Smoodock's Blog

Seleucus IV reigned in his father’s stead, and raised taxes both to pay tribute to Rome and to finance an army and make war with them. He even thought to plunder the Temple at Jerusalem, but failed, and once he raised an army to go to war with Rome, he disbanded it! Thus, being remembered only as a “raiser of taxes” (Daniel 11:20).

After his death, his brother, Antiochus IV Epiphanes (god manifest) reigned. He was dubbed Epimanes (madman) by his enemies, due to his “mad conduct” while vindicating the death of his brother. He was a “vile man, a base person, who would entertain himself with the lowest of people, bathing publicly with them, jesting and throwing stones at passers-by [Polybius XXVI.10]. Moreover, he wasn’t the rightful heir. Demetrius, the son of Selucius IV, was the heir, but, while Seleucus was king, Epiphanes was held hostage in Rome.  Upon Seleucus’s death Epiphanies convinced Roman authorities to exchange his place with Demetrius, his brother son; who was quite young and perhaps in danger of being killed by Heliodorus, who had poisoned his father, the king. He took the kingdom under the pretense of ridding the Roman government of an unstable and perhaps an unfriendly government under Heliodorus and saving the kingdom for young Demetrius, the rightful heir (Daniel 11:21).

Epiphanies was aided by neighboring princes of Pergamum, crushing his rival, Heliodorus, and the threat to the throne was eliminated (Daniel 11:22). The meaning of “the prince of the covenant” probably concerns Onius III, high priest of Jerusalem, and prince of the covenant with God, who had troubles of his own. His life was in danger, because he went to plead his case before King Seleucus, but, before he was able to do so, Heliodorus assassinated the king. One, Simon, however, whose treachery had already brought the Jews much harm, accused Onius of having part in the assassination with Heliodorus. Antiochus IV Epiphanes took the high priesthood away and gave it to Jason, Onius’s brother. The appointment may have had something to do with the accusation, more likely Jason was appointed because he promised to Hellenize the Jews, something the Seleucids wanted but were unable to do. So, through bribery and a covenant with Jason, he was made high priest (Daniel 11:23).

At Ptolemy VI’s coronation (full possession of his throne – approx. 172B.C.) Antiochus IV, Epiphanes (Ptolemy’s uncle) sent his trusted agent Apollonius to Egypt, who brought back a report that Ptolemy was hostile. Therefore, Antiochus IV “took measures for his own security,” and, under the guise of friendship, he entered Egypt with a few men, guides for Ptolemy (Daniel 11:23; see 2Maccabees 4:21). Antiochus’ ancestors desired to control the riches of Egypt, but, under the guise of peace, he succeeded, where they had failed. He scattered his spies throughout the land, and, before Ptolemy could plan his war, Antiochus’ spies had bribed the Egyptian authorities to release his secrets. Thus, Antiochus was able to devise successful plans against the strongholds of Egypt for a short time (Daniel 11:24).

“So, when Antiochus saw that his kingdom was established… he invaded Egypt.” (1Maccabees 1:16-19). Ptolemy had a great army and believed victory was his, but his power meant nothing, because his plans were known by the enemy.  Compare “he shall forecast his devices against the strongholds” (Daniel 11:24) and “they shall forecast devices against him” (Daniel 11:25). The same Hebrew words are used. “Cunningly devised plans” were against Ptolemy’s winning the war. So effective were Antiochus IV’s spies (Ptolemy’s “guides”) that they corrupted his most trusted advisors with bribes; and Antiochus’s victory was swift and devastating (Daniel 11:26).

Scholars aren’t united at this point, concerning the meaning of these verses, but it seems that both Antiochus and Ptolemy were in discussion but neither were sincere. The point being that Antiochus had the upper hand in this meeting, and success would give him great power in the schemes of world events. However, the plan wouldn’t prosper, because the end would be at the time appointed (Daniel 11:27-28), and the fourth kingdom was due to arise and his power would be felt very soon.

Therefore, “at the time appointed” (Daniel 11:29) Antiochus came again to control the kingdom of the south. Nevertheless, although he did win the war, it would be for nought, because Rome, “the ships of Chittim” (Daniel 11:30) would intervene and force Antiochus to return all his territorial gains and return home. Nevertheless, the “time of the end” needs to be put in the perspective of the Lord’s people, the Jews. They had decided to ally themselves with Antiochus, and he worked toward Hellenizing them through corruption of the priesthood. Both Jason and Menelaus, whom he had appointed as high priests, had worked as men possessed to get the Jews to abandon their laws in favor of embracing the laws of the gentiles. In other words, they led the way for the nation to abandon the Mosaic Covenant in favor of embracing the laws of the Greeks. This had been so successful that the priests had abandoned their duties at the Temple in order to answer the call to the games!

Thus, although the main players are kings, they are but pawns in the hand of the Lord. Instead of becoming very powerful, Antiochus loses the war because of the intervention of Rome, and the Lord’s “appointed time” had arrived to intervene and stop his people’s “falling away” from him. The powers (Menelaus & his own armies) shall stand with him (Antiochus Epiphanes) and they (Antiochus and Menelaus) shall rob and pollute the Sanctuary, the (Jews) defense (rock or fortress), for they (the Jews) have left undone (put away) the daily sacrifice and the Temple service, committing idolatry, bringing desolation (Daniel 11:31; cp. 1Maccabees 1:11-15 & 2Maccabees 4:13-17]). Therefore, instead of furthering along the Hellenization of the Jews, Antiochus aroused the wrath of certain men of valor, who weren’t happy with Jason or Menelaus, and they desired to return to the Mosaic Covenant!