Daniel 11:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Even those who eat his food shall break him. His army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain.

NIV: Those who eat from the king’s provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle.

NASB: Those who eat his choice food will destroy him, and his army will overflow, but many will fall down slain.

CSB: Those who eat his provisions will destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall slain.

NLT: His own household will cause his downfall. His army will be swept away, and many will be killed.

KJV: Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.

NKJV: Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him; his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain.

Daniel is recording a series of predictions which he received in the year 536 BC (Daniel 10:1). Many of these involve two nations who would battle for control over Judea centuries later. The "north" in these metaphors refers to the Seleucid Empire, also referred to as Syria, ruled by the Antiochus line. The "south" is Egypt under the dynasty of Ptolemy. In a series of wars, these two nations exchanged control of territory which is now the nation of Israel (Daniel 11:6–10). Eventually, this led to the rule of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (Daniel 11:21–25).

Antiochus's engagements with Egypt were successful, in part, because of Egypt's political weaknesses. History records that Antiochus's armies approached the Egyptian city of Alexandria. Rather than fight for Egypt's ruler at that time, Ptolemy VI Philometor, Alexandria swore allegiance to his brother, Ptolemy VIII Physcon. False promises were made between various rulers, none of which resulted in lasting peace. Syrian bribes seem to have helped Antiochus, but he eventually left Egypt with the rival brother kings still in place.

Some commentators suggest that the entire segment related to Antiochus IV Epiphanes (Daniel 11:21–28) combines the various events of his campaigns against Egypt. Others separate the prophecies into chronological pieces, with each implying different phases of the conflict.

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.

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.

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).

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.