At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.
At the time appointed - "the time" spoken of in Daniel 11:27.
He shall return - his second open invasion of Egypt. Ptolemy Philometor, suspecting Antiochus' designs with Physcon, hired mercenaries from Greece. Whereupon Antiochus advanced with a fleet and an army, demanding the cession to him of Cyprus, Pelusium, and the country adjoining the Pelusiac mouth of the Nile.
But it shall not be as the fomer - not successful as the former expedition. Popilius Loenas, the Roman ambassador, met him at Eleusis, four miles from Alexandria, and presented him the decree of the senate: on Antiochus replying that he would consider what he was to do, Popilius drew a line round him with a rod, and said, I must have a reply to give to the senate before you leave this circle. Antiochus submitted, and retired from Egypt; and his fleets withdrew from Cyprus.
Or as the latter - that mentioned in Daniel 11:42-43 (Tregelles). Or, making this the third expedition, the sense is Or as the latter - that mentioned in Daniel 11:42-43 (Tregelles). Or, making this the third expedition, the sense is 'not as the first or as the second' expeditions (Piscator). Rather, 'not as the former, so shall be this latter' expedition (Grotius).