Daniel 11:25Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

His strength and spirit will be enflamed as he rallies a great host against the ruler of the south. Meanwhile, the ruler of the south will mobilize a formidable army for battle, yet they will falter, as their strategies will be turned against them. Those who break bread with him will rise against him, leading to his army's downfall and heavy casualties. Porphyry interprets this in relation to Antiochus, who confronted Ptolemy, his sister's son, with a vast force. The ruler of the south, representing Ptolemy’s leaders, engaged in battle with significant and powerful reinforcements but ultimately could not thwart Antiochus's cunning tactics; he feigned peace while dining with his nephew and later took control of Egypt.

His stronghold will endure, and neither his heart nor that of the king of the South will display great strength. The incursion of Egypt by Antiochus is additionally chronicled in the first book of Maccabees. It is written: “Antiochus entered Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, cavalry, and numerous carts. He waged war against Ptolemy, the king of Egypt; and Ptolemy, fearing him, fled, and many calamities struck. They seized fortified cities in the land of Egypt and took the wealth of that nation” (1 Mac. 1:17-19). The revered Daniel, who prophesied this, also declared: The king of the South will engage in battle against him with formidable strength, yet they will not prevail, as they devise various military strategies.