What to do with Daniel 11?

It is widely described as one of the most cryptic, complex texts in the Bible. Perhaps more than any other passage, it uses what appears to many to be heavily coded language, even while ostensibly describing world events from the Persian period to our day. Thus, credible attempts by faithful scholars to read that code can lead in markedly different directions.

Writing from a solidly historicist perspective in prophetic interpretation, Jacques Doukhan lays the groundwork in several short chapters for this masterful study of Daniel 11 by (1) critiquing the history of its interpretation; (2) examining its literary context; (3) closely examining its relationship to Daniel 8; (4) decoding the meaning of particular expressions like King of the North and King of the South; and (5) giving particular attention to the words, grammar, and literary structure.

All of this is the foundation to Doukhan’s main task, which comprises the bulk of the book: a verse-by-verse, and even word-by-word, exegesis and commentary of the text, with a methodical appeal to other sources, richly referenced, from the history of interpretation. This forms the basis for his own remarkable claim to a new understanding of this enigmatic chapter.

In the years of their formative stages, Doukhan’s new ideas have been reviewed, affirmed, critiqued, and disputed by his academic peers and immediate colleagues. They are presented here to make his first formal, forceful, and unique argument that will set a milestone to mark the long pathway of our understanding of Daniel 11 for years to come.

About the Author

Jacques B. Doukhan, DHebLett, ThD, is professor emeritus of Hebrew and Old Testament exegesis at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and director emeritus of the Institute of Jewish-Christian Studies at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan. He received a doctorate in Hebrew Language and Literature from the University of Strasbourg, France, and a doctor of theology degree in biblical studies and systematic theology from Andrews University. In addition to numerous published articles and reviews, Doukhan has written more than fifteen books. He is General Editor for the Seventh-day Adventist International Bible Commentary.