[[Dan-11]] Prev: [[Prophecies in Dan-10]] | Next: [[Prophecies in Dan-12]] --- ### Behold, three more kings will stand up in Persia; and the fourth will be far richer than all of them. When he has grown strong through his riches, he will stir up all against the realm of Greece. *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: A prediction of four successive Persian kings, the last of whom would be exceptionally wealthy and launch a massive invasion against Greece. *Historical context*: Theologians and historians identify these kings as Cambyses II (530-522 BC), Pseudo-Smerdis (522 BC), Darius I (522-486 BC), and Xerxes I (485-465 BC). Xerxes, the richest of the four, led the famous invasion of Greece in 480 BC with a massive military force, exactly as described. *Related to*: ### A mighty king will stand up, who will rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. When he stands up, his kingdom will be broken, and will be divided toward the four winds of the sky, but not to his posterity... *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: A prediction of a powerful conqueror whose empire will be fractured into four parts after his death, with none of the power passing to his children. *Historical context*: This is widely recognized as the career of Alexander the Great (336-323 BC). After his sudden death, his empire was split among his four generals (the Diadochi): Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy. His heirs, including his son Alexander IV, were murdered, ensuring no posterity ruled his dominion. *Related to*: ### the daughter of the king of the south will come to the king of the north to make an agreement; but she will not retain the strength of her arm... she will be given up, with those who brought her... *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: A prediction of a failed political marriage alliance between the Ptolemaic (South) and Seleucid (North) dynasties intended to bring peace. *Historical context*: [[In|In 252]] BC, Berenice (daughter of Ptolemy II of Egypt) was married to Antiochus II (King of the North). The alliance failed when Antiochus's former wife, Laodice, poisoned him and arranged the assassination of Berenice, her child, and her Egyptian attendants in 246 BC. *Related to*: ### Then one who will cause a tax collector to pass through the kingdom to maintain its glory will stand up in his place; but within few days he shall be destroyed, not in anger, and not in battle. *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: A prediction of a short-lived ruler whose primary action is taxing his realm (including Judea) and who dies suddenly by non-military means. *Historical context*: Fulfilled by Seleucus IV Philopator (187-175 BC), who sent his treasurer Heliodorus to tax the Temple in Jerusalem to pay Roman indemnities. Seleucus was assassinated shortly thereafter, likely by poisoning at the hands of Heliodorus, rather than in battle. *Related to*: ### Forces will stand on his part, and they will profane the sanctuary, even the fortress, and will take away the continual burnt offering. Then they will set up the abomination that makes desolate. *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: A prediction of a ruler who would desecrate the Jewish Temple, stop the daily sacrifices, and establish an idol or sacrilegious object. *Historical context*: Fulfilled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 167 BC. He suppressed Jewish worship, halted the daily sacrifices, and erected a statue of Zeus Olympios on the altar of the Second Temple, an event known in history and scripture as the 'Abomination of Desolation.' *Related to*: ### the people who know their God will be strong, and take action. Those who are wise among the people will instruct many; yet they will fall by the sword and by flame... many days. *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: A prediction of a faithful resistance movement that would oppose the corrupt ruler, leading to both military action and significant martyrdom. *Historical context*: This aligns with the Maccabean Revolt (167–160 BC). Under the leadership of Mattathias and his son Judas Maccabeus, faithful Jews resisted Antiochus IV's Hellenization policies. While they eventually succeeded in rededicating the Temple, many suffered execution and death by fire during the struggle. *Related to*: ### He will plant the tents of his palace between the sea and the glorious holy mountain; yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him. *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: A prediction of a final campaign and the ultimate death of the 'Willful King' in the region of Judea (between the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Zion). *Historical context*: While many previous verses align with Antiochus IV, historians note that Antiochus died in Tabae (Persia), not in Judea. Consequently, most conservative theologians view this as an eschatological prophecy concerning the Antichrist or a future world leader, whose final defeat is yet to occur. *Related to*: --- #ai_prophecy