Daniel 11:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "Then shall arise in his place one who shall send an exactor of tribute for the glory of the kingdom. But within a few days he shall be broken, neither in anger nor in battle.

NIV: "His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor. In a few years, however, he will be destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle.

NASB: Then in his place one will arise who will allow an oppressor to pass through the Jewel of his kingdom; yet within a few days he will be broken, though not in anger nor in battle.

CSB: "In his place one will arise who will send out a tax collector for the glory of the kingdom; but within a few days he will be broken, though not in anger or in battle.

NLT: His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor. But after a very brief reign, he will die, though not from anger or in battle.

KJV: Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.

NKJV: “There shall arise in his place one who imposes taxes on the glorious kingdom; but within a few days he shall be destroyed, but not in anger or in battle.

According to history, the events given in this section of the book of Daniel are accurate, despite being recorded several centuries in advance. Daniel received these prophecies in 536 BC (Daniel 10:1; 11:2). Much of what is predicted did not occur until the fourth, third, and second centuries BC. A prominent figure in recent verses is the "king of the north:" the king of Syria, ruler of the Seleucid Empire, Antiochus III, also known as "Antiochus the Great." Daniel's text outlines Antiochus's campaigns, eventual expulsion from Asia Minor, and death (Daniel 11:14–19).

This verse refers to a successor associated with heavy taxes, who would quickly be overcome by something other than battle or an outburst. This corresponds to the fate of Antiochus III's initial heir, his son Seleucus IV Philopator. Seleucus drastically increased taxes to pay his father's fine for the invasion of Asia Minor and Greece. He also arranged for his brother, Mithradates, to be brought back from Roman political custody in exchange for his own son. His reign was brief—though not incredibly so—and uneventful. He was eventually assassinated via poison by one of his political officials.

This led to Mithradates taking the throne, at which time he took the name Antiochus IV Epiphanes. He would become infamous for his horrific persecution of the Jewish people (Daniel 8:23–25). Daniel's next segment of prophecy focuses on the career of this historical villain, whose life foreshadows events associated with the end times.

Daniel 11:2–20 provides a political timeline beginning with Darius the Mede (Daniel 5:30–31). The history—given as prophecy to the prophet Daniel around 536 BC (Daniel 10:1)—involves military conflicts between Greeks and Persians and between empires ruling from Syria and Egypt. These accounts are given to Daniel by an angel, probably Gabriel (Daniel 10:18–21). Parts of these prophecies are unusually straightforward, relying much less on symbolism and plainly indicating the events which will occur.

This chapter is most easily understood in terms of the historical events which it predicts. These include the conflicts between Ptolemaic Egypt and the Seleucid Empire up through the second century BC. This mentions the infamous Antiochus IV Epiphanes and what eventually became the Maccabean Revolt. The last portion of prophecy looks to the end times: blasphemous rulers, an invasion from the north, and a major defeat.

Daniel is receiving a prophecy, in an encounter which began in chapter 10. The substance of that prophecy is mostly given in chapter 11. This predicts the major events relating to Judea leading up to the conquest of the Roman Empire. It also begins to speak of end-times events. This leads to chapter 12 and the final prophetic remarks given to Daniel. Chapter 11 connects to other prophetic segments of Scripture such as Ezekiel 38 and Joel 2. Occurrences recorded here are also used by Jesus to depict end times events (Matthew 24:15).

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.