“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.
ExplanationCommentary
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.