What historical events are believed to fulfill the prophecy in Daniel 11:27? Text of the Prophecy (Daniel 11:27) “And the two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but their plans will not succeed, for the end will still come at the appointed time.” Literary Setting within Daniel 11 Daniel 11:21–35 traces the struggle between the “king of the North” (Seleucid Syria) and the “king of the South” (Ptolemaic Egypt) that raged for roughly two centuries after Alexander the Great. Verse 27 marks a strategic pause in the narrative, spotlighting a diplomatic scene in which both rulers momentarily cease open warfare, only to scheme in secret. The prophecy insists that all machinations are limited by God’s timetable. Identification of the Two Kings Conservative scholarship overwhelmingly identifies the protagonists of v 27 as: • King of the North – Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–164 BC) • King of the South – Ptolemy VI Philometor (180–145 BC) Their reigns overlap precisely in the 170s BC, providing a narrow historical window that matches Daniel’s details with unusual specificity. Historical Events Corresponding to Daniel 11:27 1. The Sixth Syrian War Begins (170–168 BC) – After decades of seesaw conflict, Antiochus IV invades Egypt in 170 BC and captures Memphis as well as Ptolemy VI himself (Polybius, Histories 27.3). – Egypt’s governing regents in Alexandria declare the younger brother Ptolemy VIII “Euergetes II” co-ruler, deepening internal division. 2. The “Same Table” Conference at Memphis (Winter 170/169 BC) – Antiochus hosts the captive Ptolemy VI at Memphis. Surrounded by Seleucid troops, both monarchs publicly dine together and swear friendship (Diodorus Siculus 31.18; Justin 35.2). – Antiochus pretends to “restore” Ptolemy VI, hoping to fashion him into a puppet; Ptolemy feigns gratitude while secretly corresponding with Alexandria for aid—perfectly mirroring the mutual “lying” predicted. 3. The Unratified Treaty of Pelusium (Autumn 169 BC) – A second summit at Pelusium explores a partition plan: Egypt would cede Cyprus and Pelusium to Antiochus in exchange for restoring Ptolemy VI (Polybius 29.8). Both sides sign but never intend to honor the pact. – The clause “their plans will not succeed” plays out when Alexandrian forces invite Antiochus to leave Egypt—only to bar him from re-entering. His own army soon mutinies in Egypt, forcing withdrawal. 4. Roman Intervention (Summer 168 BC) – Antiochus’ third invasion is halted at Eleusis, near Alexandria, by Roman envoy Gaius Popillius Laenas. The famous “line in the sand” ultimatum (Livy 44.19) compels Antiochus to quit Egypt immediately, again thwarting the clandestine ambitions of both kings and ensuring “the end will still come at the appointed time.” Secular Corroboration Outside Scripture • Polybius, Livy, Diodorus, and Justin supply independent, mutually reinforcing accounts of these conferences and betrayals. • Coins from Memphis bearing both Antiochus IV and Ptolemy VI’s images confirm a brief co-regency engineered under Seleucid occupation (British Museum, Catalogue of Greek Coins, “Seleucid Kings,” no. 1837). • A demotic papyrus (P.Cairo 31169) dated to year 6 of Ptolemy VI aligns with Antiochus’ control of Memphis, illustrating administrative overlap foretold in Daniel. Chronological Consistency with an Early Daniel Fragments of Daniel among the Dead Sea Scrolls (4QDan^a, c. 175–150 BC) already contain chapter 11, demonstrating that the book circulated before the death of Antiochus IV and therefore could not be a post-event fabrication. The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint show no doctrinal or chronological disharmony in this section, underscoring the integrity of the prophetic record. Theological Implications Daniel 11:27 showcases God’s sovereignty over geopolitical intrigue. Though both monarchs possess armies and cunning, their secret designs collapse under divine scheduling—“the end will still come at the appointed time.” The verse therefore foreshadows the ultimate futility of every earthly power that resists God, climaxing in the victory of the risen Christ (cf. Daniel 12:2–3; Acts 2:32–36). Practical Takeaway for Today Human agreements built on deception fail. God’s timetable, centered on the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, stands. The believer therefore trusts the God who controls kings and kingdoms—and who, in Christ’s resurrection, offers a kingdom that cannot be shaken. |
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