Daniel 11 - Details on the Greek Conflict

Daniel 11 - Details on the Greek Conflict

Introduction

Daniel 11 marks the beginning of a vision that provides insights into future political and military events, often using symbolic language and historical references to convey its message. It reads like an accurate historical book, but this is a prophecy of the wars between the different empire within Greece itself, which happens 385 in future from King Cyrus time. It was so accurate that some critiques claim that this chapter was written after all these wars had happened, thought they have no proof.

Verse 1 is a continued conversation of the angel's speech in Daniel 10:21. We can read it this way: "But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince. And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him." (Daniel 10:21, 11:1)

The angel was telling Daniel that he has been supporting the kingdom of Persia since the first year of Darius the Mede. However, the vision Daniel was receiving is in the 3rd year of Cyrus, as he reported in Daniel 10:1.  (Check Daniel 5 blog that explains who is Darius the Mede)

The angel revealed to Daniel the following:

v2: Persian Kingdom

There will be 4 Persian kings that will arise after Cyrus (550-530 BC). The 4th king will be richer than the rest (v2).  Note that the angel is not saying that there will be ONLY 4 Persian Kings, for there are more than 4 of them in  secular history. These four that Gabriel said are identified as Cambyses II, Bardiya, Darius Hystaspes (Darius 1 The Great), and Xerxes I.  (Read the appendix for details about these 4 kings)

Xerxes (or Ahasuerus) was the riches of all of them, as prophesied by the angel: "and a fourth shall be far richer than all of them." (v2). Xerxes who reigned from  485-465 BC, was the one who forced Esther to marry him among his many wives. Esther thwart the plot of Haman, an official in the king's court, to wipe out the Jews. 

Esther 1:1-4 said "Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces... The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him, while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days."

The angel also said that "he (Xerxes) shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece." (v2). In secular history, it was said that: 

"He (Xerxes) invaded Greece with an army, it is said, of more than 2,000,000 soldiers, only 5,000 of whom returned with him. Leonidas, with his famous 300, arrested his progress at the Pass of Thermopylae, and then he was defeated disastrously by Themistocles at Salamis. It was after his return from this invasion that Esther was chosen as his queen."  (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

v3-5: Greek Kingdom - Alexandra The Great

In v3, the angel said: "Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and do as he wills."

This "mighty king" that came was Alexandra the Great (336–323 BC) from the Greek kingdom. He started reigning when we was 20 years old.  He defeated Darius III in Issus in 333 BC, and in Gaugamela in 331 BC. This was considered the end of the Persian empire. (* See Appendix)

There was a story told by Josephus, that when Alexandra's army approach Jerusalem, Alexandra spared the city for he had a dream about the city, about the high priests, and was told not to harm them. The priests took him to the temple, and Alexandra sacrifice an animal according to the Jewish law. The book of Daniel was shown to him, and he read that this passage in verse 3, and he assumed that he is the one that the angel had spoken. He left Jerusalem peacefully.  (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, book XI, chapter 8)

The angel added that Alexandra's kingdom will be divided into 4 generals, and not to his descendants. The general who controls the South, Ptolemy I Soter, who ruled over Egypt, became strong. After some years, the South kingdom will ally with the North kingdom, under Seleucus I Nicator, who ruled over Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia. The two states will constantly fight over 130 years to win Israel to their territory.  

v6-20: Battles between North and South

The king of the South (Ptolemy II) proposed to ally with the North, by giving his daughter (Berenice) as wife of the Northern king, Antiochus II. However, this will not last. The moment Ptolemy II died, Antiochus II ditch Berenice and took back his former wife, Laodice. 

The angel said "... but she (Berenice) will not retain her power, and he (Antiochus II) and his power a will not last.  In those days she will be betrayed, together with her royal escort and her father and the one who supported her." (v6b) In secular history, it was said the Laodice killed her own husband, Antiochus II, and Berenice and her attendants.  Laodice put her own son (Seleucus II) on the throne.

The angel continued to say that one from Berenice family line will attack the Northern kingdom and enter its fortress and was victorious. He carried all the articles of silver and gold back to Egypt. Then he left the North alone. (v7, 8)) 

This king who attacked the North was Ptolemy III. Avenging the murder of his sister Berenice, Ptolemy III invaded Syria and defeated Seleucus II. 

Later on, the King of the North (Seleucus II) attacked the South (Ptolemy III), but had to retreat to his country. However, his sons continued to war with a great army and carried the battle all the way to the fortress. The sons of Seleucus II were Seleucus III and Antiochus II.  (v9,10)

However, the South won this battle and slaughter thousands of enemy's soldiers. This was fulfilled when Antiochus III was defeated at the battle of Raphia. Because of that loss he was forced to give back dominion over the Holy Land to Ptolemy IV. (v10,12)

But the South's victory will not remain triumphant, for the North will attack again several years later with an army larger than the previous ones. During that time, the Jews rebelled against Ptolemy IV as they resented his rule, but they were unable to win by themselves. (v13,14) 

The North army set up a siege ramps and captured the "fortified city" (Jerusalem), with help from the Jews. The South was not able to stand against them and lost the city. The invader has total control over the Jerusalem and have the power to do whatever he wants, including the will to destroy the city. (v15,16)

This "invader" who took away Jerusalem from the South was Antiochus III. The Jews initially welcomed him as a liberator, but later he turned against the "Beautiful Land" and its people.

Antiochus III tried to overthrow the South using a false truce, by giving his own daughter (Cleopatra) as a wife to Ptolemy V of Egypt, hoping that she will influence him and eventually control Egypt. However, the angel said he will not succeed.  (v17) The reason is that Cleopatra was not faithful to her husband at all. (Note this is not the famous Cleopatra, who lived in the future during Julius Caeser's time. (See Q&A to know about the famous Cleopatra)

Thereafter, Antiochus III turn towards the coast and captured most of the cities. However, his commander stopped him. (v18, 19). This was fulfilled when Antiochus turned his attention towards the areas of Asia Minor and Greece. He was helped by Hannibal, the famous general from Carthage. But a Roman General, Lucius Cornelius Scipio, defeated Antiochus in Greece. He returned to his own land, having lost all that he gained and died shortly after. 

Antiochus was replaced by his eldest son, Seleucus III, who sent out tax collectors to ensure riches for the himself. However he died few years later "not in anger or in battle." In other words he was assassinated by his brother Antiochus IV, who was said to be a "contemptible person who has not been given the honor of royalty" .  (v20,21). This is the Antiochus Epiphanes which we discussed in chapter 8.

v22 - 35: Antiochus IV Epiphanes

The angel said that Antiochus is a deceiver. He make allies and with other kingdom and when they trust him and felt secure, he will betray them and wipe out all their armies, and appoint those who support him into power. What he did was do dishonorable that even his own fathers and forefathers had never done before. He distributes his plunder among his followers. (v21b-24)

Antiochus set a large army and attacked the South (Egypt), which happened in 169 BC.  Egypt had a large and powerful army and he were unable to enter. Even his own army is rebelling against him - "plots devised against him...those who eat from the king's position will try to destroy him..." (v25). The two kings, whom are both evil,  negotiated on the same table but lied to each other. Furthermore, the Romans intervened and asked Antiochus to withdraw. He finally went back to his own country with great wealth (probably from other cities that he conquered). However, he has his eye on Jerusalem and will create a plan for it.  (v26-28)  (*See Q&A regarding the Romans' assistance to the South kingdom)

However, Antiochus attacked Egypt again in 164 BC. The angel said that "Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant." (NIV v30)

In ESV and NKJ both provides the place of the ships that defended Egypt came from, which is Kittim or Cyprus, i.e. from the Roman navy. As a result, Antiochus withdrew. He was so frustrated at his failure and went to Jerusalem to vent his anger. He abolish the daily sacrifice, and killed a pig in the temple ("... the abomination that causes desolation" v31.) He reward those who violate God's covenant with flattery, but killed those who rebelled against him ("-- by sword or flame, by captivity and plunder. v33). 

The angel said those "wise" men that was killed ",,, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time." (v35) Those who were faithful to the covenant will be purified and will be made spotless until the time of the end. (See Q&A regarding where the faithful Jews will go before Christ came.)

In his attack on Jerusalem Antiochus IV is said to have killed 80,000 Jews, taken 40,000 more as prisoners, and sold another 40,000 as slaves. He also plundered the temple, robbing it of approximately $1 billion by modern calculations.

v36-45: History or Prophecy?

From verse 36 onwards, there are unsolved debates whether the "king" (of the North) refers to Antiochus IV or the antichrist, i.e. the Antiochus equivalent of the future. Some historians said that the story told in these last passages did not correspond to Antiochus IV or other kings after him. It would be challenging to match this with the time of ancient Greece empire. Also, the description of this king doesn't seem to match Antiochus IV who forces people to worship the Greek gods, but in this passage it says the king did not worship any gods of his ancestors. 

In support of this being a prophecy, Jesus did specifically say the real abomination of desolation was still in the future (Matthew 24:15). The Apostle Paul paraphrased Daniel 11:36 in reference to the coming Antichrist: "... the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

So either way is still possible. For now, I'll take the neutral ground and won't name this king as the ancient Greek king or as the antichrist. 

The angel describe this "king"  will do as he pleases, and magnify himself above all gods and insults the God of gods. He will not worship the gods of his ancestors nor the "one desired by women." (v37)  The phrase "one desired by women" are interpreted by theologians to be Jesus himself, by assuming "desire" as how Haggai used it in 2:7 - "...and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations", referring to Christ. Others say the king is homosexual and has no desire for women. 

Instead, he will honor the god of fortresses with gold, silver, precious stones and costly gifts, meaning that the king worships wealth, power and military might. (v38) He will attack the mightiest fortress with the help of a foreign god.  This could be referring to the attack on Jerusalem and the foreign god may be referring to Satan himself.  He rewards those who follow him by distributing land to them.   (v38-39) 

In verse 40, the angel said the king of the South will engage this king of the North in battle. The North will attack with chariots and calvary together with a great fleet of ships and defeat Egypt and took their treasures. In that war, the king will also invade Israel. Libyans, and Cushites (Ethiopians) will submit to (or follow) him. Edom, Moan and Ammon will be spared. 

If this is speaking about the future, the representation may not be the same as early verses. It seems the North king may either be the antichrist domain, or could be Russia. 

In Ezekiel 38:15 (NKJV), it says “Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.”  Theologians are assuming that Gog is a powerful Russian leader. 

We have no idea why Libya and Ethiopia was or will be involved in the war, be it in the past or in the future. Edom, Moab and Ammon were ancient cities in Jordan, and it appears they will escape from the king of the North. 

The angel continued to say that reports from the east and the north will alarm the king. We do not know what kind of news he received. The east are usually interpreted as China. The north is Russia itself, or based on world map, it could also be Europe, specifically Rome. (v44) Perhaps his own country is being attacked by these countries. 

Finally, the angel concluded by saying the The King of the North will "pitch his royal tents" (HQ) between the seas (Mediterranean Sea and Dead Sea) at the "beautiful holy mountain" (Mount Zion). Yet he will come to an end and no one will help him. (v45)

Verses 36-45 is difficult to interpret. While they can't find a "King of the North" that did this, it is also hard to understand why the antichrist or Russia will war against Egypt. which was not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible. Some theologians said that the names could be symbolic and not literal. We will never know this until the event happen. 

Appendix

1. Details About the 4 Kings

There may be some confusion here, as there were 3 persons in Daniel who were called Ahasuerus, which is the Hebrew name. In Greek, Ahasuerus is identical to Xerxes.  

The first Ahasuerus was the father of Darius the Mede in Chapter 9:1 "In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans,"  This was probably the Cyaxares I known in secular history, the king of Media and the conqueror of Nineveh.

The second was Cambyses II (530-522 BC), the king mentioned in Ezra 4:6, the son and successor of Cyrus. It was this king that the Samaritans wrote to, in order to stop the Jews from building the temple.  

Bardiya (522 BC), another son of Cyrus, took over Cambyses after his death, but he was accused to be an impostor whose real name was Gaumata. He only ruled for 1 year before Darius 1 overthrew him and became the king (522-486 BC). Darius I was the personal spear bearer of Cambyses II. Bardiya was not mentioned in the scriptures. 

The third Ahasuerus was Xerxes, the son of Darius 1.  He reigned for twenty-one years (B.C. 485-465)  He ruled over Persia, Media, and Babylonia and was the riches of the 4 kings. He was the king in the Book of Esther.  

2. End of Persian Empire

The same year Darius III became King of Persia, Philip of Macedon invaded Asia Minor and “liberated” a number of Greek cities in the region. Following Philip’s assassination, his son, Alexander the Great, renewed the campaign after a short pause in 334 BC. Darius III hoped that the local satraps could deal with Alexander while he fomented rebellion in Greece and used the Persian fleet to cut Alexander’s supplies. When this failed Darius faced Alexander in battle at Issus in 333 BC, and Gaugamela in 331 BC, and was disastrously defeated on both occasions. Having twice precipitously fled the battlefield, Darius III was betrayed and killed by his remaining satraps..." 

https://www.thecollector.com/kings-of-persia/

3. Who is the famous Cleopatra? 

Antiochus daughter, whom he gave to the Egypt King Ptolemy V, was also named Cleopatra. However she is not the famous Cleopatra, often seen in plays or movies about Julius Caesar. 

Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator, known as Cleopatra, was the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. She reigned from 51 to 30 BC. She was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty and a descendant of its founder Ptolemy I Soter, a Macedonian Greek general and companion of Alexander the Great1.

Cleopatra was known for her intelligence, beauty, and charm. She used these attributes to form alliances with the Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. After the death of her father, Ptolemy XII, in 51 BC, she ruled successively with her two brothers Ptolemy XIII (51–47) and Ptolemy XIV (47–44) and her son Ptolemy XV Caesar (44–30).

After the Roman armies of Octavian (the future emperor Augustus) defeated their combined forces, Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide, and Egypt fell under Roman domination. Her death marked the end of the Ptolemaic Kingdom and the beginning of Egypt as a province of the Roman Empire

4. Romans' assistance to the South kingdom of Greece.  (v26)

Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the king of the Seleucid Empire, invaded Egypt twice between 169 and 164 BC. The invading army even approached the outskirts of the capital city of Alexandria. The Egyptian king was then Ptolemy VI, whom Antiochus deceived and then defeated. Despite these initial successes, Antiochus IV’s invasions ultimately did not result in a lasting victory. The Roman intervention played a crucial role in assisting Ptolemy VI to regain control.

The Roman general who asked Antiochus IV to surrender was Gaius Popillius Laenas. He was a Roman statesman and one of the ambassadors sent to Egypt in 168 BCE to force Antiochus to withdraw. When Antiochus IV Epiphanes was about to conquer Egypt, Popillius Laenas delivered the ultimatum from the Roman Senate, demanding that Antiochus withdraw or face war with Rome. This event is famously known as the "Day of Eleusis", the name of the place where the ultimatum was given to Antiochus. 

5. Where will the righteous men of the old testament time go after they die? (v35)

Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, explains that people who died before the resurrection of Jesus Christ went to “Hades”. He refers to a story Jesus told about two men who died - one named Lazarus (a godly man) and another (an ungodly man). They went into the afterlife — Lazarus went to a place of comfort, while the ungodly man went to a place of torment. When people died in the Old Testament believing in the coming Messiah, they went into this place of comfort, as Jesus said, in Abraham’s bosom.

Matt Slick, President and Founder of the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry, said that people before Christ’s time were also saved by faith. “The people of the Old Testament time looked forward to the coming Messiah. They trusted God according to the knowledge that they had — as would all people everywhere who were to have faith in God,” Slick explained.

These interpretations suggest that those who died before Jesus were saved by their faith and went to a place of comfort (often referred to as “Abraham’s bosom”) until the resurrection of Jesus Christ. After the resurrection, according to these interpretations, the occupants of the comfort sections of Hades went into the presence of God.

6. Variance in Translation of Verse 8b. 

In NIV and ESV, verse 8b said: "For some years he will leave the king of the North alone." This is referring to Ptolemy III king of the South. This verse seems to say the South stop attacking the North for a while. 

However, in NKJ version, verse 8 said "... and he shall continue more years than the king of the North." This instead say that Ptolemy lived a longer life than Seluecus II. This is also historically true, as Ptolemy III lived four years past Seleucus II.