What does Daniel chapter 11 mean?

In the prior chapter, Daniel began receiving a prophetic message from an angelic figure, most likely Gabriel (Daniel 10:18—11:1). The events foreshadowed involve the political and spiritual events happening in the general area of Judea: approximately the modern nation of Israel. What Daniel records in this passage begins as a prediction of events several centuries in his future. Written in 536 BC (Daniel 10:1), most of the events described here would occur between the fourth and second centuries BC. The chapter ending transitions into prophecy about the end times, which are yet to come, even today.

The first part of this prophecy reinforces earlier predictions about Alexander the Great (Daniel 8:5–8). As before, he is depicted as a powerful conqueror whose kingdom is split into four parts (Daniel 11:2–4).

Next, Daniel describes two kingdoms who become rivals. One is ruled by Ptolemy I Soter, of Egypt in the south. The other is the Seleucid Empire in the north, first ruled by Seleucus I Nicator. Seleucus was a subordinate of Ptolemy whose empire soon became even larger than that of his former superior. These nations were immediate rivals. At one point, Ptolemy II arranged his daughter's marriage to Antiochus II, who then ruled the Seleucid Empire. That ended in her death and even more hatred between the two cultures (Daniel 11:5–6).

Daniel goes on to describe what would happen next, and we know the details from history. In vengeance, a new king of Egypt—Ptolemy III—successfully raided and plundered the Seleucids, taking back many artifacts and enormous wealth. The feeble Seleucid response managed to recapture much of Judea, only because the Egyptian army was content to return home with their loot. The counterattack was unable to move into Egypt (Daniel 11:7–9).

A succeeding king of the north, Antiochus III, would later become known as Antiochus the Great for his military victories. His armies "flowed" over territory they conquered but stopped to regroup in the south of the modern-day Gaza Strip. The Egyptian king had anticipated an invasion and caught the Seleucids somewhat off-guard. At the Battle of Raphia, thousands of Seleucid troops were killed. Later, however, Antiochus would return with an even larger force (Daniel 11:10–13).

When Antiochus renewed his attacks on Egypt, he did so with new allies, including Macedonia and many Israelites who believed their cooperation would earn them independence. In retaking most of Judea, Antiochus also captured the well-defended city of Sidon. Some Egyptian armies were entirely eradicated. Seeking to pacify and control Egypt, Antiochus negotiated for his daughter to marry the Egyptian king. This did not last long. Antiochus then attempted to conquer by sea, only to be stopped by the northern Roman Empire. Not long after, Antiochus III would die (Daniel 11:14–19).

Antiochus III's initial successor levied heavy taxes. He was replaced—through illegitimate means—by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who worked heavily in intrigue and bribes. Antiochus IV had many military victories against Egypt. Among these was a successful ambush of an attempted invasion, in a battle near the city of Pelusium. As a result, Seleucid forces ran rampant in Egypt. The nation was pillaged. Back in Seleucid territory, he may have been involved in the assassination of the Jewish high priest. Thanks to intrigue in Egypt, they were unable to mount coherent defense against Antiochus IV's new attacks. When Antiochus IV returned, he passed through Jerusalem and raided the temple treasury, planting seeds of deep resentment (Daniel 11:20–28).

When Antiochus IV Epiphanes once again attempted to invade Egypt, he was confronted by ambassadors from the Roman Empire. Rome had long been a trade partner with Egypt, who supplied them with crucial supplies. Prior to then, Rome was preoccupied with other wars and lacked the resources to interfere with the Seleucids. Antiochus was given a humiliating ultimatum and returned to his own territory in a furious rage. At that time, he heard news of unrest against his rule in Jerusalem. His response was horrific (Daniel 11:29–30).

Antiochus IV Epiphanes sought to erase Judaism from Judea. He outlawed critical practices such as dietary laws, sabbath-keeping, and circumcision. He violently persecuted those who resisted but gave a reprieve to those willing to abandon their historical faith to worship pagan gods. In a calculated, spiteful act, Antiochus set up a pagan altar in the temple and used it to sacrifice an unclean pig. This defiled the sanctuary and humiliated the entire Jewish nation. This act is referred to as "the abomination that makes desolate" and was mentioned by Jesus in connecting Daniel's predictions of Epiphanes to similar events in the end times (Matthew 24:15). This sparked the Maccabean Revolt which caused terrible mayhem but eventually restored the temple (Daniel 11:31–35).

The final verse of the prior section (Daniel 11:29–35) uses language that could be applied both to the events of the Maccabean Revolt and what is expected to occur in the "end times." The end times are the last parts of history before God's final judgment on sin. Starting in verse 36, Daniel's descriptions look much further in the future. An arrogant, blaspheming leader will deal in wealth and bribery. He will be aided by some foreign power. Scholars differ on the identity of this king, with some identifying him as the second beast of Revelation (Revelation 13:11–17). This ruler will re-distribute territory on earth according to his corrupt schemes (Daniel 11:36–39).

Whoever the arrogant king is, he will be attacked from both the south and the north. The army of the north appears to be mentioned by other prophets, including Ezekiel (Ezekiel 38:4, 11–16) and Joel (Joel 2:2, 20). The northern armies will move through Israel and into Egypt. Then, at some point, a threat from the north and east will make them turn back. Between the Mediterranean Sea and a "holy mountain," probably Jerusalem, they will meet utter defeat (Daniel 11:40–45).

The final verses of Daniel will repeat prior predictions, while noting "a time of trouble" the likes of which the world has never seen (Daniel 12:1).