After this shall he turn his face to the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn on him.
he turn.
the isles.
Genesis 10:4,5 And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim…
Jeremiah 2:10 For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.
Jeremiah 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.
for his own behalf.
Judges 1:7 And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.
Hosea 12:14 Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.
Matthew 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
and capture many of them.
Antiochus III was initially successful in his campaigns, capturing several territories along the coast. This reflects the historical accounts of his conquests in the early 2nd century BC, where he managed to gain control over various regions, enhancing his power and influence. The phrase underscores the temporary success of earthly powers, which is a recurring theme in biblical prophecy, highlighting the transient nature of human achievements compared to God's eternal plan.
But a commander will put an end to his reproach
This part of the verse introduces a turning point, where a "commander" arises to challenge and ultimately halt Antiochus's advances. Historically, this refers to the Roman general Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus, who defeated Antiochus at the Battle of Magnesia in 190 BC. The term "reproach" suggests the disgrace or dishonor brought upon Antiochus due to his defeat. This event marks the rise of Roman power and the decline of the Seleucid Empire, illustrating the shifting dynamics of world powers as prophesied in the Bible.
and will turn it back upon him.
The defeat of Antiochus by the Roman commander not only ended his campaign but also reversed his fortunes, leading to significant losses and the imposition of harsh terms by Rome. This reversal is emblematic of the biblical principle that pride and aggression often lead to downfall, as seen in Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." The turning back of reproach upon Antiochus serves as a reminder of divine justice and the ultimate sovereignty of God over the affairs of nations.
“Then he will turn his face to the coastlands…” (Daniel 11:18a)
• After conquering southward, the king described earlier in Daniel 11 (historically Antiochus III the Great) redirects his ambition westward toward the Mediterranean islands and coastal regions of Asia Minor and Greece.
• Scripture often uses “coastlands” to point to distant shores (Isaiah 11:11; Jeremiah 25:22), so the verse pictures a literal, strategic pivot in his military campaign.
• Antiochus sailed to places such as Cyprus and portions of Greece, fulfilling the prophecy with remarkable precision (compare Daniel 8:9, which foresaw expansion “toward the beautiful land”).
“…and capture many of them.” (Daniel 11:18b)
• His navy and armies initially enjoy success—cities fall, local rulers submit, spoils flow into his treasury.
• This lines up with earlier detail that “he will do as he pleases” (Daniel 11:16), showing a season of unchecked conquest granted by God’s sovereign timetable (cf. Proverbs 21:1).
• The pattern reflects other biblical moments where God allows temporary triumph before humbling pride (Habakkuk 1:6–11).
“But a commander will put an end to his reproach…” (Daniel 11:18c)
• History records Rome stepping in. Lucius Scipio Asiaticus, leading the Roman forces, decisively defeats Antiochus at the Battle of Magnesia (190 BC).
• God raises this “commander” to curtail the king’s arrogance—echoing how He “sets up kings and deposes them” (Daniel 2:21).
• The event foreshadows later verses where Roman power keeps checking Seleucid ambitions (Daniel 11:30, “ships of Kittim”).
“…and will turn it back upon him.” (Daniel 11:18d)
• The humiliation Antiochus poured on others rebounds:
– Crushing indemnities strip his treasury.
– He must surrender hostages (including his son, the future Antiochus IV Epiphanes).
– His earlier boastful “reproach” is reversed; he dies a couple of years later while trying to plunder a temple (2 Maccabees 1:13–16).
• The episode mirrors the biblical principle that “Pride goes before destruction” (Proverbs 16:18) and that God “opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
Daniel 11:18 shows a literal prophecy fulfilled in Antiochus III’s westward campaign, his initial successes, the Roman commander’s decisive check, and the king’s disgrace. The verse teaches that human power is limited by God, pride invites reversal, and history unfolds exactly as Scripture declares.
(18) Shall he turn.--He goes northward, this being the direction indicated by "the isles." This has been explained of the victories gained by Antiochus the Great in Asia Minor. He is stated to have reduced various towns and islands, and finally to have taken Ephesus. He was in this way brought into contact with the Romans, and was defeated by L. Scipio, who is identified with "the prince" mentioned in this verse. The Greek versions exhibit considerable variations.A prince.--It is doubtful whether this is to be taken as nominative or as accusative. The English Version treats it as nominative, St. Jerome and Theodotion as accusative. In accordance with the latter rendering, the meaning is, "The king of the north will cause to cease the princes who have been his reproach. But the princes shall return him his reproach." The word "prince" is used collectively to mean the rulers of the islands mentioned in the first part of the verse. It is stated that in the first instance the northern king will be successful, but in the end the princes will repay him the reproach which he inflicted upon them, as appears more fully in the next verse.
Verse 18. - After this he shall turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him. The rendering of the LXX. is nearly unintelligible, "And he shall set (δώσει) his face against the sea, and shall take many (πολλοῦς), and shall turn the wrath of their reproach in an oath against his reproach." The translator had read לים instead of לאיים. Professor Bevan would ingeniously supply some words to the Greek. With all it seems nearly impossible to explain the relation between the Massoretic text and that used by the Septuagint. Theodotion is much briefer, "He shall turn his face to the islands, and shall take many, and shall cause rulers to cease from their reproach; but his reproach shall return upon him." The Peshitta renders, "And he shall turn his face to the islands of the sea, and shall conquer many, and a ruler of reproach shall cause it to cease in regard to him, and his reproach shall return to him." The Vulgate is closely related to the Peshitta. We would render the last clause, with Behrmann, "Yea, his reproach will he repay to him." The events referred to are clear and obvious enough. Antiochus the Great took advantage of the disastrous defeat inflicted on Philip of Macedon by the Romans, to seize many of the islands of the archipelago. He not only took possession of all the Asiatic dominions of Philip, but crossed into Europe and seized Thrace. The Romans demanded that he should retire from all the former dominions of Philip. He refused, and war ensued, in which, after being driven out of Europe, he was totally defeated at Magnesia by Lucius Scipio, and compelled to surrender all his dominions west of the Taurus.