Verses 1-2 Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him. 2 And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.
Chapters and verses were placed in Scripture after the books of the Bible were compiled, and sometimes they were not put in the correct place. This is the case with this chapter as it is really a continuation of the conversation Daniel started to have with the angel in the vision recorded in chapter 10. The “I” in the verse above is the angel speaking to Daniel and he is showing the prophet Daniel “that which is noted in the scripture of truth”. Daniel 10:21 Apparently, this angel was assigned to the nation Persia as he states that he strengthened King Darius which was Darius I.
The prophet Daniel is informed that there will be three more Persian kings that come to the throne. These may have been Xerxes I, Artaxerxes I, and Xerxes II. Then a fourth king was to rule who was richer than the previous kings. This should have been referring to Darius II who ruled Persia when the empire was at its greatest strength and geographical size.
Verses 3-4 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. 4 And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.
The mighty king that would stand up was Alexander the Great whose kingdom was divided into four parts after his death. Although Alexander had a son, this son was killed and never assumed the throne of his father’s kingdom. As stated in Daniel chapter 8, the Grecian empire of Alexander was divided between his four generals. It is this writer’s understanding that there are no surviving written historical records preserved prior to Alexander the Great outside of Scripture. Therefore, what is known about man’s early history up to the Grecian empire is solely from the writings of Scripture and from archeological findings that tend to confirm the Biblical historical accounts.
Verses 5-6 And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion. 6 And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king’s daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.
At this point of Daniel’s narrative, unless a person is a very good historian, the verses become difficult to understand. Had all this history not already happened, it would be impossible to give accurate meaning to the angel’s prophecy of God as there are no names given to help identify the historical people involved. This writer is not an historian, and so can only give broad, general explanations from this point to the end of the chapter. The reader is encouraged to do independent research to completely understand all that is recorded here. Be assured, however, that the events written did happen after the fact just as the angel said they would. Secular and Biblical scholars/historians alike have claimed that this part of the book of Daniel had to be written at a much latter date after the events had occurred as the accuracy of the prophecy is so magnificent. But God knows the beginning from the ending as He transcends time. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.” Psalms 90:2
In the verses above, the angel speaks of “the king of the south” and “the king of the north”. The Grecian empire under Alexander’s four generals eventually formed into two kingdoms. The Seleucid dynasty was the northern kingdom with its capital city eventually being Rome, and the Ptolemy dynasty was the southern kingdom with its capital city being Alexandria in Egypt. Alexandria became the center of learning and the cultural capitol of the known world. Both these kingdoms became great in military power and there were battles and civil wars and turmoil going on most of the time as the quest for power and control by evil men continued down through the years. As each ruler died, a son would take over or another political figure would try to take the throne by force.
In the Ptolemy dynasty, Ptolemy the 7th had a daughter, Cleopatra. When he died, Cleopatra took the throne of the southern kingdom. Since the throne was usually passed down from father to son, and not wanting to rule alone, she married her 10 year old brother, Ptolemy the 8th. They ruled for a time until the 8th and his guardians drove Cleopatra from the throne and from the leadership position. So, apparently, Cleopatra tried to join her southern kingdom up with the northern kingdom but that was prevented as both she and whoever she was working with in the northern kingdom were unable to “retain the power of the arm”. This term was symbolic of political and military strength.
Up in the northern kingdom, Julius Caesar came forth with his army looking for a specific general that he wanted to kill as this general was trying to conquer the world and Julius wanted to do the same thing. They were rivals. He met Cleopatra and fell in love with her. Possibly he was also eyeing the land of Egypt as a nation to add to his kingdom. With his army, he drove out her husband/brother, Ptolemy the 8th, from the throne who conveniently died by drowning while trying to escape for his life. Julius then set Cleopatra up on the Egyptian throne with another brother that she married for this purpose. However, Julius impregnated Cleopatra and she had a son who she named Caesarion. Years later, Julius invited Cleopatra and his son to Rome. While in Rome, Julius was killed by a number of senators and other conspirators who were not happy with his lust for power and with his governance. Cleopatra fled with her husband/brother and with Julius’ son, Caesarion, to Alexandria. She then killed her second husband/brother and married her son.
Meanwhile, back in Rome, a lot of civil war and turmoil was occurring. With Julius Caesar gone, a triumvirate formed which included Mark Anthony, Lepidus, and Octavius. After some time went by, Mark Anthony went to Egypt and had an affair with Cleopatra while she was married to her son and as a result, she had twins named Helios and Selene which mean sun and moon. Mark Antony built a massive army with Cleopatra and began considering the triumvirate situation back home. He returned and then married a sister of Octavius with whom he was sharing power. He later went back to Alexandria, reunited with Cleopatra and went to battle Octavius who defeated him. Mark Antony fled back to Alexandria with Octavius following. Cleopatra, knowing that her life was in danger, spread a rumor that she was dead in order to protect herself. Mark Antony did not know this was a rumor and committed suicide by stabbing himself. It is reported that before he died, he learned that the rumor was fake, but was fatally injured and then died in Cleopatra’s arms. She then decided to commit suicide by inducing a venomous snake to bite her. At this point, the southern kingdom fell to Rome.
While all this was going on, the nation Israel was located geographically between these northern and southern kingdoms and it was impacted by the intrigue and the turmoil going on. Antiochus Epiphanes came on the scene and tried to Hellenize or push the Greek way of life on to everybody in his kingdom. However, he ran into trouble when he got to Israel and Jerusalem as the zealots refused to go along with his dictates and agenda. So there arose Mattathias Maccabeus who got an army together and, with his son Judas, drove Antiochus out after the Temple had been desecrated. Rome eventually came into the land and appointed puppet governors and divided the land into sections of four. The Herods came to power and they were tetrarchs, ruling a divided land. All of the above is a brief overview of some of the history between the Grecians and the Romans as they competed for world dominance. The verses remaining in this chapter will not be commented on very much as this writer has not had the time to do the research necessary to provide you, the reader, with accurate information. The verses are separated out, however, so that if time and opportunity allows, comments can be added at a later date.
Note: In doing some historical research it was found that many historians and Bible scholars differ in their view of the interpretation of Daniel chapter 11 and many history sources conflict. So caution is needed when researching as it may be difficult to determine a correct interpretation of some or most of the verses remaining in this chapter based on the writings of other people. Simply ask the LORD to explain the verses and He will lead you, the reader, to the correct source material to aid in your research. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Verses 7-8 But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail: 8 And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.
Many wars or battles continued back and forth between the northern kingdom and the southern kingdom. This writer cannot be specific as to which battles the above verses refer to.
Application: Why has there always been so many wars fought on the Earth? Who benefits and who is harmed? The answer lies in understanding the nature of Satan. He always wants wars because his idea of receiving worship from men is having that worship in the form of the shedding of blood and of sexual sin. The useless shedding of blood is Satan’s form of sacrifice and the proliferation of sexual sin is his way of polluting the gene pool, weakening mankind through sexually transmitted diseases, destruction of the family unit and the resulting unwanted children in society, and a confusing and weakening of the ethics and morals God has placed in each person’s conscience. In his efforts to destroy that which God created, he attempts to destroy people, critters and land, and the best way for this to be accomplished is to have people do the destroying. So he and his fallen angels or demons inhabit people in positions of power and then they do Satan’s bidding, creating the wars, killing innocent people and grabbing the land. Satan rewards these leaders with wealth and power. Satan works in patterns and rarely deviates from his patterns, which is why history is said to repeat itself over and over. Satan uses the same plan over and over. So along comes the people of God under the new covenant who ‘turn the other cheek” and “do good to their enemies” and therefore do not aid him in his destructive plans. So all Satan can do is to war against the Church through persecution. Look at which countries historically have been attacked and ravaged in the last few hundred years and see if there is a connection between their faith in God and the destruction of their land and their lives.
Verses 9-10 So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land. 10 But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.
It appears that for a short while, there is a cessation of the wars and battles between the southern kingdom and the northern until a son rises up to power and continues the battles for world dominance.
Verses 11-13 And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand. 12 And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it. 13 For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.
These battles occur over many years of history. Imagine what it would be like to be a citizen of these two kingdoms and to live with the threat of being overrun by a foreign army and either killed or taken captive. And the nation Israel remained in the middle of this ongoing conflict as it was/is the land bridge between the continents controlled by these two kingdoms.
Verse 14 And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.
Verses 15-17 So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand. 16 But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed. 17 He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.
All these battle being fought were to force the culture of the Greeks upon everybody in the world. When Jesus came to Earth, Greek was the common language even thought Rome was the ruling one world government. The king of the north written about here is most likely Julius Casear of Rome
Verses 18-19 After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but 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. 19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
The word translated as “Isles” means coast, island, shore, or region. When Julius Caesar returned to Rome he was assassinated by his friends and co-rulers.
Verse 20 Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.
This verse is thought to be referring to Caesar Octavian or Augustus. He was born in 63 BC and he died in 14 AD, and he was the adopted son of Julius Caesar. It was in his reign (27 BC until his death) that he determined all the world would be taxed and counted and all the people had to go to their own home towns for this to be done. Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem which was a more that 90 mile ride on a donkey with Mary being 9 months pregnant.
Verses 21-24 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. 22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. 23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. 24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.
Tiberius Claudius Nero became the second emperor of Rome. Caesar Augustus, the first emperor of Rome lusted after Tiberius’ mother Livia, and forcing Tiberius’ father to give her up, she became Augustus’ wife, making Tiberius a stepson of Augustus. He inherited the throne when the other three men in line were either exiled, killed or died. He ruled Rome with a fist of iron, reportedly being a sexual deviant involved in sex orgies and pedophilia. He had torture chambers built into his villas and he was considered to be somewhat insane. He went on a killing spree and it is said that the bodies of his victims were dumped into the Tiber river and no one was allowed to bury or burn the bodies when they washed up on the shores.
Verses 25-27 And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him. 26 Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain. 27 And both these kings’ hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.
Verses 28-30 Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land. 29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. 30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
Verses 31-35 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. 32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
Verses 36-39 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. 37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. 38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. 39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.
Antiochus Epiphanes
Verses 40-45 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. 41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. 44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. 45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. (Daniel 11)