1 sn The prince of the army may refer to God (cf. “whose sanctuary” later in the verse) or to the angel Michael (cf. 12:1).
2 tn Or perhaps “and by him,” referring to Antiochus rather than to God.
3 sn Here the sanctuary is a reference to the temple of God in Jerusalem.
4 tn The Hebrew term has a primary meaning of “skill, insight,” but here it has the connotation “cunning, treachery.” See BDB 968 s.v. שֵׂכֶל, שֶׂכֶל.
5 tn Heb “he will cause deceit to succeed by his hand.”
6 tn Heb “in his heart he will act arrogantly.”
7 tn Heb “in peace.” The Hebrew word used here is difficult. It may refer to the security felt by those who did not realize the danger of imminent attack, or it may refer to the condition of being unaware of the impending danger. The latter idea is reflected in the present translation. See further, BDB 1017 s.v. שַׁלְוָה.
8 tn Heb “with nothingness of hand.”