What does Daniel 11:21 mean?
ESV: In his place shall arise a contemptible person to whom royal majesty has not been given. He shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
NIV: He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who has not been given the honor of royalty. He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue.
NASB: And in his place a despicable person will arise, on whom the majesty of kingship has not been conferred; but he will come in a time of tranquility and seize the kingdom by intrigue.
CSB: "In his place a despised person will arise; royal honors will not be given to him, but he will come during a time of peace and seize the kingdom by intrigue.
NLT: The next to come to power will be a despicable man who is not in line for royal succession. He will slip in when least expected and take over the kingdom by flattery and intrigue.
KJV: And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
NKJV: And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue.
Verse Commentary:
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.
Verse Context:
Daniel 11:21–35 continues from a series of prophecies about many rulers over many decades. In contrast, this segment's predictions focus on a single ruler and his hateful actions against Egypt and Israel. History knows this figure as Antiochus IV Epiphanes: one of the Jewish people's most vicious and hated persecutors.
Chapter Summary:
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.
Chapter Context:
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).
Book Summary:
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.
Accessed 5/8/2024 5:46:35 PM
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