This verse demonstrates how God’s design prevails over even the most determined ambitions of human rulers.
“At the appointed time he will return and come into the South, but this last time it will not turn out the way it did before.” (v.29)
In this verse, Daniel continues describing Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Seleucid king who reigned from 175-164 BC. Previously, Antiochus had successfully invaded regions in the south—namely, the Ptolemaic territories of Egypt—and returned with great spoil. When Daniel says “At the appointed time he will return and come into the South,” it indicates Antiochus’s subsequent attempt to attack Egypt once more, scheming to expand his influence. However, “this last time it will not turn out the way it did before” reveals a critical turning point: Roman emissaries confronted him near Alexandria, demanding he abandon his campaign or face war with Rome. Thoroughly outmatched by Rome’s power, Antiochus was humiliated and forced to withdraw.
The shame of having his southern ambitions thwarted stoked Antiochus’s anger, setting the stage for his hostility against the Jewish people on his return home. This story echoes the broader theme of God’s sovereignty in world events, as Daniel’s vision shows that no matter how mightily earthly rulers contend for power, the outcome occurs “at the appointed time” determined by God’s hand. Antiochus’s earlier conquests seemed unstoppable, but his defeat outside Egypt proved that human authority has limits. The humiliating standoff with Roman forces exposed the fragility of Antiochus’s influence, underscoring how quickly political advantage can crumble when confronted by greater powers.
Geographically, “the South” in Daniel’s vision points to Egypt, which had been governed by the Ptolemaic dynasty after Alexander the Great’s empire divided. Historically, Antiochus Epiphanes was a Hellenistic ruler over the Seleucid territory (the northern portion), while Egypt stood as the southern kingdom. His repeated invasions of Egypt, including the one described here, highlight how biblical prophecy aligns with recorded history. Daniel 11:29 thus serves as a reminder that the Lord orchestrates the rise and fall of empires, even down to the timing of decisive encounters on the world stage.
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Daniel 11:29 meaning
“At the appointed time he will return and come into the South, but this last time it will not turn out the way it did before.” (v.29)
In this verse, Daniel continues describing Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Seleucid king who reigned from 175-164 BC. Previously, Antiochus had successfully invaded regions in the south—namely, the Ptolemaic territories of Egypt—and returned with great spoil. When Daniel says “At the appointed time he will return and come into the South,” it indicates Antiochus’s subsequent attempt to attack Egypt once more, scheming to expand his influence. However, “this last time it will not turn out the way it did before” reveals a critical turning point: Roman emissaries confronted him near Alexandria, demanding he abandon his campaign or face war with Rome. Thoroughly outmatched by Rome’s power, Antiochus was humiliated and forced to withdraw.
The shame of having his southern ambitions thwarted stoked Antiochus’s anger, setting the stage for his hostility against the Jewish people on his return home. This story echoes the broader theme of God’s sovereignty in world events, as Daniel’s vision shows that no matter how mightily earthly rulers contend for power, the outcome occurs “at the appointed time” determined by God’s hand. Antiochus’s earlier conquests seemed unstoppable, but his defeat outside Egypt proved that human authority has limits. The humiliating standoff with Roman forces exposed the fragility of Antiochus’s influence, underscoring how quickly political advantage can crumble when confronted by greater powers.
Geographically, “the South” in Daniel’s vision points to Egypt, which had been governed by the Ptolemaic dynasty after Alexander the Great’s empire divided. Historically, Antiochus Epiphanes was a Hellenistic ruler over the Seleucid territory (the northern portion), while Egypt stood as the southern kingdom. His repeated invasions of Egypt, including the one described here, highlight how biblical prophecy aligns with recorded history. Daniel 11:29 thus serves as a reminder that the Lord orchestrates the rise and fall of empires, even down to the timing of decisive encounters on the world stage.