How does Daniel 11:22 connect with prophecies about Jesus in Isaiah 53:3? Tracing the Phrase “prince of the covenant” • Daniel 11:22: “Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him and destroyed, as well as a prince of the covenant.” • In Hebrew, “prince” (nāgîd) is the same title used of Messiah in Daniel 9:25 (“Messiah the Prince”). • Scripture consistently presents Jesus as – “Prince of life” (Acts 3:15), – “Prince and Savior” (Acts 5:31), – the One who inaugurates the “new covenant in My blood” (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 8:6). • Therefore, the “prince of the covenant” language naturally points forward to Christ, the ultimate covenant-bringer. What Happens to the Prince in Daniel 11:22? • He is “swept away…destroyed.” • Though Daniel 11 has an immediate historical fulfillment in the death of the high priest Onias III, the wording foreshadows something greater: the covenant Prince Himself would be cut off (cf. Daniel 9:26). • The New Testament records that Jesus was arrested, condemned, and crucified—seemingly overwhelmed by hostile powers (Luke 22:52–53; John 19:16). Isaiah 53:3 Shows the Same Pattern of Rejection Isaiah 53:3: “He was despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.” • Daniel highlights the violent removal of the covenant Prince; Isaiah highlights the heart attitude behind that removal—despising and rejecting Him. • Together they sketch the same portrait: – Outward action: swept away / destroyed (Daniel). – Inward disposition: despised / rejected (Isaiah). New-Covenant Fulfillment in Jesus • At the Last Supper Jesus identified Himself as the sacrificial guarantor of the covenant (Matthew 26:28). • His body was “broken” for us (1 Corinthians 11:24); His death satisfied Isaiah 53:5, “pierced for our transgressions.” • The initial “defeat” anticipated in Daniel 11:22 and Isaiah 53:3 becomes the very means by which the covenant is ratified (Hebrews 9:15). Key Parallels at a Glance • Title: prince (Daniel 11:22) / despised servant (Isaiah 53:3) → Jesus, Prince and Servant (Acts 3:13–15). • Outcome: swept away / destroyed → crucified (John 19:30). • Attitude: rejected → “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). • Purpose: covenant theme → “Mediator of a better covenant” (Hebrews 8:6). Why the Connection Matters for Us Today • Prophecy is consistent: centuries-apart texts converge on the same Messiah. • The apparent defeat of God’s Prince was foreknown, foretold, and essential. • Because Jesus endured rejection and destruction, we receive acceptance and everlasting covenant love (Romans 5:1–2). The harmony of Daniel 11:22 with Isaiah 53:3 underscores that Jesus’ rejection and death were not accidents of history but the precise fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. |
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