Dan 11:33-35 | JFB | STEP | 33. they that understand —who know and keep the truth of God ( ). instruct many —in their duty to God and the law, not to apostatize. yet they shall fall —as Eleazar ( 2 Maccabees 6:18 , &c.). They shall be sorely persecuted, even to death ( ; 2 Maccabees 6, 7 ). Their enemies took advantage of the Sabbath to slay them on the day when they would not fight. TREGELLES thinks, from comparison with , it is the people who "fall," not those of understanding. But makes the latter "fall," not an unmeaning repetition; in they fall (die) by persecution; in they fall (spiritually) for a time by their own weakness. flame —in caves, whither they had retired to keep the Sabbath. Antiochus caused some to be roasted alive ( 2 Maccabees 7:3-5 ). many days —rather, " certain days," as in . JOSEPHUS [ Antiquities, 12:7.6,7] tells us the persecution lasted for three years ( 1 Maccabees 1:59; 4:54; 2 Maccabees 10:1-7 ).

Daniel 11:33-35

33. they that understand—who know and keep the truth of God (Isa 11:2).

instruct many—in their duty to God and the law, not to apostatize.

yet they shall fall—as Eleazar (2 Maccabees 6:18, &c.). They shall be sorely persecuted, even to death (Heb 11:35, 36, 37; 2 Maccabees 6, 7). Their enemies took advantage of the Sabbath to slay them on the day when they would not fight. TREGELLES thinks, from comparison with Da 11:35, it is the people who "fall," not those of understanding. But Da 11:35 makes the latter "fall," not an unmeaning repetition; in Da 11:33 they fall (die) by persecution; in Da 11:35 they fall (spiritually) for a time by their own weakness.

flame—in caves, whither they had retired to keep the Sabbath. Antiochus caused some to be roasted alive (2 Maccabees 7:3-5).

many days—rather, "certain days," as in Da 8:27. JOSEPHUS [Antiquities, 12:7.6,7] tells us the persecution lasted for three years (1 Maccabees 1:59; 4:54; 2 Maccabees 10:1-7).

34. a little help—The liberty obtained by the Maccabean heroes for the Jews was of but short duration. They soon fell under the Romans and Herodians, and ever since every attempt to free them from Gentile rule has only aggravated their sad lot. The period of the world times (Gentile rule) is the period of depression of the theocracy, extending from the exile to the millennium [ROOS]. The more immediate reference seems to be, the forces of Mattathias and his five sons were originally few (1 Maccabees 2:1-5).

many shall cleave to them—as was the case under Judas Maccabeus, who was thus able successfully to resist Antiochus.

with flatteries—Those who had deserted the Jewish cause in persecution, now, when success attended the Jewish arms, joined the Maccabean standard, for example, Joseph, the son of Zecharias, Azarias, &c. (1 Maccabees 5:55-57; 2 Maccabees 12:40; 13:21). MAURER explains it, of those who through fear of the Maccabees' severity against apostates joined them, though ready, if it suited their purpose, to desert them (1 Maccabees 2:44; 3:58).

35. to try them—the design of affliction. Image from metals tried with fire.

to purge—Even in the elect there are dregs which need to be purged out (1Pe 1:7). Hence they are allowed to fall for a time; not finally (2Ch 32:31; Lu 22:31). Image from wheat cleared of its chaff by the wind.

make . . . white—image from cloth (Re 7:9).

to . . . time of . . . end—God will not suffer His people to be persecuted without limitation (1Co 10:13). The godly are to wait patiently for "the end" of "the time" of trial; "for it is (to last) yet for a time appointed" by God.