¹⁹ After that happens the king of the North will go back to the ·strong, walled [fortified] cities of his own country, but he will ·lose his power [^Lstumble and fall]. ·That will be the end of him [^L…and not be found; ^CAntiochus III died in 187 bc].

²⁰ “·The next king of the North will send out a tax collector so he will have plenty of money [^LThen one will arise in his place who will send out a tax collector/despot/oppressor for/or to enhance the splendor of the kingdom]. In ·a few years [^Llater/after days] that ruler will be ·killed [^Lbroken], ·although he will not die in [^Lnot by] anger or in a battle [^CSeleucus IV died in mysterious circumstances, perhaps killed by his brother Antiochus IV also known as Epiphanes].

²¹ “·That ruler will be followed by [^LThen one will arise in his place who is] ·a very cruel and hated man [^Ldespised], who had not yet been given the honor of royalty [^CAntiochus Epiphanes, who will be the focus of much of the rest of the chapter]. He will attack ·the kingdom when the people feel safe [without warning], and he will take power by ·lying to the people [intrigue].