule of the newly inaugurated Ptolemy IV Philopator (reigned 221-204 BC) began with the murder of queen-mother Berenice II. The young king quickly fell under the absolute influence of imperial courtiers. His ministers used their absolute power in their own self-interest, to the people's great chagrin. Antiochus sought to take advantage of this chaotic situation. After an invasion in 221 BC failed to launch, he finally began the Fourth Syrian War in 219. He recaptured Seleucia Pieria as well as cities in Phoenicia, amongst them Tyre. Rather than promptly invading Egypt, Antiochus waited in Phoenicia for over a year, consolidating his new territories and listening to diplomatic proposals from the Ptolemaic kingdom. Wikipedia
It says in verse 10 that after battling the king of the south, the king of the north, Antiochus the great, would set his eyes on his own land and stir up strife…
10. then he shall return to his fortress and stir up strife.
In 221 BC Antiochus at last went east, and the rebellion of Molon and Alexander collapsed which Polybios attributes in part to his following the advice of Zeuxis rather than Hermeias. The submission of Lesser Media, which had asserted its independence under Artabazanes, followed. Antiochus rid himself of Hermeias by assassination and returned to Syria (220 BC). Meanwhile Achaeus himself had revolted and assumed the title of king in Asia Minor. Since, however, his power was not well enough grounded to allow an attack on Syria, Antiochus considered that he might leave Achaeus for the present and renew his attempt on Ptolemaic Syria. Wikipedia
11 “And the king of the South shall be moved with rage, and go out and fight with him, with the king of the North, who shall muster a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into the hand of his enemy.
While Antiochus the great was busy in his own lands, Ptolemy IV was busy gathering forces to regain what he had lost in the previous battles. The two met again in battle, but this time the outcome was much different…
Meanwhile, Ptolemy's minister Sosibius began recruiting and training an army. He recruited not only from the local Greek population, as Hellenistic armies generally were, but also from the native Egyptians, enrolling at least thirty thousand natives as phalangites. This innovation paid off, but it would eventually have dire consequences for Ptolemaic stability. In the summer of 217, Ptolemy engaged and defeated the long-delayed Antiochus in the Battle of Raphia, the largest battle since the Battle of Ipsus over eighty years earlier. Wikipedia
12 When he has taken away the multitude, his heart will be lifted up; and he will cast down tens of thousands, but he will not prevail.
After Ptolemy IV was victorious against Seleucus III, his mercenary army revolted against him, and he found himself in battle in his own country. The Egyptians he had hired to fight in his battle with Seleucus had revolted, now being more confident after winning a war…
Great cruelty and treachery were displayed in the suppression of the native rebellion, and some accounts represent him as personally tyrannical. In 197 BCE Lycopolis was held by the forces of Ankmachis, also known as Chaonnophris the secessionist pharaoh of Upper Egypt, but was forced to withdraw to Thebes. The war between North and South continued until 185 BCE with the arrest of Ankmachis by Ptolemaic General Conanus. Wikipedia
13 For the king of the North will return and muster a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come at the end of some years with a great army and much equipment.
Its amazing how this verse is placed in its context. Something had happened in the Seleucid empire at this very same time that changed the coarse of history forever. There is now a new kid on the block now that is to be reckoned with, and that kid, is the Roman empire…
Great cruelty and treachery were displayed in the suppression of the native rebellion, and some accounts represent him as personally tyrannical. In 197 BCE Lycopolis was held by the forces of Ankmachis, also known as Chaonnophris the secessionist pharaoh of Upper Egypt, but was forced to withdraw to Thebes. The war between North and South continued until 185 BCE with the arrest of Ankmachis by Ptolemaic General Conanus. Wikipedia
13 For the king of the North will return and muster a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come at the end of some years with a great army and much equipment.
Its amazing how this verse is placed in its context. Something had happened in the Seleucid empire at this very same time that changed the coarse of history forever. There is now a new kid on the block now that is to be reckoned with, and that kid, is the Roman empire…
13 shall certainly come at the end of some years with a great army and much equipment.
Antiochus the greats son succeeded him upon his death, and Seleucus IV Philopator became the new king of the Seleucid empire. Because of the wars his father had lost to Rome, he inherited an enormous amount of debt…
He was compelled by financial necessities, created in part by the heavy war-indemnity exacted by Rome, to pursue an ambitious policy. In an effort to collect money to pay the Romans, he sent his minister Heliodorus to Jerusalem to seize the temple treasury. On his return, Heliodorus assassinated Seleucus, and seized the throne for himself.
Wikipedia
Now with Seleucus IV dead, Heliodorus took the throne in his place. But Seleucus had a son that should have taken his place upon his death. The only problem was, is that he was being held as ransom by the Romans until his father debt was paid. Then this happened…
The true heir Demetrius, son of Seleucus, was now being retained in Rome as a hostage, and the kingdom was seized by the younger brother of Seleucus, Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Antiochus managed to oust Heliodorus and an infant son of Seleucus, also named Antiochus, was formal head of state for a few years until Epiphanes had him murdered. Wikipedia
He was compelled by financial necessities, created in part by the heavy war-indemnity exacted by Rome, to pursue an ambitious policy. In an effort to collect money to pay the Romans, he sent his minister Heliodorus to Jerusalem to seize the temple treasury. On his return, Heliodorus assassinated Seleucus, and seized the throne for himself.
Wikipedia
Now with Seleucus IV dead, Heliodorus took the throne in his place. But Seleucus had a son that should have taken his place upon his death. The only problem was, is that he was being held as ransom by the Romans until his father debt was paid. Then this happened…
The true heir Demetrius, son of Seleucus, was now being retained in Rome as a hostage, and the kingdom was seized by the younger brother of Seleucus, Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Antiochus managed to oust Heliodorus and an infant son of Seleucus, also named Antiochus, was formal head of state for a few years until Epiphanes had him murdered. Wikipedia
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the honorable Antiochus Epiphanes…
...the one that this entire chapter in Daniel is supposed to be about, according to today’s teachers of coarse. But you will soon see that this is the one and only time this man is mentioned. Because from this point forward, there is a new king of the north, because the thighs of bronze are now replaced with the legs of iron.
Antiochus Epiphanes is now dead and gone, and it is now time for the reign of the Roman empire.
Antiochus Epiphanes is now dead and gone, and it is now time for the reign of the Roman empire.