Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 11:6
And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king’s daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begot her, and he that strengthened her in [these] times.
6. Ptolemy II. (Philadelphus), 285 247, and Antiochus II. (Theos), 261 246.
Antiochus I. (Soter), b.c. 280 261, is passed by in the survey, as a ruler whose reign was of no importance to the Jews. The allusion in Dan 11:6 is to what happened about b.c. 249. In order to terminate his long wars with Antiochus II. (Theos), Ptolemy Philadelphus gave him in marriage his daughter, Berenice, upon condition that he should divorce his legitimate wife, Laodice, and that his two sons, Seleucus and Antiochus, should renounce all claim to the throne of Syria: in the event of Antiochus and Berenice having issue, Ptolemy hoped in this way to secure Syria as an Egyptian province. After two years, however, Ptolemy died. Antiochus then took back Laodice, and divorced Berenice. Laodice, however, dreading her husband’s fickleness (‘ambiguum viri animum,’ Jerome), and fearing lest he might again evince a preference for Berenice, before long procured his death by poison. She then persuaded her son, Seleucus, to secure the throne for himself by murdering both Berenice and her infant child (Jerome ad loc.; Appian, Syr. 65; Justin xxvii. 1).
at the end of (some) years ] 31 years after the death of Seleucus Nicator.
join themselves together ] by the matrimonial alliance just described.
and the daughter of the king of the south ] Berenice.
come to ] in marriage (cf. Jos 15:18; Jdg 12:9).
to make an agreement ] lit. uprightness (Psa 9:8), or equity (Psa 98:9), i.e. (here) the equitable adjustment of a dispute. Comp. Dan 11:17.
but she shall not retain the power of the arm ] fig. for, she will not be able to maintain herself against her rival, Laodice. As said above, she was first divorced by Antiochus in favour of Laodice, and afterwards murdered at her instigation.
neither shall he stand ] Antiochus, who was murdered by Laodice.
nor his arm ] his might will come to an end. Theod., Kamph., Prince, ‘nor his seed ’ ( for ), referring to Antiochus’ issue by Berenice [359] .
[359] Bevan and Marti render the last three clauses, but the arm (fig. for the support afforded by Berenice) shall not retain strength, neither shall his (other) arms (supports) abide (prove effectual), altering (with Hitz.) the division and punctuation of the last two words.
but she shall be given up ] Berenice, put to death at the instigation of Laodice.
they that brought her ] either into the marriage, or to Syria. The expression is a vague one. The reference may be (Ewald, Meinh.) to Berenice’s attendants, who accompanied her to Antioch, and met there the same fate as their mistress; it may be (Hitz., Keil) simply to Antiochus (the plural being generic, without reference to the number of persons actually meant; cf. Gen 21:7, Mat 2:20); it may even be, more generally, to the ministers of Ptolemy who supported the alliance, and who were ‘given up,’ in the sense of finding their expectations disappointed.
he that begat her and supported ( Dan 11:1) her ] Ptolemy Philadelphus (so Ew., Hitz., Keil). Or, he that begat her, and he that obtained ( Dan 11:21) her; i.e. Ptolemy, and Antiochus (so von Leng., Zckl., Meinh.).
in the times ] at the time in question = in those times (R.V.).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And in the end of years – In the future periods of the history of these two kingdoms. The event here referred to did not occur during the lives of these two kings, Seleucus Nicator and Ptolemy Soter, but in the reign of their successors, Ptolemy Philadelphus and Antiochus Theos or Theus. The phrase the end of years would well denote such a future period. The Vulgate renders it, after the end of years; that is, after many years have elapsed. The meaning is after a certain course or lapse of years. The word end in Daniel ( qets) often seems to refer to a time when a predicted event would be fulfilled, whether near or remote; whether it would be really the end or termination of an empire or of the world, or whether it would be succeeded by other events. It would be the end of that matter – of the thing predicted; and in this sense the word seems to be employed here. Compare Dan 8:17; Dan 11:13 (margin), and Dan 12:13. They shall join themselves together. Margin, associate. The meaning is, that there would be an alliance formed, or an attempt made, to unite the two kingdoms more closely by a marriage between different persons of the royal families. The word they refers to the two sovereigns of Egypt and Syria – the south and the north.
For the kings daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement – Margin, rights. The Hebrew word properly means rectitudes or rights (in the plural meysharym); but here it seems to be used in the sense of peace, or an alliance. The act of making peace was regarded as an act of justice, or doing right, and hence, the word came to be used in the sense of making an alliance or compact. This idea we should now express by saying that the design was to make things right or straight – as if they were wrong and crooked before, giving occasion to discord, and misunderstanding, and wars. The intention, now was to establish peace on a permanent basis. The compact here referred to was one formed between Berenice, the daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt, and Antiochus Theos, king of Syria. Ptolemy, in order to bring a war in which he was engaged to an end, and to restore peace, gave his daughter in marriage to Antiochus, in hopes of establishing a permanent peace and alliance between the two kingdoms. One of the conditions of this alliance was, that Antiochus should divorce his former wife Laodice, and that the children of that former wife should be excluded from the succession to the throne. In this way Ptolemy hoped that the kingdom of Syria might become ultimately attached to that of Egypt, if there should be children by the marriage of Berenice with Antiochus. Ptolemy, however, died two years after this marriage was consummated, and Antiochus restored again his former wife Laodice, and put away Berenice, but was himself murdered by Laodice, who feared the fickleness of her husband. The officers of the court of Syria then planned the death of Berenice and her children, but she fled with them to Daphne, and was there put to death, with her children. – Appian, c. lxv.; Lengerke, in loc. She was put to death by poison. See Gill, in loc.
But she shall not retain the power of the arm – The word retain here is the same as in Dan 10:8, I retained no strength. The word arm is a word of frequent use in the Old Testament, both in the singular and plural, to denote strength, power, whether of an individual or an army. So Job 22:8, A man of arm, that is, strength; Gen 49:24, The arms (power) of his hands were made strong by the God of Jacob. Compare Isa 51:9; Isa 62:8. It is frequently used in this chapter in the sense of strength, or power. See Dan 11:15, Dan 11:22, Dan 11:31. This alliance was formed with the hope that the succession might be in her. She was, however, as stated above, with her children, put to death. While queen of Syria, she, of course, had power, and had the prospect of succeeding to the supreme authority.
Neither shall he stand – The king of the south; to wit, Egypt. That is, he would not prosper in his ambitious purpose of bringing Syria, by this marriage alliance, under his control.
Nor his arm – What he regarded as his strength, and in which he placed reliance, as one does on his arm in accomplishing any design. The word arm here is used in the sense of help, or alliance; that is, that on which he depended for the stability of his empire.
But she shall be given up – That is, she shall be given up to death, to wit, by the command of Laodice.
And they that brought her – That is, those who conducted her to Daphne; or these who came with her into Syria, and who were her attendants and friends. Of course they would be surrendered or delivered up when she was put to death.
And he that begat her – Margin, or, whom she brought forth. The margin expresses the sense more correctly. The Latin Vulgate is, adolescentes ejus. The Greek, he neanis. So the Syriac. The Hebrew ( vehayoledah) will admit of this construction. The article in the word has the force of a relative, and is connected with the suffix, giving it a relative signification. See Ewald, as quoted by Lengerke, in loc. According to the present pointing, indeed, the literal meaning would be, and he who begat her; but this pointing is not authoritative. Dathe, Bertholdt, Dereser, DeWette, and Rosenmuller suppose that the reading should be vehayaledah. Then the sense would be, her child, or her offspring. Lengerke and Ewald, however, suppose that this idea is implied in the present reading of the text, and that no change is necessary. The obvious meaning is, that she and her child, or her offspring, would be thus surrendered. The matter of fact was, that her little son was slain with her. See Prideauxs Connexions, iii. 120.
And he that stregnthened her in these times – It is not known who is here referred to. Doubtless, on such an occasion, she would have some one who would be a confidential counselor or adviser, and, whoever that was, he would be likely to be cut off with her.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 6. In the end of years] Several historical circumstances are here passed by.
The king’s daughter of the south] Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt, was married to Antiochus Theos, king of Syria. These two sovereigns had a bloody war for some years; and they agreed to terminate it by the above marriage, on condition that Antiochus would put away his wife Laodice and her children, which he did; and Berenice having brought an immense fortune to her husband, all things appeared to go on well for a tine.
But she shall not retain the power of the arm] zaro, her posterity, shall not reign in that kingdom.
But she shall be given up] Antiochus recalled his former wife Laodice and her children, and she, fearing that he might recall Berenice, caused him to be poisoned and her to be murdered, and set her son Callinicus upon the throne.
And they that brought her] Her Egyptian women, striving to defend their mistress, were many of them killed.
And he that begat her] Or, as the margin, “he whom she brought forth;” the son being murdered, as well as the mother, by order of Laodice.
And he that strengthened her] Probably her father Ptolemy, who was excessively fond of her, and who had died a few years before.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
They shall join themselves together, i.e. the successors of those first kings of Egypt and Syria shall join and make leagues. This confederacy was two several times: the first peace was concluded between Ptolemy Lagus and Antiochus Soter. The other (which is here meant) was between Ptolemy Philadelphus and Antiochus Theus the son of Soter. So Junius and Polanus. The kings daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement; Bernice shall come from Egypt and marry with Antiochus Theus, who was the son of Antiochus Soter, and nephew to Seleucus Nicanor, for her father brought her to Pelusium with an infinite sum of gold and silver for her dowry. Here was nothing sincere on either side, for each gaped after the others kingdom, and covered all with a league and a marriage; for Antiochus put away his lawful wife Laodice, by whom he had two children, that he might take her sister to wife. Thus sacred wedlock and leagues were violated.
But she shall not retain the power of the arm; she continued not in favour and authority, for Antiochus now put away Bernice, and took Laodice again.
Neither shall he stand, nor his arm; for she made away Antiochus by poison, and set up her son Seleucus Callinicus in his stead, who slew Bernice. From hence many cruel wars and tragedies arose between those two kings. See here the miserable fates of wicked princes and courts, where their sinful politics most commonly end in their ruin; for so it did to these two families: which thing God by his angel instructs Daniel in, to inform and satisfy him about these wonderful providences relating to his church and their enemies.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6. in . . . end of yearswhenthe predicted time shall be consummated (Da11:13, Margin; Dan 8:17;Dan 12:13).
king’s daughter of thesouthBerenice, daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus of Egypt. Thelatter, in order to end his war with Antiochus Theus, “king ofthe north” (literally, “midnight”: the propheticalphrase for the region whence came affliction to Israel, Jer 1:13-15;Joe 2:20), that is, Syria, gaveBerenice to Antiochus, who thereupon divorced his former wife,Laodice, and disinherited her son, Seleucus Callinicus. Thedesignation, “king of the north” and “of the south,”is given in relation to Judea, as the standpoint. Egypt is mentionedby name (Dan 11:8; Dan 11:42),though Syria is not; because the former was in Daniel’s time aflourishing kingdom, whereas Syria was then a mere dependencyof Assyria and Babylon: an undesigned proof of the genuineness of theBook of Daniel.
agreementliterally,”rights,” that is, to put things to rights between thebelligerents.
she shall not retain thepower of the armShe shall not be able to effect the purpose ofthe alliance, namely, that she should be the mainstay ofpeace. Ptolemy having died, Antiochus took back Laodice, who thenpoisoned him, and caused Berenice and her son to be put to death, andraised her own son, Seleucus Nicator, to the throne.
neither shall he standTheking of Egypt shall not gain his point of setting his line on thethrone of Syria.
his armthat on whichhe relied. Berenice and her offspring.
they that brought herherattendants from Egypt.
he that begat herratheras Margin, “the child whom she brought forth“[EWALD]. If EnglishVersion (which MAURERapproves) be retained, as Ptolemy died a natural death, “givenup” is not in his case, as in Berenice’s, to be understood ofgiving up to death, but in a general sense, of his planproving abortive.
he that strengthened her inthese timesAntiochus Theus, who is to attach himself to her(having divorced Laodice) at the times predicted [GEJER].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And in the end of years they shall join themselves together,…. The two kings of Egypt and Syria; not the two former kings, but their successors: the king of Egypt was Ptolemy Philadelphus, the second king of Egypt, the son of Ptolemy Lagus; this is the king of Egypt who collected such a vast number of books into his library at Alexandria, and got the law of Moses translated into Greek: the king of Syria was Antiochus, surnamed Theos; this name was first given him by the Milesians, upon his delivering them from the tyranny of Timarchus governor of Caria; he was the third king of Syria; Seleucus Nicator the first, Antiochus Soter the second, and this the third: there had been very great wars between these kings for many years; and now, being weary of them, they entered into confederacies and alliances with each other, and which were designed to be strengthened by a marriage next mentioned; this is thought to be about seventy years after the death of Alexander: q
for the king’s daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement; this was Bernice, daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus king of Egypt, who carried her to Pelusium, and from thence sailed with her to Seleucia in Syria; where he met with Antiochus king of Syria, to whom he gave her in marriage, with a vast dowry of gold and silver; hence she was called ; and the marriage was celebrated with great solemnity r: and this was “to make agreement”, or “to make things right or straight” s; that were wrong and crooked before; to put an end to wars and discords; to make peace and cultivate friendship; to strengthen alliances, and confirm each other in their kingdoms:
but she shall not retain the power of the arm; unite the two kingdoms, and secure the peace of them, which was the thing in view; nor retain her interest in her husband, nor her power at court; for, as soon as her father was dead, Antiochus dismissed Bernice from his bed, and took Laodice his former wife again, by whom he had had two sons, Seleucus Callinicus, and Antiochus Hierax t:
neither shall he stand, nor his arm; neither Antiochus; for Laodice, knowing that by the late treaty the crown was settled upon the children of Bernice, who already had a son by him, and sensible of his fickleness, and fearing he might divorce her again, and take to Bernice, got him poisoned by his servants: nor Bernice his queen, called “his arm”; who fleeing to Daphne for shelter, on hearing what was done, was there slain; or it may be his son he had by her, so it follows:
but she shall be given up; into the hands of Seleucus Callinicus, the son of Laodice; whom she placed on the throne after the death of his father; and who sent to Daphne to slay Bernice, which was accordingly done u:
and they that brought her; into Syria; that attended her from Egypt at her marriage, and continued with her in the court of Syria, and fled with her to Daphne:
and he that begat her: or, “whom she brought forth”; as in the margin; her little son, who was murdered at the same time with her; for her father died before:
and he that strengthened her in these times; either her husband, or her father, who were both dead before, and so stood not, and could not help her; unless this is to be understood of her brother, and the cities of the lesser Asia, who, hearing of her distress at Daphne, set out for her relief, but came too late; she and her son were both slain first w.
q See the Universal History, vol. 9. p. 384. r Ibid. p. 196. Jerom. in loc. s “ad faciendum reetitudines”, Pagninus, Michaelis “ut faciat rectitudines”, Montanus; “recta”, Calvin. t Universal History, vol. 9, p. 196, 197. u Ibid. w Justin, l. 27. c. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
, “in the end of years,” i.e., after the expiry of a course of years; cf. 2Ch 18:2. The subject to ( join themselves, 2Ch 20:35) cannot, it is evident, be , Dan 11:4 (Kran.), but only the king of the south and his prince who founded a great dominion, since the covenant, according to the following clause, is brought about by the daughter of the king of the south being given in marriage ( , to come to, as Jos 15:18; Jdg 1:14) to the king of the north, to make , to effect an agreement. , rectitudes, synonymous with righteousness and right, Pro 1:3, here designates the rectitude of the relation of the two rulers to each other in regard to the intrigues and deceits they had previously practised toward each other; thus not union, but sincerity in keeping the covenant that had been concluded. “But she shall not retain the power of the arm.” as Dan 10:8, Dan 10:16, and , the arm as a figure of help, assistance. The meaning is: she will not retain the power to render the help which her marriage should secure; she shall not be able to bring about and to preserve the sincerity of the covenant; and thus the king of the south shall not be preserved with this his help, but shall become subject to the more powerful king of the north. The following passages state this. The subject to is the ; and his, i.e., this king’s, help is his own daughter, who should establish by her marriage with the king of the north. is a second subject subordinated or co-ordinated to the subject lying in the verb: he together with his help. We may not explain the passage: neither he nor his help, because in this case could not be wanting, particularly in comparison with the following . The “not standing” is further positively defined by , to be delivered up, to perish. The plur. is the plur. of the category: who brought her, i.e., who brought her into the marriage ( to be explained after ), without reference to the number of those who were engaged in doing so; cf. The similar plur. in particip. Lev 19:8; Num 24:9, and in the noun, Gen 21:7. , particip. with the suffix, wherein the article represents the relative . , in the same meaning as Dan 11:1, the support, the helper. The sense is: not only she, but all who brought about the establishment of this marriage, and the object aimed at by it. has the article: in the times determined for each of these persons.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
As to the explanation of the words, the king of the south, we have stated to be the king of Egypt, and that of the north, of Syria. To do right things, means to make mutual peace; he shall not retain the strength of his arm, is, his arm shall not retain its strength; he shall not stand refers to his father Ptolemy, or Antiochus Theos, as we shall afterwards see. And then we must take the ו, vau, negatively, and read, nor his seed, which some translate his arm. She shall be delivered up, implies being given up to death, while some understand her parent, to be her mother or her nurse. Here, then, the angel prophesies the state of the kingdoms of Egypt and Syria; and still he has respect to the Church of God, as we stated yesterday, which was placed in the midst of these two nations. We must always strive to ascertain the intention of the Holy Spirit. He wished to support the pious under those convulsions by which they would be agitated and afflicted. Their confidence might have been utterly subverted unless they had been persuaded that nothing happens at random, since all these events were proclaimed beforehand. Again, God had sent his angel to Daniel, which proved both his power and his determination to defend his Church, and he would accomplish this, because he wished the faithful admonished beforehand neither rashly nor yet without profit. But we must first relate the history — the angel says, At the end of the times two kings should enter into covenant and friendship He had announced the superiority of the king of Syria; for when Antigonus was conquered, and his son was dead, Seleucus the first king of Syria far surpassed Ptolemy in his power and the magnitude of his dominion. But a mutual rivalry arose between them, and there were some slight skirmishes on both sides, till the condition of Ptolemy became weakened, and then Seleucus rushed tumultuously, with the ferocity of a robber rather than the magnanimity of a king. After they had continued the contest for some time, Berenice the daughter of the second Ptolemy, named Philadelphus, was given in marriage to Antiochus Theos. She is also called Beronice and Bernice. He was so blinded with pride, as to take the name of Theos, which means God; he was the third of that name, the former king being called Soter, meaning preserver For, as Seleueus had acquired so many and such mighty possessions, his sons did not consider their authority fully established, and so they assumed these magnificent titles for the sake of inspiring all nations with the terror of their frame. Hence the first Antiochus was called Sorer, and the second Theos. Now the second Ptolemy, named Philadelphus, gave his daughter in marriage to Antiochus Theos. By this bond peace and friendship were established between them, just as at Rome, Pompey married Julia the daughter of Caesar. And we daily observe similar occurrences, for when one king has in his power a daughter, or niece, or other relatives, another king finds himself possessed of male and female relations, by whose intermarriage they confirm a treaty of peace. It was so in this case, although historians attribute some degree of craft to Philadelphus in bestowing his daughter on Antiochus Theos. He supposed this to be a means by which he might ultimately acquire the dominion over all Syria, and over the other provinces under the sway of Antiochus. Whether this really was so or not, profane historians prove the fulfillment of the angel’s prediction. Without the slightest doubt, God, in his wonderful counsels, dictated to these historians what we read at the present time, and made them witnesses of his own truth. This thought, indeed, never entered their minds, but when God governs the minds and tongues of men, he wishes to establish clear and convincing testimony to this prophecy, for the purpose of shewing the real prediction of every occurrence. At the end of the years, says he, they shall become united.
He next states, And the daughter of the king of the south, meaning Bernice, whom we have mentioned, shall come to the king of the north, meaning the king of Syria, Antiochus Theos. This alliance was contracted in defiance of justice. For Antiochus repudiated his wife Laodice, who was the mother of two sons whom she had born to Antiochus; namely, Seleucus Callinicus, and Antiochus the younger, named Hierax, a hawk, on account of his rapacity. We perceive, then, how he contracted a second marriage, after an unjust and illegal divorce of his first wife. Hence it is not surprising if this alliance was cursed by the Almighty. It turned out unhappily for both the kings of Egypt and Syria. Ptolemy ought not to have thrust his daughter upon Antiochus, who was already married, nor yet to have allowed her to become a second wife, while the king’s real wife was divorced. We perceive, then, how God became the avenger of these crimes, while the plans of Antiochus and Philadelphus turned out in. Some think that Antiochus was fraudulently poisoned by his first wife, but as the point is doubtful, I pronounce no opinion. Whether it was so or not, Antiochus had a son by Bernice, and died immediately after being reconciled to his former wife. Some historians state, that after she had recovered her dignity and rank as queen, having once experienced her husband’s fickleness and perfidy, she took sure means of preventing another repudiation. When Antiochus was dead, this woman was enflamed with vengeance, and in the perverseness of her disposition, she impelled her son to murder her rival, especially stimulating Seleucus Callinicus who succeeded to his father’s throne. Hierax was then prefect of Asia Minor; hence she stimulated her son with fury to murder her rival. For, although Antiochus Theos had been reconciled to her, yet some degree of rank and honor still attached to Bernice the daughter of Ptolemy. And her son perpetrated this murder with the greatest willingness, and with the basest cruelty and perfidy; for he persuaded her to entrust herself to his care, and then he murdered both her and her son.
The angel now says, When the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north, his arm shall not retain his strength The language is metaphorical, as that marriage was line a common arm to both sides; for the king of Egypt stretched forth his hand to the king of Syria for mutual protection. That arm, then, did not retain its strength; for Bernice was most wickedly slain by her stepson, Seleucus Callinicus, as we have stated. He says, also, she should come to make alliances Here, by way of concession, the angel calls that conjugal bond מישדים , misrim, “ rectitudines, ” “conditions of agreement,” because at first all parties thought, it would tend to that result. But. Antiochus had already violated his marriage vow, and departed from his lawful alliance. Nothing, therefore, was right on his side. Without the slightest doubt he derived some advantage from the plan, as kings are always in the habit of doing. And with respect to Ptolemy, many historians, as we have already mentioned, suppose him to have longed for the kingdom of Syria. Whether or not this was so, their mutual transactions were not sincere, and so the word signifying “rectitude” is used, as we have said, only by concession. The angel does not speak in their praise, or excuse the, perfidy of either, but he rather enlarges upon their crime, and from this we gather how they abused the sanctity both of marriage and of treaties, which God wished to be held sacred by all mankind. Hence, though the word is honor-able in itself, yet it is used in a disgraceful sense, to shew us how the angel condemned King Ptolemy for this base prostitution of his daughter, and Antiochus for rejecting his wife, and marrying another who was not a real wife, but only a concubine. And, perhaps, God wished to use the lips of his angel to point out the tendency of all royal treaties. They always have the most specious appearances — national, quiet public peace, and similar objects which can be dexterously made prominent. For kings always court favor and praise for themselves from the foolish vulgar, whenever they make treaties of peace. Thus all these alliances have no other tendency than to produce social deception, and at length they degenerate into mutual perfidy, when one party plots insidiously and wickedly against another.
The angel adds next, He shall not stand; using the masculine gender, and most probably referring to Antiochus, as well as to Ptolemy his father-in-law. Neither he nor his seed shall stand, meaning his son by Bernice the daughter of Ptolemy. I dare not translate it “ arm, ” because in my opinion the letter ו , vau, is needed in the word for “arm;” so I take it to denote “ seed. ” He afterwards adds, And she shall be delivered up — thus returning to Berenice — either by treachery or to death; and those who led her forth — meaning her companions. Whenever any incestuous marriage is contracted, some persons of disgraceful character are sure to be concerned in bringing his new wife to the king. And very probably there were factions in the palace of Antiochus; one party being more attached to Seleucus and his brother, and his mother Laodice; while others desired a change of government, according to the usual state of affairs. The advisers of the marriage between Antiochus and Bernice were sent as a guard of honor to attend them to Syria, and the angel states all these to have been delivered up together with the queen. He afterwards adds, And those who were her parents From the absence of a grammatical point under the letter ה, he, many think the noun to be of the feminine gender. And as it may mean mother, they treat it as if her nurse was intended, but I leave the question in doubt. He now adds, and those who strengthened her at those times He, doubtless, intends to designate all those who wished to curry favor with the king, and thus took part in this marriage between him and the daughter of the king of Egypt. The whole of that faction perished, when Berenice was slain by Seleucus Callinicus. If, then, he did not spare his stepmother, much less would he spare the faction by which he was deprived of his hope of the kingdom, and through whom his mother Laodice had suffered the disgrace of a divorce. It now follows, —
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(6) In the end.Comp. Dan. 11:8; Dan. 11:13, and 2Ch. 18:2. Here again the reference is most obscure. If the joining themselves together refers to the marriage of Antiochus II. with Berenice, the daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus, and if the agreement (comp. upright ones, Dan. 11:17) refers to the terms of the marriage, which were that Antiochus should put away his former wife Laodice, and appoint her firstborn son successor to the throne, then it must be remarked that history is irreconcilable with the prophecy. Also it appears from Dan. 10:14 that this revelation bears upon the future of Israel, and it does not appear that this marriage affected the Jewish people more than any other marriage. This, and the fact that a period of more than fifty years intervened between the events supposed to be implied in Dan. 11:5-6, make the traditional interpretation very unsatisfactory. The language refers to what is mentioned as one of the characteristics of the last empire (Dan. 2:43), various attempts to consolidate earthly powers by political marriages. These do not characterise the era of the Seleucid any more than they do the times of Ahab, or many other periods of history.
Shall not retain.The Greek versions show the difficulties experienced by the translators, the LXX. apparently following a different text. The meaning appears to be that the marriage will not accomplish its intended purpose. The king of the south, instead of becoming independent of his northern rival, will only become more subjected to him than he was previously. This does not appear to have happened with regard to Ptolemy Philadelphus and Antiochus Theos, the former of whom is generally identified with he that begat her, the latter with he that strengthened her.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
6. This points to the close alliance between the kings of the south (the Ptolemies) and the kings of the north (the Seleucidae). As only these two empires are being spoken of they are called southern and northern with reference to their geographical relations to each other and in order that they need not be named more definitely, which would have been contrary to the best apocalyptic style. The king’s daughter of the south, who comes to make “equitable conditions” with the king of the north, is evidently Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus, who was accepted as wife by Antiochus Theos (B.C. 250) in order to make peace with Ptolemy, who was at that time invading his kingdom. She shall, not retain the power of the arm, etc. Antiochus had been compelled by the threats of Ptolemy to discard his real wife, Laodice, and take Berenice instead, agreeing to recognize her sons as his legitimate heirs. But this stroke of diplomacy, by which Egypt probably sought to capture Syria, failed; for a little later, perhaps when her father died, Berenice was given up, being divorced by Antiochus who took again his former wife. Laodice, however either in revenge for her former treatment or in fear for her future murdered Antiochus a little later (B.C. 246), as also Berenice and her son; thus all who favored this unhappy queen, and had expected good from this alliance, suffered great ill from it. These are the historical facts to which these purposely obscure phrases refer. Instead of he that begat her we may read “he whom she brought forth;” referring to the babe killed by Laodice.
He that strengthened her This must refer either to her father or her husband at the beginning of their married life; more likely to the former. (See above.)
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And at the end of years (i.e. after some years) they will join themselves together, and the daughter of the king of the south will come to the king of the north to make uprightness (i.e. a friendly alliance making things ‘right’), but she will not retain the strength of her arm, and neither will he stand nor his arm, but she will be given up, and those who brought her, and he who begat her, and he who strengthened her in those times.’
‘After some years.’ In the South, Ptolemy I eventually died in 285 BC, leaving the throne to his son, Ptolemy II. It was in his day that we learn from the Zenon papyri that the Ptolemean minister of finance in Egypt owned large tracts of land in Palestine, including land east of Jordan, possibly what were once crown lands which would thus pass to the new overlord. In the North, Seleucus I died at the hands of an assassin in 281 BC, and his son, Antiochus I, began ruling in his place. Antiochus I died in 262 BC and left his son, Antiochus II, in power.
Ptolemy II of Egypt and Antiochus II of Syria were contemporaries. They were also bitter enemies. However, they finally made an alliance in about 250 BC, which was sealed, in accordance with common practise, by the marriage of Ptolemy II’s daughter, Berenice, to Antiochus II, who for the purpose, divorced his wife Laodice, by whom he had had two sons.
‘She will not retain the strength of her arm.’ When Ptolemy II died in 246 BC, Antiochus II took back his first wife, Laodice, whom he had divorced in order to marry Berenice.
‘And neither will he stand, nor his arm.’ Laodice then rewarded him by poisoning him in order to secure her position, and gaining control over his supporters (‘his arm’), briefly ruled in his place.
‘She will be given up.’ In order to gain revenge and secure her son’s right to the throne, Laodice (or her sons) then had Berenice and the infant son that she had borne to Antiochus murdered, together with ‘those who brought her, and he who begat her, and he who strengthened her in those times’. This refers to the courtiers who had accompanied Berenice from Egypt. ‘He who begat her’ is probably the one who became her guardian after the death of her father (‘begat’ is often used loosely from our viewpoint). He may also be the strengthener, or she may have had a court favourite. All were killed so as to ensure no repercussions
Her son, Seleucus II, then succeeded his father, Antiochus II, and ruled over the Syrian empire commencing in 246 BC.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Dan 11:6. And in the end of years After these wars had long lasted between Ptolemy and Antiochus Theus, they agreed to make peace; upon condition, that the latter should put away his former wife Laodice and her sons, and marry Berenice, Ptolemy’s daughter; accordingly, he brought her to Antiochus, with an immense treasure, and thence received the appellation of dowry-giver. She did not, however, long retain her interest and power with Antiochus; for, after some time, in a fit of love he brought back his former wife with her children to court again. But neither did he stand, nor his arm, nor his seed; for Laodice, fearing the fickle temper of her husband, lest he should recal Berenice, caused him to be poisoned; and managed matters so as to fix her eldest son Callinicus on the throne: and, not content with this, she caused Berenice also to be murdered, and them that brought her; for her Egyptian women and attendants, endeavouring to defend her, were many of them slain with her: and he that begat her, or rather, he whom she brought forth; the son being murdered as well as the mother, by the order of Laodice: and he that strengthened her, &c. her husband Antiochus, or those who took her part, or rather her father, who died a little before, and who was excessively fond of her. See Bishop Newton.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Dan 11:6 And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king’s daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in [these] times.
Ver. 6. And in the end of years. ] In process of time, after that these two kings had sufficiently worried and wearied out one another in bloody wars.
They shall join themselves together.
For the king’s daughter of the south.] Bernice, or, as others call her, Berenice or Beronice, i.e., the daughter of innocence or purity, the daughter Ptolemy Philadelph so called for that he married his own sister, and therefore his daughter Beronice was not rightly named. b
Shall come to the king of the north.
To make an agreement.
But she shall not retain the power of the arm.
Neither shall he stand,
Nor his arm.
And he that begat her.
a Turkish History, 464.
b Junius.
c Pausan., Appian.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
in the end of years. In Dan 11:13 this is rendered “after certain years”, said to be sixty-three. Compare 2Ch 18:2, and Dan 11:8 below.
join: i.e. in league.
the king’s daughter. Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy II (Philadelphus) of Egypt.
the king of the north. Antiochus.
north. With reference to Judea.
make an agreement = do upright things: i.e. to come to terms upon what is equitable between the parties. Here it included her marriage with Antiochus, who divorced his wife (Laodice) and disinherited her son (Seleucus Callinious).
given = delivered.
times: or, vicissitudes.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Dan 11:6
Dan 11:6 And in the endH7093 of yearsH8141 they shall join themselves together;H2266 for the king’sH4428 daughterH1323 of the southH5045 shall comeH935 toH413 the kingH4428 of the northH6828 to makeH6213 an agreement:H4339 but she shall notH3808 retainH6113 the powerH3581 of the arm;H2220 neitherH3808 shall he stand,H5975 nor his arm:H2220 but sheH1931 shall be given up,H5414 and they that broughtH935 her, and he that begatH3205 her, and he that strengthenedH2388 her in these times.H6256
Dan 11:6
And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king’s daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.
The successors of Seleucus I and Ptolemy I warred over territories. The first major conflict which lasted from 274 to 271 BC was between Antiochus I Soter of the Seleucus Empire and Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Egypt. Ptolemy II emerged victorious in this war but it was not to last. In 260 BC, Ptolemy II went to war against Antiochus II Theos, who had succeeded Antiochus I of the Seleucus Empire. Another king meant another war for Ptolemy II which he really did not want. So in order to forge some kind of alliance between himself and Antiochus II, he gave his daughter, Berenice, to Antiochus II as a truce marriage. Antiochus II was all for this arrangement but he was already married to Laodice so he expelled her to make a place for Berenice.
“but she shall not retain the power of the arm”
The truce marriage between Antiochus II and Berenice only lasted four years and then Antiochus expelled Berenice in favor of his former wife, Laodice in 246 BC. Antiochus II and Berenice had a child together who would have been heir to the throne of the Seleucid Empire. Laodice had other plans however, and after poisoning her adulterous husband, Antiochus II, moved to have her son placed on the throne instead of the son of Antiochus and Berenice. In order to expedite this venture of hers with little opposition, she had Berenice and her son killed.
“neither shall he stand, nor his arm”
The infant son of Antiochus II and Berenice was slain along with his mother. Berenices infant son and the anticipated kingly linage which was planned did not come to pass. Ptolemy II figured that with a line of kings on the throne of the Seleucid Empire who was related to him, the hostilities between them would cease and he would have an advocate on the throne. This plan failed miserably when Laodice returned to the favor of Antiochus II and had them all killed, thus extinguishing any hope of a Ptolemaic line on the throne of the Seleucid Empire.
“but she shall be given up, and they that brought her”
Antiochus II expelled Berenice in favor of his former wife who he had earlier expelled. This did not work out well for Antiochus II at all. His first wife, Laodice, killed him with poison and had everybody else involved in the plot to place a Ptolemaic king on the Seleucid throne executed.
“and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.”
Ptolemy II had a great deal riding on this arrangement. He was the father of Berenice thus he was the one who “begat her”. He was also the one that strengthened her in that before Berenice and her infant son were killed by Laodice, Berenice had requested her brother Ptolemy III Euergetes of Egypt to support her being regent for her infant son to succeed the late Antiochus II who had been killed by Laodice. The support did not come in time so the plan to place a Ptolemy on the Seleucid throne failed.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
they shall
i.e. the descendants and successors of Ptolemy Lagidae and Seleucus, not those very personages. The prediction was fulfilled in the marriage of Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus, to Antiochus Theos, third king of Syria, B.C. 285-247.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
the end: Dan 11:13, Eze 38:8, Eze 38:9
join themselves: Heb. associate themselves
for the king’s: After many wars between Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt, and Antiochus Theos, king of Syria, they agreed to make peace, on condition that the latter should put away his wife Laodice, and her sons, and marry Berenice, Ptolemy’s daughter.
king: Dan 11:7, Dan 11:13, Dan 11:15, Dan 11:40
an agreement: Heb. rights
retain: Job 38:15, Psa 10:5, Eze 30:21, Zec 11:16
she shall be: Antiochus recalled Laodice, who, fearing another change, caused him to be poisoned, and Berenice and her son to be murdered, and set her son Callinicus on the throne.
he that begat her: or, whom she brought forth
he that strengthened: Her father Ptolemy, who died a few years before.
Reciprocal: Dan 2:21 – he changeth Zec 6:6 – toward Zec 9:8 – because of him that passeth by
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Dan 11:6. The rulers of these two dominions were succeeded by others as the years went by, but the scripture does not make mention of the new kings by name. The two governments are merely referred to as the north and the south, and if a change in kings iti either has taken place, we will have to learn It and find the name of the king by history. For this reason it will be necessary to make quotations from the historical sources. In order that the reader may the more readily detect the particular word or words concerned in the prediction, I shall add my own emphasis to them. It will be the rule to make the quotation first, then interpret the verse or verses in the light oi the history, hence it is very important lliat the reader give carefui attention lo the quotations. The history to be used for the present verse is as follows: The commotions and revolts which happened in the east, making Antiochus (Theos) weary of his war with King Ptolemy (Phil adelpints), peace was made between them on the terms, that Antiochus, divorcing Laodice, his former wife, should marry Bernice, daughter of Ptolemy, and make her bis queen instead of the other, and entail his crown upon the male issue of that marriage. And this agreement being ratified by ooth sides, for the full performance of it, Antiochus put away Laodice, though she were his sister by the same father, and he had two sons born to him by her; and Ptolemy carrying his daughter to Pelusium, there put her on board his fleet, and sailed with her to Selucia, a seaport town near the mouth of the River Orontes in Syria; where having met Antiochus, he delivered his daughter to him, and the marriage was celebrated with great solemnity, And thus the king’s daughter of the south came, and was married to the king of the north; and, by virtue of that marriage, ‘an agreement was made between those two kings,’ according to the prophecy of the prophet Dan 11:5-6. For in that place, by the king of the south, is meant the king of Egypt, and by the king of the north, the king of Syria; and both are there so called in respect of Judea, which lying between these two countries, hath Egypt on the south, and Syria on the north. For the fuller understanding of this prophecy, It is to be observed, that the holy prophet, after having spoken of Alexander the Great (verse 3) and of the four kings among whom hia empire was divided (verse 4) confines the rest of his prophecy in that chapter to two of them only, that is to the king of Egypt, and the king of Syria, and first be begins with that king of Egypt who first reigned in that country after Alexander, that is, Ptolemy Soter, whom he calls the king of the south, and saith of him that he should be strong. And that he was so, all that write of him do sufficiently testify: for he had under him Egypt, Libya Cyrene, Arabia, Palestine, Coele Syria, most of the maritime provinces of Lesser Asia, the island of Cyprus, several of the isles of the Aegean Sea, now called the Archipelago, and some cities also in Greece, as Sicyon, Corinth. and others. And then the Prophet proceedeth to speak of the four successors (or princes, as he calls them) of Alexander, and he was Seleucus Nicator king of the north; of whom he sail.h ‘should be strong above the king of the, south, and have great dominion’; that is, greater than the king of the south. And that he had so. appears from the large territories be was possessed of; for he had under him all the countries of the east, from Mount Taurus to the river Indus, and several of the provinces of Lesser Asia, also from Mount Taurus to the Aegean Sea; and he had moreover added to them, before his death, Thrace and Macedon, And then, in the next place (verse 6) he tells us the coming of the king’s daughter of the south, after (he end of several years, to the king of the north, and the agreement, or treaty of peace, which should thereon be made between these two kings.’ Which plainly points out unto us this marriage of Bernice, daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus king of Egypt, with Antiochus Theos king of Syria, and the peace which was thereon made between them; for ail this was exactly transacted according to what was predicted by the holy prophet in his prophecy. After this the holy prophet proceeds, through the rest of the chapter, to foreshadow ail the other most remarkable events that were brought to pass In the transactions of the succeeding times of those two races of kings, till the death of Antiochus Epiphanes, the great persecutor of the Jewish nation; all which I shall take notice of in the following series of this history, and apply them to the prophecy for the explication of it, as they come in my way.-PRIDEAUXS CONNEXION, year 249.
“Details of this reign. [That of Antiochus Theos]-Marriage of Antiochus with Laodice, daughter of Aehae us. Her influence, and that of his sister Apame, wife of Matas, engaged him in war with Ptolemy Philadelphue, B.C. 260, which is terminated, B.C. 252, by marriage between Antiochus and Berenice, Ptolemys daughter. Soon after the close of this war, B.C. 255, Partliia and Bactria revolt and establish their independence. On the death of Phlladeiphus, B.C. 247, Antiochus repudiates Berenice and takes back his former wife Laodice, who however, doubtful of his constancy, murders him to secure the throne for her son, Seleucus, B.C. 246.” – Rawlinson, Ancient History, page 25L
“As soon as Antiochus Theos had received intelligence of the death of Ptolemy Phlladeiphus, his fatherinlaw, he divorced Berenice, and recalled Laodice and her children. This lady, who knew the variable disposition and inconstancy of Antiochus, and was apprehensive that the same levity of mind would induce him to supplant her, by receiving Berenice again, resolved to improve the present opportunity to secure the crown for her son. Her own children were disinherited by the treaty made with Ptolemy; by which it was also stipulated that the issue Berenice might have by Antiochus should succeed to tire throne, and she then had a son, Laodice, therefore, caused Antiochus to be poisoned.. . . Laodice, not believing herself safe as long as Berenice and her son lived, concerted measures with Seleucus to destroy them also; hut that princess, being informed of their design, escaped the danger for some time by retiring, with her son, to Daphne, where she shut herself up in the asylum built by Seleucus Nicator; but being at last betrayed by the perfidy [treachery] of those who besieged her there, by the order of Laodice. first her son, and then herself, with all the Egyptians who had accompanied her to that retreat were murdered in the basest and most inhuman manner.”-Rollin, Ancient History, Volume 3, Book 16, Chapter 3, Section 1.
In view of the foregoing information from history we may be able to comment, briefly, on the leading terms of this verse. The first pronoun they means the kingdoms of the north and the south. Kings daughter is Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus, whom her father gave In marriage to the king of the north in hopes of bringing about a peace. But the plan did not have the effect that was expected, which is the meaning of the words not retain the power of the arm. Shall he given up, etc. All who were involved in this “love triangle” were brought to disappointment
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Dan 11:6. And in the end of years That is, after several years, for these wars lasted long. They shall join themselves together Shall enter into a league or confederacy with each other. For the kings daughter of the south, &c. They agreed to make peace, upon condition that Antiochus Theus should put away his former wife, Laodice, and her two sons, and marry Berenice, the daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus. Thus she came to the king of the north to make an agreement For Ptolemy her father brought her to Antiochus Theus, and with her an immense treasure, so that he received the appellation of the dowry-giver. But she shall not retain the power of the arm That is, her interest and power with Antiochus; for after some time, in a fit of love, he brought back his former wife, Laodice, with her children, to court again. Neither shall he stand, nor his arm Or seed, for Laodice, fearing the fickle temper of her husband, lest he should recall Berenice, caused him to be poisoned; and neither did his seed by Berenice succeed him in the kingdom; but Laodice contrived to fix her eldest son, Seleucus Callinicus, on the throne of his ancestors. But she shall be given up For Laodice, not content with poisoning her husband, caused also Berenice to be murdered. And they that brought her Or, her Egyptian women and attendants, endeavouring to defend her, were many of them slain with her. And he that begat her Or rather, as it is in the margin, he whom she brought forth; for the son was murdered as well as the mother, by order of Laodice. And he that strengthened her, &c. Her husband Antiochus, as Jerome conceives; or rather, her father, who died a little before, and was so very fond of her that he took care continually to send her fresh supplies of the water of the Nile, thinking it better for her to drink of that than any other river, as Polybius relates. See Bishop Newton.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Dan 11:6. they shall join themselves: refers to the attempt of Ptolemy II (285247) and Antiochus II to form a matrimonial alliance between the two empires.the kings daughter: Berenice. Ptolemy II, in order to bring the long and disastrous wars between Egypt and Syria to a close, gave his daughter Berenice in marriage to Antiochus II, on condition that he divorced his wife Laodice, and upon the understanding that if Berenice had a son, he should unite the two empires.she shall retain: the arrangement did not succeed. After the death of Ptolemy, Antiochus dismissed Berenice and took back his previous wife, Laodice.neither shall he stand: Antiochus was murdered by Laodice.she shall be given up: Berenice was put to death at the instigation of Laodice.they that bought her: i.e. Berenices attendants.he that begat her: Ptolemy II, but Charles emends the text and reads, her son.
Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
11:6 And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king’s {n} daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the {o} arm; neither shall {p} he stand, nor his {q} arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he {r} that begat her, and he that strengthened her in [these] times.
(n) That is, Bernice the daughter of Ptolemais Philadelphus will be given in marriage to Antiochus Theos, thinking by this affinity that Syria and Egypt would have a continual peace together.
(o) That power and strength will not continue: for soon after her husband’s death, Bernice and her young son were slain by her stepson Seleicus Calinieus the son of Laodice, the lawful wife of Antiochus, but put away for this woman’s sake.
(p) Neither Ptolemais nor Antiochus.
(q) Some read “seed”, meaning the child begotten by Bernice.
(r) Some read, “she that begat her”, and by this understand her nurse, who brought her up: so that all those who were part of this marriage were destroyed.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
In the South, Ptolemy I eventually died in 285 B.C., leaving his throne to his son, Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285-246 B.C.).
In the North, Seleucus I was the victim of an assassin in 281 B.C., and his son, Antiochus I Soter (281-262 B.C.), began ruling in his place. Antiochus I died in 262 B.C. and left his son, Antiochus II, in power.
Ptolemy II of Egypt and Antiochus II of Syria were contemporaries. They were also bitter enemies. However, they finally made an alliance about 250 B.C., which they sealed with the marriage of Ptolemy II’s daughter, Berenice, to Antiochus II. When Ptolemy II died in 246 B.C., Antiochus II took back his first wife, Laodice, whom Antiochus had divorced to marry Berenice. Laodice is the woman for whom the town of Laodicea in Asia Minor was named (Rev 3:14; et al.). Similarly, the towns of Antioch, in Syria and in Asia Minor, received their names from Antiochus. Antioch of Syria was the capital of Syria during the Selucid dynasty. To gain revenge, Laodice had Berenice and her infant son by Antiochus murdered. Laodice also poisoned Antiochus and ruled in his place briefly. Her son, Seleucus II, then succeeded his father, Antiochus II, and ruled Syria beginning in 246 B.C. Berenice is the woman the angel referred to in this verse.
The NASB text says, "She [Berenice] will not retain her position of power [as queen of the North], but she will be given up [by her husband, Antiochus II], along with those who brought her in [perhaps the diplomats who arranged the marriage], and the one who sired her [her father, Ptolemy II], as well as he who supported her in those times [perhaps her supporting patron]."