Introduction

The understanding and interpretation of the last three chapters of the book of Daniel have always been a challenge for scholars and readers of the Bible. Particularly, the interpretation of the central prophetic content of Daniel 11:2b-12:3, referring to the mysterious kings of the north and the south, has been obscure.¹ This section either has been studied superficially or totally ignored in Adventist literature. However, during the last twenty years there has been a change of approach in understanding this prophecy.²

The present study recognizes the basic importance of grammatical and syntactical work in the exegetical enterprise. Furthermore, it demonstrates that structural analysis provides a better comprehension of the passage and the flow of thoughts contained in it. These guidelines give a structure for understanding Daniel 10-12.³

Guideline 1: Model of repetition and enlargement⁴

There are evident similarities in the four prophetic lines in the book of Daniel.⁵ It should be noted that in Daniel chapters 10 to 12 also has a similar structure consisting of a prologue, the prophecy, an explanation, and the epilogue. Therefore, one can find the same interpretation for the four prophetic lines in Daniel.

Chart 1: The basic outline for the four prophetic lines in Daniel

In order to attain a better understanding of chapters 10 – 12, it is necessary to use one of the most basic interpretive principles for Bible prophecy taught by Adventist pioneers, namely, “parallelism.”⁶ Daniel chapters 2, 7 and 8 show the same period in history and add new elements to the message of the book. There is a switch from a secular power in chapter 2, to a religio-political power in chapter 7, and then to the sanctuary and its cleansing in chapter 8.⁷ Each chapter helps to interpret the others. With this idea, we can see the following chart that shows the basic sections in each prophecy:

Here are the symbols and the interpretation of the first three prophetic lines of the book.⁸ Afterward, we will add the fourth line.

Chart 2: Comparison of the interpretation of Daniel 2, 7, 8 and 9

This Chart (No. 2) guides us to some conclusions. It shows four universal empires,⁹ which form the structure of the prophecy. The starting point, which is fundamental to interpret all the prophetic tables of the book of Daniel, is the definition of the four universal empires which are found in the Danielic oracles.¹⁰

In addition, one can appreciate the fact that each succeeding prophecy adds elements and gives more details to the preceding ones. For example, chapter 7 adds the new power of the little horn and the heavenly judgment, while chapters 8 and 9 add the date of its beginning, besides the new details concerning the three last universal empires and the new political-religious power (the little horn) of the seventh chapter. It is therefore expected that the prophecy of 11:2b-12:12 will retain the same scheme, amplify the previous elements and also add new concepts to the prophetic panorama.

Determining the parallelism of the last prophetic line of Daniel should not be done superficially; instead, the internal elements of the passage, as well as their connections with the details of the preceding visions, must allow the elaboration of this correspondence. It is important to establish this parallelism in order to interpret the prophecy in an appropriate way.

Before proposing an interpretation of Daniel 11, it will be useful to appreciate the connections between the three last prophetic lines of the book. Some scholars have shown the parallelism between chapters 7, 8 and 11,¹¹ and this parallelism will be useful in portraying the intimate correspondence between these sections of the book of Daniel.

Chart 3: Similarities between Daniel 7, 8 and 11

We can see the parallelism of these prophetic lines in Daniel. Each empire has its correspondence in the other chapters. And we can also notice that each kingdom and the main events are in the same order. Therefore, we observe that there are connections between the four prophetic lines and there is a clear parallelism between them.¹²

Guideline 2: Historical-Prophetical Flow in Daniel 11:2b-12:3

Tarigan, in his Ph.D. Dissertation, brilliantly summarized the historical flow that is evident in the prophecy of Daniel 11.¹³ These markers in the text provide a structure where we can build a solid interpretation. These markers are signs on the road of interpretation that do not allow anyone to go in a direction other than which the text leads. Tarigan’s summary is presented in the following chart,¹⁴ that I have slightly modified.

Chart 4. Historical-Prophetical Flow in Daniel 11:2-12:3

It is evident that there is a linear development in History as well as in Prophecy. The highlighted events are obvious in the interpretation and there is a general agreement among Adventist scholars. There can be disagreement in details but the general lines are well accepted.

Guideline 3: There are words that are signs in the interpretation of the prophecy

We can divide the prophecy into two great sections. Remember, we have mentioned that verse 20 is very important. It alludes indirectly to the birth of Jesus because it points to Caesar Augustus and his censua and tax decree (Luke 2:1). Therefore, the first 20 verses refer to the pre-Christian era, and the following verses present the Christian era.¹⁶

This division of the prophecy- verses 2-20 and verses 21 to 12:3- is also supported by arguments within the text. First of all, it can be seen that the use of some Hebrew expressions appear which support the splitting of this prophecy in two sections.

Chart 5: Distribution of the main expressions of Daniel 11

We can note that there are specific expressions that are exclusively in one of the halves of the chapter.

Secondly, there is a term that marks the beginning of a particular character in the prophetic discourse (i.e., “a vile”, “a despicable” in 11:21, Heb. nibĕzeh).¹⁷ This new character points out the beginning of a second part. This expression is the key of the chapter for it introduces a different monarch with the special qualifying of “the wicked” (cf. Psalm 15:4; Isa 53:3; Jer 22:28; Mal 1;7, 12), which is understood to be the king of the north in a different phase (he appears in opposition to the king of the south, 11: 25). In connection with this characteristic, it shows that the title “king of the north” does not appear again until “the end of the time” in 11: 40.

There are very particular actions that are only applicable to this king. He shows no respect to the customs and traditions of his ancestors (11: 24, 37, 38), which suggests that he breaks all the rules of the former kings, especially all that had a relationship with the God of his fathers (11:36-39). One can get the same conclusion about his profane attitude when they read the second section of the chapter and find the connection with the term “covenant.” His attack is against the very “holy covenant” (11:28, 30). He seduces those who violate the covenant (11:32), with whom he clearly agrees (11:32). He corrupts by “flatteries” (11:21, 32, 34), something that his predecessors did not do in their battles and conquests, and which shows his cunning character.

Third, to this “vile” person is attributed the expression “he will do according to his will,” literally “he will do,” 11:23, 28, 30; “and they will do”, 11:32.¹⁸ The use of this phrase in this prophecy introduces a new power (11:3, 16). Note that in verses 28 and 30, the phrase “he will do” is used in connection with the attacks against the holy covenant, which suggests that this is a new rule, but in a different realm: the religious and spiritual one. It is not only military and political. With this thought in mind, we can understand verse 32 in a better way, where a particular “power”—God’s people—is presented as those who “shall be strong and do exploits.” It is the church under persecution, the “holy ones” of chapter 7, who is oppressed (7:25); but they will receive the kingdom at the end of the judgment (7:25, 26).

The apparition of the “abomination that causes desolation” in connection with this vile person in the last prophecy of Daniel is relevant. This allocution connects this oracle directly with Daniel 8 and confirms the parallelism between these two prophetic lines in this crucial description of the antichrist. Moreover, it suggests that at this level of the prophetic narrative, this “vile” character should be related to the little horn of Daniel 8 and an extension to that of chapter 7.¹⁹

On the other hand, there are expressions that are found in both sections of the chapter in a proportionate manner. The first of them is “behold” which is located in the three sections of the prophecy. In the introduction of the vision the “shining man” (10: 5) is mentioned; in 11: 2, it begins the prophetic discourse of the angel; and, in 12: 5, it establishes the final section of the vision.

The phrase “your people” is a clue (10:14; 11:14; 12:1). As indicated before, this prophecy covers a period of the Jewish people, the people of Daniel, which is not contemplated in the previous visions, in other words, the intertestamental period. Daniel 11:2-15 alludes to this period and these people. The exception would be in 12:1, where the context is clearly eschatological and would refer to the people of God of the last days. Moreover, there are other expressions about the valuable treasures of Egypt (11:8, 43) and “the glorious land” (11:16, 41) which are also found in both divisions of the chapter.

Guideline 4: There are temporal expressions and allocutions related with defeats that are signs for the interpretation of the prophecy

Another detail is the use of expressions related to temporal events. We find eight different expressions that appear 13 times in the prophecy (11:2-12:3). These phrases play an important role in the structure of the prophecy. They help to build the outline of the chapter and find the beginning or end of the paragraphs.

1. “in those times”, 11:6 [2x], 14²⁰

2. “years”, 11:8

3. “at the end of some years”, 11:13²¹

4. “a few days”, 11:20

5. “but only for a time”, 11:24²²

6. “at the appointed time”, 11:29

7. “at that time”, 12:1 (2x)²³

8. The use of the term qetz (11:27, 35, 40).²⁴

In the same way, there are fourteen statements of failures and disasters in chapter 11 with different words, as we can see below. This prophecy talks about wars and confrontations and it is unavoidable that we should find defeats.

1. 11:4 “shall be broken”, “shall be divided”, “shall be uprooted”

2. 11:6 “she shall not retain”, “neither shall he stand”

3. 11:12 “he will not prevail”

4. 11:14 “they shall fall”

5. 11:15 “shall not withstand”, “neither shall there be any strength to withstand”

6. 11:17 “but she shall not stand on his side”

7. 11:19 “but he shall stumble”, “and fall, “and not be found”

8. 11:20 “but within few days he shall be destroyed”

It is very interesting that there are only three mentions of failure in the second part of the prophecy.

1. 11:25,26 The king of the south in a triple fall before the vile person (11:21)

2. 11:33-35 The people of God, again in triple fall before the contemptible person

3. 11:45 The final failure of the terrible king of the north.

Let me show three examples in order to validate that these expressions are used as guidelines to interpretation. They are reliable markers so we can be sure where a paragraph starts and finishes, and what the main ideas are. Below is the structure of the paragraph of Daniel 11:6-8 (time expressions are bold and the failures are underlined).

• A1 After some years they shall make an alliance,

• B1 and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to ratify the agreement.

• C1 But she shall not retain her power,

• C2 and his offspring shall not endure.

• B2 She shall be given up, she and her attendants and her child and the one who supported her.

• A2 In those times

The two “time phrases” mark the beginning and the end of this section, while the “defeat expressions” are in the core of this section. It is very interesting that the section of Daniel 11:32b-35 talks about the people of God under persecution.

• A1 But the people who are loyal to their God shall stand firm and take action. (AN ACTIVE GOD’S PEOPLE)

• B1 The wise among the people shall give understanding to many; (THE WISE)

• C1 for some days, however, they shall fall by sword and flame, and suffer captivity and plunder.

• C2 When they fall victim, they shall receive a little help,

• B2 and many shall join them insincerely. Some of the wise shall fall, (THE WISE)

• A2 so that they may be refined, purified, and cleansed, (AN PASSIVE GOD’S PEOPLE)
  until the time of the end, for there is still an interval until the time appointed.

The structure of 11:25-27 enlightens the interpretation of the prophecy. Note in the core of the passage (B1, C, and B2) the expressions connected with failure. In both extremes (A1 and A2) we find both kings fighting for the power. The paragraph ends with a singular expression “the time appointed”.

• A1 He shall stir up his power and determination against the king of the south with a great army, and the king of the south shall wage war with a much greater and stronger army. (THE VILE AND KING OF THE SOUTH)

• B1 But he shall not succeed, for plots shall be devised against him

• C by those who eat of the royal rations. They shall break him,

• B2 his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall slain.

• A1 The two kings, their minds bent on evil, shall sit at one table and exchange lies. But it shall not succeed, (THE VILE AND KING OF THE SOUTH)
  for there remains an end at the time appointed.

This last temporal allocution- “time appointed”- is very important for the understanding of the prophecy. It gives us a sequence of events in this section (11:21-40) that it will be very helpful for the interpretation of this section. 11:25 says that this time is still in the future and later 11:29 announces that a strong power will return in the time appointed. 11:35 suggests the time appointed is still going on. Finally 11:40 announces the time of the end, the end of the appointed time.

Chart 6. The temporal sequence of “the time appointed”

Both expressions—temporals and those that are related to defeats and failures— mark important events of the prophecy and in the structure of the writing. For instance, the eschatological section (11:40-45) starts with a significant expression of time (“at the time of the end”) and it concludes with the most important fall of the oracle of Daniel 11, the defeat and failure of the false king of the North (“yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him”).

Guideline 5: There are some Hebrew verbs that are markers for the interpretation of the prophecy

Finally, there are some Hebrew verbs that were repeated many times and their meanings are important in the interpretation.

āmad - It appears 28 times and 20 of them are in the prophetic section. In the prologue and in the last section (11:4,-12), āmad means “stand up”. But its use in the prophetic section is equivalent to “to reign, to dominate”. Sometimes it means “to resist” (11:8, 11, 13, 14). But its main meaning is “to reign” over the Persians (11:2); the Greeks, 11:3, 4; the king of the south, 11:7; the king of the north (11:20), and the contemptible (11:21). The last mention refers to Michael, “who stands over the sons of your people”, in order to establish His eternal kingdom and reign forever.²⁵

bȏ’ - It appears 25 times in the last 3 chapters and 19 times in the prophetic discourse. Its main meaning is “to conquer” (11:6, 7, 10, 13, 15-17).

šȗb - It appears 9 times in the prophetic section. It means to return victoriously from the war to his home (11:9, 28) or to repeat an attack to the enemy (11:10, 13, 30).²⁶

ḥāzaq - It appears 13 times in the last three chapters of the book. Eight of them appear in chapter 11. It has the connotation of strengthening economically and politically (11:2, 5, 7, 21).²⁷ It also refers to the people who know their God (11:32).²⁸

A brief example of the importance of some verbs in Daniel 11 is used in connection with “the vile.” 11:21-23 describes the irruption of this terrible character in the oracle. This is the only place in Daniel 11 where you can find these 3 verbs (āmad, bȏ and ḥāzaq) in the same verse. It means this power is relevant in the prophecy, and is more than a simple emperor or king.²⁹ Verse 41 is also a good example. It mentions that “he shall enter the glorious land”. H. R. Treiyer interprets this act of entering the glorious land as the peaceful friendship between papal power and the United States in the last days.³⁰ But we have studied that the king of the north comes to conquer “the glorious land” in an impositive way, not peaceful, according to the meaning of the verb bȏ’.³¹

The root ‘āśāh (“to do, to make”) is connected in this oracle with the emergence of a new power in the history. Be aware of these cases:

11:3 Alexander the Great and his Empire
11:16 The irruption of the Roman Empire in the prophecy
11:23 The emergence of the Papal Rome (here it also appears āmad, bȏ’, and ḥāzaq, 11:21)
11:28 Papal Rome in the Middle Ages
11:30 The attack against the Sanctuary
11:32 The people of God in the midst the troubles and persecutions

The next chart presents a summary of the different Hebrew verbs and their emergence in the different paragraphs of the prophecy. Note that the verbs are more common in 11:2-20 because are connected with different kings while in 11:21-12:3 the occurrences are diminishing and focusing more on the “vile” and the new “king of the North.”

Chart 7 Appearances of key Hebrew words in Daniel 11:b-12:3

Guideline 6: Structure in Daniel 10 to 12

We can now propose a structure³² of the passage based in the previous guidelines, especially 3 to 5. As with any literary text, Daniel 11 has harmony of thought and a logical sequence in the development of its ideas. This work is important because it reveals the different sections of a writing, based on the grammatical and syntactical work. The following structure shows the main paragraphs of the vision:³³

• A1 Two great kingdoms in contraposition (11:2b-4)

• B1 Preeminence of the King of the south (11:5-9)

• C1 Wars between the north and the south (11:10-15)

• B2 Preeminence of the King of the north (11:16-19)

• A2 Thematic whirl (11:20)

• A3 Singularity of the new King of the north (11:21-28)

• B3 A desecrate attack (11:29-32ª)

• C2 The people of God in tightness (11.32b-35)

• B4 A blasphemous attack (11:36-39)

• A4 Last intent to rule of the King of the north (11:40-45)

• D1 Deliverance of the people of God (12:1,2)

• D2 A happy end (12:3)

Chart 8: Structure of Daniel 11:2b-12:3

Many commentators agree with this outline³⁴ although they do not present their outline in the same way as Chart 8. We can see a double chiasm with paragraphs that show important elements for the interpretation of the prophecy. Consequently, based on these two elements—parallelism and structuralism—a proposal of interpretation of the Daniel 11:2:b-12:3 would be in this way:

Chart 9: Proposal of interpretation of Daniel 11

At this point, it is suitable to have a panorama of the prophecies of Daniel. We can see their unity and we can appreciate the message more because of the new elements that chapter 11 brings to the prophecy.

Chart 10: Comparison of the interpretation of the four prophetic lines of Daniel

Guideline 7: From the cross on, the geographic and local features take on a symbolic interpretation³⁶

This principle is crucial in the interpretation of the prophecy, especially in Daniel chapter 11. Because of these guidelines, we don’t go on the erroneous path of the dispensationalists or literalism. The latter days have begun with Jesus (Heb 1:1,2; Act 2:15).³⁷

From this point, the cardinal references (north, 11:40, 44; south, 11:25, 40; east, 11:44), the geographic places (Quitim, 11:30; the glorious land, Edom, Moab, Ammon, 11:41; Egypt, Lybia and Ethiopia, 11:42, 43); the ethnical allusions (“the sons of your people”, 12:1) should be understood in a symbolic spiritual meaning, not literal.³⁸

Guideline 8: The Scriptures are their own interpreter³⁹

This is the most important principle that we should adhere to in our days when we try to find the meaning of the symbols in 11:21-12:13. It cannot be done either capriciously or with the newspapers in our hands. The meaning of the different symbols of the prophecy cannot be attached to the headline current events of our day.⁴⁰ We should go to the Bible itself in order to find the meaning of these symbols.

For instance, the main two characters of the prophecy- King of the north and King of the south- should be understood accordingly. From verses 5 to 20 the interpretation of the these two cardinal points should be understood in relation to Palestine, the land of God’s people. From verse 21 on, they should be interpreted at the light of theological meaning of these cardinal points. North as the cardinal point of the Creator (Psa 48:1-3; Isa 14:13,14) and the attempt of the Vile (11:21) who pretend to be like God Himself (11:36-39). On the other hand, the meaning of the “south” should also be found in the Bible. We realized that the south was Egypt, an entity that opposed the Almighty and asserted that he did not know about Him (Exo 5:1, 2). This identification helps us to understand that Egypt represents the powers and philosophies that are secular and atheistic.

Another good example is the meaning of Moab,⁴¹ Edom and Ammon in 11:41. The OT gives clear clues about these peoples. They were blood relatives with Israel, God’s people, they were their neighbors but they were always enemies of God’s people. It is logical to understand these powers in the time of the end as entities closely related with the Remnant of these days but in opposition of the message and work of the Remnant.

Conclusion

In light of the study of this second section, we can conclude that Daniel 11 presents the three last universal empires—Persia, Greece, and Rome—including the papal power of history, represented by the “vile” of 11: 21, that continues until the end of the prophecy (11: 45). The last section points out the eschatological events (11:40–12:3), and presents the unique and detailed explanation that was given to Daniel in his later years.

The guidelines presented in this study can help us understand and interpret Daniel 11 and 12 more accurately and help us avoid eroneous interpretations. It is true that interpreters may have differences in regard to specific details, but the foundational structure of the text is very clear. When we apply the principles that we have studied, it is without a doubt that this passage can be understood. However, It is necessary to carefully follow these guidelines, to compare the results with the history of God’s people, and above all, to have the guidance of the Holy Spirit leading us into all truth.