Dan 11:33, 35 | JFB | e4.org | 33. they that understand —who know and keep the truth of God ( ). instruct many —in their duty to God and the law, not to apostatize. yet they shall fall —as Eleazar ( 2 Maccabees 6:18 , &c.). They shall be sorely persecuted, even to death ( ; 2 Maccabees 6, 7 ). Their enemies took advantage of the Sabbath to slay them on the day when they would not fight. TREGELLES thinks, from comparison with , it is the people who "fall," not those of understanding. But makes the latter "fall," not an unmeaning repetition; in they fall (die) by persecution; in they fall (spiritually) for a time by their own weakness. flame —in caves, whither they had retired to keep the Sabbath. Antiochus caused some to be roasted alive ( 2 Maccabees 7:3-5 ). many days —rather, " certain days," as in . JOSEPHUS [ Antiquities, 12:7.6,7] tells us the persecution lasted for three years ( 1 Maccabees 1:59; 4:54; 2 Maccabees 10:1-7 ).

‏ Daniel 11:33

33. they that understand—who know and keep the truth of God (Isa 11:2).

instruct many—in their duty to God and the law, not to apostatize.

yet they shall fall—as Eleazar (2 Maccabees 6:18, &c.). They shall be sorely persecuted, even to death (Heb 11:35, 36, 37; 2 Maccabees 6, 7). Their enemies took advantage of the Sabbath to slay them on the day when they would not fight. TREGELLES thinks, from comparison with Da 11:35, it is the people who "fall," not those of understanding. But Da 11:35 makes the latter "fall," not an unmeaning repetition; in Da 11:33 they fall (die) by persecution; in Da 11:35 they fall (spiritually) for a time by their own weakness.

flame—in caves, whither they had retired to keep the Sabbath. Antiochus caused some to be roasted alive (2 Maccabees 7:3-5).

many days—rather, "certain days," as in Da 8:27. JOSEPHUS [Antiquities, 12:7.6,7] tells us the persecution lasted for three years (1 Maccabees 1:59; 4:54; 2 Maccabees 10:1-7).

‏ Daniel 11:35

35. to try them—the design of affliction. Image from metals tried with fire.

to purge—Even in the elect there are dregs which need to be purged out (1Pe 1:7). Hence they are allowed to fall for a time; not finally (2Ch 32:31; Lu 22:31). Image from wheat cleared of its chaff by the wind.

make . . . white—image from cloth (Re 7:9).

to . . . time of . . . end—God will not suffer His people to be persecuted without limitation (1Co 10:13). The godly are to wait patiently for "the end" of "the time" of trial; "for it is (to last) yet for a time appointed" by God.