The Milesian Connection: Dan 11:23 and Antiochus IV’s Rise to Power

Abstract

The phrase bm'tgoy in Dan 11:23 has been called "barbarous" and "curious.

Her Story, History, and the Ancient Versions of Daniel 11.6

“…(4QDan b ). That is, all Hebrew manuscripts preserve the twelve chapters as represented in the MT version rather than the longer Greek texts with their “Additions” (see the caution of Zsengellér 2010). They all follow the bilingual nature of Daniel where the book opens in Hebrew, switches to Aramaic at 2.4b, then reverts to Hebrew at 8.1.…”

“…As one example of how historical knowledge affects translation, recent research informed in Seleucid history has shown that "the scorned prince" (not "the contemptible man" of most translations) of 11.21 describes how the future Antiochus IV, who was rejected and left as a hostage in Rome and who was not brought back to a role of power, then gradually took the power for himself (Scolnic 2012). Another example is how the "small nation" of 11.23 may refer to a small band of Miletians who conspired with Antiochus IV to help him become king (Scolnic 2013). Since the field of biblical history is always in motion, translators need to be aware of current trends that may help them to understand the texts before them.…”