Daniel Chapter 11

Daniel Chapter 11 consists of visions that describe the events that occurred in the 3rd and 2nd century B.C. about the struggle between the Ptolemies("the king of the south") and the Seleucids("the king of the north") for the control of Israel, in which the Seleucids were eventually victorious, [ [http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/daniel/daniel11.htm New American Bible] ] as well as the rise of Antiochus Epiphanes to power and his actions against the Temple and the Jewish people. Daniel 11:3-35 is considered very accurate. [H. H. Rowley, "The Growth of the Old Testament", Harper: 1950, p. 158))] All major conflicts are mentioned, and the Sixth Syrian War is even mentioned in great detail. [http://www.livius.org/da-dd/daniel/11_comm.html Livius.org:Daniel 11 in Context] ] However, Daniel 11:2,40-45 are considered non-historical. It is widely agreed by scholars that the vaticinia ex eventu cease at Daniel 11:39 and that the remaining verses are genuine predictions. [The Classification, Stages of Growth, and Changing Intentions in the Book of Daniel, John G. Gammie, p. 194, 1976] After describing the "desecration of the Temple(v.31) and the Maccabean revolt(v.32-34), the author predicts another attack from Egypt in which Antiochus will be victorius and capture the entire territory along with Libya and Ethiopia(v.40,43). There is however no historical evidence for this. Instead, Antiochus went to Armenia, Babylonia, and Susa. It also claims that Antiochus will die while pitching his tents "between the seas(understood to be Mediterranean) and the glorious mountain(understood to be Mount Zion)" after conquering Egypt, Libya and Ethiopia(v.45). Antiochus however, died of injuries sustained in an attempt to sack a temple treasury in Elam near Persia in Mesopotamia, not in Judah. Further, Daniel 12:1-3 suggests a resurrection of the dead, but this event never occurred shortly after Antiochus's death. [ [http://www.bibleorigins.net/DanielFailedPropheciesOf.html The Failed Prophecies of Daniel] ] Fundamentalists assert that v. 11:40-45 refer to Augustus Caesar, Herod or to an antichrist yet to come.

ee also

*Book of Daniel

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