Daniel 11:21
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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. | 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. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedAfter the 'raiser of taxes' is destroyed (11:20), a despised man stands up in his place. He is not given the honour of the kingdom; he comes in quietly and takes hold of it by flatteries. The verses that follow show this same man working deceit, setting his heart against 'the holy covenant,' and having forces on his side that pollute the sanctuary. Daniel 11:20Daniel 11:21Daniel 11:23Daniel 11:28Daniel 11:31
SpeakingThe one speaking to Daniel in this vision, who says he stood to confirm and strengthen Darius the Mede (11:1). The chapter does not name him. Daniel 11:1Daniel overview
ToDaniel, who records the vision in the first person. The book is written for God's people in exile and after it, and for later readers looking to 'the time of the end.' Daniel overview
Also involvedThe 'vile person' who rises in the place of the previous king. Also affected are those swept away before him, including 'the prince of the covenant' (11:22), and God's covenant people whom he later opposes (11:28-32). Daniel 11:21Daniel 11:22Daniel 11:28Daniel 11:30Daniel 11:32
The verse foretells how a contemptible ruler gains power. The honour of kingship is not given to him. Instead he enters 'peaceably,' in quietness, and takes hold of the kingdom through smooth words and intrigue. Daniel 8:25 describes a king who 'by peace shall destroy many,' and Psalm 55:21 pictures words 'smoother than butter' while 'war was in his heart.' Daniel 11:21Strong's H7962Strong's H2388JStrong's H2519Daniel 8:25Psalms 55:21
The book was written from Babylon, where Daniel served under Babylonian and Persian kings. The events in the vision involve the kings of the north and the south, with Egypt on the southern side, and they reach into 'the glorious land' (11:16, 11:41). Daniel overviewDaniel 11:8Daniel 11:16Daniel 11:41Daniel 11:42
The eventsThe events were still future when the vision was given. They follow the line of kings of Persia and the divided kingdom after 'Grecia' in 11:2-20, and come right after the short reign of the tax-raiser. The text does not give a date for them. Daniel 11:2Daniel 11:3Daniel 11:4Daniel 11:20Daniel 11:21
WrittenTraditional view: Daniel wrote in the 500s BC, and the book's events run to the third year of Cyrus, about 536 BC. Scholarly view: many critical scholars date the book's final form to about 167-164 BC under the Greek king Antiochus IV, because chapter 11 describes those years in detail. Daniel overview
HereThe verse introduces the ruler whose actions fill the verses that follow. It shows he gains power by flattery rather than by rightful honour, which sets up his later deceit (11:23) and his turning against the covenant (11:28-31). Daniel 11:21Daniel 11:23Daniel 11:28Daniel 11:30Daniel 11:31
In the whole of ScriptureDaniel shows that 'the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men' and sets up and removes kings. Even this schemer's plotting 'shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.' Daniel overviewDaniel 11:27Daniel 11:29
For readersReaders are warned that power gained by flattery can look peaceful while hiding harm. God's people are called to stand firm: 'the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.' Daniel 11:21Psalms 55:21Daniel 11:32
Christians read this differently
No cited Scripture names the 'vile person,' though his traits echo the king of 'fierce countenance' in Daniel 8 who rises from the divided kingdom and 'by peace shall destroy many' (8:9, 8:23, 8:25). Some read the king in 11:36-45 as this same man; others see a later king 'at the time of the end' there, with the vile person as a forerunner or pattern of him. Daniel 11:4Daniel 11:21Daniel 8:9Daniel 8:23Daniel 8:25Daniel 11:36Daniel 11:40
- vile personבָּזָה
The word means to be despised, held in contempt, or worthless. It describes how the man is regarded, which fits the next phrase: people do not give him the honour of the kingdom. Strong's H0959Daniel 11:21
- honourהוֹד
The word means splendour, majesty, or vigour, here joined to the word for royalty or kingship. He is denied the majesty of the throne, so he takes the kingdom by other means. Strong's H1935Strong's H4438Daniel 11:21
- peaceablyשַׁלְוָה
The word means quietness, ease, or prosperity. He enters in a calm time, not by open war. The same picture of a quiet entry returns in 11:24, and Daniel 8:25 speaks of a king who 'by peace shall destroy many.' Strong's H7962Daniel 11:24Daniel 8:25
- obtainחָזַק
The word means to be strong, prevail, or take hold. He grips the kingdom rather than receiving it, and 11:23 adds that he 'shall become strong with a small people.' Strong's H2388JDaniel 11:21Daniel 11:23
- flatteriesחֲלַקְלַקּוֹת
The word means smoothness, slipperiness, or fine promises. His power rests on smooth talk, and in 11:32 he corrupts those who do wickedly against the covenant 'by flatteries.' Strong's H2519Daniel 11:21Daniel 11:32
Takeaway
God foretold that a despised ruler would seize power through smooth words, and that his schemes would still end at God's appointed time. Smooth talk can hide harm, so God's people should know their God and stand firm. Daniel 11:21Daniel 11:27Daniel 11:32Psalms 55:21
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
The world around the text
About 605-536 BC. King of Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC). Where Daniel lived and served for about seventy years. The capital of the Babylonian empire, on the Euphrates south of modern Baghdad, in the land the Bible calls Shinar and Chaldea.
Who ruled
- King of BabylonNebuchadnezzar605-562 BC
The king who besieged Jerusalem, carried Daniel and the temple vessels to Babylon, and later destroyed the city and temple. His own building inscriptions boast of the Babylon he built. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 24:12 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 25:1Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- Last king of Babylon, and his son who ruled in his placeNabonidus and Belshazzar556-539 BC
Nabonidus spent about ten years at the oasis of Tema in Arabia and left his son Belshazzar to rule in Babylon. That is why Belshazzar could only offer Daniel the place of "third ruler in the kingdom": he was himself second. Daniel 5:1Daniel 5:7Daniel 5:29Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Verse Account of Nabonidus
- Received the kingdom after Babylon fellDarius the MedianFrom 539 BC
Daniel says he "took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old" and set 120 princes over it. Records outside the Bible do not name him; he has been identified with Gubaru, the governor Cyrus set over Babylon, or with Cyrus himself. Daniel 5:31Daniel 6:1Daniel 9:1Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)
- King of PersiaCyrus559-530 BC
He united the Medes and Persians, took Babylon in 539 BC, and let the exiles go home to rebuild the temple, as Isaiah had named him beforehand. Daniel 1:21Daniel 6:28Daniel 10:1Ezra 1:1-4Isaiah 44:28-45:1Cyrus Cylinder
- King of JudahJehoiakim609-598 BC
Judah's king when Daniel was taken. Jeremiah warned him and his people that the land would serve Babylon seventy years. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 23:36-24:6Jeremiah 25:1-11
What was happening, 612 BC to 167 BC
- 612 BCWarNineveh falls
Babylon and the Medes destroyed Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, as Nahum and Zephaniah had foretold. Babylon became the great power of the region. Nahum 3:7Zephaniah 2:13Fall of Nineveh Chronicle (ABC 3)
- 605 BCWarBattle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar defeated Pharaoh Necho of Egypt at Carchemish on the Euphrates, in Jehoiakim's fourth year. The same year he came against Jerusalem and took the first captives, Daniel among them. Jeremiah 46:2Daniel 1:1-4Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 597 BCWarJerusalem surrenders
Nebuchadnezzar took King Jehoiachin, his nobles and craftsmen to Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel went into exile with them. 2 Kings 24:10-17Ezekiel 1:2Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 586 BCWarJerusalem and the temple destroyed
Babylon's army burned the temple and the city and broke down its walls. Daniel later prays over "the desolations of Jerusalem" and asks God to shine on his "sanctuary that is desolate." 2 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 52:12-14Daniel 9:2Daniel 9:17
- c. 575 BCBuildingBabylon rebuilt in splendor
Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt Babylon with great walls, palaces and the blue-glazed Ishtar Gate, and his inscriptions praise his own work. Compare his boast: "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built?" Daniel 4:30Nebuchadnezzar's East India House InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 1.178-183
- 562 BCRulersNebuchadnezzar dies
His son Evil-merodach became king and released Jehoiachin of Judah from prison. 2 Kings 25:27-30Jeremiah 52:31-34
- c. 553-543 BCRulersNabonidus leaves Babylon to Belshazzar
King Nabonidus stayed at Tema in Arabia for about ten years, and the yearly New Year festival in Babylon was not held. Belshazzar governed in Babylon. Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Daniel 5:1Daniel 7:1
- 550 BCWarCyrus unites the Medes and Persians
Cyrus of Persia defeated Astyages king of the Medes, joining the two peoples in one kingdom. Daniel's vision names the ram's two horns as "the kings of Media and Persia," the higher coming up last. Daniel 8:3Daniel 8:20Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.127-130
- October 539 BCWarBabylon falls to Cyrus
Cyrus's army entered Babylon without a long siege. Herodotus says the people were feasting when the city was taken. Daniel records that "in that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain." Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.191Cyrus Cylinder
- 538 BCGod's peopleCyrus lets the exiles return
In his first year over Babylon, Cyrus proclaimed that the Jews could go back and build the LORD's house in Jerusalem. Daniel "continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus." Ezra 1:1-42 Chronicles 36:22-23Daniel 1:21Cyrus Cylinder
- c. 536 BCGod's peopleThe temple's foundation is laid
The returned exiles rebuilt the altar and laid the foundation of the temple. In the third year of Cyrus, Daniel was still in the east, mourning and praying. Ezra 3:1-11Daniel 10:1-3
- 334-331 BCWarAlexander the Great conquers Persia
Alexander of Macedon crossed into Asia and overthrew the Persian empire within four years. Daniel 8:21 names the rough goat as "the king of Grecia" and its great horn as "the first king." Daniel 8:5-8Daniel 8:21Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 1-3
- 323-301 BCWarAlexander's empire is divided
Alexander died young, and after twenty years of war his generals divided his empire, chiefly into four kingdoms. Daniel 8:22 says "four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power." Daniel 8:8Daniel 8:22Daniel 11:4Diodorus Siculus, Library 18-20Plutarch, Demetrius 28-30
- 167 BCWarAntiochus IV defiles the temple
The Greek king Antiochus IV banned Jewish worship and set up a pagan altar on the altar of burnt offering. 1 Maccabees calls it "the abomination of desolation." Two centuries later Jesus spoke of "the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet" as still to come. 1 Maccabees 1:54-59Josephus, Antiquities 12.5.4Matthew 24:15
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records of these years (the Babylonian Chronicles, the Cyrus Cylinder, Nebuchadnezzar's inscriptions) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Diodorus, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| and he will arise | וְעָמַ֤ד | ve-'a-MAD | H5975I | to stand: standעָמַד (a.mad) : stand/stop/establish 1) to stand, remain, endure, take one's stand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stand, take one's stand, be in a standing attitude, stand forth, take a stand, present oneself, attend upon, be or become servant of 1a2) to stand still, stop (moving or doing), cease 1a3) to tarry, delay, remain, continue, abide, endure, persist, be steadfast 1a4) to make a stand, hold one's ground 1a5) to stand upright, remain standing, stand up, rise, be erect, be upright 1a6) to arise, appear, come on the scene, stand forth, appear, rise up or against … |
| on | עַל־ | 'al- | H5921A | uponעַל (al) prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) … |
| place his | כַּנּוֹ֙ | ka-NO | H3653 | standכֵּן (ken) 1) base, stand, pedestal, office, foot, place, estate 1a) base, pedestal 1b) office, place |
| a despicable [person] | נִבְזֶ֔ה | niv-ZEH | H0959 | to despiseבָּזָה (ba.zah) 1) to despise, hold in contempt, disdain 1a) (Qal) to despise, regard with contempt 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be despised 1b2) to be despicable 1b3) to be vile, worthless 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to despise Also means: ba.zoh (בָּזֹה "to despise" H0960) |
| and not | וְלֹא־ | ve-lo'- | H3808 | notלֹא (lo) 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809) |
| people had given | נָתְנ֥וּ | na-te-NU | H5414G | to give: giveנָתַן (na.tan) : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted … |
| to him | עָלָ֖יו | 'a-LAV | H5921A | uponעַל (al) prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) … |
| [the] honor of | ה֣וֹד | Hod | H1935 | splendorהוֹד (hod) splendour, majesty, vigour |
| royalty | מַלְכ֑וּת | mal-KHUT | H4438 | kingdomמַלְכוּ (mal.khu) 1) royalty, reign, kingdom 1a) royalty, kingship, kingly authority 1b) kingdom 1c) realm (of territory) 1d) reign (of time) |
| and he will come | וּבָ֣א | u-VA' | H0935G | to come (in): comeבּוֹא (bo) : come/go_in 1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to enter, come in 1a2) to come 1a2a) to come with 1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy) 1a2c) to come to pass 1a3) to attain to 1a4) to be enumerated 1a5) to go 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to lead in 1b2) to carry in 1b3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon 1b4) to bring to pass 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought, brought in 1c2) to be introduced, be put |
| in quietness | בְשַׁלְוָ֔ה | ve-shal-VAH | H7962 | easeשַׁלְוָה (shal.vah) quietness, ease, prosperity Aramaic equivalent: she.le.vah (שְׁלֵוָה "ease" H7963) |
| and he will take hold of | וְהֶחֱזִ֥יק | ve-he-che-ZIK | H2388J | to strengthen: strengthenחָזַק (cha.zaq) : strengthen/support/encourage 1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be strong, grow strong 1a1a) to prevail, prevail upon 1a1b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure 1a1c) to press, be urgent 1a1d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense) 1a1e) to be severe, be grievous 1a2) to strengthen 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make strong 1b2) to restore to strength, give strength 1b3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage 1b4) to make strong, make bold, encourage 1b5) to make firm 1b6) to make rigid, make hard … |
| royalty | מַלְכ֖וּת | mal-KHUT | H4438 | kingdomמַלְכוּ (mal.khu) 1) royalty, reign, kingdom 1a) royalty, kingship, kingly authority 1b) kingdom 1c) realm (of territory) 1d) reign (of time) |
| by intrigues | בַּחֲלַקְלַקּֽוֹת׃ | ba-cha-lak-la-KOT | H2519 | smoothnessחֲלַקְלַקּוֹת (cha.laq.laq.qah) 1) flattery, slipperiness, fine promises, smoothness 1a) slipperiness 1b) fine promises |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.