Daniel 11:12

12 The multitude will be carried off, and his heart will be exalted. He will cast down tens of thousands, but he won’t prevail.

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 His sons will wage war, and will assemble a multitude of great forces which will come on, and overflow, and pass through. They will return and wage war, even to his fortress.

11 “The king of the south will be moved with anger and will come out and fight with him, even with the king of the north. He will send out a great multitude, and the multitude will be given into his hand.

12 The multitude will be carried off, and his heart will be exalted. He will cast down tens of thousands, but he won’t prevail.

13 The king of the north will return, and will send out a multitude greater than the former. He will come on at the end of the times, even of years, with a great army and with abundant supplies.

14 “In those times many will stand up against the king of the south. Also the children of the violent among your people will lift themselves up to establish the vision, but they will fall.