For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
Ver. 30. For the ships of Chittim shall come against him,] i.e., Publius Popilius, the Roman envoy, shall come in Italian or Grecian ships, and shall, in the name of the senate and people of Rome, command Antiochus to depart with his army out of Egypt, and that forthwith. a So true found Antiochus that of the poet,
“ Omne, sub regno graviore, regnum est. ”
Therefore he shall be grieved, and return.] And reck his wrath upon the poor Church of God, turning his rage against the Jews.
And have intelligence with them that forsake the covenant.] None are so dangerous and desperate enemies to the truth as apostates and renegades, such as were here, Jason, Menelaus, &c., 2Ma 4:7-10 ; 2Ma 4:23-28 who privily packed with Antiochus against the city and people.
a Joseph., lib. xii. cap. 6; Liv., dec. 5, lib. v.; Appian. in Syr.; Justin.