Charles Ellicott Commentary Daniel 11:13

"And the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former; and he shall come on at the end of the times, [even of] years, with a great army and with much substance." — Daniel 11:13 (ASV)

Shall return. In this and the next two verses, the reasons for the southern king's failure are mentioned. He returns some years after his defeat to take revenge, and brings with him a larger army than he had on the previous occasion.

Much riches. That is, all that is necessary to maintain a large army; literally, anything acquired. This has been explained as referring to the invasion of Egypt by Antiochus and Philip of Macedon, about thirteen or fourteen years after the battle of Raphia, when Ptolemy Epiphanes, a mere child, had succeeded his father, Philopator.

If these chapters indeed refer to this period, it is surprising that there is no allusion to the religious persecutions the Jews in Egypt endured under Ptolemy Philopator, who, after his victory at Raphia, attempted to enter the Holy Place, as mentioned in the Third Book of Maccabees.

It should be remembered that the Jews suffered considerably from both sides throughout this entire period. However, although the prophecy is thought to have been written for their comfort and encouragement at this very time, not a word is said that refers to them.