Daniel 11:17-19

DANIEL—NOTE ON Daniel 11:17 After General Scopas’s surrender, Egypt was forced into an alliance with the Syrians. Antiochus III the Great even gave his daughter, Cleopatra (not the famous one from a later period), to Ptolemy V in marriage. Antiochus III hoped that her offspring would rule over Egypt to give him further power, but Cleopatra supported Ptolemy V Epiphanes instead of her father (it shall not stand or be to his advantage). Verses Daniel 11:18 record Antiochus III’s initial successes in the region of the coastlands (a reference to Asia Minor and possibly also mainland Greece). Ultimately he was defeated by Roman and Greek troops. The Romans forced him to sign a treaty at Apanea in 188 B.C. and surrender territory, much of his military force, and 20 hostages (one was his son Antiochus IV Epiphanes). He was also forced to pay a large tribute to Rome. He returned home and was killed by an angry mob (he shall stumble and fall) while he was trying to steal from a temple of Zeus in Elymais to pay for the heavy tribute to Rome.