The Rise of an Evil King From the North
May 7, 2020
Commentary
During his brief reign, Seleucus V taxed the people greatly. His Jewish tax collector, Heliodorus, took matters into his own hands and poisoned his master (v. 20). This assassination only set the stage for someone much worse. Verse 21 says, “In his place will arise a contemptible (evil) person to whom royal majesty has not been given. He will come in (peace) without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.” Many believe this man, Antiochus IV, came out of Syria. He was NOT next in line to the throne, not the son of the last king. But he took the throne by manipulation and false promises. A favorite tactic of his was to offer his intended victims an alliance. Then, once they were off their guard, he would move against them.
Antiochus IV took the title “Epiphanes”, which meant “Illustrious or Glorious” in Greek. The Jews however, loved to take names like that and change them slightly to make a pun or a joke. So they Jewish people called him Antiochus “Epimanes”, meaning “the mad man, the man out of his mind.”
The “prince of the covenant” mentioned in verse 22 most likely referred to Onias III, the Jewish high priest at that time. Antiochus IV removed him from his office. Antiochus IV failed to conquer the king of the south. He leaded his army in great battles and brought back some treasures, but he did not win (vv. 23-28).
Application
“A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with a perverted heart devise evil, continually sowing discord; therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.” – Prov. 6:12-15 (ESV). When you see the wicked prospering, remember it’s only temporary. God, the righteous judge will make all things right in the end.
Daniel 11:20– 28 (NET)
20 There will arise after him one who will send out an exactor of tribute to enhance the splendor of the kingdom, but after a few days he will be destroyed, though not in anger or battle.
21 “Then there will arise in his place a despicable person to whom the royal honor has not been rightfully conferred. He will come on the scene in a time of prosperity and will seize the kingdom through deceit. 22 Armies will be suddenly swept away in defeat before him; both they and a covenant leader will be destroyed. 23 After entering into an alliance with him, he will behave treacherously; he will ascend to power with only a small force. 24 In a time of prosperity for the most productive areas of the province he will come and accomplish what neither his fathers nor their fathers accomplished. He will distribute loot, spoils, and property to his followers, and he will devise plans against fortified cities, but not for long. 25 He will rouse his strength and enthusiasm against the king of the south with a large army. The king of the south will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to prevail because of the plans devised against him. 26 Those who share the king’s fine food will attempt to destroy him, and his army will be swept away; many will be killed in battle. 27 These two kings, their minds filled with evil intentions, will trade lies with one another at the same table. But it will not succeed, for there is still an end at the appointed time. 28 Then the king of the north will return to his own land with much property. His mind will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action, and then return to his own land.