Daniel 11:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And as for the two kings, their hearts shall be bent on doing evil. They shall speak lies at the same table, but to no avail, for the end is yet to be at the time appointed.

NIV: The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time.

NASB: As for both kings, their hearts will be intent on evil, and they will speak lies to each other at the same table; but it will not succeed, because the end is still to come at the appointed time.

CSB: The two kings, whose hearts are bent on evil, will speak lies at the same table but to no avail, for still the end will come at the appointed time.

NLT: Seeking nothing but each other’s harm, these kings will plot against each other at the conference table, attempting to deceive each other. But it will make no difference, for the end will come at the appointed time.

KJV: And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.

NKJV: Both these kings’ hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time.

During the second century BC, two dynasties and their respective kingdoms battled over the territory of Judea. In the north was the Seleucid Empire, whose rulers often used the name Antiochus. In the south was Egypt, whose kings were descended from Ptolemy. Centuries earlier, a prophecy recorded by the prophet Daniel predicted various events in those conflicts (Daniel 10:1; 11:2).

Some parts of the prophecy link clearly with historical events. Others seem more general. Commentators vary on exactly how to interpret details of these verses. However, they correlate with the death of Alexander the Great (Daniel 11:3–4) and the rivalries which came from his divided territory (Daniel 11:5–20). An important figure in these predictions is Antiochus IV Epiphanes (Daniel 11:21–26).

Sitting together at a table was an ancient sign of friendship, cordiality, and peace. Psalm 41:9 mentions this tradition as a symbol of friendship. This also foreshadowed Judas's betrayal of Jesus at the Last Supper. The two men named in this part of Daniel's prophecy acted like friends, but they lied to each other. Each had concern only for his own selfish purposes. Apparently, Ptolemy promised to keep the peace with Antiochus, but lied. Antiochus pledged peace with Ptolemy, but secretly he wanted to take possession of Egypt through deception. The intentions of both men failed. This verse alludes to the insincere negotiations between Antiochus and rival leaders in Egypt. Antiochus was able to press deep into Egyptian territory, but ultimately left the nation with two squabbling brothers still in place.

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.