Daniel 11:28

28. His heart shall be against the holy covenant This “holy covenant” is not the one just made with Philometer (Daniel 11:27) as careless readers would suppose. The “holy covenant” is here used instead of “people of the holy covenant” for the same purpose doubtless as the other enigmatical phrases to be found everywhere in this apocalypse, to confuse the careless and for the enjoyment of the “wise.” Antiochus on his return from Egypt found that Menelaus, whom he had approved as high priest in Jerusalem, had been ousted from his place by Jason who had heard that Antiochus had died on this Egyptian campaign and many of his followers killed ( 2Ma 5:5 ). Antiochus “in a fury” immediately marched against the city, capturing it, massacring many thousands of its population, and looting the sacred treasures of the temple (1 Maccabees 1; 2 Macc. v; Josephus, Antiquities, XII, Daniel 5:3; Apion, Daniel 2:7).

He shall do exploits, and return R.V., “he shall do his pleasure, and return.” Having worked his will in Jerusalem he left a “most cruel barbarian” as governor of Jerusalem and continued his journey home to Antioch.