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. FOOTNOTES:
F13 (twabr) "decem millia", Pagninus, Montanus, so Ben Melech. F14 (lyphw) "etiamsi dejiciet", Gejerus; "quamvis prostraverit", Michaelis. F15 Justin, l. 30. c. 1.
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Daniel 11:12 In-Context
10 Mais ses fils entreront en guerre et rassembleront une grande multitude de troupes; l'un d'eux s'avancera et se répandra comme un torrent; il passera et reviendra, et il portera la guerre jusqu'à la forteresse du roi du midi.
11 Et le roi du midi sera irrité; il sortira et combattra contre lui, contre le roi du nord. Et celui-ci mettra sur pied une grande multitude, mais la multitude sera livrée en sa main.
12 Cette multitude s'enorgueillira, et le cœur du roi s'élèvera; il fera tomber des milliers, mais il n'en sera pas fortifié.
13 Car le roi du nord reviendra et rassemblera une multitude plus nombreuse; et au bout de quelque temps, de quelques années, il viendra avec une grande armée et un grand appareil.
14 En ce temps-là, plusieurs s'élèveront contre le roi du midi, et des hommes violents de ton peuple s'élèveront, afin d'accomplir la vision, mais ils succomberont.
The Ostervald translation is in the public domain.