Before we read about that terrible tribulation, the Spirit tells us that Antiochus will try one more time to bring all of Egypt under his authority. However, he will have to acknowledge that he will not succeed. For what will happen when he goes back to Egypt with his armies?
Right then the Kittimites come with their ships. Kittim
is another name for the Romans. When these Romans come to the aid of the Egyptians, Antiochus realizes that he is in trouble. The Romans now state their terms to Antiochus, who still tries to get out of this. It is a Roman senator who draws a circle in the sand around Antiochus and says, We will not allow you to leave this circle until you have ordered your troops to withdraw from Egypt.
Antiochus now returns to his own kingdom as a deeply humiliated king. He is very disappointed. He is like an animal that is wounded and aiming to direct his pain and anger at someone else.
Antiochus directs his anger to Israel. He is motivated by his hatred of the holy covenant. This characterizes all of his actions.
30 For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant.