Diving into Daniel: A Deceitful King
Daniel 11:23-25 - Deceitfulness and scheming define so many earthly kingdoms and nations.
This image was created using DALL·E, OpenAI’s legacy image generation model.
“After an alliance is made with him he will practice deception, and he will go up and gain power with a small force of people. In a time of tranquility he will enter the richest parts of the realm, and he will accomplish what his fathers never did, nor his ancestors; he will distribute plunder, booty and possessions among them, and he will devise his schemes against strongholds, but only for a time. He will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South with a large army; so the king of the South will mobilize an extremely large and mighty army for war; but he will not stand, for schemes will be devised against him.”
Daniel 11:23-25 NASB1995
The heavenly messenger tells Daniel about the deception that Antiochus IV Epiphanes will practice after he comes into power. We learned some of this in Daniel 8, but this has other details. I asked Steve to create an AI image of what this deceitful king might have looked like; I think this image is very disturbing! This guy looks like someone who would certainly come to create havoc during a time of tranquility and would use schemes and a pretense at tranquility. He enters the richest parts of the realm and distributed plunder, booty, and possessions among them (yes, the NASB95 version actually uses the word “booty”), but this only for a time that this occurs. He then stirs up his strength and courage against the king of the South with a large army, but he will not stand, for schemes will be devised against him. Which “he” is that last statement talking about? In looking at commentary, one side says that the “he” is Antiochus IV Epiphanes but the other side says that it is the king or kings of the South. The schemes seem to run both ways.
So what does Precept Austin tell us about this passage of prophecy (they’ve had the most details that I could find for Daniel 11)?
Gain power with a small force of people - Antiochus the despicable deceiver allayed suspicion when he came against Egypt with a small force but was able to gain power over Egypt as far as Memphis.
Wikipedia…When the guardians of King Ptolemy VI Philometor of Egypt demanded the return of Coele-Syria in 170 BC, Antiochus launched a preemptive strike against Egypt, conquering all but Alexandria and capturing King Ptolemy. To avoid alarming Rome, Antiochus allowed Ptolemy VI to continue ruling as a Puppet-king. Upon Antiochus' withdrawal, the city of Alexandria chose a new King, one of Ptolemy's brothers, also named Ptolemy (VIII Euergetes). Instead of fighting a civil war, the Ptolemy brothers agreed to rule Egypt jointly.
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NLT - Without warning he will enter the richest areas of the land and do something that none of his predecessors ever did--distribute among his followers the plunder and wealth of the rich. He will plot the overthrow of strongholds, but this will last for only a short while.
In a time of tranquility - When they felt they were secure.
He will distribute plunder, booty, possessions among them - He used the treasures he gained from his victories to bribe and influence others to cooperate with him (cf 1Macc 3:30).
Only for a time - This phrase reminds us that God is sovereign even over the events of evil men. God set the limits allotted to Antiochus Epiphanes.
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Constable notes that "After Antiochus had grown strong enough, he marched his army against Ptolemy VI in 170 B.C. He was able to get all the way to the Nile Delta before the Egyptians discovered that he was approaching. He exercised much influence over Egypt usually pretending to be an ally and then using this enemy for his own advantage. Notice how the text highlights Antiochus’ deceptiveness. We can see how he was a forerunner of the future Antichrist. (Bolding added)
Schemes will be devised against him - There was treason against the King of the South. The idea is that a carefully calculated plan would be orchestrated against the King of the South. The text does not say but the same Hebrew word is used in Da 11:24 where it says Antiochus Epiphanes devises schemes against strongholds.
As described in more detail below, Antiochus defeated the army of Ptolemy Philometor, and in the next campaign made himself master of all Egypt, except Alexandria. While they had frequent conferences at the same table, they spoke lies to each other; and the former returned to Syria laden with riches.
Wikipedia describes the main events related to the Sixth Syrian War which lasted from 170-168BC…
The causes of this conflict are obscure. In 170, Eulaeus and Lenaeus, the two regents of the young king of Egypt Ptolemy VI Philometor, declared war on the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes. In the same year, Ptolemy's younger siblings Ptolemy VIII Physcon and Cleopatra II were declared co-rulers in order to bolster the unity of Egypt. Military operations did not begin until 169 when Antiochus quickly gained the upper hand, seizing the important strategic town of Pelusium. The Egyptians realised their folly in starting the war, Eulaeus and Lenaeus were overthrown and replaced by two new regents, Comanus and Cineas, and envoys were sent to negotiate a peace treaty with Antiochus. Antiochus took Ptolemy VI (who was his nephew) under his guardianship, giving him effective control of Egypt. However, this was unacceptable to the people of Alexandria who responded by proclaiming Ptolemy Physcon as sole king. Antiochus besieged Alexandria but he was unable to cut communications to the city and he also needed to deal with a revolt in Judaea so, at the end of 169BC, he withdrew his army.
In his absence, Ptolemy VI Philometor and his brother Ptolemy VIII Physcon were reconciled. Antiochus, angered at his loss of control over the king (Ptolemy VI), invaded again. The Egyptians sent to Rome asking for help and the Senate dispatched Gaius Popilius Laenas to Alexandria. Meanwhile, Antiochus had seized Cyprus and Memphis and was marching on Alexandria. At Eleusis, on the outskirts of the capital, he met Popilius Laenas, with whom he had been hustlas during his stay in Rome. But instead of a friendly welcome, Popilius offered the king an ultimatum from the Senate: he must evacuate Egypt and Cyprus immediately. Antiochus begged to have time to consider but Popilius drew a circle round him in the sand with his cane and told him to decide before he stepped outside it. Antiochus chose to obey the Roman ultimatum. The "Day of Eleusis" ended the Sixth Syrian War and Antiochus' hopes of conquering Egyptian territory. (Reference)
What is fascinating is that these actions don’t last long; that can be comforting when a believer who is caught up in a difficult situation. God is in control, even over the evil actions of someone like Antiochus! Also, the Wikipedia reference and the actions that were taken by both the Romans and Egyptians in the excerpt from Precept Austin continues into the next verses in Daniel 11.
My next devotional will examine Daniel 11:26-30, where we learn more about the actions taken against Antiochus IV Epiphanes along the battles and also how he marches back towards home and turns an evil eye towards the holy covenant of the people of Judea.
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord - Sometimes I cannot glean the deep meanings of this prophecy through my research. All I can do is know that You are in control in even the worst situations and will not let evil prosper for long. Amen.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Precept Austin was accessed on 6/4/2025 to review the commentary for Daniel 11:23-25.