What does Daniel 11:22 mean?
This part of a prophecy given to Daniel in 536 BC (Daniel 10:1) concerns an infamous figure from the late second century BC: Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The previous verse hinted at his conniving, illegitimate rise to power (Daniel 11:21). Here, it predicts his early military victories. Many of these were related to his abnormal takeover, assisted by relatives and bordering kings with whom he was friendly. These were also aided by his clever diplomacy towards Rome, who was engaged in another war in Thessaly and Macedon. By avoiding conflict with the Roman Empire, Antiochus was able to focus his attention elsewhere.Among his notable triumphs was Antiochus's thorough defeat of Egypt in 170 BC. With advance notice that Egypt planned to invade and retake Judea, Antiochus assembled a large army and staged them at his own border. As soon as the Egyptian army left the safety of their city, Pelusium, the Seleucids attacked. Antiochus's forces were victorious, capturing the city. This gave them free access to Egyptian territory. The army pressed their advantage, overrunning the nation and even taking prisoner the Egyptian king, Ptolemy VI Philometor. Egypt was reduced to a "dummy state:" a nation subject to the commands of another. That event appears to factor into later parts of this passage (Daniel 11:24–25).
This verse also mentions some action Antiochus would take against "the prince of the covenant." Opinions vary concerning the identity of this person. Even with the benefit of historical hindsight, the answer is not entirely clear. One option is the Jewish high priest, Onias III. Ancient records vary in their claims about what happened to Onias III and to what extent Antiochus IV Epiphanes was involved. Under this interpretation, the high priest was the "prince" of Israel's religious relationship to God: the old covenant. Not all scholars accept this option, however. One common alternative is that this verse is general, implying all of Antiochus's conquests and victories, against both secular and religious leaders.
