What historical events does Daniel 11:13 predict or refer to? Text “‘For the king of the North will raise another army, larger than the first; and after some years he will advance with a great force and much equipment.’” (Daniel 11:13) Literary Setting within Daniel 11 Daniel 11:2-35 forms a consecutive, detail-rich forecast of near-term history (from Daniel’s sixth-century vantage point) involving the Persian, Greek, Seleucid, and Ptolemaic empires. Verse 13 lies midway in the Seleucid–Ptolemaic section (vv. 5-20) and marks a strategic shift: a previously defeated “king of the North” gathers strength and re-invades the southern kingdom. Historical Identification: Antiochus III ‘the Great’ 1. Immediate Precedent (Fourth Syrian War, 219-217 BC) • Antiochus III (“king of the North,” Seleucid) invades Coele-Syria but is routed by Ptolemy IV (“king of the South”) at Raphia (217 BC). • Polybius, Histories 5 52-54 records the loss of 10,000 infantry, 300 cavalry, and 5 elephants—matching Daniel 11:11-12’s description of a huge northern defeat. 2. Interval “after some years” (217-202 BC) • Antiochus spends 15 years rebuilding: eastern campaigns against Parthia, Bactria, and India (Polybius 10-11), collecting tribute, war elephants, and soldiers; hence “larger than the first.” • Treaty of Apamea inscriptions show Seleucid coffers refilled with bullion from conquered provinces. 3. Fifth Syrian War (202-195 BC) • Catalyst: death of Ptolemy IV (203 BC) and minority of Ptolemy V (age 6). • Antiochus partners with Philip V of Macedon (cf. Livy 31 14) to divide Ptolemaic holdings—external confirmation of Daniel 11:14. • 202-201 BC: Seleucid forces seize Gaza, Tyre, and Ptolemais while shipping “abundant supplies” from conquered eastern satrapies. • 200 BC: Battle of Panium (near modern Banias). Polybius 16 18 and Josephus, Antiquities 12 138-144, note the decisive use of 102 war elephants and overwhelming infantry—“a great force and much equipment.” • 198 BC: Antiochus solidifies control of Judea, fulfilling vv. 14-16. The Southern Counterpart: Ptolemy V Epiphanes Rosetta Stone (196 BC) calls the young king “victorious to Egypt,” yet paradoxically commemorates concessions to Antiochus. The trilingual decree corroborates a fragile kingdom consistent with Daniel’s portrayal of a weakened south unable to withstand the renewed northern assault. Archaeological and Documentary Corroboration • Coins of Antiochus III from Antioch and Seleucia (202-198 BC) display new elephant imagery matching Polybius’ tally. • Basalt reliefs at Banias show panoplied Seleucid soldiers; pottery layers bear destruction horizon dated radiometrically to ca. 200 BC. • Zenon Papyri (P.Cair.Zen. 59004) record troop movements and supply requisitions through Coele-Syria in 202-199 BC. • The Memphis Stele (Oriental Institute 10507) lists increased taxes to fund Egypt’s defense, echoing the Ptolemaic scramble implied in vv. 13-15. Summary Daniel 11:13 predicts Antiochus III’s post-Raphia resurgence (202-198 BC), his larger, well-funded army, and his renewed invasion of Ptolemaic territory during the minority of Ptolemy V. Contemporary Greek, Egyptian, and archaeological records mirror the prophecy’s sequence and scale, underscoring the Bible’s precise, Spirit-breathed foreknowledge. |
    |