Diving into Daniel: The Evil King Turns to Words and Violence in the “Beautiful Land”
Daniel 11:31-35 - You will know believers by their knowledge of God, their strength and their deeds.
“Forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation. By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action. Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder for many days. Now when they fall they will be granted a little help, and many will join with them in hypocrisy. Some of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge and make them pure until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time.”
Daniel 11:31-35 NASB1995
A fair warning: This is a LONG devotional, so grab a coffee and settle in to glean some insights from this remarkable prophecy. The AI image above is intended to show “smooth talker” Antiochus IV Epiphanes getting the attention of those who are on the verge of becoming godless because they act wickedly towards the covenant.
Following on with what we learned in Daniel 8 about Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a few more details are given about what he and his followers do in Jerusalem. They will desecrate the sanctuary fortress, do away with the regular sacrifice, and they will set up the abomination of desolation. Precept Austin has excellent details and commentary about Daniel 11:31; this is a long excerpt but has essential definitions:
Sanctuary (04720) (miqdash) refers to the consecrated thing or place, especially the sanctuary, the Holy place, the hallowed part. The noun miqdāsh is used most frequently in the OT as the designation of the tabernacle and the temple. It is frequently translated "sanctuary," in these cases. In keeping with the basic meaning of the word group that it represents (qdsh), miqādsh denotes that which has been devoted to the sphere of the sacred. When it refers to the sanctuary, it connotes the physical area devoted to the worship of God. This area was sacred because it was the place where God dwelled among the people (Exodus 25:8) and its sanctity was not to be profaned (Leviticus 12:4; Leviticus 19:30; Leviticus 20:3; Leviticus 21:12, 23).
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Fortress (04581) (mauz) refers to a place or means of safety or protection. Māʿôz is used to denote various strongholds, such as fortresses (e.g., Dan. 11:31), cities which are fortified (Isa. 23:4) and lands where one seeks refuge (Isa. 30:2f). It can also denote an area which is strategically defensible, as in a hill (Judg. 6:26). The noun is also frequently used as a simile for the protection of Yahweh, Who is the Protector, the Fortress of the righteous (2 Sam. 22:33) and the poor and defenseless (Ps. 52:7).
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Do away with the regular sacrifice - The parallel passage in Daniel 8 records that Antiochus Epiphanes…
even magnified itself to be equal with the Commander of the host; and it removed the regular sacrifice from Him, and the place of His sanctuary was thrown down. (Daniel 8:11+)
Abomination (08251) (shiqquts) is a very strong word referring to that which is filthy, detestable or abhorrent, disgusting (abominable filth). In the OT shiqquts was always used in connection with idolatrous practices, either referring to the idols themselves as being abhorrent and detestable in God's sight, or to something associated with the idolatrous ritual. Idols generally are referred to as an abomination (Jer 16:18; Ezek 5:11, Ezek 7:20). In one of the more incredible uses of this word in the OT we see the wisest man in the OT is described as "going after" the detestable idols (1Ki 11:5) and even building a high place for them (1Ki 11:7). Woe! Before you cast a stone read 1 Cor 10:12!
Shiqquts is translated in the Lxx most often with the noun bdelugma which means something that is extremely abhorred (an abomination, often associated with idolatry - Rev 17:4, cp Mt 24:15). Bdelugma is found only 6x in the NT (Mt 24:15, Mk 13:14, Lk 16:15, Rev 17:4, 5, 21:27) but over 100x in the Septuagint including 14x in Leviticus - Lev 5:2; Lev 7:21; 11:10, 12, 13, 20, 23, 41, 42; 18:22, 26, 27, 29; 20:13.
Abomination of desolation - KJV has "the abomination that maketh desolate." While this abomination was fulfilled in 168BC, the abomination of Da 12:11-note refers to a yet future abomination of desolation which Jesus alluded to in Mt 24:15.
Desolation (08074) (shamen/samen) means ruin or waste and is a primary root which refers to a desolation caused by some great disaster, usually a result of divine judgment and is used of people (2 Sam. 13:20; Lam. 1:13, 16) and places (Lev. 26:31, 32; Isa. 61:4; Ezek. 35:12). Shamem also refers to the reaction to such a ruin, including consternation, astonishment, or being appalled (Job 18:20; Isa. 52:14; Jer. 18:16). Shamen often describes a person’s reaction on seeing desolation and destruction (1Ki 9:8) Lev 26:32 uses shamen/samen twice and conveys both of the ideas of this word the desolation and the reaction to the desolation = 'I will make the land desolate (shamen) so that your enemies who settle in it will be appalled (shamen) over it. Webster's English definition of desolate - Laid waste; in a ruinous condition; neglected; devoid of inhabitants and visitors; joyless, disconsolate, and sorrowful through or as if through separation from a loved one, showing the effects of abandonment and neglect; barren, lifeless (desolate landscape). Verb = to lay waste, to make wretched. Webster's English definition of appalled - to overcome with consternation, shock, or dismay; causing extreme dismay, horror, or revulsion.
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Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who has been labeled the "Antichrist of the Old Testament", caused an altar to be set up in the Jewish Temple and on this altar he placed an idolatrous image of Zeus (cf 2Macc 6:2 = He was also to defile their Temple by dedicating it to the Olympian god Zeus. The temple on Mount Gerizim was to be officially named. Temple of Zeus the God of Hospitality, as the people who lived there had requested.). In addition, he turned the priest's chambers into brothels, creating the "abomination that causes desolation". In other words, the Temple was desolate to pious Jews because of the desecration of the altar which destroyed its true purpose. They had no desire to worship in such a polluted environment and thus the Temple was deprived of Jewish worshippers. Just so will the Antichrist establish an abomination in the sanctuary, a demonic counterfeit worship (Da 9:27-note; Da 12:11-note). Even more blatantly defiant of God, the Antichrist will command worship of himself and his image! (2Th 2:3,4, Rev 13:14-note, Rev 13:15-note) God will allow this gross evil because He is using this devilish man to fulfill His purging and purifying purpose in the nation of Israel. While the infinitely good and holy God does not cause evil, in His infinite wisdom and omnipotence [He] is able to bring good out of what others mean for evil. (cf Ge 50:20, Ro 8:28-note)
Henry Morris adds "It is believed that Epiphanes, aided by traitorous Jews, sacrificed a sow on the altar and erected a statue of Zeus in the temple at Jerusalem. The motive behind this act was his ambition to unify the great empire extending all the way to India, left him by his father, by compelling all people in the empire to adopt the Greco/Roman system of culture and pantheistic religion."
This is just superb on the details of what this prophecy means. This was the historical abomination of desecration told to Daniel by the heavenly messenger; another one is in the future, as predicted by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. Henry Morris is quoted in this commentary that it is believed that Epiphanes (I’m going with the short name), aided by Jews who betrayed their faith, sacrificed a sow on the altar and erected a statue of Zeus in the temple in Jerusalem. The future antichrist will establish an abomination of desecration even worse in the sanctuary and will demand worship of himself and his image!
Epiphanes is also apparently a smooth talker, able to persuade others through his words to abandon their faith, but there is a remnant who know their God and display strength and take action. More from Precept Austin on his words:
By smooth words - Antiochus IV Epiphanes was a "smooth operator" facile in using words filled with flattery. The root verb (for smooth) is balaq which means to be smooth or slippery! What a picture of this despicable king's speech and a foreshadowing of the future king, the Antichrist.
Turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant - This refers to Jews who are enticed by Antiochus to in essence "apostatize", to reject the truth of God's covenant.
First Maccabees alludes to these events recording that
In those days there appeared in Israel men (Jews) who were breakers of the law (act wickedly toward the covenant), and they seduced many people, saying: “Let us go and make an alliance with the Gentiles all around us; since we separated from them, many evils have come upon us.” 12 The proposal was agreeable; 13 some from among the people promptly went to the king (Antiochus IV), and he authorized them to introduce the way of living of the Gentiles (Hellenization). 14 Thereupon they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem according to the Gentile custom. 15 They covered over the mark of their circumcision and abandoned the holy covenant; they allied themselves with the Gentiles and sold themselves to wrongdoing. (1Macc 1:11- 15)
Many even from Israel gladly adopted his (Antiochus pagan, godless) religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath. (1Macc 1:43)
There are many “smooth talkers” in our world today that can persuade others to fall away from faith. There are those who teach that humans are the product of random processes that just happened to come together at the right time billions of years ago through pure chance and then evolved over time. Many are now claiming that there are more than two genders and you can create a mishmash of ideas rattling around in your head about your gender and even do disfiguring surgeries to match that idea (ignoring the fact that there are only two sexes, even from a scientific perspective).
Many stake their reputations that only science is the answer for pathetic humans that are huddling on a pale blue dot in an indifferent and dangerous cosmos. Some claim that Jesus never existed or that He died and the apostles plotted to make it look like He rose from the dead (be very careful reading about the Bible on secular sources like Wikipedia). Many aver that God changed His mind and the true faith was founded by a middle eastern prophet 600+ years after Christ (who was only a good teacher and prophet in their eyes). Materialists announce that our only purpose is to live life to the fullest and grab all of the toys we can get and spend hours getting buff in the gym before they plant us in the ground for eternity. There are even smooth talkers in churches who tell their congregants that they can become prosperous or that they can sin as much as they want to because “God is Love” (forget the ideas of repentance and God’s judgment).
So are you listening to the “smooth talkers” or do you know God and have insight and strength, even though you may fall? If you go to the Precept Austin link, there are many great excerpts from Christian leaders about knowing God and having that strength. Here are a handful of those commentaries:
[Charles] Spurgeon in Morning and Evening -
Every believer understands that to know God is the highest and best form of knowledge; and this spiritual knowledge is a source of strength to the Christian. It strengthens his faith. Believers are constantly spoken of in the Scriptures as being persons who are enlightened and taught of the Lord; they are said to “have an unction from the Holy One,” and it is the Spirit’s peculiar office to lead them into all truth, and all this for the increase and the fostering of their faith. Knowledge strengthens love, as well as faith. Knowledge opens the door, and then through that door we see our Saviour. Or, to use another similitude, knowledge paints the portrait of Jesus, and when we see that portrait then we love him, we cannot love a Christ whom we do not know, at least, in some degree. If we know but little of the excellences of Jesus, what he has done for us, and what he is doing now, we cannot love him much; but the more we know him, the more we shall love him. Knowledge also strengthens hope. How can we hope for a thing if we do not know of its existence? Hope may be the telescope, but till we receive instruction, our ignorance stands in the front of the glass, and we can see nothing whatever; knowledge removes the interposing object, and when we look through the bright optic glass we discern the glory to be revealed, and anticipate it with joyous confidence. Knowledge supplies us reasons for patience. How shall we have patience unless we know something of the sympathy of Christ, and understand the good which is to come out of the correction which our heavenly Father sends us? Nor is there one single grace of the Christian which, under God, will not be fostered and brought to perfection by holy knowledge. How important, then, is it that we should grow not only in grace, but in the “knowledge” of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Chris Tigren - IN WORD, IN DEED
Daniel’s prophecy tells of the shifting of nations and rulers, and of one particular ruler who would oppress and abuse God’s people and violate their sacred places. Many would fall victim to this oppressor, but those who know their God will rise above him. The statement is translated various ways, but its implications are clear. In the clash between kingdoms, the people who know the heart of their King stand against their enemies, are strong, take action, and carry out great exploits. They will do damage to the kingdom of darkness.
That’s our calling, and it’s a daunting one. Are we really able to plunder the lords of darkness? Are humble creatures like us really destined to venture into ominous kingdoms and win great victories? Apparently so, and it isn’t because we have superior strategies, overwhelming strength, or devastating weapons —at least not in ourselves. Our great exploits come because we know our God. That’s it. That’s where our strategies, strength, and weapons come from. He gives us everything we need to stand firm, take action, and plunder the enemy that everyone else flees from.
The problem is that so few believers know this that we tend to remain in a state of defeat or frustration. We resign ourselves to the status quo, not realizing that God has called and equipped us to overturn the status quo. As ambassadors, representatives, and mobile outposts of His Kingdom, we are meant to be resisters against evil and influencers for good. And to the degree we know Him, we can.
That’s the key: knowing God. Not knowing about Him, not merely understanding His truths, not simply practicing His principles, but knowing Him. The closer we draw in intimate communion, the more He imparts His solutions, strategies, character, and purposes to us. We may not even be conscious of it, but it happens. When opposing circumstances arise, we rise up. And our great exploits are celebrated in heaven. (The One Year Heaven on Earth Devotional)
William Jay
These words are found in a prophecy respecting Antiochus Epiphanes, the bitter enemy and persecutor of the Jews. I am not going to harrow up your feelings by a recital of his cruelties. Persecution has always served to enable us to "discern the righteous from the wicked, and him who serveth God from him who serveth him not." And so we find it here. The faithless Jews, by the promise of place and wealth and power, would be led to sacrifice their consciences; " And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall be corrupt by flatteries." Not so those who are "upright in heart." Their principles shall be unyielding and triumphant, "but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits." Consider three things with regard to the persons here spoken of.
THEIR KNOWLEDGE.
Knowledge is the prerogative — the distinction — of humanity. The principal object of this knowledge must be God himself, whether we consider the perfections of his nature, or the various relations in which he stands to us. God in nature is God above us; God in providence is God beyond us; God in law is God against us; but God in Christ is God for us, and God with us, and God in us. We must know him in the person of his dear Son. This knowledge is not merely speculative, it is experimental. There is a great difference between knowing a thing only in theory, and knowing it in experienced by the confidence of the heart, the bias of the will, and the glowing of the affections. "Lasting" is very distinguishable from reading, and hearing, and talking about a thing. The true knowledge is ever accompanied with three things, confidence, affection and obedience. This knowledge is also appropriating. Where this appropriation is not actually realised, it is always desired.
THEIR STRENGTH.
"Shall be strong." Their strength is not natural. The fall has left us as much without strength as without righteousness. It is much easier to convince men of their guilt than of their weakness. Even Christians themselves acquire the knowledge of this weakness slowly and gradually. At first, they are found to rely much upon their convictions, purposes, and resolutions, and, perhaps, vows too; but their iniquities, like the wind, after all, carry them away. By their failings and falls, they are taught that they only are safe, "Who are kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation." Christians, by experience, learn more and more where alone their strength lies, and they are led to trust in the Lord only. Two things with regard to this strength you must remember. The supplies of it are communicated seasonably. And it is obtained by the use of means. Some have a stupid notion that we should not engage in the exercises of religion, unless we feel in a suitable and lively frame for them. If we are in a bad frame, we need to come to God by prayer, and in the use of the means he has appointed, that we may get into a good and lively frame.
THEIR EXPLOITS.
Exploits are rare, difficult, curious, marvellous, illustrious acts anal achievements. There are many important things belonging to real religion, which are not deemed worthy of the name by the men of the world. A man who "walks by faith, not by sight," will be led to the conclusion that there is nothing really great but what relates to the soul, or eternity, or God. We are not to confine these exploits to particular ranks and conditions of men. View Christians under six characteristics,
As scholars.
As merchants.
As helpers.
As travelers.
As sufferers.
As Soldiers.
Christians are no ordinary characters. They are a "peculiar people," they are men "wondered at." They profess, and they do, more than others, and you should glory in their characters.
Adrian Rogers
During a long, bitterly cold winter, a man tried crossing the frozen Mississippi River on foot. He was confident he could do it; the ice looked crusty and thick enough. But part of the way across, his confidence faltered. He dropped to all fours, trying not to put too much weight on any one place. Soon, his fears rising, he began squirming across the ice on his belly. Just then, he heard a roaring noise, as if the ice was cracking. The roaring grew closer until he finally saw what it was—a man driving a team of horses, hauling a wagonload of cut logs up the river. One man knew only the "strength" of his faith; the second man knew the strength of the ice.
Finally, the last part of this passage tells that even those who stand firm may fall by the sword and the flame and many will join in the hypocrisy to save their necks (on both sides - some by joining the Seleucids or others pretending to join Judas Maccabeus). Verse 35 is a transition verse, implying that the purging and refinement of those who know and stay strong continues into the future; the last part of Daniel 11 (and into Daniel 12) is concerned with the future Antichrist.
Here are a few comments from Precept Austin to help us understand the historical events that were recorded in 1 Maccabees:
Those (Jews) who have insight among the people (Jews) - This description refers to Jews who understood what was happening in Israel, because they knew and believed God's truth. As an aside, one wonders if some of the insight of these Jews was obtained from these prophecies of Daniel written over 250 years earlier. If so, these Jews would have had Biblical insight into the anti-Semitic acts of Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
Give understanding to the many ( = the Jews) - Those who understood the truth instructed others in the truth of the Scriptures. The implication of this statement is these wise Jews appealed to their less knowledgeable Jewish brethren to place their hope in the covenant keeping God, Jehovah, and not in the anti-God teaching associated with paganism and Hellenization.
Yet they will fall by sword and flame - The God fearing Jews who took a stand of God's Truth for the sake of righteousness paid dearly for their faith, suffering persecution and even death at the hands of the rabidly anti-Semitic king Antiochus.
1Maccabees says that…
many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food. 63 They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. 64 Very great wrath came upon Israel. (1Macc 1:62-64)
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Many will join them in hypocrisy - This appears to refer to Jews who will join with the Maccabean troops but who in actuality are only pretending loyalty.
1Maccabees records…
Then there united with them a company of Hasideans, mighty warriors of Israel, all who offered themselves willingly for the law. 43 And all who became fugitives to escape their troubles joined them and reinforced them. 44 They organized an army, and struck down sinners in their anger and renegades in their wrath; the survivors fled to the Gentiles for safety. 45 And Mattathias and his friends went around and tore down the altars; 46 they forcibly circumcised all the uncircumcised boys that they found within the borders of Israel. 47 They hunted down the arrogant, and the work prospered in their hands. 48 They rescued the law out of the hands of the Gentiles and kings, and they never let the sinner gain the upper hand. (1 Mac 2:42-48)
Archer explains that "because one Seleucid army after another fell before their onslaught, the Maccabean troops were able to intimidate many of their fellow citizens who had previously held back from the conflict. Particularly when the Hasidim began to round up those who had collaborated with the Seleucids and put them to death (1Macc 2:42) and Judas himself (Judas Maccabeus) hunted out those (Jews) in the various cities who had deserted scriptural standards (“the lawless,” as Maccabees calls them), goodly numbers of insincere followers attached themselves to the patriot cause, hoping to save their own skins. Such supporters as these, however, proved to be of more help to the enemy than to the cause of freedom when later invasions were launched against them by the successors of Antiochus Epiphanes after his death in 164. (Expositor's Bible Commentary )
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As John MacArthur phrases it…The gracious design of such suffering was to sanctify them.
Until the end time ("the time of the end" NIV, NLT, NET, ESV) - This time phrase signifies that the persecution of Israel will continue until the final period of time in the future, the time which God has appointed. This time will only come to an end, at the end of the "time of Jacob's trouble" (Jer 30:7 "but he will be saved from it" or rescued Da 12:1-note), the Great Tribulation (Mt 24:21), the last half of the Seventieth Week of Daniel. In other words, anti-Semitism and overt Jewish persecution will continue until the Messiah puts a stop to it at His Second Coming.
The tragic History of the Jews bears out the veracity of this prediction, whether in the Spanish Inquisition (See The inquisition of the church against the Jews 1481-1834), the "Crusades" (see Persecution of Jews in the First Crusade)", the Pogroms, [meaning to destroy, wreak havoc or demolish violently] Hitler's Holocaust, etc.
Well, I hope these insights and commentaries will help us understand more about this prophecy in Daniel 11 (I have learned a LOT). I must confess that I never understood this book at this level of detail even though I “read” through Daniel every year as part of a Bible in One Year plan. I now feel more energized to perhaps pursue detailed studies other books of prophecy in my devotionals in the future, including Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Revelation (yikes!).
My next devotional shifts gears and looks at Daniel 11:36-45 by tackling what is apparently a prophecy about the future Antichrist. That’s probably going to be a long one, too, so be prepared!
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord - Please help me to fulfill my various roles as Your servant with strength and knowledge: A scholar, A merchant, a helper, a traveler, a sufferer, a soldier. 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 06/08/2025 to review commentary for Daniel 11:31-35.