John Calvin Commentary Daniel 11:8

"And also their gods, with their molten images, [and] with their goodly vessels of silver and of gold, shall he carry captive into Egypt; and he shall refrain some years from the king of the north." — Daniel 11:8 (ASV)

The angel explains more fully what he had already stated briefly, namely, that Ptolemy would be the conqueror, and plunder all of Syria almost according to his will. Secular writers also show us the great number of images that were taken away, and how Egypt recovered its gods of silver and gold which it had lost long before.

Thus the event proved the truth of the angel’s prophecy. The particle גם gem, is inserted to amplify the subject, informing us of the unequal terms of the peace, and how Ptolemy exercised the rights of a conqueror in plundering all of Syria according to his desire.

It is added, He shall stand for more years than the king of the north. Some restrict this to the duration of the life of each king, and others extend it further. The angel probably speaks of Ptolemy Euergetes, who reigned forty-six years. Since God extended his life for such a long time, we are not surprised that the angel said it would last longer than the king of Syria’s.

This explanation is applicable to the present case, for if he had died before, Callinicus might have recouped his losses from the war; but since Ptolemy survived, he dared not attempt anything, as he was assured of the utter fruitlessness of any effort against the king who had vanquished him. It follows: —