1 I, therefore, in the first year of Darius the Mede, was at my station to strengthen and embolden him;
Jerome · AD 420 Verse 1. "And from the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up that he might be strengthened and confirmed." Daniel implies, "From the first year of the reign of Darius, who overthrew the Chaldeans and delivered me from the hand of my enemies to the extent of his ability (for even his sealing of the pit of lions with his signet ring was for my protection, lest my adversaries…
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 [The divine angel says,] As soon as Cyrus came to the throne and the end of captivity had been reached, I took my place until I had secured release and liberation for the people.
2 and, now, the truth, I will tell thee:—Lo! there are, yet three kings, to arise—belonging to Persia, and, the fourth, will amass greater riches than they all, and, when he hath strengthened himself in his riches, the whole, will stir up, the kingdom of Greece.
Hippolytus of Rome · AD 235 "And now," he says, "I will proclaim to you the truth." [Daniel 11:2] And so was the truth able to proclaim some other thing beyond the truth? The truth was what was seen by Daniel and he proclaimed the truth. He himself, with the truth being revealed in the world, teaches the truth. On account of which the blessed disciples are taught by Christ.
Jerome · AD 420 Verse 2. "And now I shall proclaim the truth to thee." And the meaning is this: "Because thou desirest to know what shall befall the kings of Persia, hearken thou to the order of events and hear the answer to thy request." "And behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia, and the fourth shall be enriched exceedingly above them all, and when he shall have grown mighty through…
Ishodad of Merv · AD 850 After Cyrus, who reigned first, there were numerous kings in Persia until those three. But the angel indicates by "three kings" those who were called with the name Darius, because there were only three kings who had the same name Darius.
3 And so a hero king, will arise,—and wield great authority, and do according to his own pleasure;
Hippolytus of Rome · AD 235 "And another mighty king shall arise and he shall enter into the strongholds of the king of Egypt." [Daniel 11:3] For one named Antiochus became king of Syria. This one reigned in the one hundredth and thirtieth and seventh year of the kingdom of Greeks. And at this point, then in those times he engaged in war with Ptolemy king of Egypt, and having prevailed over him he ruled.
Jerome · AD 420 Verses 3, 4. "But there shall rise up a strong king and shall rule with great power, and he shall do whatever he pleases. And when he shall have arisen, his kingdom shall be broken." He clearly refers to Alexander the Great, king of the Macedonians, and son of Philip.
Ishodad of Merv · AD 850 "And [Alexander] shall arise," he says, "and will kill [Darius] and will take action as he pleases," and nobody will rise against him. This Darius, son of Arshak, was the tenth king after Cyrus, and in his sixth year Alexander marches against him and kills him. Alexander, when he came to Jerusalem, enters the temple, worships God and honors the temple with many gifts.
4 but, when he hath arisen, his kingdom, shall be broken in pieces, and be divided, toward the four winds of the heavens,—but not to his own posterity, nor according to his own authority which he wielded, for his kingdom, shall be uprooted, even for others besides these.
Ephrem the Syrian · AD 373 Understand this as referring to Alexander, who was certain that his last day was not close and therefore did not have children, who could be the heirs of his reign, and left it to his friends after dividing it into four parts.
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 When, as we have already mentioned, Alexander joined together the whole known world, so to speak, into his kingdom and then suffered the fate common to all humankind, the kingdom was divided into four parts.
5 But a king of the south, will become strong, even from among his rulers,—and will prevail against him, and have authority, a great authority, shall his authority be.
Jerome · AD 420 Verse 5. "And the king of the South shall be strengthened." The reference is to Ptolemy, son of Lagos, who was the first to become king in Egypt, and was a very clever, mighty and wealthy man, and possessed such power that he was able to restore Pyrrhus, King of Epirus, to his kingdom after he had been driven out, and also to seize Cyprus and Phoenicia.
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 He is talking about Ptolemy Philopator, who was not satisfied with the kingdom of Egypt but who added also Phoenicia, Samaria and Judea. When he says, "one of his princes will grow strong," he is talking about Scopas, whom also Josephus the Hebrew historian mentions.
6 And, at the end of years, they will league together, yea, the daughter of the king of the south, will go in unto the king of the north, to make peace, but she shall not retain strength of arm, neither shall he stand, nor his arm, but she shall be delivered up—she herself, and they who brought her in, and he who begat her, and he that strengthened her in the times.
Hippolytus of Rome · AD 235 Again he says, "And the daughter of the king of the South will come to the king of the North to make with him agreements and the arms of him who brings her shall not stand and he shall be crushed and both she and he who brings her shall fall." [Daniel 11:6] And this also happened.
Jerome · AD 420 Verse 6. "And at the end of the years they shall be leagued together (or, as Theodotion renders: And after his years they shall be united). And the daughter of the king of the South shall come to the king of the North in order to make friendship, but she shall not obtain strength of arm nor shall her seed endure.
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 After Ptolemy Philpator died, his son Ptolemy (surnamed Epiphanes) reigned. That is what he means, "After his years, they will make an alliance." And he explains how they will make an alliance. By the king of the north he means Antiochus—not Antiochus Epiphanes but Antiochus the Great, who was the father of Antiochus Epiphanes.
7 But one will stand up from the sprout of her roots, [in] his stead,—and he will enter the army, and enter into a fortress of the king of the north, and deal with them and shew himself strong;
Hippolytus of Rome · AD 235 Accordingly, a meeting between Ptolemy and Antiochus happened again. For Scripture says thusly, "And the king of the south rose up against the king of the north and he rose up seed from her." [Daniel 11:6-7] But what kind of seed except Ptolemy, who joined war with Antiochus?
Jerome · AD 420 "And a plant of the bud of her roots shall arise, and he shall come with an army and shall invade the province of the king of the North." After the murder of Berenice and the death of her father, Ptolemy Philadelphus, in Egypt, her brother, who was also named Ptolemy and surnamed Euergetes, succeeded to the throne as the third of his dynasty, being in fact an offshoot of the sa…
8 yea, even their gods, with their molten images, with their delightful vessels of silver and gold, with a host of captives, will he bring into Egypt,—and, he, will stand more, years, than the king of the north;
Hippolytus of Rome · AD 235 Accordingly, Ptolemy took all the military equipment and brought it into Egypt. And the Scripture was fulfilled just as Daniel says, "And indeed he shall carry into Egypt their gods and their things formed from cast metal and every desirable golden vessel." [Daniel 11:8]
Jerome · AD 420 "And he shall also carry away captive into Egypt their gods and their sculptures and their precious vessels of gold and silver; he shall prevail against the king of the North." And then, when he heard that a rebellion was afoot in Egypt, he ravaged the kingdom of Seleucus and carried off as booty forty thousand talents of silver, and also precious vessels and images of the gods…
9 so will the king of the south, enter into the kingdom, and then return unto his own soil.
Jerome · AD 420 "And the king of the South shall enter into the kingdom and shall return to his own land." And he himself retained possession of Syria, but he handed over Cilicia to his friend, Antiochus, that he might govern it, and the provinces beyond the Euphrates he handed over to Xanthippus, another general.
10 But, his sons, will rouse themselves to war, and gather together a multitude of large armies, but he will come on and on, and overflow and pass through,—and will return and wage war, up to his fortress.
Jerome · AD 420 Verse 10. "And his sons shall be provoked, and they shall assemble a multitude of great armies, and he shall come with haste like a flood.
11 Then will the king of the south, be enraged, and go forth and fight with him, with the king of the north,—and will raise a great multitude, but the multitude, will be delivered, into his hand.
Jerome · AD 420 Verses 11, 12. "And the king of the South, being provoked, shall go forth and shall prepare an exceeding great multitude, and a multitude shall be given into his hand. And he shall take a multitude, and his heart shall be lifted up, because (Vulgate: and) he shall cast down many thousands.
12 And, when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart, will be uplifted,—and he will cause tens of thousands to fall, but will not conquer.
13 Then will the king of the north again raise a multitude, greater than the first,—and, at the end of the times—some years, he will come on and on with a great army, and with great substance.
Jerome · AD 420 Verses 13, 14. "And the king of the North shall return and shall prepare a much greater multitude than before, and in the end of times and years he shall come in haste with a large army and great resources.
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 He will lead again an army greater than the earlier one and will set out against Egypt, and he will do this near the end of his own reign. That is what is meant by the sentence "at the end of the seasons he will make his entrance with great power and with much wealth." This doubling is a Hebraism; he wished to say that he would make a great entrance.
14 And, in those times, many, will rise against the king of the south,—and, the sons of the oppressors of thy people, will exalt themselves to confirm the vision, but will be overthrown.
15 Then will come in the king of the north, and cast up a rampart, and capture a city of strongholds,—and, the arms of the south, will not rise, nor the people of his chosen ones, and there shall be no strength to rise.
Hippolytus of Rome · AD 235 "And another mighty king shall arise and he shall enter into the strongholds of the king of Egypt." [Daniel 11:3] For one named Antiochus became king of Syria. This one reigned in the one hundredth and thirtieth and seventh year of the kingdom of Greeks. And at this point, then in those times he engaged in war with Ptolemy king of Egypt, and having prevailed over him he ruled.
Jerome · AD 420 Verses 15, 16. "And the king of the North shall come, and shall cast up a mound and capture the best fortified cities, and the arms of the South shall not withstand. And his chosen ones shall rise up to resist, and they shall have no strength. And he shall come upon him and do according to his own desire, and there shall be none to stand against his face.
16 So shall he that cometh against him do according to his own pleasure, and, none, shall stand before him,—therefore will he take his stand in the beautiful land, and it will languish and be exhausted in his hand.
17 Then will he set his face to enter, with the might of all his kingdom, and, equitable terms with him, will make,—and, a daughter of women, will he give him to corrupt her, but she will not remain, nor, his, shall she become.
Hippolytus of Rome · AD 235 After these things happened Scripture says again, "And another king shall arise and he shall prevail over the earth and the king of the south shall arise and he shall take his daughters to wife." For it happened that a certain Alexander, the son of Philip arose.
Jerome · AD 420 "And he shall set his face to come and possess all his kingdom, and he shall make upright conditions with him. And he shall give him the daughter of women, that she may overthrow him" (Vulgate: it). That is to say, the intention is to overthrow him, that is, Ptolemy, or else to overthrow it, that is, his kingdom.
18 Then will he turn his face to the Coastlands, and will capture many,—but a commander, will bring to an end, his reproach against himself, that, his reproach, return not unto him.
Jerome · AD 420 "And he shall turn his face to the islands and shall capture many; and she shall cause the prince of her reproach to cease, and his reproach shall be turned upon him." And so he turned his attention to Asia Minor, and by carrying on naval warfare against a large number of islands, he seized Rhodes, Samos, Colophon (variant: Colophonia and Bocla), Phocea and many other islands.
19 Therefore will he turn his face towards the fortresses of his land,—but he shall stagger and fall, and shall not be found.
Jerome · AD 420 "And he shall turn his face to the empire of his own land; and he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found." And so he took refuge in Apamia and Susa and advanced to the easternmost cities of his realm. And during a war against the Elymaeans he was destroyed together with his entire army.
20 Then will rise up in his stead, one causing an exactor to pass through the ornament of the kingdom,—but, in a few days, shall he be broken in pieces, not with anger, nor in battle.
Jerome · AD 420 Verse 20. "And there shall stand up in his place one most vile and unworthy of kingly honor, and in a few days he shall be destroyed, not in rage nor in a battle." The reference is to the Seleucus surnamed Philopator, the son of Antiochus the Great, who during his reign performed no deeds worthy of Syria or of his father, but perished ingloriously without fighting a single batt…
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 He is talking about Antiochus Epiphanes, who on his return from Rome succeeded his brother Seleucus. Seleucus (called Philopator) succeeded Antiochus the Great, since he was his son. When Seleucus died, Antiochus Epiphanes received the throne.
21 Then will rise up in his stead, one despised, and they will not lay upon him the dignity of the kingdom,—but he will come in unexpectedly, and strengthen the kingdom by flatteries;
Hippolytus of Rome · AD 235 In this way after these things happened, Alexander, having heard this, engaged in war with Ptolemy, and having not overpowered him, became a fugitive to the king of the Arabs. But he, removing the head of Alexander, sent it to Ptolemy and that one received it and the two diadems of Syria and Egypt were bestowed on him, which after being bestowed he died on the third day.
22 and, the arms of an overflowing flood, will sweep all before him, and they shall be broken in pieces,—moreover also, the prince of a covenant;
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 Here again he hinted at the empire of the Egyptians, that though they too were very powerful, destroying their adversaries like an inundation, and rendering them totally undone, they themselves would be subject to an inundation from him and would be crushed—and not they alone but "the prince of the covenant as well."
23 and, by reason of the leaguing against him, he will work deceitfully, and will come up and become strong, with a small nation.
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 Here he foretells the revolt against Onias the high priest by Joshua, also called Jason, and by Onias, son of Menelaus. The former, Jason, had recourse to Antiochus and threw his own brother out from the high priesthood. Menelaus, who was commissioned to bring tributes and gold to Antiochus, appointed himself high priest and drove out Jason.
24 Unexpectedly, even into the rich places of the province, will he enter, and will do what neither his fathers nor his father’s fathers had done, prey and spoil and substance—among them, will he scatter,—and, against strongholds, will he devise plots even until a (convenient) time.
Jerome · AD 420 Verse 24. "And there shall stand up in his place one despised, and the kingly honor shall not be given him; and he shall come privately and shall obtain the kingdom by fraud. And the arms of the fighter shall be overcome before his face and shall be broken, and the prince of the covenant as well.
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 Although all his fathers and forefathers had honored the Jewish nation, he does everything to the contrary. He steals, plunders and enslaves—and bestows all these things on his troops. "And he shall make plans against Egypt, and yet only until a certain time." That is to say, he will not rule for long.
25 Then will he stir up his strength and his heart, against the king of the south, with a great army, and, the king of the south, will wage war, with a great and exceedingly mighty army,—but will make no stand, for they will devise against him plots;
Jerome · AD 420 Verses 25, 26. "And his strength and his heart shall be stirred up against the king of the South with a great army. And the king of the South shall be aroused to war with many and very strong auxiliary forces; and they shall not stand, for they shall form designs against him.
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 The first book of the Maccabees relates this assault on Egypt: "Antiochus came to Egypt with a mighty host and with chariots, elephants, horses and a great expedition and battled against Ptolemy, king of Egypt. Ptolemy fled, and many of his soldiers were wounded and fell. Antiochus captured the fortresses of Egypt and plundered Egypt."
26 and, they who have been eating his delicacies, will break him in pieces, and, his army, will he overwhelm like a flood,—and many wounded, will fall.
27 Now, as for the two kings, their heart, will be set on acting wickedly, and, at one table, will they speak, falsehood,—but it shall not succeed, for yet is the end for an appointed time.
Hippolytus of Rome · AD 235 But it says, "And he shall corrupt her, she shall not be for him." [Daniel 11:17] And truly this was fulfilled. For when Ptolemy gave him his own daughter, he turned and saw the wondrous and glorious kingdom of Alexander, of which he was very eager to have, so he spoke deceitfully to Alexander.
Jerome · AD 420 "And the heart of the two kings shall be to do evil, and they speak falsehood at one table, and they shall not prosper, because as yet the end is unto another time.
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 As the historian Josephus teaches us, the Romans learned about this army of his and commanded him to depart from Egypt. Then he made a peace treaty and shared a table with Ptolemy.
28 So then he will return to his own land, with great substance, with, his heart, set upon a holy covenant; yea he will act with effect, and return to his own land.
Hippolytus of Rome · AD 235 Then at this point, the army, which dwelt in Syria, having heard what happened, ran against them and made war against them on the day of the Sabbath. Those who feared the law of God and who kept the commandment of God did not lift up their hands against them, nor throw a stone against them, nor devise hiding places.
Jerome · AD 420 "And his heart shall be against the holy covenant, and he shall succeed and return into his own land." Both the Greek and the Roman historians relate that after Antiochus had been expelled from Egypt and had gone back once more, he came to Judaea, that is, against the holy covenant, and that he despoiled the Temple and removed a huge amount of gold; and then, having stationed a…
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 But nonetheless he will then return to his own kingdom with much wealth and great abundance. "And his heart will be against the holy covenant." At last, he will have one endeavor, namely, to destroy the law given by God to the Jews. Because he desires this, he puts his plans into effect.
29 At the appointed time, will he again enter the south,—but it shall not be like the former, nor like the latter.
Jerome · AD 420 "At the time appointed he shall return and shall come to the South; but the latter time shall not be like the former." And then two years later he gathered an army against Ptolemy and came to the South.
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 "And he will return at his appointed time," that is, he will not conquer and prevail in the same manner as before, but he will return in defeat. The phrase "at his appointed time" indicates the time suitable for warfare.
30 Then will come in against him the ships of Cyprus, and he will be disheartened, and again have indignation against a holy covenant, and will act with effect,—and again gain intelligence, concerning them who are forsaking a holy covenant.
Jerome · AD 420 "And the galleys shall come upon him, and the Romans, and he shall be dealt a heavy blow." Or, as another has rendered it, "...and they shall threaten him with attack." Both the Greek and the Roman historians relate that after Antiochus had been expelled from Egypt and had gone back once more, he came to Judaea, that is, against the holy covenant, and that he despoiled the Temp…
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 "And those who arrive from Kittim will come to him, and they will be brought low." He will ally himself with many Cypriots and other islanders (Kition to the present day is the main city of Cyprus); then he will set out against Egypt but return defeated and humiliated.
31 And, arms, from him, will arise,—and will profane the sanctuary, the fortress, and will set aside the continual [ascending-sacrifice], and place the horrid abomination that astoundeth.
Athanasius of Alexandria · AD 373 "[Jesus] breathed on the disciples and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.' " As soon as these things were done, everything was finished. The altar was broken, and the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom. And although the city was not yet sacked and destroyed, the abomination of desolation was soon to rest on the temple and the city.
Jerome · AD 420 Verse 31. "And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall defile (Vulgate: that (?) they may defile) the sanctuary of strength, and they shall take away the continual sacrifice, and shall place there the abomination unto desolation." Instead of "arms," another writer has rendered it as "seed," so as to imply descendants and progeny.
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 He calls the generals who assist him his "arms," since after the manner of arms they fulfill the commands of the king. Therefore, he will send some to profane the sanctuary of the kingdom, that is, the temple dedicated to almighty God.
32 And, them who are ready to deal lawlessly with a covenant, will he make impious by flatteries,—but, the people who know their God, will be strong and act with effect.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 He means the events in the time of the Maccabees: Judas, Simon and John.
Jerome · AD 420 Verse 32. "And ungodly men shall deceitfully dissemble against the covenant. But the people who know their God shall prevail and succeed." And in Maccabees we read that there were some who, to be sure, pretended that they were custodians of God's law, and later they came to terms with the Gentiles; yet the others adhered to their religion.
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 He speaks enigmatically here about those around the blessed Mattathias, who was the first to oppose the decrees of Antiochus and to seek solitude with his sons; he took the field with few soldiers and prevailed against Antiochus's generals.
33 And, they who make the people wise, will impart understanding to the many,—yet shall they be brought low, by sword and by flame, by captivity and by prey, for some days;
Jerome · AD 420 Verse 33. "And they that are learned among the people shall teach many and they shall fall by the sword and by fire and by captivity and by spoil for many days." The books of Maccabees relate the great sufferings the Jews endured at the hands of Antiochus and they stand as a testimony of their triumph; for they endured fire and sword, slavery and rapine, and even the ultimate p…
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 Those who properly use the knowledge supplied by God will utterly despise that fellow's laws and will prefer death for the divine law to a life of godlessness.
34 but, when they are brought low, they shall be helped with a little help,—and many, will join themselves unto them, by flatteries;
Hippolytus of Rome · AD 235 But after he heard these things, Matthias and his sons lamented concerning their brothers and they spoke to one another, saying, "If we all should do just as our brothers did, our enemies shall come and quickly remove us from the earth.
Jerome · AD 420 Verses 34, 35. "And when they shall have fallen, they shall be relieved with a small help; and many shall be joined to them deceitfully.
35 and, of them who make wise, some shall be brought low, to refine them, and to purify and make white, up to the time of the end,—for yet is it for an appointed time.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 Daniel gave the reason why God permitted them to be involved in such trials. What is the reason? "To purge them, to choose them and to make them white until the time of the end" … so as to cleanse them and to show who among them was genuine and approved.
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 Many of those who seem to be godly will turn to the other direction. "So that they may be refined." … These things will not harm the people of this time; they will learn not to have confidence in their previous successes.… For the vicissitudes in the situation will purify them as if by fire and test them and will separate the false from the tried and true.… These things take pl…
Ishodad of Merv · AD 850 When the priests, who give scandal, that is, the wise ones with regard to evil … are overturned and fall, they will become a furnace of testing before everybody's eyes, and it will be recognized that because of their evil actions punishment has come over them and more evils are forthcoming.
36 And the king, will do according to his own pleasure, and will exalt himself, and magnify himself against every GOD, yea, against the GOD of GODS, will he speak wonderful things,—and will succeed, until exhausted is the indignation, for, what is decreed, must be done;
Hippolytus of Rome · AD 235 And so the prophet, having described what has already occurred and has been accomplished in its own time, he proclaims another mystery to us, making an indication of the end of times.
Jerome · AD 420 Verse 36. "And the king shall do according to his will, and he shall be lifted up and shall magnify himself against every god; and he shall speak arrogant words against the God of gods, and shall manage successfully until the wrath be accomplished (Vulgate: indignation); for the determination is made." Or else, as another has translated it: "for in him shall be the consummation…
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 Antiochus will enjoy success, but not forever: "until his wrath has been spent," that is, until he kindles and draws out God's exceedingly great wrath. He calls the retribution God inflicts "his wrath," for the divine nature has no passion.
37 and, for the god of his fathers, will he have no regard, nor, for the delight of women, nor for any god, will he have regard,—for, against all, will he magnify himself.
Victorinus of Pettau · AD 304 "These shall hate the whore, to wit, the city, and shall burn her flesh with fire." Now that one of the heads was, as it were, slain to death, and that the stroke of his death was directed, he speaks of Nero. For it is plain that when the cavalry sent by the senate was pursuing him, he himself cut his throat.
Jerome · AD 420 "And he shall make no account of the god of his fathers, and he shall be engrossed in lust for women; nor shall he have regard for any of the gods, for he shall rise up against everything." Instead of our rendering, the Septuagint translates: "...and he will not be subject to the lusts of women." But because there is an ambiguity of position in the Hebrew original of the phrase…
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 But we find that Antiochus filled Jerusalem and all Judea with altars dedicated to idols and sacrificed to Zeus in the temple of God and called the temple in Jerusalem after Olympian Zeus and the temple on Mount Gerizim after Zeus Xenios. How, then, could it be said that this so superstitious man, this man so entranced by idols, "will not hearken to the gods of his fathers"?
38 Howbeit, to the god of the fortresses, in his place, will he give honour,—even to a god whom his fathers, knew not, will he give honour, with gold and with silver and with precious stones and with articles of delight.
Hippolytus of Rome · AD 235 And so the prophet, having described what has already occurred and has been accomplished in its own time, he proclaims another mystery to us, making an indication of the end of times.
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 Whereas all his ancestors acknowledged their natural limitations and did not presume to name themselves as god over all things, he gives himself the title God mighty and strong (the sense of Maozeim)—hence his putting "in his place," meaning himself.
Bonaventure · AD 1257 In the fourth mystery, that is, the giving of the law, the Antichrist is symbolized by Balaam, who offered the worst advice, was an idolater, and although he said many good things, yet raised pagan altars and consulted auguries. And in this it is shown that he was the worst idolator and worshiper of evil spirits. "Instead, he shall give glory to the god of strongholds."
39 And he will prepare, for the strongholds of the fortress of the sea, the people of an alien god, whom he will acknowledge—will greatly honour,—and will give them authority over the many, and, the soil, will he apportion for a price.
Jerome · AD 420 "And he shall take measures to fortify Maozim, together with a strange god whom he has acknowledged. And he shall increase glory and shall grant them power over many and shall divide the land as a free gift." Theodotion has interpreted as follows: "And he shall conduct these affairs so as to fortify garrisons with a strange god, and with them he shall manifest and increase glor…
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 He says that he will raise temples for himself and adorn them with silver, gold and precious stones and subject many people to them; that is, he will subject the many people who have been deceived by his signs or who have been weakened by his punishments.
40 And, in the time of the end, will the king of the south, push at him, and the king of the north, will rush against him, with chariots and with horsemen, and with many ships,—and he will enter the lands, and overwhelm and pass over;
Jerome · AD 420 Verses 40, 41. "And at the predetermined time the king of the South shall war against him, and the king of the North shall come against him like a tempest with chariots, with horsemen and with a great navy; and he shall invade lands and destroy them and pass through.
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 We have often said that the ten horns that appeared on the fourth beast represent ten kings who would reign at the same time at the end of the Roman Empire. From these kings the king of the south will wage war against this one, who is called the king of the north.
41 yea he will enter the beautiful land, and, many [lands], shall be laid low,—but, these, shall be delivered out of his hand, Edom and Moab, and the first portion of the sons of Ammon;
Hippolytus of Rome · AD 235 And so Daniel has foretold two abominations, one of destruction, one of desolation. What is the one of destruction but what was set up there in the time of Antiochus? And what was the one of desolation but the universal abomination when the Antichrist is near?
Ephrem the Syrian · AD 373 Antiochus will assail Judea, will occupy Jerusalem, will rush into the secret places of the sanctuary, will destroy the sacred objects of God, will break the vessels and will take away the golden altar, the candlestick and the table.
42 yea he will thrust forth his hand against the lands,—and, the land of Egypt, shall have no deliverance;
Jerome · AD 420 Verses 42, 43. "And he shall lay his hand upon the lands, and the land of Egypt shall not escape; and he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt. And likewise he shall pass through the Libyans (Vulgate: Libya and Ethiopia) and the Ethiopians." We read that Antiochus partially accomplished this.
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 These things do not fit at all with Antiochus. He never gained power over Libya or Ethiopia, or even Egypt itself. He was ordered by the Romans to leave, which he did. Therefore, the three horns that the little horn uprooted must refer to these three nations.
43 and he will have authority over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the delightful things of Egypt,—with Libyans and Ethiopians among his followers;
44 but, tidings, will terrify him, out of the east, and out of the north,—therefore will he go forth with great fury, to destroy and to devote many;
Hippolytus of Rome · AD 235 After these things Antiochus came out a second time raising war against him and he overcame Ptolemy. And then, after these things happened, Antiochus again stirred up the sons of Israel and he dispatched a certain Nicanor with a great army in order to make war against the Jews, while Judas, after the death of his father Matthias, ruled the people.
Jerome · AD 420 Verses 44, 45. "And tidings from the East and from the North shall trouble him. And he shall come thither with a great host to destroy and slay very many.
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 This does not apply to Antiochus either. I mean that the disturbances did not drive him out of Egypt, but rather the decree of the Romans, which came from the west, not from the east.
45 and will plant his palace-home between the seas, towards the beautiful holy mountain, but shall come to his end, with none to help him.
Ishodad of Merv · AD 850 "He shall pitch his palatial tents in a plain, between the sea of Soph and the mountain," where Moses ascended; "he shall pitch his tent there," that is, he will die there.