Notes on Daniel 11

PERSIAN EMPIRE

(v.1) 1st year of Darius the Mede (539 BC)

(v.2) Three Kings — 4th richer than them all

1) Cyrus (590/579 - 530)

2) Cambyses (530-522)

3) Darius Hystaspes (522 - 486)

4) Xerxes (485 - 465) — also called Ahasuerus (Ezra 4:6; married Esther). He was richer than previous rulers as inherited the wealth they accumulated. He raised an army against Greece.

GREEK EMPIRE

(v.3) Alexander the Great (356BC - 323BC)

When Alexander attacked the Persian Army he referred to the attack upon Greece by Xerxes.

(v.4) Height of his power — died in the palace at Babylon probably of malaria.

WARS OF THE DIADOCHI

Alexander's death began the wars of the Diadochi (322 BC - 301 BC). The eventual outcome was that Alexander's kingdom was divided amongst his four generals:

1. Ptolemy (367 BC - 283 BC) — Ptolemy I Soter, founder of the Ptolemic Kingdom and Dynasty.

2. Antigonus (382 BC - 301 BC) — Antigonus I, founder of the Antigonid Dynasty. Known as Monophthalmus (the one eyed).

3. Seleucus (358 BC - 281 BC) — Seleucis I called Nicator, founder of Seleucid Empire and Dynasty.

4. Cassander (350 BC - 297 BC) — Son of Antipater.

PTOLEMY

(v.5) King of the South — Egypt (Ptolemy I Soter)

(v.6) Ptolemy Philadelphus (309 BC - 246 BC) King of Egypt (283 BC - 246 BC) — who built up the library in Alexandria. He was responsible for the translation of the Hebrew scriptures into Greek (LXX).

ANTIOCHUS

King of the north — Syria

Antiochus Theos — third ruler of the Seleucids (261 BC - 246 BC)

MARRIAGE ALLIANCE BETWEEN DAUGHTER OF PTOLEMY AND ANTIOCHUS

Bernice daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus given as wife to Antiochus with dowry of gold to make agreement between Egypt and Syria.

Laodice poisoned Antiochus and murdered Bernice and her son.

ANTIOCHUS THE GREAT

Antiochus the Great (222 BC - 187 BC) reigned after Seleucus Ceraunus and took Seleucia, Coelesyria, and invaded Israel.

THE ROMAN-SYRIAN WAR (192 BC - 188 BC)

He was defeated by the Romans at Thermopylae (191 BC) and Magnesia (190 BC) and was forced to sign the Treaty of Apamea (188 BC).

ANTIOCHUS IV EPIPHANES (215 BC - 164 BC)

Antiochos Theos Epiphanos Nicophoros — "Antiochus God Manifest, Bearer of Victory"

Ruled Seleucid Empire (175 BC - 164 BC)

(v.21) Throne taken by the brother of Seleucus IV Philopator - Antiochus IV Epiphanes. A vile person. Antiochus subdues the land of Israel.

The Little Horn — Daniel 8:9.

DESECRATION OF THE TEMPLE

167 BC Antiochus issued decree forbidding Jewish religious practices.

Forbade circumcision — ordered pigs to be sacrificed on the altar.

Stopped the daily sacrifices in the Temple for 3½ years.

THE MACCABEES

Matthias son of Asamonaeus — priest from Modein

Matthias Maccabee (d. c.166 BC) and his five sons refused to worship the Greek gods.

166 BC Judah Maccabee led a revolt against Seleucids.

Judah Maccabee died in battle in 160 BC.

Maccabees used guerilla tactics to defeat the Syrians.

Commemoration of Hannukah

Cleansed the temple

Jonathan Maccabee (d. 142 BC) made High Priest

Israel became independent state (164 BC - 63 BC)

Simon Maccabee began the Hasmonean dynasty (142 BC) which lasted until 37 BC.

Hanukkah (dedication or consecration)

(25 Kislev)

Miracle of the oil: After the temple was re-dedicated there was only enough oil for the golden lampstand to burn for one day. The oil burned for 8 days until more consecrated oil was prepared.

Hanukkah (1 Maccabees 56-59). One light is lit for 8 days. A bigger light called Shamash meaning guard is also lit each night.

See John 10:22