John Calvin Commentary Daniel 11:20

"Then shall stand up in his place one that shall cause an exactor to pass through the glory of the kingdom; but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle." — Daniel 11:20 (ASV)

Seleucus, it is well known, did not long survive his father, for he was put to death either by poison or by members of his household. Suspicion fell upon his brother Antiochus, who was sent back to his country after his father’s death was known. Demetrius alone was retained, who afterwards escaped by flight, for he left the city under the pretense of hunting and followed the bank of the Tiber as far as Ostia, where he boarded a small vessel, preferring to run all risks rather than remain in perpetual banishment.

Concerning Seleucus, the angel says, he shall stand in his place, meaning he shall succeed by hereditary right to the office of Antiochus the Great. Thus, he shall cause the exactor to pass over. Some translate this as, "He shall take away the exactor," because the verb עבר (gneber) in Hiphil means "to take away."

The Hebrews use the verb of this clause in the sense of excluding. Some interpreters think this language implies praise for Seleucus for lessening the tributes imposed by his father, but historians show this view to be false and condemn his avarice and rapacity. In some points he was superior to his brother Antiochus, although he himself was both lustful and cruel to those around him.

Because he indulged in great expenses, he could not be moderate and lenient towards his subjects, for luxury and prodigality always bring with them cruelty in the exaction of tribute. For one who is so profuse must necessarily extract the very blood from his people. As Seleucus was thus devoted to self-indulgence, this sense is more appropriate—he made the exactor to pass through, meaning he laid new and fresh taxes on all his subjects.

Nothing else is said of him, since he was immediately put to death, as the second clause of the verse informs us. If we prefer interpreting the words—the glory of the kingdom—in an opposite sense, Seleucus will be praised as an honor and an ornament.

But I think we must supply the letter ל (l) and understand the passage thus—He who shall cause the exactor to pass through shall stand in his place, and shall be destroyed in a few days. By the word “destroyed,” he signifies a bloody death. But not in anger, says he. I wonder why some translate it “in mutual conflict,” because the Hebrews imply “anger” by this word, meaning he should not perish in open warfare or in the course of a battle, but by the hands of members of his household.

Historians differ as to the manner of his death, some saying he was poisoned and others slain by the sword. But this difference is of no consequence. Antiochus Epiphanes next succeeds him.