Daniel 11:28
Then shall hee returne into his land with great riches, and his heart shall be against the holy couenant: and he shall doe exploits, and returne to his owne land. Daniel 11:28 (KJV)
The book of Daniel is a prophetic book that contains visions and prophecies given to the prophet Daniel. In Daniel 11 the angel Gabriel reveals a detailed prophecy concerning the conflicts and struggles between the Seleucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms, events that had a significant impact on the Jewish people.
The pronoun “he” is traditionally understood by many scholars to refer to the “king of the North,” often identified with Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid ruler who opposed the Ptolemaic kingdom and whose actions set the stage for the Maccabean revolt.
Antiochus IV launched a campaign in Egypt around 170 BC. Historical sources record that he achieved some initial successes but later withdrew after diplomatic pressure, including Roman involvement. The biblical verse states that he returns into his land with great riches; some scholars note that the text does not specify how those riches were acquired, while other commentary suggests he plundered resources during his retreat.
His heart is described as being against the holy covenant. Antiochus IV is known for his persecution of the Jewish religion, the desecration of the Jerusalem Temple, and the enforcement of Hellenistic practices. The Book of Daniel refers to an “abomination of desolation,” yet the biblical text does not describe a pig sacrifice, although some traditions claim he defiled the temple by sacrificing a pig.
After his Egyptian campaign, Antiochus IV continued to fight the Ptolemaic kingdom before being forced to withdraw under Roman pressure. He later faced revolts in his own territories, returned to Syria, and ultimately died in 164 BC. His exploits, the return to his own land, and the opposition to the holy covenant form a crucial part of the prophetic narrative that anticipates the struggle of God’s people and the eventual vindication of the covenant.
