Key: Dan.4:17, 25; Ps. 22:28

The Conflicts between the Kings of the South and of the North, the Ptolemies and Seleucidæ—Antiochus Epiphanes. Dan. 11:5- 45.

1. 11:29 “At the time appointed— “the time” spoken of in v. 27. he shall return—his second open invasion of Egypt. Ptolemy Philometor, suspecting Antiochus’s designs with Physcon, hired mercenaries from Greece. Whereupon Antiochus advanced with a fleet and an army, demanding the cession to him of Cyprus, Pelusium, and the country adjoining the Pelusiao mouth of the Nile. but it shall not be as the former-not successful as the former expedition. Popilius Lœnas, the Roman ambassador, met him at Eleusis, four miles from Alexandria, and presented him the decree of the senate: on Antiochus replying that he would consider what he was to do, Popilius drew a line round him with a rod, and said, I must have a reply to give to the senate before you leave this circle. Antiochus submitted, and retired from Egypt” Fausset A. R.
2. 11:30 “For the ships of Chittim shall come against him—the Roman ambassadors arriving in Macedonian-Grecian vessels (see note, Jer. 2:10). Chittim means properly Cyprians, so called from a Phœnician colony in Cyprus: then the term came to be applied to the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean in general. Therefore, he shall be grieved—he shall be humbled and dispirited through fear of Rome and return and have indignation against the holy covenant—indignant that meantime God’s worship has been restored at Jerusalem, he gives vent to his wrath at the check given him by Rome on the Jews. He shall even return and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant—viz., with the apostates in the nation (1 Macc. 1:11–15). Menelaus and other Jews instigated the king against their religion and country.” Fausset A. R. “He came against Jerusalem and took it by storm, slew 40, 000 Jews and sold many as slaves. He boiled swine’s flesh and sprinkles the broth in the temple and on the alter’ broke into the holy of holies and took away golden vessels and other tressures. Mach. 1:24, made Philip, a Phrygian as governor 2 Macc. 5:24. Antiochus went into the most holy temple, Menelaus, that traitor to the laws and to his own country, being his guide. He took away Jewish worship and consecrated the temple to Jupiter Olympious 2Macc. 6:2. He offered swine upon the alter and made the temple desolate of divine worship v. 30-31 1 Macc. 1:44-50. V. 31. He cut off daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation.” Dake F. J.
3. 11:32. He persecuted those who retained their integrity. Though there are many who forsake the covenant and do wickedly against it, every one that forsook the law’). shall he corrupt—seduce to apostasy. by flatteries—promises of favour. but the people that do know their God shall be strong—the Maccabees and their followers (1 Macc. 1:62, 63, Wherefore they chose rather to die, that they might not be defiled with meats, and that they might not profane the holy covenant: so then they died’). Judas, son of the Jewish patriot Mattathias, took, as the motto of his standard, Ex. 15:11, “Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods. The mother and her seven sons were put to death for adhering to their religion, 2 Mac. 7.And it was by faith, by being strong in faith, that they did those exploits, that they were tortured, not accepting deliverance, as the apostle speaks, probably with reference to that story, Heb. 11:35 M. Henry.