Chapter Overview
Summary
The detailed prophecy of kings of the north and south. This is the longest prophetic chapter in Daniel, covering the Ptolemaic-Seleucid wars in extraordinary detail. Both Greek versions follow the MT closely, as the historical specificity leaves little room for interpretive variation.
Notable Variants
Minimal variants in this chapter. The OG and Theodotion both preserve the detailed historical allusions. Minor differences in military terminology and the identification of the 'king's daughter' (11:6).
Structural Notes
All three versions have 45 verses. The chapter is essentially a vaticinium ex eventu (prophecy after the fact) up to the career of Antiochus IV, then shifts to genuine eschatological prediction around v. 40.
As for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I took my stand to support and strengthen him.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Now I will tell you the truth. Three more kings will arise in Persia, and a fourth will gain wealth far exceeding all of them. When he becomes strong through his wealth, he will stir up everything against the kingdom of Greece.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Then a mighty king will arise, ruling with vast dominion and doing as he pleases.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
When he has arisen, his kingdom will be shattered and divided toward the four winds of heaven — but not to his descendants, and not with the authority with which he ruled. For his kingdom will be uprooted and given to others besides these.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
The king of the south will grow strong, but one of his commanders will grow stronger still and will rule — his domain will be a vast domain.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
After some years they will form an alliance. The daughter of the king of the south will come to the king of the north to seal an agreement, but she will not retain her power, nor will he keep his strength. She will be given over, along with those who brought her, the one who fathered her, and the one who supported her in those times.
Masoretic (WLC)
בַּת מֶלֶךְ הַנֶּגֶב
the daughter of the king of the south
Septuagint (LXX)
θυγάτηρ βασιλέως τοῦ νότου
the daughter of the king of the south
Identified as Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy II, married to Antiochus II. Both Greek versions preserve the veiled historical allusion.
From a shoot of her roots one will arise in his place. He will come against the army and enter the fortress of the king of the north, acting against them and prevailing.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
He will also carry off to Egypt their gods, along with their cast images and their precious vessels of silver and gold. Then he will stand back from the king of the north for some years.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Then he will invade the realm of the king of the south but will return to his own land.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
His sons will mobilize and assemble a vast multitude of forces. One of them will sweep forward like a flood, pressing on; then he will return and wage war all the way to his fortress.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
The king of the south will be enraged and go out to fight against him — against the king of the north — who will raise a great multitude, but the multitude will be given into his hand.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
When the multitude has been swept away, his heart will be exalted. He will bring down tens of thousands, yet he will not prevail.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
The king of the north will return and raise a multitude even greater than the first. After a period of some years, he will advance with a large army and abundant resources.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
In those times, many will rise against the king of the south. Violent ones among your own people will lift themselves up to fulfill the vision, but they will stumble.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
The king of the north will come, build siege ramps, and capture a fortified city. The forces of the south will not stand — not even his best troops will have the strength to resist.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
The one who comes against him will do as he pleases, with no one able to stand before him. He will take his stand in the beautiful land, with destruction in his hand.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
He will set his determination to come with the strength of his entire kingdom, making equitable terms with him. He will do this, giving him the daughter of women to destroy it — but she will not stand with him or be on his side.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Then he will turn his attention to the coastlands and capture many of them, but a commander will put an end to his insolence — indeed, he will turn his insolence back upon him.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
He will turn back toward the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble and fall and be found no more.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
In his place will arise one who sends an exactor through the splendor of the kingdom. But within a few days he will be broken — not in anger and not in battle.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
In his place will arise a despised one to whom the royal honor was not given. He will come in a time of security and seize the kingdom through intrigue.
Masoretic (WLC)
נִבְזֶה
a contemptible person
Septuagint (LXX)
ἐξουδενωθείς
one despised
Both Greek versions identify the figure as 'despised/contemptible' — Antiochus IV Epiphanes. OG and Theodotion agree.
Overwhelming forces will be swept away before him and shattered — along with the prince of the covenant.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
After allying with him, he will act deceitfully. He will rise to power with only a small force.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
In a time of security he will enter the richest parts of the province and do what none of his ancestors or his ancestors' ancestors did — he will distribute plunder, spoil, and wealth among them. He will plot his schemes against fortified places, but only for a time.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
He will rouse his strength and determination against the king of the south with a large army. The king of the south will mobilize for war with an extremely large and powerful army, but he will not stand because plots will be devised against him.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Those who eat his royal food will destroy him. His army will be swept away, and many will fall slain.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Both these kings, with their hearts set on evil, will speak lies to each other at the same table. But it will not succeed, for the end is still at the appointed time.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
He will return to his land with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action and then return to his own land.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
At the appointed time he will return and come against the south, but this time it will not be as before.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Ships of Kittim will come against him, and he will lose heart and turn back. He will rage against the holy covenant and take action. He will return and show favor to those who abandon the holy covenant.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Forces from him will arise, profane the temple fortress, abolish the regular offering, and set up the abomination that causes desolation.
Masoretic (WLC)
הַשִּׁקּוּץ מְשׁוֹמֵם
the abomination that makes desolate
Septuagint (LXX)
τὸ βδέλυγμα τῆς ἐρημώσεως
the abomination of desolation
The same phrase as 9:27 — bdelygma tēs erēmōseōs. Both Greek versions agree. This is the event of 167 BCE when Antiochus erected an altar to Zeus in the temple.
Those who act wickedly against the covenant he will seduce with smooth words, but the people who know their God will stand firm and take action.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Those who are wise among the people will give understanding to many, though they will fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder, for a time.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
When they stumble, they will receive a little help, though many will join them insincerely.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Some of the wise will stumble so that they may be refined, purified, and made clean until the time of the end, for it is still for the appointed time.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt himself and magnify himself above every god. Against the God of gods he will speak astonishing things. He will prosper until the wrath is completed, for what has been decreed will be accomplished.
Masoretic (WLC)
עַל כָּל־אֵל
against every god
Septuagint (LXX)
ἐπὶ πάντα θεόν
against every god
Both Greek versions preserve the hyperbolic self-exaltation. The 'god of his fathers' ignored in v. 37 suggests Antiochus' departure from traditional Seleucid religion.
He will show no regard for the gods of his ancestors, nor for the one desired by women, nor for any god, for he will magnify himself above all.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Instead, he will honor a god of fortresses in their place. He will honor a god his ancestors did not know with gold, silver, precious stones, and costly gifts.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
He will deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Those who acknowledge him he will load with honor, making them rule over many, and he will distribute land for a price.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
At the time of the end, the king of the south will engage him in battle. The king of the north will storm against him with chariots, cavalry, and many ships. He will invade lands, sweeping through like a flood.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
He will enter the beautiful land, and many will fall. But these will escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the foremost of the Ammonites.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
He will stretch out his hand against the lands, and the land of Egypt will not escape.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
He will gain control over the treasuries of gold and silver and all the precious things of Egypt. The Libyans and Cushites will follow in his train.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to annihilate and completely destroy many.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
He will pitch his royal tents between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.