Daniel 11:14
“In those times many shall rise against the king of the south, and the violent among your own people shall lift themselves up in order to fulfill the vision, but they shall fail.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Amidst the chaos of many rising against the king of the south, a disturbing truth emerges: some within Daniel's own people, characterized as "breakers" or "violent ones," would stir up trouble themselves. They sought to "establish the vision," twisting prophecy for their own gain, yet their actions would ultimately lead only to their own downfall, not the fulfillment of God's true purpose.
The chapter is detailing a conflict between the "king of the north" (Syrian ruler) and the "king of the south" (Egyptian ruler) following Alexander the Great's empire division. In this section, the focus shifts to the king of the south facing multiple enemies, including internal strife and a rebellion from some within Daniel's own people who aim to fulfill prophecy but ultimately fail. This sets the stage for further political maneuvering and conflict in the region.
The Bible uses loaded language to describe people, and the term here for 'robbers' is no exception. It points to a deeper kind of rebellion.
The Hebrew word translated as 'robbers' or 'breakers' (pa'arits) doesn't just mean someone who steals. It describes someone who is violent, destructive, or a 'breaker' of laws and covenants. In this context, it refers to factions within Daniel's own people—the Jews—who were not merely common criminals, but individuals actively working against established order and potentially against God's will.
These groups weren't driven by simple greed, but by a desire to assert themselves and perhaps gain political advantage during a time of upheaval. They 'exalt themselves,' meaning they lift themselves up with pride and ambition, trying to carve out their own path.
Their actions, while seemingly aimed at achieving a specific outcome ('to establish the vision'), ultimately lead to their downfall. This highlights a recurring theme: self-serving ambition, even when cloaked in religious or political rhetoric, often ends in ruin.
It might seem contradictory: people acting to 'establish the vision,' yet they 'shall fail.' How can failure be part of God's plan?
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This verse presents a crucial paradox: human actions, even those seemingly aligned with prophecy, can be destined for failure if they are driven by the wrong motives or taken outside of God's specific timing and will.
The phrase 'to establish the vision' suggests these factions believed their actions would bring about the fulfillment of God's purposes. However, their 'exalting themselves' reveals their pride and self-interest.
Understand the original words
parits · Hebrew Adjective
A descriptor for individuals characterized by ruthlessness, lawlessness, or destructive behavior. In a prophetic context, it often refers to those who rebel against God's order or act with treacherous intent.
chazon · Hebrew Noun
A prophetic revelation or sight granted by God to His servants. It is the means by which God communicates His sovereign plan for history and the future.
This verse highlights a moment where internal divisions among the Jewish people led some to align with the dominant Seleucid power, seemingly to fulfill prophetic visions of their nation's trials, but ultimately to their own detriment as their chosen leader's power fluctuated.
204 BC
Antiochus III and Philip V alliance
Antiochus the Great of the Seleucid Empire and Philip V of Macedon form an alliance to seize the territories of the young Ptolemy V Epiphanes, the king of Egypt.
c. 203-200 BC
Rebellion and internal strife in Egypt
While Antiochus invades Ptolemy's territories, internal strife and rebellions erupt in Egypt itself, fueled by the misconduct of Ptolemy's regents.
200 BC
Scopas's initial success in Palestine
Ptolemy's general, Scopas the Aetolian, initially regains control of Coele-Syria and Palestine, including Jerusalem, for Egypt.
198 BC
Antiochus III defeats Scopas
Antiochus III decisively defeats Scopas at the Battle of Panium near the Jordan River, regaining control of Palestine for the Seleucid Empire.
198 BC— this verse
Jewish factions align with Antiochus
Many Jews, seeing the shift in power, align themselves with Antiochus the Great, providing his army with supplies and opening Jerusalem's gates to him.
198 BC
Antiochus grants privileges to Jews
Antiochus grants significant privileges to the Jews, exempting them from taxes and restoring their religious practices, solidifying his control.
This passage in Jeremiah condemns those who turn God's house into a 'den of robbers,' highlighting the severe consequences of such lawlessness and rebellion against divine will, which parallels the 'robbers of your people' in Daniel who act violently.
Ezekiel 18:10-13Ezekiel outlines what constitutes a wicked person who will surely die, including robbery and violence, providing a moral framework for understanding the actions of the 'robbers of your people' and God's judgment upon them.
Isaiah 19:19This prophecy speaks of an altar to the Lord in the midst of Egypt and a monument to the Lord, which some interpreters suggest the 'robbers of your people' in Daniel might have been trying to fulfill (albeit misguidedly), showing how past prophecies intertwine with future events.
Matthew 21:13Jesus quotes Isaiah 56:7 when cleansing the temple, calling it a 'den of robbers,' echoing the sentiment of sacred spaces being defiled by those who act against God's intended purpose, similar to the actions described in Daniel.
This passage describes Hellenistic Jews who 'made themselves uncircumcised' and 'made themselves like the Gentiles,' showing a pattern of apostasy and rebellion within God's people, which aligns with the 'violent among your own people' who sought their own aims.
ellicottDaniel 11:14: "And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall."
(14) In those times.— It must be noticed that at this verse—the earliest in which there is any reference to Daniel’s people and to the vision ( Daniel 10:1 ; Daniel 10:7-8 )—we appear to be approaching the great crisis. We appear to be within “a very few days” (see Daniel 11:20 ) of the vile-person who cor…
jfbDaniel 11:14: "And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall."
- many stand up against the king of the south—Philip, king of Macedon, and rebels in Egypt itself, combined with Antiochus against Ptolemy.robbers of thy people—that is, factious men of the Jews shall exalt themselves, so as to revolt from Ptolemy, and join themselves to Antiochus; the Jews helped Antioc…
Amidst the chaos of many rising against the king of the south, a disturbing truth emerges: some within Daniel's own people, characterized as "breakers" or "violent ones," would stir up trouble themselves. They sought to "establish the vision," twisting prophecy for their own gain, yet their actions would ultimately lead only to their own downfall, not the fulfillment of God's true purpose.
The chapter is detailing a conflict between the "king of the north" (Syrian ruler) and the "king of the south" (Egyptian ruler) following Alexander the Great's empire division. In this section, the focus shifts to the king of the south facing multiple enemies, including internal strife and a rebellion from some within Daniel's own people who aim to fulfill prophecy but ultimately fail. This sets the stage for further political maneuvering and conflict in the region.
The chapter is detailing a conflict between the "king of the north" (Syrian ruler) and the "king of the south" (Egyptian ruler) following Alexander the Great's empire division. In this section, the focus shifts to the king of the south facing multiple enemies, including internal strife and a rebellion from some within Daniel's own people who aim to fulfill prophecy but ultimately fail. This sets the stage for further political maneuvering and conflict in the region.
"“In those times many shall rise against the king of the south, and the violent among your own people shall lift themselves up in order to fulfill the vision, but they shall fail." — Amidst the chaos of many rising against the king of the south, a disturbing truth emerges: some within Daniel's own people, characterized as "breakers" or "violent ones," would stir up trouble themse…
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