Daniel 11:21
New International Version
“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.

New Living Translation
“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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
In his place a despicable person will arise; royal honors will not be given to him, but he will come in a time of peace and seize the kingdom by intrigue.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
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.

NASB 1995
“In his place a despicable person will arise, on whom the honor of kingship has not been conferred, but he will come in a time of tranquility and seize the kingdom by intrigue.

NASB 1977
“And in his place a despicable person will arise, on whom the honor of kingship has not been conferred, but he will come in a time of tranquility and seize the kingdom by intrigue.

Legacy Standard Bible
And in his place a despised person will stand, to whom the splendor of the kingdom has not been given, but he will come in a time of ease and take hold of the kingdom by intrigue.

Amplified Bible
And in his place [in Syria] will arise a despicable and despised person, to whom royal majesty and the honor of kingship have not been conferred, but he will come [without warning] in a time of tranquility and seize the kingdom by intrigue.

Christian Standard Bible
“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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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.

American Standard Version
And in his place shall stand up a contemptible person, to whom they had not given the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in time of security, and shall obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

Contemporary English Version
The successor of this king of the north will be a worthless nobody, who doesn't even come from a royal family. He will suddenly appear and gain control of the kingdom by treachery.

English Revised Version
And in his place shall stand up a contemptible person, to whom they had not given the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in time of security, and shall obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"A contemptible person will take his place. He will not be given royal splendor. He will invade when people are feeling secure, and he will seize the kingdom using false promises.

Good News Translation
The angel went on to explain: "The next king of Syria will be an evil man who has no right to be king, but he will come unexpectedly and seize power by trickery.

International Standard Version
"'In his place there will arise a despicable person, upon whom no royal authority has been conferred, but he'll invade in a time of tranquility, taking over the kingdom through deception.

Majority Standard Bible
In his place a despicable person will arise; royal honors will not be given to him, but he will come in a time of peace and seize the kingdom by intrigue.

NET Bible
"Then there will arise in his place a despicable person to whom the royal honor has not been rightfully conferred. He will come on the scene in a time of prosperity and will seize the kingdom through deceit.

New Heart English Bible
In his place shall arise a despicable person, to whom the honor of kingship had not been given, but he shall come in a time of prosperity, and shall obtain the kingdom through deceit.

Webster's Bible Translation
And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

World English Bible
“In his place a contemptible person will stand up, to whom they had not given the honor of the kingdom; but he will come in time of security, and will obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And a despicable one has stood up on his station, and they have not given to him the splendor of the kingdom, and he has come in quietly, and has strengthened the kingdom by flatteries.

Young's Literal Translation
'And stood up on his station hath a despicable one, and they have not given unto him the honour of the kingdom, and he hath come in quietly, and hath strengthened the kingdom by flatteries.

Smith's Literal Translation
And there stood up upon his place he being despised; and they gave not upon him the strength of the kingdom: and he came in tranquillity, and he took the kingdom by flatteries.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And there shall stand up in his place one despised, and the kingly honour shall not be given him: and he shall come privately, and shall obtain the kingdom by fraud.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And there will stand up in his place the despicable one, and he will not be assigned the honor of a king. And he will arrive in secret, and he will obtain the kingdom by deceitfulness.

New American Bible
“There shall arise in his place a despicable person, to whom the royal insignia shall not be given. He shall enter by stealth and seize the kingdom by fraud.

New Revised Standard Version
In his place shall arise a contemptible person on whom royal majesty had not been conferred; he shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom through intrigue.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And in his place shall rise up a vile person, to whom they shall not bestow the royal honor; but he shall come suddenly and seize the kingdom by fraud.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And a weak one shall arise upon his place, and the honor of the kingdom will not be given unto him, and he will come in quietness and will seize the kingdom by slipperiness
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And in his place shall stand up a contemptible person, upon whom had not been conferred the majesty of the kingdom; but he shall come in time of security, and shall obtain the kingdom by blandishments.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
One shall stand on his place, who has been set a nought, and they have not put upon him the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in prosperously, and obtain the kingdom by deceitful ways.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Kings of the South and North
20In 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 destroyed, though not in anger or in battle. 21In his place a despicable person will arise; royal honors will not be given to him, but he will come in a time of peace and seize the kingdom by intrigue. 22Then a flood of forces will be swept away before him and destroyed, along with a prince of the covenant.…

Cross References
Daniel 8:23-25
In the latter part of their reign, when the rebellion has reached its full measure, an insolent king, skilled in intrigue, will come to the throne. / His power will be great, but it will not be his own. He will cause terrible destruction and succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men along with the holy people. / Through his craft and by his hand, he will cause deceit to prosper, and in his own mind he will make himself great. In a time of peace he will destroy many, and he will even stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be broken off, but not by human hands.

Revelation 13:5-7
The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to act for 42 months. / And the beast opened its mouth to speak blasphemies against God and to slander His name and His tabernacle—those who dwell in heaven. / Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed. / He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

Daniel 7:8
While I was contemplating the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like those of a man and a mouth that spoke words of arrogance.

Revelation 17:12-13
The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings along with the beast. / These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast.

1 John 2:18
Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.

Matthew 24:15
So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand),

Daniel 9:26-27
Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations have been decreed. / And he will confirm a covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of the temple will come the abomination that causes desolation, until the decreed destruction is poured out upon him.”

Revelation 11:7
When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.

Isaiah 14:4-6
you will sing this song of contempt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has ceased, and how his fury has ended! / The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers. / It struck the peoples in anger with unceasing blows; it subdued the nations in rage with relentless persecution.

Ezekiel 28:2-10
“Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that this is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.’ Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god. / Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you! / By your wisdom and understanding you have gained your wealth and amassed gold and silver for your treasuries. ...

Revelation 19:20
But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

1 John 4:3
and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and which is already in the world at this time.

Daniel 8:9-12
From one of these horns a little horn emerged and grew extensively toward the south and the east and toward the Beautiful Land. / It grew as high as the host of heaven, and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the earth and trampled them. / It magnified itself, even to the Prince of the host; it removed His daily sacrifice and overthrew the place of His sanctuary. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

estate.

Daniel 11:7,20
But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail: …

shall stand.

Daniel 7:8
I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Daniel 8:9,23,25
And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land

a vile person.

1 Samuel 3:13
For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

Psalm 12:8
The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

Psalm 15:4
In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

by flatteries.

Daniel 11:32,34
And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits

Judges 9:1-20
And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying, …

2 Samuel 15:2-6
And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel…

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Arise Blandishments Conferred Contemptible Despicable Estate Fair Feel Flatteries Honor Honour Intrigue Invade Kingdom Kingship Majesty Obtain Peace Peaceably Quietly Royal Royalty Secure Security Seize Stand Station Stood Strengthened Succeeded Time Tranquility Vile Words
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Arise Blandishments Conferred Contemptible Despicable Estate Fair Feel Flatteries Honor Honour Intrigue Invade Kingdom Kingship Majesty Obtain Peace Peaceably Quietly Royal Royalty Secure Security Seize Stand Station Stood Strengthened Succeeded Time Tranquility Vile Words
Daniel 11
1. The overthrow of Persia by the king of Grecia.
5. Leagues and conflicts between the kings of the south and of the north.
30. The invasion and tyranny of the Romans.














In his place
This phrase indicates a transition of power, suggesting a change in leadership or authority. In the historical context of the Book of Daniel, this refers to the succession of rulers in the Seleucid Empire. The Hebrew word used here, "כַּנּוֹ" (kanno), implies a direct replacement, emphasizing the continuity of the prophetic narrative. This transition is not just political but also spiritual, as it reflects the ongoing struggle between good and evil, a theme prevalent throughout the book of Daniel.

a despicable person
The Hebrew word "נִבְזֶה" (nivzeh) is used here, meaning someone who is despised or contemptible. This description is fitting for Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a historical figure known for his tyrannical and blasphemous actions against the Jewish people. From a spiritual perspective, this character embodies the antithesis of godly leadership, serving as a warning against those who rise to power through deceit and moral corruption.

will arise
The phrase suggests an unexpected or sudden emergence. The Hebrew verb "עָמַד" (amad) conveys the idea of standing up or establishing oneself. This reflects the unforeseen nature of Antiochus IV's rise to power, as he was not the rightful heir. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of evil and the importance of vigilance in maintaining faith and righteousness.

on whom the royal honor has not been conferred
This highlights the illegitimacy of the ruler's claim to the throne. The Hebrew phrase "וְלֹא נָתְנוּ עָלָיו הוֹד מַלְכוּת" (velo natnu alav hod malkut) indicates that this person did not receive the kingdom through rightful means. Historically, Antiochus IV seized power through manipulation and deceit. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition unchecked by moral integrity and the divine order.

He will come in a time of peace
The phrase suggests a period of false security or complacency. The Hebrew "בְּשַׁלְוָה" (beshalvah) implies tranquility or ease, which Antiochus exploited to gain control. This reflects the spiritual danger of letting one's guard down, as evil often strikes when least expected. It underscores the need for constant spiritual readiness and discernment.

and seize the kingdom by intrigue
The word "בַּחֲלַקְלַקּוֹת" (bachalaklakot) refers to flattery, smoothness, or deceit. Antiochus IV's rise to power was marked by cunning and manipulation rather than force. This serves as a powerful reminder of the subtlety of sin and the importance of wisdom and discernment in leadership. It also highlights the ultimate sovereignty of God, who allows such events to unfold for His greater purpose, even when human actions seem to defy His will.

(21) A vile person.--The meaning of the language will be plainer after a reference to Psalm 119:141; Jeremiah 22:28. The moral character of the man is especially described. The words that follow explain more fully that he was not worthy of receiving royal majesty. This person is generally identified with Antiochus Epiphanes. The description certainly agrees with him very closely. In fact, just as his predecessors resembled in various points the kings spoken of in Daniel 11:1-20, so Antiochus resembles the person here described. The language of St. Jerome about early interpreters of the Book of Daniel is striking: "Cumque multa qu? postea lecturi et exposituri sumus super Antiochi persona conveniant, typum eum volunt Antichristi habere, et qu? in illo ex parte pr?ceperint, in Antichristo ex toto esse complenda."

Peaceably.--Unexpectedly, as LXX. (Comp. Daniel 8:25.) The king is here represented as taking possession of the kingdom by craft, and in the following clause he is said to gain his end by "flatteries," or by intrigues and cunning hypocritical conduct. It does not appear that this was done by Antiochus Epiphanes.

Verse 21. - 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. As said above, the opening clause of this verse, as it appears in the Septuagint, really belongs to the previous verse, "And there shall stand up in his place a mean person (εὐκαταφρόνητος), and the glory of a king shall not be given to him, and he shall come suddenly, and the king shall be strong in his inheritance." Evidently the translator, has omitted the reduplication and has derived the word חֲלַקְלַקות (halaqlaqqoth) from חֶלְקָה (hel qah), "a portion," "an inheritance." Theodotion's rendering is not very intelligible, "On his preparation he shall be set at naught, and they shall not give to him the glory of the kingdom, he shall come in prosperously (ἐν εὐθηνίᾳ), and shall overpower the king dom by flatteries." It is, however, more in accordance with the Massoretic text. The Peshitta is in practical agreement with the Massoretic, and the Vulgate reads as if a rendering of the Peshitta. It is assumed that this is Antiochus Epiphanes, yet there are considerable difficulties. A vile person. Certainly he was morally vile enough, though not nearly so vile as some of the kings of Egypt, his contemporaries, or some of his own ancestors. The meaning of נבזה is "rejected, despised" (see Isaiah 53:3). It may be that it was derived from the idea that the Romans rejected Epiphanes as a hostage, and demanded Demetrius the son of Seleucus instead, and so Epiphanes got the opportunity of returning to Syria. This, however, is not the aspect which the matter assumes in Appian. Seleucus appears as the party desiring the change of hostage. To whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom. That certainly is not the case; he had the kingdom as much as his brother had; he was acknowledged as king. He certainly had not the power his father had before his defeat at Magnesia, but he had as much as the semi-subject conditions of Syria permitted. He shall come in peaceably. That also is doubtful, for Eumenes of Pergamos supported his claims with an army. Obtain the kingdom by flatteries. Even that is not a prominent feature of the accession of Antiochus. The Septuagint, as will be seen, separates between the vile person who should not have the glory of the kingdom given to him, and the king who should be strong in his inheritance. If we were sure that Appian had followed Polybius, we might see in the first part of the verse Heliodorus, and in the second the coming of Epiphanes.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
In
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

his place
כַּנּוֹ֙ (kan·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3653: A stand, pedestal, station

a despicable person
נִבְזֶ֔ה (niḇ·zeh)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 959: To disesteem

will arise;
וְעָמַ֤ד (wə·‘ā·maḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

royal
מַלְכ֑וּת (mal·ḵūṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4438: Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom

honors
ה֣וֹד (hō·wḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1935: Splendor, majesty, vigor

will not
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be given
נָתְנ֥וּ (nā·ṯə·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to him,
עָלָ֖יו (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

but he will come
וּבָ֣א (ū·ḇā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

in a time of peace
בְשַׁלְוָ֔ה (ḇə·šal·wāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7962: Quietness, ease

and seize
וְהֶחֱזִ֥יק (wə·he·ḥĕ·zîq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

the kingdom
מַלְכ֖וּת (mal·ḵūṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4438: Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom

by intrigue.
בַּחֲלַקְלַקּֽוֹת׃ (ba·ḥă·laq·laq·qō·wṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 2519: Something very smooth, a treacherous spot, blandishment


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OT Prophets: Daniel 11:21 In his place shall stand up (Dan. Da Dn)
Daniel 11:20
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