Daniel 11:12

12 When that army is captured, the southern king will become conceited. Although he will dominate tens of thousands of people, he will not always be strong.

Daniel 11:12 Meaning and Commentary

Ver. 12 And when he hath taken away the multitude
That is, when Ptolemy king of Egypt had defeated the large army of Antiochus, killed great numbers of them, and taken many: his heart shall be lifted up;
with pride, through the victory he obtained; and so he gave himself up to sensuality and luxury, judging himself now safe and secure in the possession of his kingdom: or, this may refer to his insolence, when he entered into Judea, went to Jerusalem, and forced his way into the holiest of all to offer sacrifice upon his victory; of which see third Maccabees chapter one: and he shall cast down many ten thousands;
or "many thousands", as the Vulgate Latin version; or rather "ten thousand" ^F13, either of the Jews, when he went into their country; or of the army of Antiochus the king of the north, as Jacchiades: and it may be rendered, "though he shall cast down many thousands" ^F14; that is, cast them down to the earth, slay them, as he did, even ten thousand of them, the number here mentioned: yet he shall not be strengthened by it;
for Antiochus escaped out of his hands, nor did he pursue his victory, and take all the advantages of it, as he might have done; for, as the historian ^F15 says, had he added valour to his fortune, he might have spoiled Antiochus of his kingdom; but, content with the recovery of the cities he lost, made peace, and greedily took the advantage of ease, and rolled himself in luxury, uncleanness, and intemperance.

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 (twabr) "decem millia", Pagninus, Montanus, so Ben Melech.
F14 (lyphw) "etiamsi dejiciet", Gejerus; "quamvis prostraverit", Michaelis.
F15 Justin, l. 30. c. 1.

Daniel 11:12 In-Context

10 "Then his sons will prepare for war. They will assemble a large number of forces so that they can overwhelm [the enemy] and pass through its land. They will return and wage war all the way to the stronghold.

11 The southern king will be outraged. He will go to fight the northern king, who will raise a large army that will fall into the southern king's hands.

12 When that army is captured, the southern king will become conceited. Although he will dominate tens of thousands of people, he will not always be strong.

13 "The northern king will return and raise an army larger than the first one. After a few years he will invade with a large army and a lot of equipment.

14 In those times many people will rebel against the southern king, and violent men from your own people will rebel in keeping with this vision, but they will be defeated.