REL 464 - The Inter-Testamental Era
Course Notes on Daniel, chapter 11
The "kings of the south" were the Ptolemies, and the "kings of the north" were the Seleucids.
11:6 - in 250 BC Ptolemy II gave his daughter Bernice as wife to Antiochus II, but Bernice, Antiochus, and their child were killed in a palace intrigue organized by the mother of the future Seleucis II
11:7-8 - the "branch" referred to Ptolemy III, who captured the fortress of Seleucia and carried off great booty
11:9 - in 242 BC Seleucis II attacked Egypt, but his campaign failed
11:10 - the sons of Seleucis II were Seleucis III and Antiochus III. Antiochus III attacked Egypt
11:11-13 - Ptolemy IV retaliated by attacking Palestine, but was defeated by Antiochus IV at Banias
11:14 - Ptolemy V was about 12 years old when he came to the throne. His youth was taken as an opportunity for revolts and struggles for freedom throughout his empire
11:15-19 - Antiochus III attacked Egypt again, and captured Palestine. A peace treaty was made, in which the daughter of Antiochus III was married to Ptolemy V. Antiochus III then attacked Asia Minor, but was stopped by the Romans, and died during his retreat. The Romans had set a fine for Antiochus to pay.
11:20 - Seleucis IV tried to pay the fine to the Romans by raiding the treasures of the Temple in Jerusalem. He failed, and died shortly thereafter
11:21 - The "contemptible person" or "vile person" was Antiochus IV
11:22 - The "prince of the covenant" represented the high-priest at Jerusalem, Onias III, whom Antiochus replaced by Jason
11:25-28 - in 169 BC Antiochus IV invaded Egypt and captured Ptolemy VI. On his way back, Anatiochus IV sacked Jerusalem
11:29-30 - Antiochus IV attacked Egypt again, but the Romans came by sea, took Egypt under their "protection", and forced Antiochus to withdraw
11:30-31 - in 167 BC, while retreating from Egypt, Antiochus IV took Jerusalem and enforced pagan worship by setting up an idol (probably a statue of Zeus) in the Temple
11:32 - some of the Jews adopted Hellenism and forsook their own faith
11:33-35 - The Maccabean Revolt
11:36-39 - Antiochus IV claimed that he himself was divine. He took the title "Epiphanes" (meaning "the revealed one", or "the shining one"). His subjects called him "Epimanes", (the Maniac) behind his back
11:40-45 - a prediction that Antiochus IV would conquer Egypt, but eventually die on his way back. This seems not to be borne out by historical events.
Copyright © 1999 Shirley J. Rollinson, all Rights Reserved
