THEOSISJerome of Stridon
The king of the north will arrive, constructing a defensive structure and seizing the fortified cities. The forces of the south will be unable to withstand him, even though his chosen ones will rise to oppose, but they will lack strength. The one who comes against him will carry out his plans unopposed, standing in the glorious land, which will become desolate at his command. Antiochus, desiring to reclaim Judea and numerous cities in Syria, engaged in battle with Scopas, the commander of Ptolemy, near the springs of the Jordan, where the city of Paneas currently stands. He routed him and besieged him along with ten thousand troops while Scopas took refuge in Sidon. In an effort to assist, Ptolemy sent the esteemed leaders Eropus, Menocles, and Damoxenus.
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However, they were unable to break the siege until Scopas, driven by hunger, surrendered his forces and was allowed to depart with his allies. The phrase regarding the ramparts indicates that, after a prolonged period, he gained control of the stronghold of Scopas in the fortress of Jerusalem, aided by the Jewish people, and captured other cities that were previously under Ptolemy’s rule in Syria, Cilicia, and Lycia. During that time, cities like Aphrodisias, Soloea, Zephyrion, Mullus, Anemurius, Selene, Korakesius, Coricus, Hadesiaca, Limira, Patara, Xanthus, and ultimately Ephesus fell into his grasp. This is confirmed by both Greek and Roman historical accounts. The statement that he will stand in the glorious land, which will be laid waste by his hand, refers to that glorious land, or "the land of His will," as rendered by the LXX, emphasizing the land of Judea and Jerusalem, where he persecuted the supporters of Scopas, who had been honored. Rather than the glorious land, which Aquila translated in this context, Theodotion used the Hebrew term Ζαβὶν, while Simmachus rendered it the land of authority.