Albert Barnes Commentary Daniel 11:27

"And as for both these kings, their hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table: but it shall not prosper; for yet the end shall be at the time appointed." — Daniel 11:27 (ASV)

And both these kings’ hearts shall be to do mischief — Margin, “their hearts.” The meaning is that their hearts were set on some evil or unjust purpose. The reference here is evidently to Antiochus and Ptolemy Philometor, and the time alluded to is when Ptolemy was in the possession of Antiochus, and when they were together forming their plans. Antiochus invaded the country under pretense of aiding Ptolemy and establishing him in the government, and for the same reason, under pretense of protecting him, he had him now in his possession. At first.

Also, it would seem that Ptolemy coincided with his plans, or was so far deceived by the acts of Antiochus as to believe in his friendship and to unite with him in his schemes, for it is expressly said by the historians, as quoted above, that when Antiochus left Egypt, leaving Ptolemy at Memphis and a strong garrison in Pelusium, Ptolemy began to see through his crafty designs and to act accordingly. Until that time, however, he seems to have regarded the professions of Antiochus as sincere and to have entered fully into his plans. To that fact there is allusion here; and the meaning is that they were forming united schemes of evil—of conquests, and robbery, and oppression. The guiding spirit in this was undoubtedly Antiochus, but Ptolemy seems to have concurred in it.

And they shall speak lies at one table — At the same table. Ptolemy was a captive and was entirely in the possession of Antiochus, but it was a matter of policy with the latter to hide from him as far as possible the fact that he was a prisoner and to treat him as a king. It is to be presumed, therefore, that he would do so, and that they would be seated at the same table; that is, that Ptolemy would be treated outwardly with the respect due to a king. In this familiar condition—in this state of apparently respectful and confidential intercourse—they would form their plans.

Yet the devices of both would be “false”—or would be, in fact, “speaking lies.” Antiochus would be acting perfidiously throughout, endeavoring to impose on Ptolemy, and making promises and giving assurances which he knew to be false. Ptolemy would be equally acting a deceitful part—entering into engagements which, perhaps, he did not intend to keep, and which would, at any rate, be soon violated.

It is impossible now to know “how” he came into the hands of Antiochus—whether he surrendered himself in war; or whether he was persuaded to do it by the arts of his courtiers; or whether he was really deceived by Antiochus and supposed that he was his friend and that his protection was necessary. On any of these suppositions, it cannot be supposed that he would be very likely to be sincere in his transactions with Antiochus.

But it shall not prosper — The scheme concocted, whatever it was, would not be successful. The plan of Antiochus was to obtain possession of the whole of Egypt, but in this he failed; and so far as Ptolemy entered into the scheme proposed by Antiochus, on pretense for the good of his country, it also failed. Whatever the purpose was, it was soon broken up by the fact that Antiochus left Egypt and made war on Jerusalem.

For yet the end shall be at the time appointed — See Daniel 11:29. The end—the result—shall not be now, and in the manner contemplated by these two kings. It shall be at the time “appointed,” namely, by God, and in another manner. The whole case shall issue differently from what they design, and at the time which an overruling Providence has designated.

The “reason” implied here why they could not carry out their design was that there was an “appointed time” when these affairs were to be determined, and that no purposes of theirs could be allowed to frustrate the higher counsels of the Most High.