1. Welcome
Opening Question
- What do you think are appropriate ways to fight Anti-Semitism?
(יג) וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לְאַבְרָ֗ם יָדֹ֨עַ תֵּדַ֜ע כִּי־גֵ֣ר ׀ יִהְיֶ֣ה זַרְעֲךָ֗ בְּאֶ֙רֶץ֙ לֹ֣א לָהֶ֔ם וַעֲבָד֖וּם וְעִנּ֣וּ אֹתָ֑ם אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָֽה׃ (יד) וְגַ֧ם אֶת־הַגּ֛וֹי אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַעֲבֹ֖דוּ דָּ֣ן אָנֹ֑כִי וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵ֥ן יֵצְא֖וּ בִּרְכֻ֥שׁ גָּדֽוֹל׃
From the Torah portion of Lech Lecha, read on the Shabbat before this class:
(13) And [God] said to Abram, “Know well that your offspring shall be strangers in a land not theirs, and they shall be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years; (14) but I will execute judgment on the nation they shall serve, and in the end they shall go free with great wealth.
Alternative translation of the beginning of verse 14:
and also, I will execute judgment on the nation...
(א) וגם את הגוי. וְגַם לְרַבּוֹת ד' מַלְכֻיּוֹת, שֶׁאַף הֵן כָּלִים עַל שֶׁשִּׁעְבְּדוּ אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל:
(1) וגם את הגוי AND ALSO THAT NATION — The word וגם and also—(that nation also will I judge)—suggests that other nations will be judged as well: it is used here to include the four Monarchies (of the book of Daniel) who also will perish because they enslaved Israel (Genesis Rabbah 44:19).
2. Introduction to Chapter 11 - The History of the Seleucids
Perspectives on the chapter
- From the perspective of a writer/writers living during the Persian period, Chapter 11 is a series of revelations of the future.
- Traditional commentaries such as those of Rashi and Abraham ibn Ezra understand the Chapter to include information about the Roman Era.
- From the perspective of a writer/writers living during the time of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the chapter is mostly an account of historical events.
- This is essentially the view of Porphyry (3rd c.) and of many modern commentators
Outline of Chapter 11 (Based on Alexander DiLella, Anchor Bible: Daniel, pp. 286-7)
- verse 1 The Angel (=Gabriel?) speaks
- verse 2 The Persian Age
- verses 3-4 336-323 BCE - Alexander the Great
- verses 5-20 323-175 BCE - the Seleucids (based in present-day Syria) and the Ptolemies (based in Egypt) before Antiochus IV
- verse 5 Ptolemy I and Seleucus I
- verse 6 Ptolemy II and Antiochus II
- verses 7-9 Ptolemy III and Seleucus II - the death of Berenice
- verses 10-19 Antiochus III the Great
- verse 20 Seleucus IV
- verses 21-45 Antiochus IV Epiphanes 175-164 BCE and his bitter persecution of the Jews
- Note: verses 40-45 are predictions
Alexander DiLella, comment, p. 276
"In these verses [=verses 40-45], the author, who is otherwise quite well informed as regards the career of Antiochus, shows no familiarity at all with the eastern campaign the tyrant began in 165 BC, or with the rededication of the Temple on 14 December 164, or with the king's death in November or December 164. Hence, it is generally agreed that chapters 10-12 were composed in 165 or possibly early in 164 BC, at the height of the Syrian persecution of the Jews who refused to become Hellenized."
Successors of Alexander of Macedon: The Kingdoms of the Diadochi in 301 BC
"The Diadochi … were the rival generals, families, and friends of Alexander the Great who fought for control over his empire after his death in 323 BC." - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diadochi
By Diadochi PT.svg: Luigi Chiesa (talk · contribs)derivative work: Morningstar1814 (talk) - Diadochi PT.svg; The Macedonian Empire, 336-323 B.C. AND Kingdoms of the Diadochi in 301 BC and 200 BC. Historical Atlas by William R. Shepherd, 1911. Courtesy of the University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin., CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61818665
Note: the Ptolemies were based in Egypt and the Seleucids in Syria
3. Questions to think about for Chapter 11
- Why does the book of Daniel tell us so many details about the struggles between the Ptolemies (Egypt) and Seleucids (Syria)?
- Why does the book of Daniel focus so much on history?
- How does the account of events change over the course of the chapter?
- How are Jews described in different ways in this chapter?
- Who is the 'consul' (18)? What are the 'ships from Kittim' (30)?
- What is the 'covenant'?
4. Our Text: Chapter 11 - The History of the Seleucids
Chapter 11, Verses 1:20 - The History through the Seleucid king Antiochus III the Great
The Angel continues narrating (following chapter 10)
(1) “In the first year of Darius the Mede, I took my stand to strengthen and fortify him.
(ב) וְעַתָּ֕ה אֱמֶ֖ת אַגִּ֣יד לָ֑ךְ הִנֵּה־עוֹד֩ שְׁלֹשָׁ֨ה מְלָכִ֜ים עֹמְדִ֣ים לְפָרַ֗ס וְהָֽרְבִיעִי֙ יַעֲשִׁ֤יר עֹֽשֶׁר־גָּדוֹל֙ מִכֹּ֔ל וּכְחֶזְקָת֣וֹ בְעׇשְׁר֔וֹ יָעִ֣יר הַכֹּ֔ל אֵ֖ת מַלְכ֥וּת יָוָֽן׃
The Persian Age
(2) And now I will tell you the truth: Persia will have three more kings, and the fourth will be wealthier than them all; by the power he obtains through his wealth, he will stir everyone up against the kingdom of Greece.
Alexander the Great, 336-323 BCE and the breakup of his empire
(3) Then a warrior king will appear who will have an extensive dominion and do as he pleases. (4) But after his appearance, his kingdom will be broken up and scattered to the four winds of heaven, but not for any of his posterity, nor with dominion like that which he had; for his kingdom will be uprooted and belong to others beside these.
Ptolemy I and Seleucus I
(5) “The king of the south will grow powerful; however, one of his officers will overpower him and rule, having an extensive dominion.
The Intrigues of Ptolemy II and Antiochus II; the death of Berenice (="She")
(6) After some years, an alliance will be made, and the daughter of the king of the south will come to the king of the north to effect the agreement, but she will not maintain her strength, nor will his strength endure. She will be surrendered together with those who escorted her and the one who begot her and helped her during those times.
Translation of A. DiLella, Anchor Bible: Daniel
...But she will not retain her power, and her offspring will not survive; for she and her attendants, as well as her child and her husband, will be delivered up.
Ptolemy III avenges the death of his sister Berenice and overruns the kingdom of Seleucus II
(7) A shoot from her stock will appear in his place, will come against the army and enter the fortress of the king of the north; he will fight and overpower them. (8) He will also take their gods with their molten images and their precious vessels of silver and gold back to Egypt as booty. For some years he will leave the king of the north alone, (9) who will [later] invade the realm of the king of the south, but will go back to his land.
(י) וּבָנָ֣ו יִתְגָּר֗וּ וְאָסְפוּ֙ הֲמוֹן֙ חֲיָלִ֣ים רַבִּ֔ים וּבָ֥א ב֖וֹא וְשָׁטַ֣ף וְעָבָ֑ר וְיָשֹׁ֥ב (ויתגרו) [וְיִתְגָּרֶ֖ה] עַד־מָעֻזֹּֽה׃ (יא) וְיִתְמַרְמַר֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הַנֶּ֔גֶב וְיָצָ֕א וְנִלְחַ֥ם עִמּ֖וֹ עִם־מֶ֣לֶךְ הַצָּפ֑וֹן וְהֶעֱמִיד֙ הָמ֣וֹן רָ֔ב וְנִתַּ֥ן הֶהָמ֖וֹן בְּיָדֽוֹ׃ (יב) וְנִשָּׂ֥א הֶהָמ֖וֹן (ירום) [וְרָ֣ם] לְבָב֑וֹ וְהִפִּ֥יל רִבֹּא֖וֹת וְלֹ֥א יָעֽוֹז׃ (יג) וְשָׁב֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הַצָּפ֔וֹן וְהֶעֱמִ֣יד הָמ֔וֹן רַ֖ב מִן־הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן וּלְקֵ֨ץ הָֽעִתִּ֤ים שָׁנִים֙ יָ֣בוֹא ב֔וֹא בְּחַ֥יִל גָּד֖וֹל וּבִרְכ֥וּשׁ רָֽב׃
(יד) וּבָעִתִּ֣ים הָהֵ֔ם רַבִּ֥ים יַֽעַמְד֖וּ עַל־מֶ֣לֶךְ הַנֶּ֑גֶב וּבְנֵ֣י ׀ פָּרִיצֵ֣י עַמְּךָ֗ יִֽנַּשְּׂא֛וּ לְהַעֲמִ֥יד חָז֖וֹן וְנִכְשָֽׁלוּ׃ (טו) וְיָבֹא֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הַצָּפ֔וֹן וְיִשְׁפֹּךְ֙ סֽוֹלְלָ֔ה וְלָכַ֖ד עִ֣יר מִבְצָר֑וֹת וּזְרֹע֤וֹת הַנֶּ֙גֶב֙ לֹ֣א יַעֲמֹ֔דוּ וְעַם֙ מִבְחָרָ֔יו וְאֵ֥ין כֹּ֖חַ לַעֲמֹֽד׃
(טז) וְיַ֨עַשׂ הַבָּ֤א אֵלָיו֙ כִּרְצוֹנ֔וֹ וְאֵ֥ין עוֹמֵ֖ד לְפָנָ֑יו וְיַעֲמֹ֥ד בְּאֶֽרֶץ־הַצְּבִ֖י וְכָלָ֥ה בְיָדֽוֹ׃ (יז) וְיָשֵׂ֣ם ׀ פָּ֠נָ֠יו לָב֞וֹא בְּתֹ֧קֶף כׇּל־מַלְכוּת֛וֹ וִישָׁרִ֥ים עִמּ֖וֹ וְעָשָׂ֑ה וּבַ֤ת הַנָּשִׁים֙ יִתֶּן־ל֣וֹ לְהַשְׁחִיתָ֔הּ וְלֹ֥א תַעֲמֹ֖ד וְלֹא־ל֥וֹ תִהְיֶֽה׃ (יח) (וישב) [וְיָשֵׂ֧ם] ׀ פָּנָ֛יו לְאִיִּ֖ים וְלָכַ֣ד רַבִּ֑ים וְהִשְׁבִּ֨ית קָצִ֤ין חֶרְפָּתוֹ֙ ל֔וֹ בִּלְתִּ֥י חֶרְפָּת֖וֹ יָשִׁ֥יב לֽוֹ׃ (יט) וְיָשֵׁ֣ב פָּנָ֔יו לְמָעוּזֵּ֖י אַרְצ֑וֹ וְנִכְשַׁ֥ל וְנָפַ֖ל וְלֹ֥א יִמָּצֵֽא׃
Antiochus III the Great (d. 187 BCE): The Seleucids capture the Land of Israel
(10) “His sons will wage war, collecting a multitude of great armies; he will advance and sweep through as a flood, and will again wage war as far as his stronghold. (11) Then the king of the south, in a rage, will go out to do battle with him, with the king of the north. He will muster a great multitude, but the multitude will be delivered into his [foe’s] power. (12) But when the multitude is carried off, he will grow arrogant; he will cause myriads to perish, but will not prevail. (13) Then the king of the north will again muster a multitude even greater than the first. After a time, a matter of years, he will advance with a great army and much baggage.
(14) In those times, many will resist the king of the south, and the lawless sons of your people will assert themselves to confirm the vision, but they will fail. (15) The king of the north will advance and throw up siege ramps and capture a fortress city, and the forces of the south will not hold out; even the elite of his army will be powerless to resist.
(16) His opponent will do as he pleases, for none will hold out against him; he will install himself in the beautiful land with destruction within his reach. (17) He will set his mind upon invading the strongholds throughout his [foe’s] kingdom, but in order to destroy it he will effect an agreement with him and give him a daughter in marriage; he will not succeed at it and it will not come about.
(18) He will turn to the coastlands and capture many; but a consul will put an end to his insults, nay pay him back for his insults. (19) He will head back to the strongholds of his own land, but will stumble, and fall, and vanish.
Seleucus IV
(20) His place will be taken by one who will dispatch an officer to exact tribute for royal glory, but he will be broken in a few days, not by wrath or by war.
Chapter 11, Verses 21-45. The reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164), younger son of Antiochus III, and his persecution of the Jews
Antiochus IV: a "contemptible man"
(21) His place will be taken by a contemptible man, on whom royal majesty was not conferred; he will come in unawares and seize the kingdom through trickery. (22) The forces of the flood will be overwhelmed by him and will be broken, and so too the covenant leader. (23) And, from the time an alliance is made with him, he will practice deceit; and he will rise to power with a small band. (24) He will invade the richest of provinces unawares, and will do what his father and forefathers never did, lavishing on them spoil, booty, and wealth; he will have designs upon strongholds, but only for a time.
(כה) וְיָעֵר֩ כֹּח֨וֹ וּלְבָב֜וֹ עַל־מֶ֣לֶךְ הַנֶּ֘גֶב֮ בְּחַ֣יִל גָּדוֹל֒ וּמֶ֣לֶךְ הַנֶּ֗גֶב יִתְגָּרֶה֙ לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה בְּחַֽיִל־גָּד֥וֹל וְעָצ֖וּם עַד־מְאֹ֑ד וְלֹ֣א יַעֲמֹ֔ד כִּֽי־יַחְשְׁב֥וּ עָלָ֖יו מַחֲשָׁבֽוֹת׃ (כו) וְאֹכְלֵ֧י פַת־בָּג֛וֹ יִשְׁבְּר֖וּהוּ וְחֵיל֣וֹ יִשְׁט֑וֹף וְנָפְל֖וּ חֲלָלִ֥ים רַבִּֽים׃ (כז) וּשְׁנֵיהֶ֤ם הַמְּלָכִים֙ לְבָבָ֣ם לְמֵרָ֔ע וְעַל־שֻׁלְחָ֥ן אֶחָ֖ד כָּזָ֣ב יְדַבֵּ֑רוּ וְלֹ֣א תִצְלָ֔ח כִּי־ע֥וֹד קֵ֖ץ לַמּוֹעֵֽד׃ (כח) וְיָשֹׁ֤ב אַרְצוֹ֙ בִּרְכ֣וּשׁ גָּד֔וֹל וּלְבָב֖וֹ עַל־בְּרִ֣ית קֹ֑דֶשׁ וְעָשָׂ֖ה וְשָׁ֥ב לְאַרְצֽוֹ׃
Antiochus IV, section 2
(25) “He will muster his strength and courage against the king of the south with a great army. The king of the south will wage war with a very great and powerful army but will not stand fast, for they will devise plans against him. (26) Those who eat of his food will ruin him. His army will be overwhelmed, and many will fall slain. (27) The minds of both kings will be bent on evil; while sitting at the table together, they will lie to each other, but to no avail, for there is yet an appointed term. (28) He will return to his land with great wealth, his mind set against the holy covenant. Having done his pleasure, he will return to his land.
Antiochus IV, section 3 - Persecutions against the Jews
(29) At the appointed time, he will again invade the south, but the second time will not be like the first. (30) Ships from Kittim will come against him. He will be checked, and will turn back, raging against the holy covenant. Having done his pleasure, he will then attend to those who forsake the holy covenant. (31) Forces will be levied by him; they will desecrate the temple, the fortress; they will abolish the regular offering and set up the appalling abomination.
(לב) וּמַרְשִׁיעֵ֣י בְרִ֔ית יַחֲנִ֖יף בַּחֲלַקּ֑וֹת וְעַ֛ם יֹדְעֵ֥י אֱלֹקָ֖יו יַחֲזִ֥קוּ וְעָשֽׂוּ׃ (לג) וּמַשְׂכִּ֣ילֵי עָ֔ם יָבִ֖ינוּ לָֽרַבִּ֑ים וְנִכְשְׁל֞וּ בְּחֶ֧רֶב וּבְלֶהָבָ֛ה בִּשְׁבִ֥י וּבְבִזָּ֖ה יָמִֽים׃ (לד) וּבְהִכָּ֣שְׁלָ֔ם יֵעָזְר֖וּ עֵ֣זֶר מְעָ֑ט וְנִלְו֧וּ עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם רַבִּ֖ים בַּחֲלַקְלַקּֽוֹת׃ (לה) וּמִן־הַמַּשְׂכִּילִ֣ים יִכָּֽשְׁל֗וּ לִצְר֥וֹף בָּהֶ֛ם וּלְבָרֵ֥ר וְלַלְבֵּ֖ן עַד־עֵ֣ת קֵ֑ץ כִּי־ע֖וֹד לַמּוֹעֵֽד׃
Antiochus IV, section 4 - Persecutions - the Knowledgeable
(32) He will flatter with smooth words those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people devoted to their God will stand firm. (33) The knowledgeable among the people will make the many understand; and for a while they shall fall by sword and flame, suffer captivity and spoliation. (34) In defeat, they will receive a little help, and many will join them insincerely. (35) Some of the knowledgeable will fall, that they may be refined and purged and whitened until the time of the end, for an interval still remains until the appointed time.
Antiochus IV, section 5 - Theological Crimes
(36) “The king will do as he pleases; he will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and he will speak awful things against the God of gods. He will prosper until wrath is spent, and what has been decreed is accomplished. (37) He will not have regard for the god of his ancestors or for the one dear to women; he will not have regard for any god, but will magnify himself above all. (38) He will honor the god of fortresses on his stand; he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly things, a god that his ancestors never knew. (39) He will deal with fortified strongholds with the help of an alien god. He will heap honor on those who acknowledge him, and will make them master over many; he will distribute land for a price.
(מ) וּבְעֵ֣ת קֵ֗ץ יִתְנַגַּ֤ח עִמּוֹ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הַנֶּ֔גֶב וְיִשְׂתָּעֵ֨ר עָלָ֜יו מֶ֣לֶךְ הַצָּפ֗וֹן בְּרֶ֙כֶב֙ וּבְפָ֣רָשִׁ֔ים וּבׇאֳנִיּ֖וֹת רַבּ֑וֹת וּבָ֥א בַאֲרָצ֖וֹת וְשָׁטַ֥ף וְעָבָֽר׃ (מא) וּבָא֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ הַצְּבִ֔י וְרַבּ֖וֹת יִכָּשֵׁ֑לוּ וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ יִמָּלְט֣וּ מִיָּד֔וֹ אֱד֣וֹם וּמוֹאָ֔ב וְרֵאשִׁ֖ית בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן׃ (מב) וְיִשְׁלַ֥ח יָד֖וֹ בַּאֲרָצ֑וֹת וְאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם לֹ֥א תִהְיֶ֖ה לִפְלֵיטָֽה׃ (מג) וּמָשַׁ֗ל בְּמִכְמַנֵּי֙ הַזָּהָ֣ב וְהַכֶּ֔סֶף וּבְכֹ֖ל חֲמֻד֣וֹת מִצְרָ֑יִם וְלֻבִ֥ים וְכֻשִׁ֖ים בְּמִצְעָדָֽיו׃ (מד) וּשְׁמֻע֣וֹת יְבַהֲלֻ֔הוּ מִמִּזְרָ֖ח וּמִצָּפ֑וֹן וְיָצָא֙ בְּחֵמָ֣א גְדֹלָ֔ה לְהַשְׁמִ֥יד וּֽלְהַחֲרִ֖ים רַבִּֽים׃ (מה) וְיִטַּע֙ אׇהֳלֵ֣י אַפַּדְנ֔וֹ בֵּ֥ין יַמִּ֖ים לְהַר־צְבִי־קֹ֑דֶשׁ וּבָא֙ עַד־קִצּ֔וֹ וְאֵ֥ין עוֹזֵ֖ר לֽוֹ׃
Antiochus IV, section 6 - The Anticipated End
(40) At the time of the end, the king of the south will lock horns with him, but the king of the north will attack him with chariots and riders and many ships. He will invade lands, sweeping through them like a flood; (41) he will invade the beautiful land, too, and many will fall, but these will escape his clutches: Edom, Moab, and the chief part of the Ammonites. (42) He will lay his hands on lands; not even the land of Egypt will escape. (43) He will gain control over treasures of gold and silver and over all the precious things of Egypt, and the Libyans and Cushites will follow at his heel. (44) But reports from east and north will alarm him, and he will march forth in a great fury to destroy and annihilate many. (45) He will pitch his royal pavilion between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain, and he will meet his doom with no one to help him.
5. Discussion and Commentaries
5a Verse 2 "now I will tell you [the] truth"
(כא) אֲבָל֙ אַגִּ֣יד לְךָ֔ אֶת־הָרָשׁ֥וּם בִּכְתָ֖ב אֱמֶ֑ת וְאֵ֨ין אֶחָ֜ד מִתְחַזֵּ֤ק עִמִּי֙ עַל־אֵ֔לֶּה כִּ֥י אִם־מִיכָאֵ֖ל שַׂרְכֶֽם׃ {פ}
(21) No one is helping me against them except your prince, Michael. However, I will tell you what is recorded in the book of truth.
(א) ועתה אמת אגיד לך מהרשום בכתב אמת.
Commentary to Five Scrolls and Writings. Bologna, first decades of the 16th century
"now I will tell you the truth" - from what is inscribed in the Writing/Book of Truth
A. DiLella, Anchor Daniel, comment to verse 2, p. 287
"What the author clearly implies here is that the unfolding of history comes about under the sovereign sway of the Lord of history. Come what may, God's will shall be done, and his faithful ones, regardless of adversity and persecution, shall be vindicated."
[5b verse 6. The Tragedy of Berenice]
5c verse 13. Antiochus III wins a battle against the Ptolemies at Paneas (Baneas)
Spring of Banias river, one of the main tributary of the Jordan River. In the background Pan's cave, in which the river originated in ancient times until an earthquake blocked it.
By gugganij - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3992796
Antiquities of the Jews is a 20-volume history of the Jews, from their biblical origins through the Jewish-Roman wars of the 1st century CE. Composed in Greek by the Jewish-Roman historian Josephus Flavius at the end of the 1st century CE, the work was intended to explain Judaism to general Greek and Roman audiences and to attest to the Jewish tradition’s wisdom and antiquity. It is considered a vital source of Jewish history, particularly of the late Second Temple period, and of ancient Roman history generally.
Composed: Rome (c.92 – c.94 CE)
...
(3) 3. ... But at length, when Antiochus [III] had beaten Ptolemy, he seized upon Judea; and when Philopater was dead, his son sent out a great army under Scopas, the general of his forces, against the inhabitants of Celesyria [southern Syria, including the Land of Israel], who took many of their cities, and in particular our nation; which when he fell upon them, went over to him.
Yet was it not long afterward when Antiochus overcame Scopas, in a battle fought at the fountains of Jordan, and destroyed a great part of his army.
But afterward, when Antiochus subdued those cities of Celesyria which Scopas had gotten into his possession, and Samaria with them, the Jews, of their own accord, went over to him, and received him into the city [Jerusalem], and gave plentiful provision to all his army, and to his elephants, and readily assisted him when he besieged the garrison which was in the citadel of Jerusalem. Wherefore Antiochus [III] thought it but just to requite the Jews' diligence and zeal in his service. So he wrote to the generals of his armies, and to his friends, and gave testimony to the good behavior of the Jews towards him, and informed them what rewards he had resolved to bestow on them for that their behavior. ...
5d verse 14 Pro-Seleucid Jews during the reign of Antiochus III?
(14) In those times, many will resist the king of the south, and the lawless sons of your people will assert themselves to confirm the vision, but they will fail.
5e verse 16 - the beautiful land
(טז) וְיַ֨עַשׂ הַבָּ֤א אֵלָיו֙ כִּרְצוֹנ֔וֹ וְאֵ֥ין עוֹמֵ֖ד לְפָנָ֑יו וְיַעֲמֹ֥ד בְּאֶֽרֶץ־הַצְּבִ֖י וְכָלָ֥ה בְיָדֽוֹ׃
(16) His opponent will do as he pleases, for none will hold out against him; he will install himself in the beautiful land with destruction within his reach.
(ט) וּמִן־הָאַחַ֣ת מֵהֶ֔ם יָצָ֥א קֶֽרֶן־אַחַ֖ת מִצְּעִירָ֑ה וַתִּגְדַּל־יֶ֛תֶר אֶל־הַנֶּ֥גֶב וְאֶל־הַמִּזְרָ֖ח וְאֶל־הַצֶּֽבִי׃
(9) From one of them emerged a small horn, which extended itself greatly toward the south, toward the east, and toward the beautiful land.
Silver coin of king Antiochus IV. Reverse shows seated Zeus holding Nike and scepter. Greek inscription reads: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ, Basileōs Antiochou Nikēphorou Theou Epiphanous, "of victorious god manifest king Antiochus."
By Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2155073
5f Verses 21-45 Reign of Antiochus IV
A. DiLella, Anchor Bible: Daniel, p. 294
"The sacred author, who doubtless composed this apocalypse some time before the tyrant's death in late 164 BC, had personally lived and suffered through the diabolical and systematic persecution depicted here. The purpose of this chapter and indeed of the rest of the book was to urge on his fellow Jews continued fidelity to their religious heritage.
"If apocalyptic can be defined as resisance literature, here is an illustration of it at its best."
[5g Verse 22 the covenant leader]
Onias III, sometime high priest in Jerusalem
(22) The forces of the flood will be overwhelmed by him and will be broken, and so too the covenant leader.
(26) And after those sixty-two weeks, the anointed one will disappear and vanish. The army of a leader who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary, but its end will come through a flood. Desolation is decreed until the end of war.
(לט) ויוגד הדבר לחוניו ויוכח אותו, והוא ישב בדפני עיר המקלט אשר לפני אנטיוכיא.
(מ) וילך מינילאוס בסתר אל אנדרוניקוס, ויבקש ממנו להרוג את חוניו.
(מא) וילך אנדרוניקוס אל מקום מושבו, ויפתהו בערמה לצאת אליו, וישבע לו לאמור, לא תיגע בך יד. וימאן לדבריו אף כי ליבו חרד ויצא.
(מב) ויהי בצאתו וידקור אנדרוניקוס חרב בבטנו וימות.
When Onias became fully aware of these acts [the theft of temple vessels by Menelaus, a corrupt contestant for the high priesthood], he publicly exposed them, having first withdrawn to a place of sanctuary at Daphne near Antioch. Thereupon Menelaus, taking Andronicus aside, urged him to kill Onias. Andronicus came to Onias, and resorting to treachery, offered him sworn pledges and gave him his right hand; he persuaded him, though still suspicious, to come out from the place of sanctuary; then, with no regard for justice, he immediately put him out of the way. [NRSV Translation of II Macc. 4:33-34]
[5h Verse 30, ships from Kittim (see verse 18, the consul) - rising power of Rome]
v 30: Ships from Kittim: A Roman delegation headed by Gaius Popillius Laenas, instructing Antiochus IV to leave Egypt. (DiLella p 297)
v 18. The consul: refers to Scipio, a Roman general who defeated Antiochus III at Magnesia in Asia Minor.
5i Verse 30 and elsewhere - those who forsake the covenant
(30) Ships from Kittim will come against him. He will be checked, and will turn back, raging against the holy covenant. Having done his pleasure, he will then attend to those who forsake the holy covenant.
(מב) ויכתוב המלך אנטיוכוס אל כל מדינות מלכותו לאמור: אך תורה אחת וחוקה אחת לכל יושבי ארצנו.
(מג) ויעזבו כל עמי הארץ את חוקותיהם ויעשו כאשר ציוה אותם המלך.
(מד) ויאותו גם רבים מבני ישראל ויזבחו לאלילים ויחללו את השבת.
(42) Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people,
(43) And every one should leave his laws: so all the heathen agreed according to the commandment of the king.
(44) Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the sabbath.
(נא) וייסוגו רבים ממצות ה׳ וייצמדו לגויים, ותשחת כל הארץ לפניהם.
(נב) ויהי הם נוגשים את העם, ויתחבאו במערות ובכל מקום אשר מצאו שם מפלט.
(51) Then many of the people were gathered unto them, to wit every one that forsook the law; and so they committed evils in the land;
(52) And drove the Israelites into secret places, even wheresoever they could flee for succour.
5j Verses 32-35 Jewish resistance to persecution
- those who act wickedly
- the people devoted to their God
- the knowledgeable
- the many
- a little help
- many will join them insincerely
(32) He will flatter with smooth words those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people devoted to their God will stand firm. (33) The knowledgeable among the people will make the many understand; and for a while they shall fall by sword and flame, suffer captivity and spoliation. (34) In defeat, they will receive a little help, and many will join them insincerely. (35) Some of the knowledgeable will fall, that they may be refined and purged and whitened until the time of the end, for an interval still remains until the appointed time.
(נז) ובחמישה ועשרים יום לחודש זבחו את זבחיהם על הבמה אשר הקימו נוכח מזבח ה׳.
(נח) והנשים אשר מלו את בניהן הומתו על פי המלך.
(נט) את העוללים תלו בצווארם, ואת המלים אותם הרגו בחרב ויבוזו את בתיהם.
(ס) ורבים מבני ישראל דבקו בתורת ה׳ ויישמרו מאכול כל דבר טמא.
(סא) ויבחרו את המוות משקץ את נפשותם, ומחלל את ברית ה׳, וימותו.
(סב) ויהי קצף גדול על כל ישראל.
(57) Now the five and twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice upon the idol altar, which was upon the altar of God.
(58) At which time according to the commandment they put to death certain women, that had caused their children to be circumcised.
(59) And they hanged the infants about their necks, and rifled their houses, and slew them that had circumcised them.
(60) Howbeit many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat any unclean thing.
(61) Wherefore the rather to die, that they might not be defiled with meats, and that they might not profane the holy covenant: so then they died
(62) And there was very great wrath upon Israel.
(ל) וכל האנשים אשר נגעה תורת ה׳ בלבבם הלכו אחריהם וינוסו המדברה.
(לא) וישבו שם הם ונשיהם וטפם ומקניהם, כי גבר הקצף מאוד מאוד.
(30) Then many that sought after justice and judgment went down into the wilderness,
(31) to dwell there: Both they, and their children, and their wives; and their cattle; because afflictions increased sore upon them.
Henri-Camille Danger (1857-1937), Mattathias Refuses to Offer a Sacrifice to Idols, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 > , via Wikimedia Commons
(מב) ומתתיהו ורעיו שמעו את הדבר וייצר להם מאוד.
(מג) ויאמרו איש אל אחיו: אם עשה נעשה כאשר עשו אחינו, לבלתי התייצב לפני הגויים בעד נפשנו ותורתנו, עוד מעט והשמידונו.
(מד) ויוועצו כולם ביום ההוא לאמור אם הילחם ילחמו אויבינו בנו ביום השבת, ויצאנו לקראתם ועמדנו על נפשנו, ולא נמות כמות אחינו במערות.
(מה) ויתקבצו אליהם רבים מחסידי בני ישראל אשר יראת ה׳ בלבבם, וכל הממלטים את נפשם מפני עוכריהם ויתחזקו בם.
(מו) ויהי כי חזקו וגם גברו חיל, ויכו באפם ובחמתם כל הפושעים בישראל, והנמלטים נסו אל הגויים.
(מז) ומתתיהו ורעיו עברו בכל גבולי ישראל, ויתצו את הבמות, וימולו את הילדים אשר לא נמול בשר ערלתם.
(מח) ותצלח המלאכה בידם, וירדפו ביד רמה אחרי רודפיהם.
(42) Now when Mattathias and his friends understood hereof [DR: massacre of pious ones on Shabbat], they mourned for them right sore.
(43) And one of them said to another, If we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not for our lives and laws against the heathen, they will now quickly root us out of the earth.
(44) At that time therefore they decreed, saying, Whosoever shall come to make battle with us on the sabbath day, we will fight against him; neither will we die all, as our brethren that were murdered in the secret places.
(45) Then came there unto him a company of Assideans [DR: Greek hasidaioi from Hebrew חסידים / Hasidim / pious ones] who were mighty men of Israel, even all such as were voluntarily devoted unto the law.
(46) Also all they that fled for persecution joined themselves unto them, and were a stay unto them. So they joined their forces, and smote sinful men in their anger, and wicked men in their wrath: but the rest fled to the heathen for succour.
(47) Then Mattathias and his friends went round about, and pulled down the altars: And what children soever they found within the coast of Israel uncircumcised, those they circumcised valiantly.
(48) They pursued also after the proud men, and the work prospered in their hand.
(יא) מֵעֲמַ֤ל נַפְשׁוֹ֙ יִרְאֶ֣ה יִשְׂבָּ֔ע בְּדַעְתּ֗וֹ יַצְדִּ֥יק צַדִּ֛יק עַבְדִּ֖י לָֽרַבִּ֑ים וַעֲוֺנֹתָ֖ם ה֥וּא יִסְבֹּֽל׃ (יב) לָכֵ֞ן אֲחַלֶּק־ל֣וֹ בָרַבִּ֗ים וְאֶת־עֲצוּמִים֮ יְחַלֵּ֣ק שָׁלָל֒ תַּ֗חַת אֲשֶׁ֨ר הֶעֱרָ֤ה לַמָּ֙וֶת֙ נַפְשׁ֔וֹ וְאֶת־פֹּשְׁעִ֖ים נִמְנָ֑ה וְהוּא֙ חֵטְא־רַבִּ֣ים נָשָׂ֔א וְלַפֹּשְׁעִ֖ים יַפְגִּֽיעַ׃ {פ}
The righteous who make the many understand (see verse 33). Compare the suffering servant in Isaiah 52-53 [H. L. Ginsburg discussed this connection.]
(11) Out of his anguish he shall see it; [NJPS: I.e., the arm of GOD]
He shall enjoy it to the full through his devotion.“My righteous servant makes the many righteous,
It is their punishment that he bears; (12) Assuredly, I will give him the many as his portion,
He shall receive the multitude as his spoil.
For he exposed himself to death
And was numbered among the sinners,
Whereas he bore the guilt of the many
And made intercession for sinners.”
5k Verse 34 the 'little help' = the Maccabees?
Lawrence M. Wills, Jewish Study Bible, Introduction to Daniel, p. 1636
The scribal visionaries who produced Daniel were strongly opposed to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, yet they were probably not closely aligned with the Maccabees. The group is probably to be identified with those who are 'knowledgeable' in 11.33, 12.3. Their instruction includes the knowledge of future events that is contained in the visions, and their role is one of guardian to the 'many.'
G. von Rad, Old Testament Theology (quoted in L. Hartman and A. DiLella, Anchor Bible: Daniel, Introduction, p. 97
Without any doubt, the writer of Daniel sides with those who endure persecution rather than those who take up arms against it, and in so doing he is only being true to his own basic conviction that what must be will be. He is far removed from the Maccabees and their policy of active resistance; their large following is actually suspect in his eyes.
[5l Verses 40-45]
Lawrence M. Mills, Jewish Study Bible, comment to Daniel 11:40-45, p. 1658
What is described is a cataclysmic battle of the major powers that would mark the end of the present age but the campaigns predicted here did not occur.
Compare Ezekiel 38-39 - the battle of Gog and Magog, Armageddon.
[5m Verse 45 Death of Antiochus IV]
Antiochus IV died in Persia, not in the Land of Israel
6. Summary and Next Class
- Class 10- Chapter 12: Vision of the last days, part 3: The End of the Days
- Review of the Book of Daniel
- Prospect