Daniel 11 21

Daniel 11:21 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.

Daniel 11:21 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.

Daniel 11:21 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.

Daniel 11:21 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.

Daniel 11:21 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.

Daniel 11 verses

Daniel 11 21 Meaning

Verse 21 speaks of a ruler who will come to power deceitfully, not through the legitimate right of inheritance, but through flattery and manipulation. This ruler will gain dominance over a seemingly prosperous land and its people by using deception and unbridled power, acting with great ferocity and cruelty.

Daniel 11 21 Context

Daniel chapter 11 provides a detailed prophecy of the conflict between the king of the North (Seleucid dynasty) and the king of the South (Ptolemaic dynasty) after Alexander the Great's empire was divided. Verse 21 specifically focuses on the rise of one particular king, who deviates from the established order and takes power through unconventional and deceptive means. This king, commonly identified as Antiochus IV Epiphanes, marks a significant turning point in the conflict, characterized by his arrogance and violation of established covenants. The prophecy speaks to a historical period following a succession of rulers, leading up to a time of severe tribulation for God's people.

Daniel 11 21 Word Analysis

• And he shall come in peacefully, even upon the fattest places of the province;

  • he: Refers to the future king.
  • shall come in: Future tense verb indicating arrival or inception of rule.
  • peacefully: Hebrew word "shalom" (שָׁלוֹם), often translated as peace, completeness, welfare, prosperity. Here, it suggests a deceptive semblance of peace and ease, not true tranquility. This implies his arrival will be met with little outward resistance or will be masked by a façade of harmony.
  • even upon: Implies penetration into or attainment of.
  • the fattest places: Hebrew "mishmaney" (מִשְׁמַנֵּי), meaning fatness, richness, fertility, or abundance. This refers to the most fertile, prosperous, and strategically valuable regions or cities of the province.
  • of the province: Hebrew "ha-medinah" (הַמְּדִינָה), referring to the territory or satrapy, likely a key part of the Seleucid empire.

• and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers;

  • and he shall do: Verb indicating his actions or deeds.
  • that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers: This highlights a radical departure from tradition, either in policy, character, or religious observance. It signifies a unique and unprecedented action, likely a perversion or corruption of the existing order, breaking established customs or divine covenants. This unprecedented nature sets him apart.

• he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches:

  • he shall scatter: Verb indicating distribution or dissemination.
  • among them: Referring to the inhabitants of the land he has taken.
  • the prey, and spoil, and riches: Hebrew "baz, va-shalal, va-chayil" (בָּז, וָשָׁלָל, וָחַיִל). This phrase describes captured goods, plunder, and wealth. This scattering implies distribution of riches gained from conquest or perhaps as a means of appeasing certain factions or gaining popularity through illicit means. It could also be interpreted as a squandering of resources.

• and devise his devices against the strongholds:

  • and devise his devices: Hebrew "v'yachshov machshevot" (וְיַחְשֹׁב מַחְשָׁבֹת). This points to scheming, plotting, or contriving plans. The plural "devices" emphasizes the cunning and multifaceted nature of his schemes.
  • against the strongholds: Refers to fortified places or centers of power, both literal and metaphorical, possibly including religious institutions or centers of resistance.

• yea, even against the strong, and cause them to prosper.

  • yea, even against the strong: This continues the theme of plotting, specifying that his machinations are directed towards powerful entities or individuals, but paradoxically, these efforts are aimed at achieving his own gain or furthering his control. The interpretation can be that he undermines existing powers or manipulates them for his benefit.
  • and cause them to prosper: This is a crucial phrase. It can mean that his plots lead to their (the strongholds'/strong people's) downfall and destruction (i.e., they cease to prosper), or it can mean that he temporarily causes certain strong factions to prosper through alliances or shared plunder to further his own agenda. Given the context of deception, it likely refers to manipulating and using influential individuals or groups for his own gain. Another view is that "them" refers back to the scattered spoils, that he causes these ill-gotten gains to flourish under his rule, but ultimately serving his purposes. More common interpretation relates it to his schemes aimed at the strong, ultimately leading to their ruin, but the Hebrew "yatzliach" (יַצְלִיחַ) means to succeed or prosper. This could be interpreted as he prospers by using or dismantling the strong.

Daniel 11 21 Bonus Section

The description of this ruler's unique actions – doing what his fathers had not done – points to a departure from established policy and possibly a subversion of religious or traditional values, which aligns with the historical context of Hellenistic rulers attempting to impose Greek culture and religion on conquered peoples. The distribution of "prey, spoil, and riches" can be seen as a method of rewarding loyalists, appeasing dissent, or perhaps a way to gain influence and neutralize potential opposition by co-opting them through material gain. The concept of devising devices against the strong and causing them to prosper suggests a strategic manipulation where power structures or individuals perceived as strong are either subverted or utilized by the ruler, often to his ultimate benefit and their eventual demise or subjugation. The overall tone emphasizes deception, unique ambition, and a departure from ethical leadership, painting a picture of a formidable and disruptive figure.

Daniel 11 21 Commentary

This verse introduces a ruler who distinguishes himself not by inheritance but by cunning and treachery. His rise will be marked by a deceptive display of peace, gaining control of prosperous territories through manipulation and flattery rather than legitimate means. He breaks from traditional methods of governance and shows a singular lack of restraint, unlike his predecessors. His actions involve distributing spoils acquired through plunder or through alliances made on the basis of shared ill-gotten gains. His true intent lies in scheming against fortified positions of power and even influential people, ultimately succeeding by undermining or co-opting them for his own purposes. This describes a ruler who embodies shrewdness and a ruthless disregard for established norms and moral order, often associated with Antiochus IV Epiphanes and his Hellenistic agenda against Jewish religious practices.