Daniel 11:18

After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause [it] to turn upon him.

After this shall he turn {H7760}{H7725} his face {H6440} unto the isles {H339}, and shall take {H3920} many {H7227}: but a prince {H7101} for his own behalf shall cause the reproach {H2781} offered by him to cease {H7673}; without {H1115} his own reproach {H2781} he shall cause it to turn {H7725} upon him.

Next, he will put his attention on the coastlands and islands and capture many, but an army commander will put a stop to his outrages and cause his outrages to come back upon him.

Then he will turn his face to the coastlands and capture many of them. But a commander will put an end to his reproach and will turn it back upon him.

After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; yea, moreover, he shall cause his reproach to turn upon him.

Daniel 11:18 continues the highly detailed prophecy concerning the "king of the north," who is widely understood by commentators to be Antiochus III (Antiochus the Great) of the Seleucid Empire. This verse describes a phase of his military expansion and the subsequent check on his power by another significant entity.

Historical and Cultural Context

Following his campaigns against Egypt (the "king of the south"), Antiochus III turned his attention westward, expanding his dominion into the coastal regions and islands of the Aegean Sea, referred to here as "the isles." This period saw his attempts to control Greek city-states and territories, leading to direct conflict with the rising power of Rome. The phrase "a prince for his own behalf" is almost universally identified as a reference to Roman military intervention, specifically the campaigns led by Roman generals like Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus. Rome's engagement was driven by its own strategic interests in the region, aiming to curb Antiochus's expansion and protect its allies.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Imperial Expansion and Limitation: The verse illustrates the ambition of powerful rulers to expand their empires, but also highlights that even the greatest earthly powers have their limits imposed by a higher authority.
  • Divine Sovereignty in History: Despite the intricate human conflicts and political maneuvers, the detailed prophecy of Daniel 11 underscores God's ultimate control over the rise and fall of empires and leaders. This aligns with the broader message of Daniel that God "removeth kings, and setteth up kings".
  • Justice and Reversal: The "reproach" Antiochus offered to others—his haughtiness, demands, and subjugation—was ultimately turned back upon him by the Roman power, demonstrating a principle of divine justice or consequence.

Linguistic Insights

The term "isles" (Hebrew: 'iyyim) broadly refers to coastlands, islands, or maritime regions, fitting the geographical context of Antiochus III's naval and coastal campaigns in the Mediterranean. The phrase "a prince for his own behalf" emphasizes that this opposing force (Rome) acted not out of altruism for Antiochus's victims, but out of its own strategic self-interest, which nevertheless served to halt Antiochus's aggressive expansion.

Practical Application

For believers today, Daniel 11:18 serves as a reminder that God is sovereign over all earthly kingdoms and political events. No human ruler or empire, no matter how powerful, operates outside of His ultimate plan and oversight. This truth can bring comfort and confidence, knowing that even in times of geopolitical turmoil, God's purposes will prevail. It encourages us to trust in God's control, rather than being overwhelmed by the shifting tides of human power, much like the confidence expressed in Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hosea 12:14

    Ephraim provoked [him] to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.

  • Zephaniah 2:11

    The LORD [will be] terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and [men] shall worship him, every one from his place, [even] all the isles of the heathen.

  • Jeremiah 31:10

    ¶ Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare [it] in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd [doth] his flock.

  • Jeremiah 2:10

    For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.

  • Isaiah 66:19

    And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, [to] Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, [to] Tubal, and Javan, [to] the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

  • Judges 1:7

    And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered [their meat] under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

  • Matthew 7:2

    For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

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