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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comKeil and Delitzsch Commentary - Daniel 11:36 - 11:36
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The Hostile King Exalting Himself above All Divine and Human Ordinances at the Time of the End - Dan 11:36-39
This exaltation of the king is here introduced by the formula כִרְצֹנוֹ וְעָשָׂה, which expresses the self-will and the irresistible might of his proceeding; cf. Dan 3:16 and Dan 8:4 - ”a feature common to Antiochus and Antichrist” (Klief.). He shall raise himself above every god, not merely “subjectively in his lofty imagination” (Hitzig), but also by his actions. כָּל־אֵל, every god, not merely the God of Israel, but also the gods of the heathen. This does not agree with Antiochus. The ἰσόθεα φρονεῖν ὑπερηφανῶς which is said of him, 2 Macc. 9:12, is not an exalting of himself above every god. “Antiochus was not an ἄθεος; he even wished to render the worship of Zeus universal; and that he once spoiled the temple does not imply his raising himself above every god” (Klief.). Of Antiochus much rather, as is said by Livy (41:20), in duabus tamen magnis honestisque rebus fere regius erat animus, in urbium donis et deorum cultu. On the contrary, these words before us are expressly referred to Antichrist, 2Th 2:4.
Yet further, in his arrogance he shall speak נִפְּלָאֹות, wonderful, i.e., impious and astonishing things, against the God of gods, i.e., the true God. This clause expounds and strengthens the מַלֵּל רַבְרְבָן (speaking great things), which is said of the enemy at the time of the end, Dan 7:8, Dan 7:11, Dan 7:20. In this he will prosper, but only till the anger of God against His people (זַעַם as Dan 8:19) shall be accomplished. Regarding כָלָה see at Dan 9:27. This anger of God is irrevocably determined (נֶחֱרָצָה), that His people may be wholly purified for the consummation of His kingdom in glory. The perf. נֶעֱשׂתָה does not stand for the imperf. because it is decreed, but in its proper meaning, according to which it represents the matter as finished, settled. Here it accordingly means: “for that which is irrevocably decreed is accomplished, is not to be recalled, but must be done.”