דניאל, פרק י״א, פסוק כ״ז

In the political arena, alliances and peace agreements frequently serve as a mask for deceit and hidden agendas. Rival leaders may sit together at a diplomatic banquet projecting warmth and friendship, while secretly plotting to destroy one another or to attack a third party. However, these human schemes inevitably collapse when they conflict with a predetermined historical timeline.

The primary approach among commentators is that these two rulers are the kings of the North and the South [מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ]. Historically, this points to Antiochus and Ptolemy of Egypt, who forged a false alliance [מלבי״ם]. An alternative perspective identifies the leaders as a Roman commander and Hyrcanus, who joined forces to wage war against Hyrcanus's brother, Aristobulus, who ruled in Jerusalem [רש״י].

Regardless of their exact identities, the inner intentions of these leaders are entirely malicious. Some explain that the kings plan to betray and ruin one another in a bid for ultimate control [מלבי״ם, שטיינזלץ]. They share a meal at the same table, acting as though no conflict exists, while trading false promises. Conversely, others believe their shared conspiracy is aimed directly at the land and people of Israel [רש״י, מצודת דוד, אבן עזרא]. In this scenario, they sit around the table whispering lies, actively plotting the nation's downfall [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. Another approach highlights the deep hypocrisy of their diplomacy. The two rival kings each pretend to love Israel simply to prevent the nation from aligning with their opponent. They might even dine with Israeli representatives, displaying fake affection while secretly planning to harm them [יוסף אבן יחיא].

Ultimately, the words spoken at these banquets are considered lies because they will never be realized [מצודת דוד, אבן עזרא]. The plot is destined to fail. If the conspiracy was aimed at one another, the kings simply return to their own lands empty-handed, or an unexpected, genuine peace breaks out between them instead of the planned war [מלבי״ם, שטיינזלץ]. If the plot was directed against Israel, the nation is spared from destruction at that time [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. The failure of these schemes occurs because the appointed time has not yet arrived. The designated moment for destruction, whether that means the exile of Israel or the downfall of the kings, is set for a later, predetermined date [רש״י, מצודת דוד, אבן עזרא, יוסף אבן יחיא].