What does Daniel 11:26 mean?

Daniel is recording a series of predictions which he received in the year 536 BC (Daniel 10:1). Many of these involve two nations who would battle for control over Judea centuries later. The "north" in these metaphors refers to the Seleucid Empire, also referred to as Syria, ruled by the Antiochus line. The "south" is Egypt under the dynasty of Ptolemy. In a series of wars, these two nations exchanged control of territory which is now the nation of Israel (Daniel 11:6–10). Eventually, this led to the rule of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (Daniel 11:21–25).

Antiochus's engagements with Egypt were successful, in part, because of Egypt's political weaknesses. History records that Antiochus's armies approached the Egyptian city of Alexandria. Rather than fight for Egypt's ruler at that time, Ptolemy VI Philometor, Alexandria swore allegiance to his brother, Ptolemy VIII Physcon. False promises were made between various rulers, none of which resulted in lasting peace. Syrian bribes seem to have helped Antiochus, but he eventually left Egypt with the rival brother kings still in place.

Some commentators suggest that the entire segment related to Antiochus IV Epiphanes (Daniel 11:21–28) combines the various events of his campaigns against Egypt. Others separate the prophecies into chronological pieces, with each implying different phases of the conflict.