We saw in verse 6 the political instability in the kingdoms of Egypt and Syria, and their gradual falling apart by dynastic in fighting for power. We also saw how the Maccabean dynasty of the Jews, -all known as the Hasmoneans,- came onto the world stage after Antiochus Epiphanes tore the House of Judah apart. We read how Mattathias the priest of Modin, started the House of Judah's fight for complete autonomy in Palestine. That fight continuing from, and during Ptolemy Philometor's long reign. Which took us through the times of Antiochus Epiphanes cruel onslaught into Syrian held Palestine, between 168-163 BC.

The family of Mattathias being 5 sons came under Judas Maccabaeus as the brilliant fighter for the Jewish nation, who held the reigns of freedom until he fell in battle and was killed in 160 BC. Whereupon his younger brother Jonathan assumed command of the army until 143 BC. It was during Jonathan's command of Judah's fighting men, - (and he was also high priest of his people)- that he was involved and witnessed, the civil war in Syria. That brought Ptolemy VI Philometor and his daughter Cleopatra to an "agreement" of that throne, which verse 6 of Daniel 11 tells us. At that time around 150 BC-145 BC however the land of Judah enjoyed a respite of peace because of that Syrian civil war. Which was fought between Alexander Balas, Demetrius II, Antiochus VII, Ptolemy Philometor of Egypt, and Tryphon Alexander Balas's General.

Though Jonathan the Jew was eventually treacherously killed by Tryphon in 143 BC. Once more the command of the nation of Judah changed, and it fell to the last remaining brother of the Maccabee family of Mattathias, called Simeon (Thassi). Mattathias on his death already acknowledged Simeon as the wisest of his sons, and appointed him "adviser" of the family, with the military authority to Judas Maccabaeus. Under Judas, Simeon had led a detachment of troops to relieve the Jews at Galilee who were under pressure from the Syrians. The Apocrypha and the book of the Maccabees tell us that Simeon under Jonathan, was made commandant-or- captain, "from the ladder of Tyrus to the borders of Egypt", that description being the entire coastline. So, Simeon apart from being wise, was also a military man of great experience in the defence of Judah. He went on and completed the fortifications of Jerusalem and secured the possession of Joppa. He played a cat and mouse game with the Syrian general Tryphon, making him withdraw from Palestine. He cleverly allied himself with Demetrius II, having him to recognise the independence of Judah's land in 142 BC. He besieged and captured Gezer, near Gaza, and destroyed the Syrian citadel in Jerusalem, which overlooked the Temple. Now Simeon could devote the rest of his energies to the internal matters within his country, with agricultural and commercial enterprises encouraged, and for a while there was peace.

In 140 BC being acknowledged by the people as leader, captain and high priest, Simeon was now asked to be their prince, and as chapter 14 verse 43 of the book of the Maccabees says:- "BESIDES THIS, THAT HE (Simeon) SHOULD BE OBEYED OF EVERY MAN, AND THAT ALL THE WRITINGS IN THE COUNTRY SHOULD BE MADE IN HIS NAME, AND THAT HE SHOULD BE CLOTHED IN PURPLE, AND WEAR GOLD". The Syrians also acknowledged Simeon as prince of Judah and as a separate kingdom which chapter 15 verse 1. "MOREOVER ANTIOCHUS SON OF DEMETRIUS THE KING, SENT LETTERS FROM THE ISLES OF THE SEA UNTO SIMEON THE PRIEST AND PRINCE OF THE JEWS AND TO ALL THE PEOPLE". etc.

The House of Judah under Jonathan's and Simeon's rule was granted independence from Syrian rule with the right to mint its own coinage. Judah's Kingdom now comprised of the old province of Judah, a part of old Samaria, Joppa on the coast, and a large area east of the Jordan River. So, from 140 BC began the period of royal rule of the "Hasmoneans" which was reckoned from Simeon. The next true rulers of this new Hasmonean house secured more and more of their own land in Palestine, until at its maximum extent the kingdom stretched from the Negeb, Idumea, Judea, Samaria, Galilee, to the east of Jordan and Gaulanitis, Galaaditis, Peraea, Moabitis. Those 3 rulers were John Hyrcanus I reigned 135-104 BC - Aristobulus I reigned 104-103 BC and Alexander Jannaeus 103-76 BC from Aristobulus the Kingdom is labelled a profane monarchy. It is here that we now stop to appraise reader, Daniel's chapter 11 verse 7, and the political climate which has changed the face of the power struggles in this region of the world, and in that time zone. Because now, we have 3 Kingdoms to contend with the Ptolemaic, a civil war-torn Syria and the Hasmonean kingdom in Palestine.

The Ptolemaic Egypt's fractured ruling, with so many of the family ruling at once, continually causes a tug-of-war of the members of that family. Bringing Egypt to its knees at times. The times of Cleopatra III Ptolemy IX Soter (Lathyrus,- which is a nickname, meaning chick-pea), is a point in question, of which verse 7 tells some of the story.

Let us then begin to unravel this involved jigsaw of secular history surrounding these peoples, and Daniel's vision. Whose verses point the way through an historical tumult, for to pick out the milestones applicable to biblical history. First then, let us find out who Cleopatra III was? Which is a complicated story in itself!

We must go back to Ptolemy Philometor, who married his sister Cleopatra II. They had a brother who was also ruling called Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II, who had been given the ruling of Cyrenaica by the Romans, in order that the Egyptian dynastic quarrelling would cease. After Ptolemy Philometor's death in 145 BC Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II, returned to Egypt and killed Ptolemy Philometor's young son called Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator.

Then, he married his own sister Cleopatra II who was now the widow of his brother Ptolemy Philometor. Disagreements between brother and sister persisted, though they were now husband and wife. Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II, then divorced his sister Cleopatra II and married her daughter Cleopatra III, and it is "this" Cleopatra III that verse 7 of Daniel 11 speaks.

Cleopatra II and Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II, both died in 116 BC, and the empty throne had been bequeathed by Ptolemy Euergetes to Cleopatra III and 2 sons named, Ptolemy IX Soter II, and Ptolemy X Alexander I. (There was an illegitimate son of Euergetes called Ptolemy Apion by a concubine who had been given Cyrenaica to rule.) Cleopatra III's favourite son was Alexander, whom she wanted to share the rule with, but it was Ptolemy IX Soter II "Lathyrus" who shared the throne instead. Now, let us take the first line of Daniel 11:7. "BUT OUT OF THE BRANCH OF HER ROOTS SHALL ONE STAND UP IN HIS ESTATE". The simple word "but" means without, out of, besides, unless, yet still, however, etc.

Daniel therefore uses the word "but" here in this line in verse 7, to show one that here is a continuing story linked to verse 6. So, we can say yet! Still, however, along with verse 6 and Cleopatra II of that verse, something else happened. When one uses the word "branch" in respect to persons it denotes or means a side-shoot which springs from a bough, it is an offspring in a line of descent. From "her roots", which means Cleopatra II's "roots" which were Ptolemaic of Egypt. In other words, Cleopatra II's "branch" was her daughter Cleopatra III, and the "roots" which Cleopatra III came from, was the same "root" Cleopatra II came from. They were both married to the same man Ptolemy VIII Euergetes of Egypt. Which man was also a brother and an uncle! The "root stock" of the Ptolemaics was bound up within "1 tree" of many incestuous branches.

To continue with verse 7. -"Shall one stand up in his estate".- The man now replaces the woman in this line of Daniel's vision, and he will stand up or become erect, in his position in this ruling house and in "defence" of his own position of which those around his will have no doubt!

"His estate" means; It is the condition or circumstances of a person of rank-or- quality etc, who also has ownership of a property or possessions, left by a deceased person. In this respect of course "the estate" was Ptolemy "Lathyrus" right to rule Egypt and its possessions. So, to recap on that line in verse 7 to give it the exactness intended by Daniel.

It's saying, besides, what happened to Cleopatra III of the same family and bloodline as her mother. It is "out of" that branch called Cleopatra III, shall the "he" come forth to claim his title and his property, and his name was Ptolemy IX Soter II-"Lathyrus". We have already read previously in this chapter reader, that Cleopatra II had 2 sons, one of which was Soter II "Lathyrus", the other her younger son Alexander I. Secular history will now fill us "in" of those times and why Ptolemy "Lathyrus" would find it necessary to claim "his estate" from his mother.

According to history the "will" left by Ptolemy Euergetes II upon his death was an unusual one, because apart from anything else, it partitioned the Egyptian estate and possessions, leaving Cleopatra III as the effective ruler of Egypt and Cyprus. She wanted Alexander I her favourite son to rule with her, but Soter II "Lathyrus" was more popular with the people, which forced Cleopatra III to dismiss Alexander and to take Soter II "Lathyrus" as joint ruler. Alexander I was sent to Cyprus as governor instead. Ptolemy IX Soter II "Lathyrus" the "He" of verse 7 of Daniel 11 "stood up" as joint ruler of Egypt, "his estate." He was married to his sister who became Queen Cleopatra IV, who was exceedingly strong willed. Whom Cleopatra III found difficult to handle, so she forced the King Soter II "Lathyrus", to marry her other daughter Cleopatra Selene, who was much more pliable. Though Soter II "Lathyrus" and Cleopatra III, were now joint rulers of Egypt from 116 BC the first line of Daniel's verse 7 was fulfilled. However, their quarrelling and hostility continued which was to erupt in 110 BC into all-out war. Which now takes us into the next line of the same verse 7, "WHICH SHALL COME WITH AN ARMY AND SHALL ENTER INTO THE FORTRESS OF THE KING OF THE NORTH".

On the throne of the Hasmonean/Maccabees- rulers of Palestine, during this time, - who reigned 135-104 BC- was John Hyrcanus I, his was labelled a divine government. These Jewish princes-priest Kings were to become enmeshed into this Egyptian fighting.

John Hyrcanus I was a Pharisee, and they held a terrific sway in the ruling of Palestine and in the politics of the times. Which also helped to divide the internal stability of Palestine itself and its peoples. The other strong party amongst the Jews were the Sadducees, -to whom John Hyrcanus eventually joined,- who were opposed in doctrine to the Pharisees. It is this 2-way instability within the country that John Hyrcanus I, found himself, during this fighting between the 2 rulers of Egypt. Of which Josephus in his book the Antiquities of the Jews explains to us. "NOW IT HAPPENED AT THIS TIME, THAT NOT ONLY THOSE JEWS WHO WERE AT JERUSALEM AND IN JUDEA WERE IN PROSPERITY, BUT ALSO THOSE OF THEM THAT WERE AT ALEXANDRIA, AND IN EGYPT AND CYPRUS; FOR CLEOPATRA THE QUEEN WAS AT VARIANCE WITH HER SON PTOLEMY, WHO WAS CALLED LATHYRUS, AND APPOINTED FOR HER GENERALS CHELCIAS AND ANANIAS, THE SON OF THAT ONIAS WHO BUILT THE TEMPLE IN THE PREFECTURE OF HELIOPOLIS, LIKE TO THAT AT JERUSALEM, AS WE HAVE ELSEWHERE RELATED. CLEOPATRA ENTRUSTED THESE MEN WITH HER ARMY, AND DID NOTHING WITHOUT THEIR ADVICE, AS STRABO OF CAPPADOCIA ATTESTS, WHEN HE SAITH THUS, "NOW THE GREATER PART, BOTH THOSE THAT CAME TO CYPRUS WITH US, AND THOSE THAT WERE SENT AFTERWARD THITHER, REVOLTED TO PTOLEMY IMMEDIATELY; ONLY THOSE THAT WERE CALLED ONIAS'S PARTY, BEING JEWS, CONTINUED FAITHFUL, BECAUSE THEIR COUNTRYMEN CHELCIAS AND ANANIAS WERE IN CHIEF FAVOUR WITH THE QUEEN." THESE ARE THE WORDS OF STRABO". One can see reader by this one excerpt of Josephus, how involved Palestine and the Jews were with Egypt, and one of its possessions Cyprus, and with these endless Ptolemy feuds.

Despite the fact John Hyrcanus I was on the throne of a separate kingdom of the Jews, nevertheless they had to take sides in this region to protect themselves! So, we have a potpourri, -so to speak- of Egyptians fighting in Egypt, in Cyprus, in the Seleucid north, immediately over the border to Palestine, and within Palestine itself, which is north of Egypt- also in the country of Jordan. All because Ptolemy IX "Lathyrus" wanted "to stand up in his estate" to rule Egypt himself. Cleopatra III refused Ptolemy IX his situation recalling from Cyprus her other son Alexander I and putting him once more upon the Egyptian throne instead. Ptolemy IX "Lathyrus" returned to Egypt again in 109 BC but was again evicted by his mother in 108 BC. Then after another reconciliation that year, only to flee a third time into Cyprus, where he was to establish himself and build his army. In 107 BC Ptolemy IX "Lathyrus" invaded Northern Syria with a great army, who were to assist one of the claimants to the Syrian throne. His mother Cleopatra meanwhile allying herself in the North with the Jewish King in Palestine, she went further north to Syria, to assist another claimant to the Syrian throne.

This lengthy war just went on and on over the years and was really a fight between "mother and son" for the "estate" of Egypt. (Daniel 11:7), or a "branch of her roots" are against her.

Let us again enter into this Middle East turmoil and see "why" Daniel picked out this part of the vision. One must remember that the whole structure of all these visions of Daniel's is around the thrones of nations and "what happened to the holy seed within the land of Palestine, and within the House of Judah" at that time in history. When unravelling history and prophecy with visions, "this", alone, is the "crux" of the whole matter one must keep before the eyes!

The years that this last line of Daniel 11:7 took place are from 107 BC and onwards. John Hyrcanus reign was coming to a close towards 104 BC. His murderous son Aristobulus I taking the throne for one year, and the fierce Alexander Jannaeus reigning from 103 BC for 27 years.

All, being party to the on and off war that raged between Ptolemy "Lathyrus" and his mother Cleopatra III, which engulfed the lands from North to South eventually. The "operative" words of this prophetic line of verse 7 is "the fortress", and the rest of the simple words draw themselves towards the fortress and the warring climate around this time of peoples and this "fortress"!

A "fortress", is a fortified place especially one of considerable extent and complication, it is a stronghold and place of security. At this time in history, it was the "fortified" city known at Ptolemais. Once more does this "fortress" of the North of Egypt rear its head in Daniel's prophecies.

We saw the part it played in Daniel 11:6, when Ptolemy Philometor took Cleopatra to Ptolemais,-which was then under the Seleucids of Syria and there met in a "marriage agreement" with Alexander Balas, King of Syria.

Firstly, let us have a quick look in secular and biblical histories "why" this fortification was so important, and what happened to it. Ptolemais was known in the Old Testament as Acho-or-Akko. (Judges 1:31). Its sea port being 8 miles north of Mount Carmel. This part of the land was portioned to the tribe of Asher, but the Israelites did "not" drive out the original inhabitants. Therefore, the Canaanites, Phoenicians, and Semetic peoples of Palestine long held the site, with its natural harbour making it a frequent target for many invaders. The New Testament refers to the city as Ptolemais, (the English called it Acre), when Scripture says Saint Paul stayed there a day on his way from Tyre. (Acts 21:7).

Ptolemy II Philadelphus 285-246 BC renamed the city Ptolemais. There is much history to be found throughout the centuries centred around Ptolemais, some of which tells us that the Crusaders occupied the city and named it St. Joan d'Acre. Then it became part of the Turkish Empire, when the old fortifications and Citadel were strengthened by the Turkish governor.

It withstood Napoleon's siege in 1799 AD.

The Citadel itself had never been successfully taken over until 1948, when a Jewish group took it from the British, who had used it as their prison.

Today, it is once more part of the nation within the land of Israel, opposite Haifa. We go back now to the "siege" of Ptolemais in the "North" of Palestine, by the King of Judah, Alexander Jannaeus, and Ptolemy IX "Lathyrus". Earlier on in this chapter we read both Ptolemy IX "Lathyrus" and Cleopatra III went North to help fight for the throne of Syria, which had all but disintegrated.

Of course, Cleopatra's other son Alexander I Ptolemy X, also became involved in the Syrian civil war, being sent North with a fleet of ships by Cleopatra. The Syrian civil war was fought between Seleucus' son of Antiochus Grypus - Antiochus Philometor and Antiochus Cyzicenus, the latter both were destroying each other's armies.

Josephus in his historical writings tells us that the father of Seleucus, known as Antiochus Grypus, had reigned for approx. 26 years to 29 years, and had died from the hand of treachery, which more or less caused the civil war. Others also laid claim to the throne, with Antiochus Pius another claimant. So, into this turmoil plunged the warring members of the Egyptian throne, and King Alexander Jannaeus of Palestine. I will pick out a quick rundown of events from the pages of Flavius Josephus historical writings "Antiquities of the Jews" which affected "Ptolemais" at that time. Chapter XII page 399.
-2- "WHEN ALEXANDER JANNAEUS HAD SETTLED THE GOVERNMENT (of Judah) IN THE MANNER THAT HE JUDGED BEST, HE MADE AN EXPEDITION AGAINST PTOLEMAIS; AND HAVING OVERCOME THE MEN IN BATTLE, HE SHUT THEM UP IN THE CITY, AND SAT ROUND ABOUT IT, AND BESIEGED IT; FOR OF THE MARITIME CITIES THERE REMAINED ONLY PTOLEMAIS AND GAZA TO BE CONQUERED, BESIDES STRATO'S TOWER AND DORA, WHICH WERE HELD BY THE TYRANT ZOILUS. NOW WHILE ANTIOCHUS PHILOMETOR, AND ANTIOCHUS WHO WAS CALLED CYZICENUS, WERE MAKING WAR ONE AGAINST AN OTHER, AND DESTROYING ONE ANOTHER'S ARMIES, THE PEOPLE OF PTOLEMAIS COULD HAVE NO ASSISTANCE FROM THEM; BUT WHEN THEY WERE DISTRESSED WITH THE SIEGE, ZOILUS, WHO POSSESSED STRATO'S TOWER AND DORA, AND MAINTAINED A LEGION OF SOLDIERS, AND AN OCCASION OF THE CONTEST BETWEEN THE KINGS, AFFECTED TYRANNY HIMSELF, CAME AND BROUGHT SMALL ASSISTANCE TO PTOLEMAIS; NOR INDEED HAD THE KINGS SUCH A FRIENDSHIP FOR THEM, AS THAT THEY SHOULD HOPE FOR ANY ADVANTAGE FROM THEM. BOTH THOSE KINGS WERE IN THE CASE OF WRESTLERS, WHO FINDING THEMSELVES DEFICIENT IN STRENGTH, AND YET BEING ASHAMED TO YIELD, PUT OFF THE FIGHT BY LAZINESS, AND BY LYING STILL AS LONG AS THEY CAN. THE ONLY HOPE THEY HAD REMAINING WAS FROM THE KINGS OF EGYPT, AND FROM PTOLEMY LATHYRUS, WHO NOW HELD CYPRUS, AND WHO CAME TO CYPRUS WHEN HE WAS DRIVEN FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF EGYPT BY CLEOPATRA HIS MOTHER. SO THE PEOPLE OF PTOLEMAIS SENT TO THIS PTOLEMY LATHYRUS, AND DESIRED HIM TO COME AS A CONFEDERATE, TO DELIVER THEM NOW THEY WERE IN SUCH DANGER, OUT OF THE HANDS OF ALEXANDER. AND AS THE AMBASSADORS GAVE HIM HOPES, THAT IF HE WOULD PASS OVER INTO SYRIA, HE WOULD HAVE THE PEOPLE OF GAZA ON THE SIDE OF THOSE OF PTOLEMAIS, AS ALSO THEY SAID, THAT ZOILUS, AND BESIDES THESE THE SIDONIANS, AND MANY OTHERS, WOULD ASSIST THEM; SO HE WAS ELEVATED AT THIS, AND GOT HIS FLEET READY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
-3- BUT IN THIS INTERVAL DEMENETUS, ONE THAT WAS OF THE ABILITIES TO PERSUADE MEN TO DO AS HE WOULD HAVE THEM, AND A LEADER OF THE POPULACE, MADE THOSE OF PTOLEMAIS CHANGE THEIR OPINIONS; AND SAID TO THEM, THAT IT WAS BETTER TO RUN THE HAZARD OF BEING SUBJECT TO THE JEWS, THAN TO ADMIT OF EVIDENT SLAVERY BY DELIVERING THEMSELVES UP TO A MASTER; AND BESIDES THAT, TO HAVE NOT ONLY A WAR AT PRESENT, BUT TO EXPECT A MUCH GREATER WAR FROM EGYPT, FOR THAT CLEOPATRA WOULD NOT OVERLOOK AN ARMY RAISED BY PTOLEMY FOR HIMSELF OUT OF THE NEIGHBOUR HOOD, BUT WOULD COME AGAINST THEM WITH A GREAT ARMY OF HER OWN, AND THIS BECAUSE SHE WAS LABOURING TO EJECT HER SON OUT OF CYPRUS ALSO; THAT AS FOR PTOLEMY, IF HE FAIL OF HIS HOPES, HE CAN STILL RETIRE TO CYPRUS, BUT THAT THEY WILL BE LEFT IN THE GREATEST DANGER POSSIBLE. NOW, PTOLEMY, ALTHOUGH HE HAD HEARD OF THE CHANGE THAT WAS MADE IN THE PEOPLE OF PTOLEMAIS, YET DID HE STILL GO ON WITH HIS VOYAGE, AND CAME TO THE COUNTRY CALLED SYCAMINE, AND THERE SET HIS ARMY ON SHORE. THIS ARMY OF HIS, IN THE WHOLE HORSE AND FOOT TOGETHER, WERE ABOUT THIRTY THOUSAND, WITH WHICH HE MARCHED NEAR TO PTOLEMAIS, AND THERE PITCHED HIS CAMP. BUT WHEN THE PEOPLE OF PTOLEMAIS NEITHER RECEIVED HIS AMBASSADORS, NOR WOULD HEAR WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY, HE WAS UNDER A VERY GREAT CONCERN.
-4- BUT WHEN ZOILUS AND THE PEOPLE OF GAZA CAME TO HIM, AND DESIRED HIS ASSISTANCE, BECAUSE THEIR COUNTRY WAS LAID WASTE BY THE JEWS, AND BY ALEXANDER, ALEXANDER RAISED THE SIEGE, FOR FEAR OF PTOLEMY; AND WHEN HE HAD DRAWN OFF HIS ARMY INTO HIS OWN COUNTRY HE USED A STRATAGEM AFTERWARDS, BY PRIVATELY INVITING CLEOPATRA TO COME AGAINST PTOLEMY, BUT PUBLICLY PRETENDING TO DESIRE A LEAGUE OF FRIENDSHIP AND MUTUAL ASSISTANCE WITH HIM, AND PROMISING TO GIVE HIM FOUR HUNDRED TALENTS OF SILVER, HE DESIRED THAT, BY WAY OF REQUITAL, HE WOULD TAKE OFF ZOILUS THE TYRANT, AND GIVE HIS COUNTRY TO THE JEWS. AND THEN INDEED PTOLEMY, WITH PLEASURE, MADE SUCH A LEAGUE OF FRIENDSHIP WITH ALEXANDER, AND SUBDUED ZOILUS; BUT WHEN HE AFTERWARDS HEARD THAT HE HAD PRIVILY SENT TO CLEOPATRA HIS MOTHER, HE BROKE THE LEAGUE WITH HIM, AND BESIEGED PTOLEMAIS, BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT RECEIVE HIM. HOWEVER, LEAVING HIS GENERALS, WITH SOME PART OF HIS FORCES, TO GO ON WITH THE SIEGE, HE WENT HIMSELF IMMEDIATELY WITH THE REST TO LAY JUDEA WASTE".

From this small excerpt from Josephus history of the Jews, we see how the whole of the lands North of Egypt was fighting for one reason or another, with the "fortress" of Ptolemais in the middle of the tug-of-war, being pulled this way and that by the warring parties. Ptolemais supposedly came under Syrian rule, yet! It was also ruled by the people from within. It was once ruled by Egypt and no doubt Ptolemy IX Lathyrus felt it was his right to take it, as it was once portioned to Asher of the tribes of the Israelites. Zoilus the tyrant (-or- a usurper ruler) needed Ptolemais for gains to his own glory. We shall also see next how even Cleopatra with her armies also laid siege to the fortress of Ptolemais. So, Daniel's verse 7 say's "that Ptolemy Lathyrus dealt against Ptolemais the fortress of the King of the North and "prevailed".

We now go on into verse 8 of Daniel chapter 11, because it is really a continuation of verse 7 and the Ptolemy dynasty and this era of history.