Daniel 11: The Antichrist Will Attack Strong Fortresses with the God of War

Transcription

1 Daniel 11:39-40 Daniel 11:39-The Prophecy of the Antichrist Taking Military Action Against the Strongest of Fortresses and Honoring Those Who Support Him The Antichrist Will Attack Strong Fortresses with the God of War Daniel 11:39 He will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god; he will give great honor to those who acknowledge him and will cause them to rule over the many, and will parcel out land for a price. (NASB95) He will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god is composed of the conjunction wa (ו ) (waw), which is not translated and is followed by the third person masculine singular qal active perfect form of the verb ʿā śā(h) (ע ש ה) (aw-saw ), He will take action and then we have the preposition lĕ (ל ) (leh) against and its object is the masculine plural construct form of the noun miḇ ṣār (מ בצ ר) (mib-tsawr ), of fortresses which is followed by the masculine plural form of the noun mā ʿôz (מ ע וז) (maw-oze ), strongest which is followed by the preposition ʿim (ע ם) (eem), with and its object is the masculine singular construct noun ʾělô a h (א ל וה ) (el-o -ah), a god which is modified by the masculine singular noun nē ḵār (נ כ ר) (nay-kawr ), foreign. wa The conjunction wa is adjunctive meaning it is introducing a prophetic statement which presents an additional description of the unique king described in Daniel 11: ʿā śā(h) The verb ʿā śā(h) means to take action referring to the unique king described in Daniel 11:36-38 taking military action against strong or mighty fortresses or the strongest fortified cities. The qal stem is fientive expressing a military action taken by the unique king described by the angel in Daniel 11:36-38 against mighty fortresses. The perfect conjugation of this verb is a future perfect expressing a future state resulting from actions that will have been completed by that time. Here it is expressing the future state of this unique king described in Daniel 11:36-38 taking military action against the strongest fortresses as a result of his military actions that will be completed by that time William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 1

2 l mā ʿǔz zîmʹ miḇ ṣ e rêʹ The miḇ ṣār is in the plural and means fortifications and specifically fortified cities since it pertains to a major city with defensive walls. This word is the object of the preposition lĕ which means against since it is functioning in this context as a marker of opposition indicating that this unique king described in Daniel 11:36-38 take military action against fortified cities. The construct state of the noun miḇ ṣār means that it is governing the word which follows it and is expressing a genitive relation with this word, which is the noun mā ʿôz, which is also in the plural and means place of safety, refuge and is a figurative extension of a fortress since it pertains to a place of protection and safety from a foreign army. It refers to a large permanent fortification including a town or city within it. The genitive relation between these two words is a superlative genitive meaning that the noun mā ʿôz combines with the construct term miḇ ṣār to mean the greatest of something. Therefore, these two words which are similar in meaning indicate that this unique king described in Daniel 11:36-38 will take military action against the strongest fortified cities. ʿim nē ḵārʹ ʾělô a hʹ The noun ʾělô a h means god since it pertains a pagan deity. The construct state of the noun ʾělô a h means that it is governing the word which follows it and is expressing a genitive relation with this word. The noun ʾělô a h is thus governing the noun nē ḵār which means foreign, pagan since it pertains to a deity that is not the true God. The genitive relation is attributive meaning that nē ḵār is describing the construct term ʾělô a h in a way that is best translated by an attributive adjective. The noun ʾělô a h is the object of the preposition ʿim which means with the help of, aided by since it is functioning as a marker of assistance indicating that this unique king described in Daniel 11:36-38 will take military action against the strongest fortified cities with the help of a foreign god. The Antichrist Will Honor Those Who Help Him Daniel 11:39 He will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god; he will give great honor to those who acknowledge him and will cause them to rule over the many, and will parcel out land for a price. (NASB95) 2014 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 2

3 He will give great honor to those who acknowledge him and will cause them to rule over the many, and will parcel out land for a price is composed of the relative particle ʾǎšěr (ash-er), he and this is followed by the third (א ש ר) person masculine singular hiphil active perfect form of the verb nā ḵǎr (נ כר) (nawkar ), to those who acknowledge and then we have the third person masculine singular hiphil active imperfect form of the verb rā ḇā(h) ב ה) (ר (raw-bow ), will give which is followed by the masculine singular noun kā ḇôḏ (כ ב וד) (kaw-bode ), great honor and then we have the conjunction wa (ו ) (waw), and which is followed by the third person masculine singular hiphil active perfect form of the verb mā šǎl (מ של) (maw-shal ), will cause to rule and then we have the third person masculine plural pronominal suffix hē mā(h) ( ה מ ה) (haym -maw), them which is followed by the preposition bĕ (ב ) (beh) over and its object is the articular masculine plural form of the adjective rǎḇ (רב) (rab), the many which is followed by the conjunction wa (ו ) (waw), and which is followed by the feminine singular form of the noun ʾǎḏā mā(h) (א ד מ ה) (ad-aw-maw ), land and then we have the third person masculine singular piel active imperfect form of the verb ḥā lǎq (ח לק) (khaw-lak ), will parcel out which is followed by the preposition bĕ (ב ) (beh) for and its object this time is the masculine singular noun m e ḥîr (מח יר) (mekh-eer ), a price. ʾǎšěr The relative particle ʾǎšěr means to those who referring to individuals who will cause this king described in Daniel 11:36-38 to receive recognition. This word is functioning as the subject of the verb nā ḵǎr meaning it is performing the action of this verb indicating these certain unidentified individuals are performing the action of causing the king described in Daniel 11:36-38 to receive recognition from others. nā ḵǎr The verb nā ḵǎr means to cause one to receive recognition, to cause one to be recognized by others indicating that certain individuals will cause the king described in Daniel 11:36-38 to receive recognition. The hiphil stem of the verb nā ḵǎr is factitive meaning that the subject of this verb causes its direct object to enter the state described by the same verb in the qal. The subject of this verb is certain unidentified individuals and its direct object which is omitted due to the figure of ellipsis is the king described in Daniel 11: Therefore, this stem indicates that these certain unidentified individuals as the subject will cause this king to enter the state of receiving recognition from others William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 3

4 The perfect conjugation of this verb is a future perfect expressing a future state resulting from actions that will have been completed by that time. Here it is expressing the future state of this unique king described in Daniel 11:36-38 receiving recognition from others as a result of actions on the part of certain unidentified individuals that will be completed by that time. Ellipsis At this point in the verse, we have the figure of ellipsis meaning that deliberately omitted but implied is the third person masculine singular pronominal suffix hû(ʾ) which means him referring to the king described in Daniel 11: It is functioning as the direct object of the verb nā ḵǎr meaning it is receiving the action of this verb indicating that this king will receive recognition from certain individuals. rā ḇā(h) The verb rā ḇā(h) means to cause to be increased in honor since it pertains increasing someone s power, authority, responsibility and status in life. Here it indicates that this king will cause honor to multiply to those who cause him to receive recognition from others in the sense that this king will increase the power, authority, responsibility, wealth and status in life of these individuals. The hiphil stem of the verb rā ḇā(h) is factitive meaning that the subject of this verb causes its direct object to enter the state described by the same verb in the qal. The subject of this verb is the king described in Daniel 11:36-38 and its direct object is honor. Therefore, this stem indicates that this king will cause honor to enter the state of increased or multiplied upon those who cause him to receive recognition. The imperfect conjugation of this verb rā ḇā(h) refers to a completed action as part of a temporal sequence. It is expressing this event of this unique king bestowing honor upon those who cause him to receive recognition as taking place in the future from the perspective of Daniel in the sixth century B.C. when he received this revelation from the angel. kā ḇôḏ The noun kā ḇôḏ means honor since it pertains to the attribution of high status to a person. The word means honor in the sense of receiving from a person of authority, power, authority, wealth, responsibility and a greater status in life. Therefore, this word indicates that the king described in Daniel 11:36-38 will 2014 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 4

5 bestow honor upon those individuals who cause him to receive recognition from others. This honor will come in the form of power and authority, as well as wealth, responsibility and status in life. wa This time the conjunction wa is a marker of result meaning it introduces a prophetic statement which presents the result of the previous prophetic statement that the king described in Daniel 11:36-38 will reward with considerable honor those who cause him to be recognized. It introduces a prophetic statement which reveals that this king will cause those who recognize him to rule over the masses. Therefore, the conjunction indicates that this king will bestow considerable honor upon those who cause him to receive recognition with the result that he will cause these individuals to rule over many people. mā šǎl The verb mā šǎl means to make a person a ruler, to cause one to receive authority, to delegate authority to a person or persons since it pertains to delegating authority to certain individuals over a particular territory or geographical region or a nation. Therefore, it indicates that this king will reward with great honor those who cause him to receive recognition by delegating authority to them to rule or govern. The hiphil stem of the verb mā šǎl is factitive indicating that this king will cause those who cause him to receive recognition to enter the state of being delegated authority over many people. The perfect conjugation of this verb is a future perfect expressing the future state of certain individuals possessing power and authority as a result of this king delegating authority to them and which action will be completed by that time. hē mā(h) The third person masculine plural pronominal suffix hē mā(h) means them referring to those who individuals who will cause this king described in Daniel 11:36-38 to receive recognition. rǎḇ The articular masculine plural form of the adjective rǎḇ means the masses, the many since it pertains to a great body of the people as contrasted with the elite of 2014 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 5

6 society. Here the word is used of course in relation to the people of planet earth who will be governed by this king described in Daniel 11: The word functions as a substantive as indicated by its articular construction which is a substantiver converting this adjective into a noun. It is also the object of the preposition bĕ which means over since it is a marker of authority indicating that those who cause this king to receive recognition will be delegated authority over the masses. wa This time the conjunction wa is adjunctive meaning it is introducing a prophetic statement which is in addition to the previous prophetic statement that the king described in Daniel 11:36-39 will delegate authority over many people to those who cause him to receive recognition. The conjunction is introducing a prophetic statement which reveals that this same king will parcel out land for a price. Therefore, it is introducing an act that this king will perform on behalf of those who benefit him which is in addition to the act of this king rewarding those who cause him to receive recognition by delegating them authority over many people. Both acts benefit others but only as a result of others doing something that benefits him. ḥā lǎq The verb ḥā lǎq means to distribute, to parcel out, to allot, to apportion and its direct object is real estate or land and its subject is the king described in Daniel 11: Therefore, the word indicates that this king will distribute land into parts for a price. It denotes that he will divide land up for the benefit of many different individuals who cause him to receive recognition. The piel stem of the verb ḥā lǎq is factitive meaning that the subject of the verb in the piel causes its direct object to enter the state that can be described by the same verb in the qal stem. Here the subject is the king described in Daniel 11:36-39 and the direct object is land. Therefore, this stem indicates that this king as the subject will cause land to enter the state of being distributed or parceled out to those who pay money. The imperfect conjugation of this verb ḥā lǎq refers to a completed action as part of a temporal sequence. It is expressing this action on the part of this unique king distributing land to others for money as taking place in the future from the perspective of Daniel in the sixth century B.C. when he received this revelation from the angel William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 6

7 ʾǎḏā mā(h) The noun ʾǎḏā mā(h) means land since it pertains to the solid part of the surface of the earth or in others land in contrast to bodies of water. Here it pertains to certain geographical areas on the earth. m e ḥîr The noun m e ḥîr means price since it pertains to the cost to be paid or received in barter or sale for land or object. Here it refers to the price to be paid to this king for portions of land or real estate. It is the object of the preposition bĕ, which means for since it is a marker of price meaning its object indicates the price paid for something. Here it refers to the money to be paid for acquiring real estate or property from this king described in Daniel 11: Translation of Daniel 11:39 Daniel 11:39 Furthermore, he will take action against the strongest fortified cities with the help of a foreign god. To those who cause him to receive recognition, he will cause honor to be increased so that he will cause them to rule the masses. Also, he will distribute land for a price. Exposition of Daniel 11:39 The angelic being continues to communicate to Daniel here in verse 39 prophecies pertaining to the character and actions of the Antichrist during the seventieth week. The first prophetic statement in this verse reveals that the Antichrist will take military action against the strongest fortified cities with the help of a foreign god during the seventieth week. The reference to the foreign god is best interpreted by the adversative clause, which is that appears in Daniel 11:38, But instead of this, he will be characterized as honoring a god, which is the capturing of fortresses, which is a god his ancestors never had knowledge of. As we noted, the expression a god, which is the capturing of fortresses is a personification of waging war. Thus, the Antichrist will be characterized as honoring in the sense of esteeming the practice of waging war or in other words, he will idolize military power. Therefore, the reference to the foreign god here in Daniel 11:39 is a reference to the Antichrist s idolization of waging war or his obsession with military power which will help him rule the world. Therefore, the angel is telling Daniel that the Antichrist will take military action against the strongest fortified 2014 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 7

8 cities with the help of his military industrial complex or in other words his military power. The second prophetic statement in Daniel 11:39 reveals that the Antichrist will cause honor to be increased to those individuals who cause him to receive recognition. He will honor these individuals in the sense that he will bestow upon them money, power, authority resulting in a higher status in society. So in other words, if someone scratches his back, he ll scratch theirs. Undoubtedly, those who are being referred to as causing him to receive recognition would be of course those in the media. It will be extremely important to have these individuals in his camp since they have the power to propagate his lies and deception and program for planet earth. Satan is the prince of the power of the atmosphere (Ephesians 2:2) and thus the media is a tool that the devil uses to spread his lies and propaganda against Christianity, the Bible and Jesus Christ. Those in government will be helpful to the Antichrist since they will the power to advance his political agenda throughout the various governments on planet earth. One of the ways the Antichrist will honor those who cause him to receive recognition is that of delegated political authority over groups of people. Thus, those who cause him to receive recognition, he will delegate authority to rule over the masses. The third prophetic statement in Daniel 11:39 reveals that the Antichrist will distribute land for a price meaning if you give him a large sum of money, he will give you land, which implies that he will already have land in his possession to distribute to others who pay him. Of course, he will have this land because of his military conquests of various nations. Therefore, these three prophetic statements in Daniel 11:39 reveal that the Antichrist will be a politician and a corrupt one at that whereas Daniel 11:38 indicates he will be military man. He will be a warmonger or a man of war. These two verses also reveal he will be the greatest materialist in history. These verses both reveal that he will love money since money allows him to accomplish his lofty goals of ruling the world. He will use money to get what he wants. Daniel 11:36 and 37 reveal that the Antichrist will be an absolute world ruler during the last three and a half years of the seventieth week. These verses reveal he will deify himself which will demonstrate the fact that he is totally and completely arrogant and full of himself. He will be the greatest megalomaniac and egomaniac in all of human history. He will also be against the organized religions of the world as a result of his desire to be worshipped as God by the entire world. Thus, these verses reveal he will totally oppose God which will manifest itself in his public statements. This character sketch of the Antichrist in Daniel 11:36-39 reveals that he will reflect the character of his father the devil. This world today reflects the standards 2014 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 8

9 of Satan and what he values. This world is marked by war, materialism, the love of money, selfishness, self-centeredness, greed, corruption of all types, hypocrisy, and egomania. Antichrist will perfectly embody the character and standards of Satan and his cosmic system William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 9

10 Daniel 11:40a-The Prophecy of Egypt and Syria Attacking the Antichrist During the Last Three and a Half Years of the Seventieth Week The King of the South Will Attack the Unique King Daniel 11:40 At the end time the king of the South will collide with him, and the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, with horsemen and with many ships; and he will enter countries, overflow them and pass through. (NASB95) At the end time the king of the South will collide with him is composed of the conjunction wa (ו ) (waw), which is not translated and followed by the preposition bĕ (ב ) (beh), at and its object is the masculine singular construct form of the noun ʿēṯ (ע ת) (ayth), the time of which is followed by the masculine singular noun qēṣ (ק ץ) (kates), end and then we have the third person masculine singular hithpael middle imperfect form of the verb nā ḡǎḥ (נ גח) (naw-gakh ), will collide and then we have the preposition ʿim (ע ם) (eem), with and its object is the third person masculine singular pronominal suffix hû(ʾ) (ה וא) (who), him which is followed by the masculine singular construct form of the noun mě lěḵ (meh-lek), a king which is modified by the articular feminine singular (מ ל ך) noun ně ḡěḇ (נ ג ב) (neh -gheb), the South. wa The conjunction wa means now since it is used to mark a transition from the angel s description of the character and actions of a unique king to a description of this king s actions during the final three and a half years of the seventieth week. b qēṣʹ ʿēṯʹ The noun ʿēṯ means time in the sense of a period of time. The construct state of the word means that it is governing the noun qēṣ expressing a genitive relation with this word, which means end referring to a point of time marking the completion of a period of time. The genitive relation between the two words is attributive meaning that qēṣ describes the construct term ʿēṯ like an attributive adjective. Thus, this phrase means end time. The noun ʿēṯ is the object of the preposition bĕ, which means during since it indicates that something occurs during the time indicated by its object. Therefore, this prepositional phrase means that during the end time, the king of the south will collide with the king described in Daniel 11: William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 10

11 mě lěḵ hǎ něʹ ḡěḇ The noun mě lěḵ means king and is used with reference to the governmental head of a kingdom. The construct form of this noun means that it is governing the word which follows it, which is the noun ně ḡěḇ. The construct state expresses a genitive relation between these two words. The noun ně ḡěḇ means south referring to the compass point directly opposite the north. This word s primary meaning is a geographic region. Here in Daniel 11:40, the noun ně ḡěḇ means south and refers to the geographical location of the kingdom which was located to the south of Israel. This would indicate that the king mentioned here at the beginning of the Daniel 11:40 will rule Egypt since throughout Daniel chapter 11, the king of the south was a reference to the descendants of Ptolemy who ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great s death. This is further indicated by the angel s statements in Daniel 11:8. The articular construction of this noun ně ḡěḇ marks the word as unique in its class and distinctive. Here it indicates that the distinctiveness of this kingdom which lay to the south of Israel geographically in that it refers to the Egyptian ruler during the last three and a half years of the seventieth week. The genitive relation between mě lěḵ and ně ḡěḇ is subordination indicating that the region which lie to the south of Israel geographically was subordinate to this king. So the idea is the king ruling the south. nā ḡǎḥ The verb nā ḡǎḥ appeared in Daniel 8:4 where it means to butt referring to the aggressive nature of the ram which Gabriel tells Daniel in 8:20 represents Media-Persia. So in a figurative sense it refers to Media-Persia engaging other nations in battle. Now, here in Daniel 11:40, the verb nā ḡǎḥ is used with the king ruling the south as its subject and the king described in Daniel 11:36-39 as its object. As was the case in Daniel 8:2, the verb means to engage in combat, to engage in battle or war, to go to war. Therefore, here in Daniel 11:40, it is indicating that during the end time, the king ruling the south will engage in battle or go to war against the king described in Daniel 11: The hithpael stem of the verb nā ḡǎḥ is a reflexive-factitive hithpael meaning that the subject of the verb causes itself to enter a state. Therefore, this stem indicates that the king ruling the south during the end time will cause himself to enter the state of going to war against the king described in Daniel 11: The imperfect conjugation of this verb indicates that the king ruling the south going to war against the king described in Daniel 11:36-39 will take place in the 2014 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 11

12 future from the perspective of Daniel in the sixth century B.C. when he received this revelation from the angel. hû(ʾ) The third person masculine singular pronominal suffix hû(ʾ) means him and is functioning as an accusative direct object meaning it is receiving the action of the verb nā ḡǎḥ. This pronominal suffix is the object of the preposition ʿim which means against since it is functioning as a marker of opposition indicating that the king ruling the south will go to war against the king described in Daniel 11: The King of the North Will Attack the Unique King Daniel 11:40 At the end time the king of the South will collide with him, and the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, with horsemen and with many ships; and he will enter countries, overflow them and pass through. (NASB95) And the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, with horsemen and with many ships is composed of the conjunction wa (ו ) (waw), and which is followed by the third person masculine singular hithpael middle imperfect form of the verb śā ʿǎr (ש ער) (saw-ar ), will storm and then we have the preposition ʿǎl (על) (al), against and its object is the third person masculine singular pronominal suffix hû(ʾ) (ה וא) (who), him which is followed by the masculine construct form of the noun mě lěḵ (מ ל ך) (meh-lek), the king of which is modified by the articular masculine singular noun ṣā ôn (צ פ ון) (tsaw-fone ), the North and then we have the preposition bĕ (ב ) (beh) with and its object is the masculine singular noun rě ḵěḇ כ ב) (ר (reh -keb), chariots which is followed by the conjunction wa (ו ) (waw), which is not translated and then again we have the preposition bĕ (ב ) (beh) with and this time its object is the masculine plural form of the noun ā rāš ש) (פ ר (paw-rawsh ), horsemen and then again we have (ב ) (waw), and which is followed by the preposition bĕ (ו ) the conjunction wa (beh) with and this time its object is the feminine plural form of the noun ʾǒniy yā(h) (א נ י ה) (on-ee-yaw ), ships which is modified by the feminine plural form of the adjective rǎḇ (רב) (rab), many. wa This time the conjunction wa is adjunctive meaning it is introducing a statement which presents an addition to the previous prophetic statement that the during the 2014 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 12

13 end time, the king ruling the south will cause himself to engage in war the king described in Daniel 11: It introduces a prophetic statement which reveals that the king ruling the north will storm against the king described in Daniel 11:36-39 with many chariots, horsemen and ships. Therefore, the conjunction indicates that in addition to the king ruling the south, the king ruling the north will also go to war with the king described in Daniel 11: měʹ lěḵ hǎ ṣā ônʹ The noun mě lěḵ, means king and is used with reference to the governmental head of a kingdom. The construct state of the noun mě lěḵ, means that it is governing the word which follows it, which is ṣā ôn. The construct state expresses a genitive relation between these two words. The noun ṣā ôn means north referring to the compass point directly opposite the south. Here the noun refers to the geographical location of the kingdom which was located to the north of Israel. This would indicate that the second king mentioned here in Daniel 11:40 will rule Syria since throughout Daniel chapter 11, the king of the north was a reference to the descendants of Seleucus who was one of Alexander the Great s generals who ruled Syria, Israel and Mesopotamia after Alexander s death. The articular construction of this noun ṣā ôn marks the word as unique in its class and distinctive. Here it indicates that the distinctiveness of this kingdom which lay to the north of Israel geographically in that it refers to the Syrian ruler during the last three and a half years of the seventieth week. The genitive relation between mě lěḵ and ṣā ôn is subordination indicating that the region which lie to the south of Israel geographically was subordinate to this king. So the idea is the king ruling the north. śā ʿǎr The verb śā ʿǎr means to come against someone or something like a storm coming upon a particular location. It is used in a figurative sense of an army attacking another but from the perspective of this attack being like a storm that strikes violently against a particular place. Here it refers to the king ruling the north storming against the king described in Daniel 11:36-39 during the end time. The hithpael stem of the verb śā ʿǎr is a reflexive-factitive hithpael meaning that the subject of the verb causes itself to enter a state. Therefore, this stem indicates that the king ruling the north during the end time will cause himself to enter the state of storming against the king described in Daniel 11: William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 13

14 The imperfect conjugation of this verb refers to a completed action as part of a temporal sequence. It indicates that the king ruling the north storming against the king described in Daniel 11:36-39 will take place in the future from the perspective of Daniel in the sixth century B.C. when he received this revelation from the angel. hû(ʾ) Once again, the third person masculine singular pronominal suffix hû(ʾ) means him and is referring to the king described in Daniel 11: It is functioning as an accusative direct object meaning it is receiving the action of the verb śā ʿǎr. This pronominal suffix is once again the object of the preposition ʿim which means against since it is functioning as a marker of opposition indicating that the king ruling the north will storm against the king described in Daniel 11: rě ḵěḇ The noun rě ḵěḇ is in the singular and means military chariot group since it pertains to a major division of an army for attack who engage the enemy in combat by wheeled vehicles drawn by one or more horses. It is the object of the preposition bĕ which means with, by means of since it is functioning as a marker of means indicating that during the end time the king ruling the north will storm against the king described in Daniel 11:36-39 with or by means of a military chariot group. wa The conjunction wa is adjunctive meaning it is introducing a means used by the king ruling the north to attack the king described in Daniel 11:36-39 which is in addition to a military chariot group. ā rāš The noun ā rāš is in the plural and means horsemen, cavalry since it pertains to a military soldier who is an expert in fighting or riding on horses as in a cavalry and commanding chariots drawn by horses. It speaks of a cavalry or in other words that portion of an army with soldiers on horseback who are used for aggressive attack into lines of foot soldiers. It too is the object of the preposition bĕ which means with, by means of since it is functioning as a marker of means indicating that during the end time the king 2014 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 14

15 ruling the north will storm against the king described in Daniel 11:36-39 with or by means of a cavalry. wa Once again, the conjunction wa is adjunctive meaning it is introducing a means used by the king ruling the north to attack the king described in Daniel 11:36-39 which is in addition to the military chariot group and cavalry he will employ. ʾǒniy yā(h) The noun ʾǒniy yā(h) is in the plural and refers to a military navy fleet or an armada of ships in a navy. The word is modified by the adjective rǎḇ which means many since it pertains to a relatively large quantity of countable objects. Here it refers to a large quantity of ships in a nation s navy. The noun ʾǒniy yā(h) is also the object of the preposition bĕ, which again means with, by means of since it is functioning as a marker of means indicating that during the end time the king ruling the north will storm against the king described in Daniel 11:36-39 with or by means of a large fleet of ships. Translation of Daniel 11:40a Daniel 11:40 Now, during the end time, the king ruling the south will cause himself to go to war against him. Also, the king ruling the north will cause himself to storm against him with a military chariot group, with a cavalry as well as with a large armada of ships. Exposition of Daniel 11:40a This verse marks a transition from the angel s description of the character and actions of the king described in Daniel 11:36-39 to a description of this king s actions during the final three and a half years of the seventieth week. So after providing Daniel with an extensive description of a king in Daniel 11:36-39 who will be an absolute world ruler and oppose God and deify himself, the angel informs Daniel that during the end time the king ruling the south will go to war against this king. Also, he tells Daniel that the king ruling the north will attack him as well during the end time with a military chariot group, a cavalry as well as a large armada of ships. This prophecy will take place during the last three and a half years of the seventieth week. It reveals that both Egypt and Syria will attack the Antichrist during the last three and a half years of the seventieth week. The end 2014 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 15

16 time refers to the last three and a half years of the seventieth week since the Antichrist will be a world ruler at this time from the final stage of the Roman Empire according to a comparison of Daniel 7:23-25, Daniel 9:26-27, 2 Thessalonians 2 and Revelation 13. Not every one agrees with the interpretation that the him is a reference to the Antichrist and the king of the north is a reference to Syria. In fact, there are several interpretative issues in Daniel 11:40. The first problem is the identity of the third person masculine singular pronominal suffix hû(ʾ), him. The second is the identity of the king ruling the north. Some say it is a reference to Antichrist. Some argue that it is Russia while others contend that it is a reference to Syria. Let s take a look at the first interpretative problem in Daniel 11:40. There has been considerable debate among bible scholars as to the identity of the person being referred to by this pronominal suffix. Most conservative scholars identify the third person masculine singular pronominal suffix hû(ʾ) in Daniel 11:40 as the king described in Daniel 11: Therefore, in Daniel 11:40, we would have three subjects, namely the king ruling the south, the king ruling the north and the king described in Daniel 11:36-39 who is the Antichrist. Consequently, we would have both the king ruling the south and the king ruling the north attacking the Antichrist during the end time, i.e. the last three and a half years of the seventieth week. Those who advocate this interpretation include R.D. Culver, John Walvoord, Dwight Pentecost, Leon Wood, and J.N. Darby. Some argue for only two subjects in the verse, which is possible grammatically. The two subjects would be the king ruling the south and the king ruling the north. This would indicate that during the end time, the king ruling the south will attack the king ruling the north. Those who adhere to this view contend that the king ruling the north is the Antichrist. Those who argue for this interpretation include Gleason Archer, G.H. Lang, C.F. Keil and E.J. Young. Interestingly Charles Feinberg holds to the two king view but interprets the king ruling the north as not being the Antichrist. Many who hold to this interpretation argue that the king of the north is a reference to Russia. However, the problem with this is that Daniel chapter seven and Daniel 9:26 make clear that the Antichrist will be the final ruler of the final stage of the Roman Empire during the seventieth week. In fact, as we will note the identification of the king of the north as Russia has problems. If the king ruling the north is the Antichrist, then one would have to explain the connection of the Antichrist to the north. Throughout chapter eleven, the king of the north is consistently identified with the Seleucid Empire. The Antichrist is always connected with the Roman Empire throughout the book of Daniel (Daniel 7:23-25; 9:26-27) William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 16

17 Many argue that the king of the north is not the Antichrist and the war described in Daniel 11:40 is between two kings. This has problems as well. This would mean that the king described in Daniel 11:36-39 is not the subject of the action in Daniel 11: This untenable since it is hard to believe that the angel would describe a king extensively in Daniel 11:36-39 and then suddenly drop him out of the picture and not mention him again in Daniel 11: Of course, the angel describes this king extensively in Daniel 11:36-39 because he is major player in the events described in Daniel 11: The angel is not going to describe this king in detail in Daniel 11:36-39 and then not mention his ultimate destruction in Daniel 11: Keil makes a serious attempt to defend the two king interpretation by stating that the suffix has its nearest antecedent in the king ruling the south just before it. However contextual awareness is also a determining factor. This is illustrated in Daniel 11:28. Daniel 11:28 Next, he will return to his own land with much logistical provision. However, his heart will become arrogant against the holy covenant so that he will take action. Then, he will return to his own land. (Author s translation) The subject of the sentence is understood from the initial verb he will return which is followed in the second clause by the phrase his heart. The near antecedent of both the verb and the noun is the king ruling the south in Daniel 11: Daniel 11:25 Indeed, because of his courage, with a great army, he will mobilize his military power against the king ruling the south because with a great army, yes an extremely powerful one, the king ruling the south will initiate hostile military action for war. However, he will by no means stand because schemes will be devised against him. 26 Namely, those who eat his choice food will cause him to be defeated, specifically his army will be overwhelmed so that a great number will be killed in combat. (Author s translation) Now, because the near antecedent of both the verb and the noun is obviously not the king of the South and thus not the proper antecedent for verse Daniel 11:28, the NIV added the phrase the king of the North. Therefore, to argue in Daniel 11:40 that the pronominal suffix is a reference to the king of the south based upon the fact that he is the nearest antecedent is faulty. Keil also defends the two-king interpretation by arguing that the attack described in Daniel 11:40 comes from the north toward Egypt in the south which would suggest that the war is limited to two kings. However, the text merely says that he will enter countries, overflow them and pass through. Even though Israel 2014 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 17

18 is mentioned in verse 41 and Egypt in verse 42 is not enough evidence to establish the direction of attack. Keil also argues that no attack is mentioned against the king of the North in contrast to the emphasis put upon the attack against Egypt in verses Egypt is explicitly mentioned as the king of the South but no country is explicitly identified as the king of the North. One reason which could be put forth as to why no attack is mentioned against the king of the North is that his attack of the Antichrist results in his defeat outside his kingdom s territory. He could be defeated in Israel. Or the Antichrist could defeat the king of the North initially but then the king of the North retreats. The Antichrist could attack Egypt and defeat the king of the South but then return again to fight the king of the North in Israel. This interpretation could be supported by the phrase rumors from...the North in verse 44. Therefore, the third person masculine singular pronominal suffix hû(ʾ) in Daniel 11:40 is a reference to the Antichrist. Also, in Daniel 11:40, the best interpretation is the three-king interpretation. We have three major players in this verse, namely, the king ruling the south, the king ruling the north and the Antichrist who is described in Daniel 11: Now, let s take a look at the second interpretative issue in Daniel 11:40, namely who is the king of the north? One of the most popular interpretations of the king of the north here in Daniel 11:40 is that this is a reference to Russia. M.R. DeHaan argued that Daniel 11:40-45 is connected to Ezekiel He argued that these two passages describe a northern confederacy that will be composed of Russia and other eastern European nations and will attack Antichrist during the last three and a half years of the seventieth week. There are problems with this interpretation. Is it really referring to Russia? Is the king of the north in Daniel 11:40 the same nation described in Ezekiel who will come from the remotest parts of the north of Israel? The noun ṣā ôn, north appears in Daniel 11:40 as well as Ezekiel 38:6, 15 and 39:2. It occurs six times in Daniel chapter eleven and in every instance, it refers to the Seleucid Empire which was located to the immediate north of Israel geographically. It also occurs in Zephaniah 2:13 with reference to Assyria. The word is used in Isaiah 41:25 but with reference to Cyrus the Persian. The Medo- Persian Empire are described as being from the north in Jeremiah 50:3, 9, 41 and 51:48. It is used with reference to Babylon in Jeremiah 1:15 and 25:9 as coming from the north of Israel to invade her. Now, geographically both the Babylonian and Medo-Persian Empires were located geographically east of Israel. However, in these passages listed above they are described as coming from the north of Israel. The reason for this is that foreign armies always attacked Israel from the north since the major highways across the Fertile Crescent along the Euphrates would take one to the upper regions of Galilee in the northern part of the country William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 18

19 Interestingly, there is no reference in Scripture where a country from the north ever means an enemy as far north as present-day Russia since the prophets of Israel would always use the north to refer to a Middle Eastern neighbor of Israel. A number of expositors believe that the ruler of the northern army attacking Israel in Ezekiel is the king of the north in Daniel 11:40. But are they are one in the same? Let s take a look at Ezekiel 38:1-6. The following is an outline of Ezekiel 38:1-39:24: (1) The identification of the invading force (Ezekiel 38:1-6). (2) When the invasion will take place and who will be attacked (Ezekiel 38:7-9). (3) The objective of the invasion (Ezekiel 38:10-13). (4) The objective of God in permitting the invasion (Ezekiel 38:14-16). (5) The destruction of the northern confederacy by God (Ezekiel 38:17-23). (6) The place of the destruction (Ezekiel 39:1-6). (7) The sanctification of God s Name (Ezekiel 39:7-8). (8) The seven years of burning weapons and the seven months of burying the dead (Ezekiel 39:9-16). (9) The Lord s sacrificial banquet for the bird and animal kingdom (Ezekiel 39:17-20). (10) The eight-fold result of the destruction of the Russian led invasion of Israel (Ezekiel 39:21-24). Therefore, we will first note Ezekiel 38:1-6, which identifies the countries involved in the invasion. Ezekiel 38:1 And the word of the LORD came to me saying, 2 Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him 3 and say, Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. (NASB95) The name Gog is the proper noun gogh, which is a title for a ruler like Caesar or Pharaoh and means, the man on top, i.e. the dictator. The name Magog is the proper noun maghogh, which means, land of Gog. Magog was the second son of Japheth according to Genesis 10:2. His descendants inhabited exclusively the region of the Caucasus and of northern Armenia. It is interesting that the name Caucasus means, Gog s fort. Josephus says that Magog founded those that from him were named Magogites but who by the Greeks were called Scythians. The Scythians themselves have a tradition that their ancestors originally came forth from Armenia. This agrees with the Scriptures, which places the immediate descendants of Noah in Armenia. Historians agree that the Magogites were divided into two distinct races: (1) Japhetic or European (2) Turanian or Asiatic. The Japhetic race comprised those whom the Greeks and Romans called Sarmatians, but who in modern times are called Slavs or Russians. It is interesting to note Jewish commentaries identify Magog as Russia. Also, the Great Wall of China in the Arabic language means, the wall of Al Magog because the Great Wall was built to keep out the invading armies from Russia William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 19

20 The descendants of Magog include: Russians, Ukrainians, Hungarians, Finns, Siberians, Yugoslavians, Croatians, Bosnians, Serbians, Slovenians, Slovakians, Bulgarians, Poles, and Czechs. Therefore, Magog signifies the nation and Gog is the title of the ruler of that nation. Ezekiel 38:2-3 states that Gog, from the land of Magog is the leader of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. Prince is the noun nasi, which means, exalted one and denotes Gog is the leader of a particular nation. Rosh is the proper noun ro sh, which means, first, head, chief. The well-known 19 th century Hebrew lexicographer Gesenius says, Rosh is the proper name of a northern nation probably equated with the Russians. But this linguistic evidence is uncertain and presumptive. Therefore, we cannot base our interpretation here that Gog is the prince of Russia. But the geographical and contextual evidence is overwhelmingly in favor that the Rosh was indeed located in Russia. The geographic and contextual evidence clearly indicates that Rosh is Russia since it is said to be located extreme north of Israel. Remember, Ezekiel 38:6, 15 and 39:2 clearly state that these invading armies are coming from the extreme north of Israel. If one takes any map of the world and draws a line north of the land of Israel he will inevitably come to the nation Russia. As soon as the line is drawn to the far north beyond Asia Minor and the Black Sea it is in Russia and continues to be in Russia for many hundreds of miles all the way to the Arctic Circle. Russia today spreads east and west some 6,000 miles, and one cannot escape Russia if he goes north of the Holy Land. On the basis of geography alone, it seems quite clear that the only nation which could possibly be referred to as coming from the far north would be the nation Russia. The suggestion that the nation is ancient Assyria revived is rendered improbable by the geographic description. The ethnic evidence links the prince of Rosh with Meshech and Tubal who like Magog were sons of Japheth according to Genesis 10:2. This is repeated in 1 Chronicles 1:5. These Japhethites (Meshech and Tubal) migrated from Asia and later from Asia Minor to the north beyond the Black Sea, the Taurus Mountains and the Caspian Sea. The name Meshech is the proper noun meshekh, which means, led along. The name Tubal is the proper noun tuval, which means, you shall be led. The meanings of these two proper nouns coincide with the Lord s intention to put hooks into the jaws of Gog, the leader of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. The descendants of Meshech include Muscovites, Lithuanians, Romanians whereas the descendants of Tubal include Georgians and Albanians. Some expositors 2014 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 20

21 believe that Meshech refers to the city of Moscow and Tubal to the city of Tobolsk but this is not the case since Ezekiel was speaking of countries and not cities. Ezekiel had historical places in mind when he refers to Meshech and Tubal. Meshech and Tubal are the Mushki and Tabali of the Assyrian monuments (Ezek. 27:13), in the 9 th century B.C. located northeast of Cilicia in Asia Minor. By the time of Herodotus they had moved northward to the mountainous region of the Black Sea. Geographic evidence indicates that the only nation in the territory to the extreme north of Israel and in fact extending to the Artic circle is Russia! Magog s land was located in what is called today, the Caucasus and the adjoining steppes. These three, Rosh, Meshech and Tubal were called by the ancients, Scythians. They roamed as nomads in the country around and north of the Black (located directly north of Turkey and along the eastern border of Russia) and Caspian Seas (located directly north or Tehran, Iran and along southern border of Russia) and were known as wild barbarians. Josephus (Ant ) and Jerome, identify the Magog of Ezek 38:2 Ezek 39:1,6, the land of which Gog was prince, with the land of the Scythians, who in Ezekiel s time inhabited the region between the Caspian and Black seas. The Scythians of the time of Herodotus and Ezekiel are believed to have been a Japhetic race. They were backward in civilization so that their name became proverbial for wildness or barbarity much as the Greeks used the epithet barbarian (cf. Col 3:11). Thus, Meshech and Tubal were located in area where several Russian Republics are located, namely Chechnya, Stavropol, Krasnodar, Dagestan, and Rostov as well as the country of Georgia located south of these Russian Republics and the Ukraine. Therefore, we can conclude that in Ezekiel 38:1-3, the name Gog is the title of the ruler and Magog signifies the land, which is composed of three parts, Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, all of which were located in an area that is now known as Russia. Ezekiel 38:4 I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords. 5 Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 Gomer with all its troops; Beth-togarmah from the remote parts of the north with all its troops -- many peoples with you. (NASB95) Persia is the proper noun paras, which means, splendid, pure and was located in what is now known as Iran. Ethiopia is the proper noun kush, which means, black and was located in what is now known as modern Ethiopia and Sudan William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 21