What does Daniel 11:21 mean?

Daniel's last series of predictions were delivered in 536 BC (Daniel 10:1). Compared to other Old Testament prophecies, these have less symbolic depictions yet are still not overly detailed. Nations and rulers are described, but not named. Several centuries after Daniel, clashes between the Seleucid Empire and Ptolemaic Egypt fit the descriptions he was given (Daniel 11:5–19). A major figure in those predictions was the Seleucid ruler Antiochus III, known as "Antiochus the Great." The prior verse briefly mentioned his first heir, Seleucus IV Philopator, remembered for exorbitant taxes and being poisoned by an advisor (Daniel 11:20).

Here, the prophecy comes to one of Scripture's most infamous historical figures. This oppressor's illegitimate rise to power was predicted by this verse. As part of peace terms with Rome, a son of Antiochus the Great was taken to Rome as an assurance of peace. The unlucky son was named Mithradates. When Seleucus IV became king, he was obligated to send his own son to Rome; in exchange, Mithradates, Seleucus's brother, was returned. When Seleucus IV was assassinated, Mithradates took power illegally, using political intrigue and conspirators.

In proclaiming himself king, Mithradates took the name Antiochus IV Epiphanes. He is described here as "contemptible;" he certainly earned that criticism by his persecution of the Jewish people. Epiphanes was not well-respected by his own people, either. While his self-chosen name means "The Glorious," or even "God Manifest," he was often referred to as "Epimanes," which means "insane." His terrible abuse of Jerusalem and Israel are often interpreted to foreshadow the Antichrist of the end times.