What does Daniel 11:23 mean?
ESV: And from the time that an alliance is made with him he shall act deceitfully, and he shall become strong with a small people.
NIV: After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power.
NASB: After an alliance is made with him he will practice deception, and he will go up and gain power with a small force of people.
CSB: After an alliance is made with him, he will act deceitfully. He will rise to power with a small nation.
NLT: With deceitful promises, he will make various alliances. He will become strong despite having only a handful of followers.
KJV: And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
NKJV: And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people.
Verse Commentary:
Historians are unsure which specific agreement, if any, was predicted by this part of Daniel's prophecy (Daniel 10:1). This passage, recorded in the mid-sixth century BC, points to the life of Antiochus IV Epiphanes in the second century BC. It may refer to Antiochus's agreement with Egypt, which he had defeated early in his rule and made into a puppet state. Antiochus IV Epiphanes was known for his lavish spending and favoritism. The reference to "deceit" here may suggest the kind of back-door political corruption Antiochus's habits would have created.
Antiochus IV Epiphanes is remembered as one of the Jewish people's most infamous persecutors. During his rule, he prohibited Jewish worship practices and spitefully defiled the temple in Jerusalem. Commentators often see predictions about him as foreshadowing of the end times figure known as the Antichrist.
Verse Context:
Daniel 11:21–35 continues from a series of prophecies about many rulers over many decades. In contrast, this segment's predictions focus on a single ruler and his hateful actions against Egypt and Israel. History knows this figure as Antiochus IV Epiphanes: one of the Jewish people's most vicious and hated persecutors.
Chapter Summary:
This chapter is most easily understood in terms of the historical events which it predicts. These include the conflicts between Ptolemaic Egypt and the Seleucid Empire up through the second century BC. This mentions the infamous Antiochus IV Epiphanes and what eventually became the Maccabean Revolt. The last portion of prophecy looks to the end times: blasphemous rulers, an invasion from the north, and a major defeat.
Chapter Context:
Daniel is receiving a prophecy, in an encounter which began in chapter 10. The substance of that prophecy is mostly given in chapter 11. This predicts the major events relating to Judea leading up to the conquest of the Roman Empire. It also begins to speak of end-times events. This leads to chapter 12 and the final prophetic remarks given to Daniel. Chapter 11 connects to other prophetic segments of Scripture such as Ezekiel 38 and Joel 2. Occurrences recorded here are also used by Jesus to depict end times events (Matthew 24:15).
Book Summary:
The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.
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