After Antiochus III has become so powerful, he seeks to gain even more power and glory. That is what this verse points to. He now wants to put an end to every power of Egypt. A certain event is going to prevent this. It will force Antiochus to make peace with Egypt. Those are the terms of agreement that are mentioned in this verse.
What was this event? Antiochus has been trying to expand his power everywhere. He conquered large parts of Asia Minor. He had even begun to cross over into Europe to establish his power there as well. When that happens, he comes face to face with the Romans. Then he realizes that he cannot wage war on two fronts against two strong opponents. Thus, he decides to make peace with Egypt. He seeks to do this through marriage. He gives his daughter, Cleopatra, to the Egyptian king. The Spirit shows in this verse that it will not be done with an honest and sincere heart. Antiochus’s intention behind all of this is to gain all the power in Egypt through his daughter.
The Lord shows here that he will not succeed: But it shall not stand or be to his advantage.
The fact is that his daughter Cleopatra looked after the interests of the Egyptians and did not employ her influence to help her father’s cause.
17 He shall set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and he shall bring terms of an agreement and perform them. He shall give him the daughter of women to destroy the kingdom, but it shall not stand or be to his advantage.