"This and the two following chapters give an account of Daniel’s last vision, wherein the succession of the Persian and Grecian monarchies is described, together with the wars that should take place between Syria and Egypt under the latter monarchy. The last part of the vision (from Chapter 11:36) seems to relate chiefly to the persecutions of the Church in the times of Antichrist, till it be purified from all its pollution’s; after which will follow that glorious kingdom of the saints spoken of in the SEVENTH and EIGHTH chapters. This chapter begins with an account of Daniel’s fasting and humiliation, 1-3. Then we have a description of the Divine person who appeared to the prophet, not unlike him who appeared to the apostle in the Isle of Patmos, 4-21. See Revelation 1:10-16.

"This chapter gives a more particular explanation of those events which were predicted in the eighth chapter. The prophet had foretold the partition of Alexander’s kingdom into four parts. Two of these, in which were included Egypt and Syria, to one to the NORTH, the other one to the SOUTH, in respect of Judea, appear to take up the chief attention of the prophet, as his people were particularly concerned in their fate; these being the countries in which by far the grates number of the Jews were and still are, dispersed (This was written in 1824 by A. Clark) . Of these countries he treats (according to the views of the most enlightened expositors) down to the conquest of Macedon, A. M. 3836, or B.C. 168, when he begins to speak of the Romans, 1-30; and then of the Church under that power, 31-35. This leads him to speak of Antichrist, who was to spring up in that quarter, 36-39; and of those powers which at the TIME OF THE END, or the latter days of the Roman monarchy (as this term is generally understood), were to push at it, and overthrow many countries, 40-43. By the KING OF THE SOUTH, in the fortieth verse, the dominion of the Saracens, or Arabs, is supposed to be intended, which was an exceeding great plague to the Romans in their empire in the east, and also to several papal countries, for the space of ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS, from A.D. 612, when Mohammed and his followers first began their depredations, to A.D. 762, when Bagdad was built, and made the capital of the Cliphs of the house of Abbas; from which epoch the Saracens became a more settled people.

"By the KING OF THE NORTH in the same verse the prophet is supposed by some to design that great scourge of eastern Christendom, the Ottoman or Othman empire, by which, after about a hundred and fifty years of almost uninterrupted hostilities, the Roman empire in the east was completely overturned, A.D. 1453. The chapter concludes with a prediction of the final overthrow of this northern power, and of the manner in which this great event shall be accomplished, v. 44,45. But it should be observed that, notwithstanding the very learned observations of Bishop Newton and others upon this chapter, their scheme of interpretation presents very great and insurmountable difficulties; among which the very lengthy detail of events in the Syrian and Egyptian histories, Comprising impressing a period of less than two hundred years, and the rather uncouth transition to the incomparably greater transactions in Anti Christian times, and of much longer duration, which are passed over with unaccountable brevity, are not the least. On all these subjects, however, the reader must judge for himself." (Adam Clark)

EXCERPTS BY BISHOP NEWTON

 Daniel 11:1 IN THE FIRST YEAR OF DARIUS THE MEDE

"It is the usual method of the Holy Spirit to make the latter prophecies explanatory of the former; and thus revelation ‘is a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.’ The four great empires shown to Nebuchadnezzar, under the symbol of a GREAT IMAGE (Dan. 2), were again more particularly represented to Daniel under the forms of FOUR GREAT WILD BEASTS (Dan. 7). In like manner, the memorable events that were revealed to Daniel in the vision of the RAM and HE-GOAT (Dan. 8), are here more clearly revealed in this last vision by an angel; so that this latter prophecy may not improperly be said to be a comment on the former. It comprehends many signal events. The types, figures, and symbols of the things are not exhibited in this, as in most other visions, and then expounded by the angel; but the angel RELATES the whole: and, not by way of VISION, but by NARRATION." (Bishop Newton)

THE VISION OF EVENTS COMPARATIVELY CLOSE AT HAND

Daniel 11:2 THERE SHALL STAND UP YET THREE KINGS

Gabriel had already spoken of CYRUS, who was now reigning; and after him THREE others should arise. These were:

CAMBYSES	the son of Cyrus	reigned 7 years and 5 months
SMERDIS	the Magician, who was an impostor, who pretended to be another son of Cyrus	reigned only 7 months
DARIUS	the son of  HYSTASPES, who married MANDANE, the daughter of Cyrus	reigned 36 years

THE FOURTH SHALL BE FAR RICHER THAN THEY ALLTHE FOURTH SHALL BE FAR RICHER THAN THEY ALL.

This was THE FOURTH SHALL BE FAR RICHER THAN THEY ALL.

This was XERXES, the son of DARIUS, of whom JUSTIN SAYS:

Bibliography