Daniel 11:22
Armies shall be utterly swept away before him and broken, even the prince of the covenant.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights how conquest isn't just about defeating opposing armies; it can also mean breaking agreements and betraying allies. The "prince of the covenant" was likely a leader who had a treaty or alliance, showing that even sworn peace can be shattered by ambitious leaders.
This prophecy details Antiochus Epiphanes' initial rise to power, portraying his military strength as an overwhelming flood that crushes all opposition. Not only are hostile armies swept away, but even a "prince of the covenant" falls before him, signifying a betrayal or destruction of a significant leader or ally within a covenant relationship. This sets the stage for Antiochus' subsequent actions, which will involve deception and further conquest.
The imagery here is intense – armies 'overflown like a flood.' What does this powerful metaphor tell us about the nature of the conflict described?
Daniel 11:22 paints a vivid picture of overwhelming military might. The phrase 'arms of a flood' isn't just about a large army; it speaks to a force so powerful and all-encompassing that it sweeps away all opposition. Think of a real flood – it doesn't just push things aside, it engulfs and destroys everything in its path.
This language emphasizes the devastating impact of Antiochus IV Epiphanes' campaigns. His military actions were not minor skirmishes but massive incursions designed to overwhelm and break his enemies. The 'arms' likely refer to the military forces and their extended reach, like the branches of a river spreading out.
The Nature of the Invasion
The verse doesn't just speak of vanquished armies, but also a specific, tragic figure: the 'prince of the covenant.' Who was this individual, and why is his breaking so significant?
The latter part of Daniel 11:22 delivers a devastating blow: 'yea, also the prince of the covenant.' This isn't just another military defeat; it signifies the downfall of a key figure within the covenant community or a covenant partner.
Commentators offer different views, but a strong case can be made for this referring to the High Priest of Israel, particularly Onias III. The title 'prince of the covenant' fits someone who holds a leadership position within God's chosen people, symbolized by the covenant.
A Loss of Covenant Integrity
Understand the original words
nagid berith · Hebrew Noun phrase
The prince or leader of a divinely ordained agreement or treaty. In the context of Israel's history, it often points to the High Priest or a covenant representative who suffers under the opposition of wicked rulers.
berith · Hebrew Noun
A solemn agreement or treaty, either between humans or, most importantly, between God and His people, involving binding promises and mutual obligations.
This verse captures a moment of intense political upheaval in the Seleucid Empire and Judea. Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a ruthless and ambitious ruler, secures his throne by force and deceit, ruthlessly dispensing with rivals and destabilizing the Jewish priesthood for financial gain.
c. 187 BC
Seleucus IV Philopator reigns
Seleucus IV inherits the Seleucid throne and faces challenges, including a heavy tribute to Rome. He later attempts to seize temple treasures from Jerusalem to pay this tribute, an act foiled by Heliodorus.
c. 176 BC
Seleucus IV assassinated
Seleucus IV is assassinated by his treasurer, Heliodorus, who attempts to seize the throne for himself. This creates a power vacuum in the Seleucid Empire.
c. 175 BC— this verse
Antiochus IV Epiphanes claims throne
Antiochus IV, brother of Seleucus IV, returns from Rome and, with the support of King Eumenes II of Pergamon, takes the throne from Heliodorus. He quickly moves to solidify his rule.
c. 175 BC
Jason bribes high priesthood
Soon after taking power, Antiochus IV deposes the legitimate High Priest Onias III and sells the position to Jason, Onias' brother, for a substantial sum of money. This act destabilizes Jewish religious leadership.
This verse uses similar imagery of an overwhelming flood to describe an invading army, powerfully echoing the 'arms of a flood' described in Daniel 11:22.
This passage directly relates to the 'prince of the covenant' in Daniel, detailing how the high priest Onias III was unjustly deposed and replaced by Jason, illustrating the treachery and broken covenants mentioned.
This verse from the same book describes the 'little horn' growing exceedingly great and casting down some of the host of heaven, paralleling the overwhelming military success and destruction mentioned in 11:22.
1 Kings 15:19This passage describes a king breaking a covenant he had with another, showing a historical precedent for the 'prince of the covenant' being betrayed or broken, which resonates with the events in Daniel.
ellicottDaniel 11:22: "And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant."
(22) With the arms. —More correctly, and the arms in a flood; that is, the overwhelming forces of invading armies are swept away by the troops of this terrible king. But besides the enemy, the “prince of the covenant” is to be destroyed also. This expression is most readily explained by observing that it stands in contrast with the hostile armies menti…
jfbDaniel 11:22: "And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant."
- shall they be overflown … before him—Antiochus Epiphanes shall invade Egypt with overwhelming forces.prince of the covenant—Ptolemy Philometer, the son of Cleopatra, Antiochus' sister, who was joined in covenant with him. Ptolemy's guardians, while he was a boy, sought to recover from Epiphanes C�lo-Syria and Palestine, which had been promised by A…
This verse highlights how conquest isn't just about defeating opposing armies; it can also mean breaking agreements and betraying allies. The "prince of the covenant" was likely a leader who had a treaty or alliance, showing that even sworn peace can be shattered by ambitious leaders.
This prophecy details Antiochus Epiphanes' initial rise to power, portraying his military strength as an overwhelming flood that crushes all opposition. Not only are hostile armies swept away, but even a "prince of the covenant" falls before him, signifying a betrayal or destruction of a significant leader or ally within a covenant relationship. This sets the stage for Antiochus' subsequent actions, which will involve deception and further conquest.
This prophecy details Antiochus Epiphanes' initial rise to power, portraying his military strength as an overwhelming flood that crushes all opposition. Not only are hostile armies swept away, but even a "prince of the covenant" falls before him, signifying a betrayal or destruction of a significant leader or ally within a covenant relationship. This sets the stage for Antiochus' subsequent actions, which will involve deception and further conquest.
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c. 174 BC
Menelaus bribes for high priesthood
Just a few years later, Menelaus, another Jewish leader, outbids Jason by offering Antiochus IV even more money, leading to Menelaus replacing Jason as High Priest. This further intensifies political and religious turmoil.
c. 171 BC
Antiochus IV invades Egypt
Antiochus IV launches his first invasion of Egypt, ostensibly to support the young Ptolemy VI Philometor against his regents. His overwhelming military success leads to the capture of Pelusium, a key Egyptian fortress.
"Armies shall be utterly swept away before him and broken, even the prince of the covenant." — This verse highlights how conquest isn't just about defeating opposing armies; it can also mean breaking agreements and betraying allies. The "prince of the covenant" was likely a leader who had a tr…
