John Calvin Commentary Daniel 11:41-42

"He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many [countries] shall be overthrown; but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries; and the land of Egypt shall not escape." — Daniel 11:41-42 (ASV)

The land of Judea is called the pleasant or desirable land because God considered it worthy of his peculiar favor. He chose it for his dwelling place, called it his resting place, and caused his blessing to remain in it. In this verse also, regions are discussed, and not merely cities, such as the regions of Edom and Moab.

After the angel had briefly predicted the occurrence of the most grievous wars with the Romans, he now adds what he had briefly begun in the last verse — namely, their becoming conquerors of all nations. They shall come, he says, into the desirable land. This is the reason why the angel prophesies about the Roman Empire, for he was not sent to explain to Daniel the history of the whole world, but to keep the faithful in their allegiance and to persuade them, under the most harassing upheavals, to remain under the protection and guardianship of God.

For this reason he states, — they shall come into the desirable land. This would be a dreadful temptation and might overthrow all feelings of piety, as the Jews would be harassed on all sides, first by the Syrians and then by the Egyptians. We know with what cruelty Antiochus endeavored not only to oppress but utterly to blot out the whole nation. Neither the Syrians nor the Egyptians spared them. The Romans came almost from the other side of the globe; at first, they made an alliance with these states and then entered Judea as enemies. Who would have supposed that region was under God’s protection when it was so exposed to all attacks of robbery and oppression? Therefore, it was necessary to admonish the faithful not to fall away through this utter confusion.

They shall come, then, into the desirable land, and many regions shall fall; this meant that no hope would remain for the Jews after the arrival of the Romans, as victory was already prepared for them. The angel’s presentation of this material for despair to the faithful was not likely to inspire confidence and comfort. However, because they were aware of these divine predictions, they also knew that the remedy was prepared by the same God who had admonished them through the angel.

It was in his power to save his Church from a hundred deaths. This prophecy became an inestimable treasury, inspiring the faithful with the hope of the promised deliverance. The angel will afterward add the promise intended to support, strengthen, and revive their drooping spirits. But he here announces that God’s aid would not immediately appear, because he would give the Romans full permission to exercise cruel sway, tyranny, and robbery throughout all of Asia and the East.

He says, The lands of Edom, Moab, and a portion of Ammon should escape from their slaughter. This trial would significantly affect the minds of the pious: What does he mean? He allows the land that he promised would be at rest to be now seized and laid waste by its enemies!

The land of Moab is at peace and enjoys the greatest tranquility, and the condition of the Ammonites is prosperous! We should bear in mind here what the prophets say about these lands: Esau was banished to the rugged mountains, and God assigned to the Moabites a territory beyond the borders of the land of blessings (Malachi 1:3).

The Jews alone had any peculiar right and privilege to claim that territory in which the Lord had promised them perfect repose. Now, when Judea is laid waste and their foes, according to their pleasure, not only seize everything valuable in the city and the country but also seem to have special permission to ravage the land at their will, what could the Jews conjecture?

The angel therefore addresses this objection and alleviates the anxiety to which the faithful could be subject because of such slaughters. He states that the territories of Edom and Moab, and of the children of Ammon, should be tranquil and safe from those calamities. By the expression, to the beginning of the children of Ammon, he most probably refers to that retreat from which the Ammonites originated.

For doubtless the Romans would not have spared the Ammonites unless they had been concealed among the mountains, as every district in the neighborhood of Judea was subject to the same distress. Those who interpret this passage as referring to Antichrist suppose that safety is extended only to that portion of the faithful who will escape from the world and take refuge in the deserts.

But there is no basis for this opinion, and it is sufficient to retain the meaning already proposed as the genuine one. He afterward adds, The Romans should send their army into the land, and even in the land of Egypt, they should not escape.

The angel undoubtedly here discusses the numerous victories that the Romans would obtain in a short time.

They carried on war with Mithridates for a long period, and then Asia was almost lost; but they soon afterward began to extend their power, first over all Asia Minor, and then over Syria. Armenia was next added to their sway, and Egypt after that. Meanwhile, this was only a moderate addition, until at length they ruled over the Persians, and thus their power became formidable.

Therefore, this prophet was fulfilled by their extending their power over many regions, and by the land of Egypt becoming a portion of their booty. It follows: