[709] The LXX. here render this expression (which puzzled them, and which they omit in vv. 16, 41) by θέλησις. Theodot., τὴν γῆν τοῦ Σαβαείμ. [710] Ewald takes these for metaphoric designations of the Hellenising Jews. Some (_e.g._, Zöckler) understand these verses as a recapitulation of the exploits of Antiochus. The whole clause is surrounded by historic uncertainties. [711] The origin of the name Maccabee still remains uncertain. Some make it stand for the initials of the Hebrew words, "Who among the gods is like Jehovah?" in Exod. xv. 11; or of Mattathias Kohen (priest), Ben-Johanan (_Biesenthal_). Others make it mean "the Hammerer" (comp. Charles _Martel_). See Jost, i. 116; Prideaux, ii. 199 (so Grotius, and Buxtorf, _De Abbreviaturis_). [712] Vulg., Aphadno. The LXX. omit it. Theodot., Apadano; Symm., "his stable." [713] Porphyry says that "he pitched his tent in a place called Apedno, between the Tigris and Euphrates"; but even if these rivers should be called seas, they have nothing to do with the Holy Mountain. Apedno seems to be a mere guess from the word אפדן, "palace" or "tent," in this verse. See Jer. xliii. 10 (Targum). Roland, however, quotes Procopius (_De ædif. Justiniani_, ii. 4) as authority for a place called Apadnas, near Amida, on the Tigris. See Pusey, p. 39. [714] Jahn, § xcv. [715] 2 Macc. ix.; Jos., _Antt._, XII. ix. 1, 2; Milman, _Hist. of the Jews_, ii. 9. Appian describes his lingering and wasting illness by the word φθίνων (_Syriaca_, 66). CHAPTER VI _THE EPILOGUE_ The twelfth chapter of the Book of Daniel serves as a general epilogue to the Book, and is as little free from difficulties in the interpretation of the details as are the other apocalyptic chapters. The keynote, however, to their right understanding must be given in the words "_At that time_," with which the first verse opens. The words can only mean "the time" spoken of at the end of the last chapter, the days of that final effort of Antiochus against the holy people which ended in his miserable death. "At that time," then--_i.e._, about the year B.C. 163--the guardian archangel of Israel, "Michael, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people," shall stand up for their deliverance.