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“As for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him.
Verse 1. Confirmed. Gabriel assisted Michael to comply with God’s orders. Calmet. 10:21. Calmet.—The angel continues his speech, and informs us that he had prayed for Darius after the fall of Babylon, seeing that he was well-inclined towards the Jews, as his successor Cyrus (who liberated them) was also. Worthington.
“Now I will show you the truth. Behold, three more kings will stand up in Persia. The fourth will be far richer than all of them. When he has grown strong through his riches, he will stir up all against the realm of Greece.
Verse 2. Three, and so forth Cambyses, Smerdis magus, and Darius the son of Hystaspes. Challoner. Worthington.—Cyrus had been mentioned before. Calmet. 10:13. 20. Smerdis, or Artaxerxes, (1 Ezra 4:7) was the chief of the seven magi, and usurped the throne for six months after the death of Cambyses. Calmet.—He had been declared king before ( Bible.) by Patizites, his own brother. The news excited the fury of Cambyses, who mounting on horseback gave himself a mortal wound in the thigh. Herod. iii. 21. See Ezekiel 38:21. Bible.—Fourth: Xerxes. Challoner.—He invaded Greece with an immense army, forcing those on the road to join him. Just. i. 10. Herod. vii. and viii. Calmet.
A mighty king will stand up who will rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.
Verse 3. A strong king: Alexander. Challoner.—The sequel clearly points him out. Before fifteen years had elapsed, his mother, brother, and children were slain. Arideus, his brother, was declared regent till it should be seen what Rozanna should bring forth. After the death of those who might be heirs of Alexander, four general took the title of kings. Others governed in different places, but were destroyed by degrees.
When he stands up, his kingdom will be broken, and will be divided toward the four winds of the sky, but not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom will be plucked up, even for others besides these.
Verse 4. These four; Ptolemy, Seleucus, Antigonus, and Antipater, kings of Egypt, Syria, Asia, and Greece. Calmet. 7:6 and 8:22. Besides the other generals, ( Calmet.) foreigners began to erect new kingdoms in what had formed the empire of Alexander. Saint Jerome Livy xlv. Calmet.
“The king of the south will be strong. One of his princes will become stronger than him and have dominion. His dominion will be a great dominion.
Verse 5. South: Ptolemeus, the son of Lagus, king of Egypt, which lies south of Jerusalem. Challoner.—S. Irenæus (iv. 43.) observes, that all prophecies are obscure till they be fulfilled. History shews that this relates to Ptolemy. The kingdoms of Egypt and of Syria are more noticed, as they had much to do with the Jews. Worthington.—Ptolemy took Cyprus ( Calmet.) and Jerusalem. Jos. Ant. xii. 12.—His princes (that is, one of Alexander’s princes) shall prevail over him; that is, shall be stronger than the king of Egypt. He speaks of Seleucus Nicator, king of Asia and Syria, whose successors are here called the kings of the north, because their dominions lay to the north in respect to Jerusalem. Challoner.—Nicator means a “conqueror.” Bible.—This king was master of all from Media and Babylonia to Jerusalem. Appian, and so forth Calmet.—Philadelphus was more powerful than his father. Worthington.
At the end of years they will join themselves together. The daughter of the king of the south will come to the king of the north to make an agreement, but she will not retain the strength of her arm. He will also not stand, nor will his arm; but she will be given up, with those who brought her and he who became her father, and he who strengthened her in those times.
Verse 6. South. Bernice, daughter of Ptolemeus Philadelphus, given in marriage to Antiochus Theos, grandson of Seleucus, ( Challoner.) and king of Syria. She brought a great “dowry,” and was therefore styled Phernophoros. Antiochus agreed to repudiate Laodicea; but he soon took her back. Fearing his inconstancy, she poisoned him, and slew his son by Bernice. This lady in a rage mounted her chariot, and having knocked down the cruel minister of such barbarity, trampled upon his body. The rest pretended that the infant was still living, and delivered up a part of the palace to Bernice, yet slew her as soon as they had an opportunity. Saint Jerome Usher, A. 3758. V. Max. ix. 10. and so forth Calmet.
“But out of a shoot from her roots one will stand up in his place who will come to the army and will enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and will deal against them and will prevail.
Verse 7. A plant, and so forth Ptolemeus Evergetes, the son of Philadelphus. Challoner.—Three of Bernice’s maids of honour ( Bible.) covered her body, and pretended that she was only wounded, till her brother Evergetes came and seized almost all Asia, Callinicus not daring to give him battle. Saint Jerome and so forth Vaillant. A. 79. Lagid. Calmet.—He laid waste Syria. Worthington.
He will also carry their gods, with their molten images and their precious vessels of silver and of gold, captive into Egypt. He will refrain some years from the king of the north.
Verse 8. Gods. He took back what Cambyses had conveyed out of Egypt; and it was on this account that the people styled him “benefactor.” Saint Jerome Calmet.—North. Seleucus Callinicus. Challoner.—If Evergetes had not been recalled into Egypt by civil broils, he would have seized all the kingdom of Seleucus. Just. xvii.—As he passed by Jerusalem (verse 9) he made great presents, and caused victims of thanksgiving to be offered up. Jos. c. Ap. ii.
He will come into the realm of the king of the south, but he will return into his own land.
His sons will wage war and will assemble a multitude of great forces which will keep coming and overflow and pass through. They will return and wage war, even to his fortress.
Verse 10. His sons. Seleucus Ceraunius and Antiochus the great, the sons of Callinicus. Challoner.—The former was poisoned after three years’ reign, as he marched against Attalus. Just. xxix.—Antiochus the great reconquered many provinces from Egypt, but was beaten at Raphia, on the confines, and lost Cœlo-syria. Calmet.—He shall, and so forth Antiochus the great. Challoner.—He prosecuted the war, as his brother was prevented by death. Worthington.
“The king of the south will be moved with anger and will come out and fight with him, even with the king of the north. He will send out a great multitude, and the multitude will be given into his hand.
Verse 11. South. Ptolemeus Philopator, son of Evergetes. Challoner.—He was an indolent prince; but his generals gained the victory. Calmet.
The multitude will be lifted up, and his heart will be exalted. He will cast down tens of thousands, but he won’t prevail.
Verse 12. Prevail. Many fell on both sides. Bible.—But Antiochus did not prevail; ( Worthington.) or rather Philopator neglected the opportunity of dethroning his rival, ( Calmet.) as he might have seized all his dominions, if he had not been too fond of ease. Just. xxx.—He followed the suggestions of his proud heart, when he attempted to enter the most holy place of the temple; and though he was visibly chastised by God, he would have vented his resentment on the Jews, if Providence had not miraculously protected them. 3 Mac. Calmet. See Sirach 50. Bible.
The king of the north will return, and will send out a multitude greater than the former. He will come on at the end of the times, even of years, with a great army and with abundant supplies.
Verse 13. Times, seventeen years after the battle of Raphia. When Philopator was dead, and his son Epiphanes not above five years old, Antiochus and Philip of Macedon basely attempted to divide his dominions. Scopas engaged Antiochus, but lost the battle, and all that Philopator had recovered. Calmet.—Many revolted in Egypt on account of the arrogance of Agathocles, who ruled in the king’s name. verse 14. Saint Jerome
“In those times many will stand up against the king of the south. Also the children of the violent among your people will lift themselves up to establish the vision; but they will fall.
Verse 14. Vision. Many Jews, deceived by Onias, erected a temple in Egypt, falsely asserting that they fulfilled the prophecy of Isaias, 19:19. Worthington.—This Onias was the son of Onias III. who was slain at Antioch. Calmet. 9:25. Bible.—The temple of Onion was called after him. All allow that he transgressed the law, by offering sacrifice there after God had pitched upon Jerusalem. But this was done ( Calmet.) under Philometor, forty-seven years (Usher) or longer after those times, when Epiphanes fought against Antiochus. The rebellion of the Jews against Egypt may therefore be meant. It was decreed that they should by under Antiochus, that his son might cause them to fall, ( Calmet.) and punish them for their crimes. Bible.
So the king of the north will come and cast up a mound, and take a well-fortified city. The forces of the south won’t stand, neither will his chosen people, neither will there be any strength to stand.
Verse 15. Cities; Sidon, Gaza, and the citadel of Jerusalem, and so forth Calmet.
But he who comes against him will do according to his own will, and no one will stand before him. He will stand in the glorious land, and destruction will be in his hand.
Verse 16. Upon him. Antiochus shall come upon the king of the south.—Land: Judea. Challoner.—Consumed, or “perfected.” Antiochus was very favourable to the Jews; ( Calmet.) invited all to return to Jerusalem, and furnished what was requisite for the sacrifices. Jos. Ant. xii. 3.
He will set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and with him equitable conditions. He will perform them. He will give him the daughter of women to corrupt her; but she will not stand, and won’t be for him.
Verse 17. Kingdom, that is all the kingdom of Ptolemeus Epiphanes, son of Philopator. Challoner.—The Romans interrupted Antiochus, who resolved to lull the young prince asleep, till he had subdued these enemies. Calmet.—Of women. That is, a most beautiful woman, that is his daughter Cleopatra.—It, that is the kingdom of Epiphanes; but his policy shall not succeed; for Cleopatra shall take more to heart the interest of her husband than that of her father. Challoner.—He came with her to Raphia, and gave her Judea, and so forth for her dowry, reserving half of the revenues. Hebrew and Greek have, “to corrupt her;” ( Calmet.) Vulg. eam; as he wished his daughter to act perfidiously, that he might seize the whole kingdom. Bible.—Epiphanes and his generals were on their guard, and Cleopatra took part with her husband. Saint Jerome
After this he will turn his face to the islands, and will take many; but a prince will cause the reproach offered by him to cease. Yes, moreover, he will cause his reproach to turn on him.
Verse 18. Islands, near Asia. He also went into Greece, and was master of that country when the Romans declared war against him. Calmet.—Of his reproach. Scipio, the Roman general, called the prince of his reproach, because he overthrew Antiochus, and obliged him to submit to very dishonourable terms, before he would cease from the war. Challoner.—Prot. “for 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.” Bible.—Being defeated at Magnesia, he chose the wisest plan of avoiding fresh reproach, by making peace, though ( Calmet.) the terms were very hard. Livy xxxvii.—He jokingly observed, that he was obliged to the Romans for contracting his dominions. Cic. pro Dejot.
Then he will turn his face toward the fortresses of his own land; but he will stumble and fall, and won’t be found.
Verse 19. Found. Antiochus plundered the temple of the Elymaites to procure money; but they, (Saint Jerome) or the neighbouring barbarous nations, rose up and slew him. Just. xxxii.
“Then one who will cause a tax collector to pass through the kingdom to maintain its glory will stand up in his place; but within a few days he shall be destroyed, not in anger, and not in battle.
Verse 20. One more vile. Seleucus Philopator, who sent Heliodorus to plunder the temple; and was shortly after slain by the same Heliodorus. Challoner.—He reigned about twelve years; and had sent his own son, Demetrius, to be a hostage at Rome instead of Epiphanes, whom he designed to place at the head of an army to invade Egypt. Hebrew “one who shall cause the exactor to pass over the glory of the kingdom,” the temple. 2 Maccabees 3. Calmet.
“In his place, a contemptible person will stand up, to whom they had not given the honor of the kingdom; but he will come in a time of security, and will obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
Verse 21. One despised; that is Antiochus Epiphanes, who at first was despised and not received for king. What is here said of this prince, is accommodated by S. Jerom and others to antichrist, of whom this Antiochus was a figure. Challoner.—He lived and died basely; as the origin and end of antichrist will be ignominious. Worthington.—All that follows, to the end of Calmet. 12 regards Epiphanes. He had no title to the crown, which he procured by cunning, and held in the most shameful manner. He canvassed for the lowest offices, so that many styled him Epimanes, “the madman.” Diod. in Valesius, p. 305. Calmet.
The overwhelming forces will be overwhelmed from before him, and will be broken. Yes, also the prince of the covenant.
Verse 22. Fighter. That is, of them that shall oppose him, and shall fight against him. Challoner.—Heliodorus, who had murdered his brother and usurped the throne, and Ptolemy Epiphanes, were discomfited. The latter was making preparations against Seleucus, and said that his riches were in the purses of his friends, upon which they poisoned him. Saint Jerome Calmet.—Covenant, or of the league. The chief of them that conspired against him; or the king of Egypt, his most powerful adversary. Challoner.—This title belongs to antichrist, who will join the Jews, and be received as their Messias. Saint Irenaeus verse 25. Saint Jerome and so forth John 543. Worthington.
After the treaty is made with him, he will work deceitfully; for he will come up, and will become strong with a small people.
Verse 23. People. Ephiphanes pretended to be tutor of Philometor. But the nobles of Egypt distrusted him; whereupon he came to a battle, near Pelusium, and the young king surrendered himself. His uncle thus took possession of Egypt with surprising facility. Yet the people of Alexandria crowned Evergetes, which occasioned a civil war. Calmet.
In a time of security, he will come even on the fattest places of the province. He will do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers. He will scatter among them prey, plunder, and substance. Yes, he will devise his plans against the strongholds, even for a time.
Verse 24. Places. Theodot. reads, “Egypt,” omitting the b, ( Bible.) which gives a good sense.— Calmet.
“He will stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south will wage war in battle with an exceedingly great and mighty army; but he won’t stand, for they will devise plans against him.
Verse 25. The king. Ptolemeus Philometor. Challoner.—Epiphanes came under the pretext of restoring Philometor, and gained a victory over Evergetes; but returned in Syria, that the two brothers might weaken each other, ( Calmet.) while the Syrians formed designs against both. Bible.
Yes, those who eat of his delicacies will destroy him, and his army will be swept away. Many will fall down slain.
Verse 26. Slain. This was the perfidious policy of Epiphanes, who expected that the two brothers would destroy each other, so that he might easily seize Egypt, of which he kept the key, retaining the city of Pelusium. They were however reconciled, and reigned together. The Scripture often represents that as done which is only intended.
As for both these kings, their hearts will be to do mischief, and they will speak lies at one table; but it won’t prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time.
Verse 27. Two kings: Epiphanes and Philometor.—Time. Epiphanes, vexed that he should thus be duped, returned again into Egypt. verse 29.
Then he will return into his land with great wealth. His heart will be against the holy covenant. He will take action and return to his own land.
Verse 28. Riches, taken in Egypt ( Calmet.) and in Jerusalem. Bible.—The people had refused to receive Jason; and Epiphanes treated them in the most barbarous manner, profaned the temple, &chapter 1 Maccabees 1:23 and 2 Maccabees 6:21. Calmet.
“He will return at the appointed time and come into the south; but it won’t be in the latter time as it was in the former.
For ships of Kittim will come against him. Therefore he will be grieved, and will return, and have indignation against the holy covenant, and will take action. He will even return, and have regard to those who forsake the holy covenant.
Verse 30. Galleys. Hebrew “ships of Chittim.” Bible.—The ambassadors probably came in vessels belonging to Macedonia, ( Calmet.) which they found at Delos. Livy xliv.—Romans. Popilius and the other Roman ambassadors, who came in galleys, and obliged him to depart from Egypt. Challoner.—He was only four or seven miles from Alexandria, and went to meet the ambassadors, who gave him the senate’s letter, ordering him to desist from the war. He said he would consult his friends: but Popilius formed a circle round him with his wand, requiring an answer before he went out of it. Hereupon the king withdrew his forces. Polyb. xcii. V. Max. vi. 4.—Succeed. Apollonius massacred many Jews on the sabbath. 1 Maccabees 1:30.—Against. Hebrew “respecting.” Prot. “have intelligence with them,” and so forth Bible.—These wretches prompted him to make such edicts, for he was attached to no religion. 2 Maccabees 4:9.
“Forces will stand on his part and they will profane the sanctuary, even the fortress, and will take away the continual burnt offering. Then they will set up the abomination that makes desolate.
Verse 31. Arms, (brachia) or strong men, Apollonius, Philip, and so forth (2 Maccabees 6) and likewise the senator from Antioch, who executed his decrees. Calmet.—Abomination. The idol of Jupiter Olympius, which Antiochus ordered to be set up in the sanctuary of the temple, which is here called the sanctuary of strength, from the Almighty that was worshipped there. Challoner.—Other idols were set up, and the people were compelled to sacrifice. Calmet.—Yet even in the hottest persecutions some remained faithful. Worthington.
He will corrupt those who do wickedly against the covenant by flatteries; but the people who know their God will be strong and take action.
Verse 32. Dissemble. Thus acted the officers and apostate Jews.—Know. Such were the Assideans, Eleazar, and the Machabees.
“Those who are wise among the people will instruct many; yet they will fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder, many days.
Verse 33. Learned; the priests, Matthathias, and so forth Malachi 2:7.
Now when they fall, they will be helped with a little help; but many will join themselves to them with flatteries.
Verse 34. Help. The victories of the Machabees were miraculous.—Deceitfully, like those who took the spoils of idols, and were slain. Hebrew may imply, “secretly.” Calmet.
Some of those who are wise will fall, to refine them, and to purify, and to make them white, even to the time of the end; because it is yet for the appointed time.
Verse 35. Fall, or became martyrs. Bible.—Such were Eleazar, and so forth Calmet.—Another time, after death; ( Bible.) or the perfect deliverance shall take place later, verse 27.
“The king will do according to his will. He will exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and will speak marvelous things against the God of gods. He will prosper until the indignation is accomplished; for what is determined will be done.
Verse 36. Every god. “He plundered many ( Calmet. or most; πλειστα. Bible.) temples.” Polyb. Athen. verse 6.—The Samaritans, and even the priests of the Lord, obeyed the impious decree; so that the king looked upon himself as a sort of god.—Accomplished against the Jews, when Epiphanes shall be punished.
He won’t regard the gods of his fathers, or the desire of women, or regard any god; for he will magnify himself above all.
Verse 37. God. He laughed at religion, yet sometimes offered splendid presents and victims, which shewed his inconstancy. Calmet.—Women. He kept many concubines, (Diod.) and committed the greatest obscenities publicly: mimis et scortis. Saint Jerome—Hebrew may have quite a different sense. He had no regard for the sex, ( Calmet.) killing all indiscriminately. Grot.
But in his place he will honor the god of fortresses. He will honor a god whom his fathers didn’t know with gold, silver, precious stones, and pleasant things.
Verse 38. The god Maozim. That is, the god of forces or strong holds. Challoner.—Mahuzzim denotes “strong ones,” ( Bible.) guardians, and so forth Dr. Newton (Diss.) explains, the king (verse 36) of the Roman state; and supposes that here the guardian saints and angels are meant, whose worship he shews “began in the Roman empire, very soon after it became Christian. This exposition seems far preferable to that which interprets” Jupiter or the heavens, and understands the idol set up by Epiphanes. See Univ. Hist. x. Parkhurst.—If these authors speak of the inferior veneration shewn to saints and angels in the Catholic Church, it had a much earlier commencement, being coeval with religion itself. But only the blindest prejudice can represent this as idolatrous, and of course this system must fall to the ground. Bible.—Others suppose that Mars, Hercules, Azizus, or Jupiter, may be designated. Hebrew “He will rise up against all, (38) and against the strong God (of Israel. verse 31. Calmet. 8:10. Calmet.) he will, in his place, worship a strange god, “and so forth Jun.—None of the ancestors of Epiphanes had ever adored Jupiter on the altar of holocausts. Calmet.—He and antichrist adore either the great Jupiter or their own strength. Worthington.
He will deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god. He will increase with glory whoever acknowledges him. He will cause them to rule over many, and will divide the land for a price.
Verse 39. To. Hebrew “in the most strong holds, with,” and so forth Bible.—He built a fortress near the temple, styled Maoz, (Ezekiel 24:25) on account of its strength. Calmet.—Glory. He shall bestow honours, riches, and lands, upon them that shall worship his god. Challoner.—He will entrust the strong places to them.
“At the time of the end, the king of the south will contend with him; and the king of the north will come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, with horsemen, and with many ships. He will enter into the countries, and will overflow and pass through.
Verse 40. Fight. Epiphanes made war on Egypt, till the Romans forced him to desist. The prophet explains his preceding attempts, to which he only alluded. verse 29, 30.
He will enter also into the glorious land, and many countries will be overthrown; but these will be delivered out of his hand: Edom, Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
Verse 41. Land; Egypt, or rather Judea. Calmet.—Ammon. He will not divide his forces. Saint Jerome
He will also stretch out his hand against the countries. The land of Egypt won’t escape.
But he will have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt. The Libyans and the Ethiopians will be at his steps.
Verse 43. Ethiopia. Hebrew “the Lubim and Cushim shall be at his steps.” Theodot. reads, “in their fortresses.” He had troops from these nations, or Egypt was guarded by them.
But news out of the east and out of the north will trouble him; and he will go out with great fury to destroy and utterly to sweep away many.
Verse 44. North. Judas continued victorious. Armenia ( Calmet.) and Parthia rebelled. Tacit. verse 8.—Many. Epiphanes left three generals and half his army to destroy the Jews. Calmet.
He will plant the tents of his palace between the sea and the glorious holy mountain; yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.
Verse 45. Apadno. Some take it for the proper name of a place; others, from the Hebrew translate it, his palace. Challoner.—He fixed his royal tent between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. Worthington.—Porphyrius explains this of the march beyond the Euphrates, which S. Jerom does not disapprove. Apadno may denote Mesopotamia, which is styled Padan Aram.—Glorious. Hebrew Zebi, Calmet. or Tsebi, ( Bible.) may allude to Mount Taba, where the king perished, without help. 1 Maccabees 6:11 and 2 Maccabees 9:9. S. Jerom and many others explain all this of antichrist, and no doubt he was prefigured. The like events will probably take place again towards the end of the world. But as the particulars cannot be ascertained, we have adhered to the history of Antiochus. Calmet.