דניאל, פרק י״א, פסוק י״ג

The ongoing struggle between ancient superpowers eventually takes a dramatic turn. After recovering from earlier defeats, the northern king regroups and launches a renewed, far more powerful military campaign. Historically, this points to Antiochus the Great marching toward the region of Syria and Egypt to battle Ptolemy Epiphanes. At the time, the Egyptian king was only a youth, and his empire was being managed by guardians [מלבי״ם]. During this turbulent era, numerous allies step forward to assist the southern Egyptian kingdom. Concurrently, lawbreakers begin to emerge within Israel, reflecting events that took place during the days of Simeon ben Shetach [אבן עזרא].

Rather than attacking immediately, the northern king spends years carefully rebuilding his power, gathering strength over time [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, יוסף אבן יחיא]. Having already secured victories in other regional conflicts [מלבי״ם], he returns to invade the southern territory [מלבי״ם, יוסף אבן יחיא]. The army he assembles for this new campaign is significantly larger than the original force that was defeated in previous wars [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This second invasion is backed by immense resources. The primary approach among commentators is that the northern king equips his massive army with extensive military gear [ביאור שטיינזלץ] and vast reserves of silver and gold [מצודת דוד]. This deep financial backing is designed to fund the war effort [מלבי״ם], providing the king with the logistical freedom to remain on the front lines for as long as he wishes [יוסף אבן יחיא]. Alternatively, another perspective suggests that the great wealth associated with this campaign does not refer to the supplies brought into the conflict, but rather to the massive spoils of war the king will ultimately carry home from the battlefield [ביאור שטיינזלץ].