Armies shall be utterly swept away before him and broken, even the prince of the covenant.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "the prince of the covenant" points to a devastating betrayal not just of political alliances, but of a sacred trust. This isn't just any leader; it's someone connected to God's covenant people, yet they are utterly broken and swept away, revealing how even those within the community can be victims of overwhelming, destructive power.
Armies shall be utterly swept away before him and broken, even the prince of the covenant.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse describes Antiochus Epiphanes's initial, overwhelming military successes as he seized power, sweeping aside rivals and breaking down opposition like a flood. The text highlights that not only were hostile armies defeated, but also a "prince of the covenant" was overthrown, signifying a betrayal or destruction of a trusted leader or a group bound by agreement. This sets the stage for Antiochus's subsequent actions against the people of God, as detailed in the following verses.
Ever felt like you were caught in a flood, with no control over where it was taking you? This verse paints a picture of a power so immense it feels like a natural disaster.
The verse opens with a vivid image: "arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken." This isn't just a strong army; it's an overwhelming, unstoppable force that devastates everything in its path. The imagery of a flood conveys total submersion and destruction, leaving nothing untouched.
This powerful metaphor helps us understand the sheer scale of Antiochus Epiphanes' military might and his brutal effectiveness. His campaigns weren't just battles; they were annihilations. The forces that opposed him, whether they were competing claimants to the throne or external armies, were completely swept away, shattered beyond recovery.
The verse doesn't just speak of enemy armies being crushed. It names a specific, significant figure who also falls: 'yea, also the prince of the covenant.' Who was this, and why is their fall so important?
The phrase 'prince of the covenant' is key here. While interpretations vary among scholars (some suggesting a rival claimant, others a leader within the covenant people), a strong case can be made that it refers to a significant figure within the Jewish religious or political structure, perhaps even the High Priest like Onias III, who held a position of authority under the covenant God made with Israel.
Regardless of the exact identity, the fall of this 'prince' is devastating. It signifies not just a military defeat, but a shattering blow to the established order, the religious leadership, and the very community bound by God's covenant. It implies betrayal, broken trust, and the desecration of sacred authority, showing that Antiochus's ambition and ruthlessness extended even to those who should have been protected or allied.
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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 dramatic political and religious upheaval. Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a king known for his ambition and ruthlessness, not only overthrows opposing forces in his bid for power but also violently displaces the legitimate Jewish High Priest, Onias III, a pivotal figure in the covenant community.
187 BC
Antiochus IV Epiphanes claims throne
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a hostage in Rome, returns to claim the Syrian throne after his brother Seleucus IV Philopator dies. He secures his claim against rivals like Heliodorus, consolidating power with the help of Roman influence and alliances.
c. 175 BC
Jason buys High Priesthood
Antiochus IV deposes the legitimate High Priest Onias III and sells the position to his brother, Jason. Jason pays a hefty sum for the office and for permission to Hellenize Jerusalem, undermining Jewish religious tradition.
c. 174 BC
Menelaus replaces Jason
Seeking even more money, Antiochus IV deprives Jason of the high priesthood and installs Menelaus, who offers an even larger bribe. This further fuels internal conflict and Hellenistic pressure within Jerusalem.
171 BC— this verse
Antiochus IV invades Egypt
Antiochus IV launches an invasion of Egypt, ostensibly to support the young Ptolemy VI Philometor, but with aims to expand his own empire. His forces are initially successful, pushing deep into Egyptian territory.
170 BC
Rome intervenes in Egypt
The Roman Senate, concerned about Antiochus's expansion, sends an envoy, Gaius Popillius Laenas, to demand his withdrawal from Egypt. Laenas confronts Antiochus and forces him to retreat.
This passage uses the powerful metaphor of an overflowing flood to describe an invading army's destructive advance, mirroring the 'arms of a flood' mentioned in Daniel.
This passage describes Antiochus Epiphanes' immense generosity and profusion, which aligns with the historical context of his actions and how he consolidated power, as hinted at by the verse's description of overwhelming forces.
This offers a historical account of the high priest Onias III being unjustly deposed and replaced, which strongly supports the interpretation of 'the prince of the covenant' as referring to a key religious or political figure being overthrown.
This verse directly follows Daniel 11:22 and continues the narrative of Antiochus's aggressive campaigns, specifically mentioning his confrontation with the king of Egypt, providing further context for the 'prince of the covenant' potentially referring to an Egyptian ruler or ally.
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…
The phrase "the prince of the covenant" points to a devastating betrayal not just of political alliances, but of a sacred trust. This isn't just any leader; it's someone connected to God's covenant people, yet they are utterly broken and swept away, revealing how even those within the community can be victims of overwhelming, destructive power.
This verse describes Antiochus Epiphanes's initial, overwhelming military successes as he seized power, sweeping aside rivals and breaking down opposition like a flood. The text highlights that not only were hostile armies defeated, but also a "prince of the covenant" was overthrown, signifying a betrayal or destruction of a trusted leader or a group bound by agreement. This sets the stage for Antiochus's subsequent actions against the people of God, as detailed in the following verses.
This verse describes Antiochus Epiphanes's initial, overwhelming military successes as he seized power, sweeping aside rivals and breaking down opposition like a flood. The text highlights that not only were hostile armies defeated, but also a "prince of the covenant" was overthrown, signifying a betrayal or destruction of a trusted leader or a group bound by agreement. This sets the stage for Antiochus's subsequent actions against the people of God, as detailed in the following verses.
"Armies shall be utterly swept away before him and broken, even the prince of the covenant." — The phrase "the prince of the covenant" points to a devastating betrayal not just of political alliances, but of a sacred trust. This isn't just any leader; it's someone connected to God's covenant p…
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Last reviewed October 2026