Daniel 11:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He shall also carry off to Egypt their gods with their metal images and their precious vessels of silver and gold, and for some years he shall refrain from attacking the king of the north.

NIV: He will also seize their gods, their metal images and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt. For some years he will leave the king of the North alone.

NASB: And he will also take into captivity to Egypt their gods with their cast metal images and their precious vessels of silver and gold, and he on his part will refrain from attacking the king of the North for some years.

CSB: He will take even their gods captive to Egypt, with their metal images and their precious articles of silver and gold. For some years he will stay away from the king of the North,

NLT: When he returns to Egypt, he will carry back their idols with him, along with priceless articles of gold and silver. For some years afterward he will leave the king of the north alone.

KJV: And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.

NKJV: And he shall also carry their gods captive to Egypt, with their princes and their precious articles of silver and gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the North.

Daniel is hearing a detailed prophecy about the future of the Mediterranean nations (Daniel 10:1; 11:2). This is spoken by a celestial being (Daniel 10:18–21), probably the angel Gabriel (Daniel 8:15–16; 9:21–22; 10:18–21; Luke 1:26). These predictions are being recorded in 536 BC, and their fulfillment will take centuries to accomplish. Yet they will eventually be affirmed accurate by history.

Among the predictions made by the angel is the rise and fall of Alexander the Great (Daniel 11:3–4). This parallels other prophecies using similar themes (Daniel 7:6; 8:5, 8). Thus far, the prophecy correctly predicted that two nations emerging from Alexander's territories would collide: Egypt and the Seleucid Empire of Babylon and Syria. After much intrigue and death, the ruler of Egypt, Ptolemy III Euergetes, invaded Seleucid Syria. This was to avenge the death of his sister, Berenice.

As predicted by this passage, Euergetes carried off much of his enemy's wealth and numerous religious artifacts. Scholars suggest many of these may have been Egyptian statues once stolen by the Persian Empire. The attack sparked a power struggle within the Seleucid Empire. This contributed to the feebleness of Seleucus II Callinicus's response. In part because Euergetes had returned to Egypt, he was able to regain territory, but could not make progress into Egypt itself. Ultimately, it would be years before his empire could attempt a meaningful assault.

The confiscation of Seleucid and Egyptian idols underscores their frequent condemnation as worthless (Isaiah 46:1–2; Psalm 96:5; Habakkuk 2:18). Ptolemy III Euergetes's relatively easy capture of his enemies' supposed gods demonstrated the truthfulness of the Bible's words. And yet, he took more than just the idols: he plundered Syria. He took "their precious vessels of silver and gold" to Egypt (Daniel 11:8).

Daniel 11:2–20 provides a political timeline beginning with Darius the Mede (Daniel 5:30–31). The history—given as prophecy to the prophet Daniel around 536 BC (Daniel 10:1)—involves military conflicts between Greeks and Persians and between empires ruling from Syria and Egypt. These accounts are given to Daniel by an angel, probably Gabriel (Daniel 10:18–21). Parts of these prophecies are unusually straightforward, relying much less on symbolism and plainly indicating the events which will occur.

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.