Daniel 11:24
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. | In a time of peace, he will invade the richest provinces and do what his fathers and forefathers never did. He will lavish plunder, loot, and wealth on his followers, and he will plot against the strongholds—but only for a time. | In time of security shall he come even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them prey, and spoil, and substance: yea, he shall devise his devices against the strongholds, even for a time. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedDaniel 11:24 describes the "vile person" who takes the kingdom by flatteries (11:21) and works deceitfully after making a league (11:23). He slips into the richest parts of the province in a time of ease. He wins people by handing out plunder, and he plots against fortresses, but only "for a time." Daniel 11:21Daniel 11:23Daniel 11:24
SpeakingThe speaker talks to Daniel in the first person. He says he stood to confirm and strengthen Darius the Mede, and now will "shew thee the truth." Daniel 11:1Daniel 11:2
ToDaniel receives this vision of the kings of the north and the south. The book is written for God's people during and after the exile. Daniel overview
Also involvedThe people of "the province" receive his handouts. The fortresses are the targets of his plots, and the king of the south is the one he attacks next. Daniel 11:24Daniel 11:25
The ruler does not seize the land by open war. He comes in quietly and does what his fathers and their fathers never did: he spreads plunder, spoil and goods among the people. This fits Proverbs 19:6: "every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts." Daniel 11:24Strong's H7962Strong's H0967Proverbs 19:6Proverbs 17:8
"The province" is not named in the verse. The chapter's struggle is between a king of the north and a king of the south, who is tied to Egypt (11:8, 11:42). That struggle passes through "the glorious land" (11:16, 11:41). Daniel 11:24Daniel 11:8Daniel 11:16Daniel 11:41Daniel 11:42
The eventsThe verse foretells these events but does not date them. In the chapter they come after the Persian kings, and after the great king's kingdom is broken and divided toward the four winds. Daniel 11:2Daniel 11:3Daniel 11:4Daniel 11:21Daniel 11:24
WrittenTraditional: written by Daniel in the 500s BC; the book's events run to the third year of Cyrus, about 536 BC. Scholarly: many critical scholars date the final form to about 167-164 BC under Antiochus IV, because chapter 11 is so detailed. Others hold the 500s BC date, citing Jesus' words in Matthew 24:15. Daniel overview
HereThe verse exposes how this ruler gains power: by stealth, gifts and scheming rather than by honest right. That matches his rise "by flatteries" (11:21) and his deceit after a league (11:23). Daniel 11:21Daniel 11:23Daniel 11:24
In the whole of Scripture"Even for a time" sets a limit on his plans. The chapter repeats that the end comes "at the time appointed" (11:27, 11:29, 11:35). This echoes the book's theme that "the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men." Daniel 11:24Daniel 11:27Daniel 11:29Daniel 11:35Daniel overview
For readersThis same ruler later corrupts "such as do wickedly against the covenant" by flatteries. Against that, "the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits" (11:32). Daniel 11:32Daniel 11:21
Christians read this differently
The verse does not name this ruler, and no cited Scripture does. Many Christians read 11:21-35 as a king of the north already fulfilled in history, one of the kings that followed the breakup of the great kingdom (11:4). Others also see in him a pattern of the final enemy of the saints in Daniel 7:25, especially as the chapter moves toward "the time of the end" (11:35, 11:40). Daniel 11:4Daniel 11:21Daniel 11:35Daniel 11:40Daniel 7:25
- peaceablyשַׁלְוָה
The word means quietness, ease or prosperity. He enters in a time of ease, without open war, which fits his peaceful entry in 11:21. Strong's H7962Daniel 11:21
- fattest placesמִשְׁמָן
The word means fertile spots or places. He targets the richest land, like the "fat land" of Nehemiah 9:25. Strong's H4924BNehemiah 9:25
- scatterבָּזַר
The word means to scatter or disperse. He spreads the plunder among the people rather than keeping it. Strong's H0967Daniel 11:24
- devicesמַחֲשָׁבָה
The word means thought, device, plan or purpose. The same scheming language returns in 11:25, where "they shall forecast devices" against the king of the south. Strong's H4284Strong's H2803IDaniel 11:25
- timeעֵת
The word means time, the time of an event. "Even for a time" fits the chapter's repeated "time appointed" (11:27, 11:35), a limit set on his plans. Strong's H6256Daniel 11:27Daniel 11:35
Takeaway
A ruler may rise by quiet scheming and gifts, but his plans last only "for a time." The end is fixed "at the time appointed" (11:27), for the most High rules. Daniel 11:24Daniel 11:27Daniel overview
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in quietness | בְּשַׁלְוָ֞ה | be-shal-VAH | H7962 | easeשַׁלְוָה (shal.vah) quietness, ease, prosperity Aramaic equivalent: she.le.vah (שְׁלֵוָה "ease" H7963) |
| and in [the] fertile places of | וּבְמִשְׁמַנֵּ֣י | uv-mish-ma-NEI | H4924B | fatnessמִשְׁמָן (mish.man) 1a) stout, vigorous 1b) fertile spots or places |
| [the] province | מְדִינָה֮ | me-di-NAH | H4082 | provinceמְדִינָה (me.di.nah) 1) province, district 1a) district 1b) province Aramaic equivalent: me.di.nah (מְדִינָה "province" H4083) |
| he will come | יָבוֹא֒ | ya-VO' | 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 |
| and he will do | וְעָשָׂ֗ה | ve-'a-SAH | H6213A | to make: doעָשָׂה (a.sah) : do/perform 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made |
| [that] which | אֲשֶׁ֨ר | 'a-SHER | H0834A | whichאֲשֶׁר (a.sher) A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when |
| not | לֹא־ | 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) |
| they did | עָשׂ֤וּ | 'a-SU | H6213A | to make: doעָשָׂה (a.sah) : do/perform 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made |
| ancestors his | אֲבֹתָיו֙ | 'a-vo-TAV | H0001G | fatherאָב (av) 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002) |
| and [the] ancestors of | וַאֲב֣וֹת | va-'a-VOT | H0001G | fatherאָב (av) 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002) |
| ancestors his | אֲבֹתָ֔יו | 'a-vo-TAV | H0001G | fatherאָב (av) 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002) |
| plunder | בִּזָּ֧ה | bi-ZAH | H0961 | plunderבִּזָּה (biz.zah) spoil, booty |
| and booty | וְשָׁלָ֛ל | ve-sha-LAL | H7998 | spoilשָׁלָל (sha.lal) 1) prey, plunder, spoil, booty 1a) prey 1b) booty, spoil, plunder (of war) 1c) plunder (private) 1d) gain (meaning uncertain) |
| and property | וּרְכ֖וּשׁ | u-re-KHUSH | H7399 | propertyרְכוּשׁ (re.khush) 1) property, goods, possessions 1a) property, goods 1a1) general term for all movable goods 1a2) of livestock 1a3) of stores, utensils, etc |
| he will scatter | יִבְז֑וֹר | yiv-ZOR | H0967 | to scatterבָּזַר (ba.zar) 1) to scatter, disperse 1a) (Qal) to scatter 1b) (Piel) to scatter |
| and on | וְעַ֧ל | ve-'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) … |
| strongholds | מִבְצָרִ֛ים | miv-tza-RIM | H4013 | fortificationמִבְצָר (miv.tsar) fortification, fortress, fortified city, stronghold |
| he will plan | יְחַשֵּׁ֥ב | ye-cha-SHEV | H2803I | to devise: designחָשַׁב (cha.shav) : design/skillful 1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to think, account 1a2) to plan, devise, mean 1a3) to charge, impute, reckon 1a4) to esteem, value, regard 1a5) to invent 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed 1b2) to be computed, be reckoned 1b3) to be imputed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to think upon, consider, be mindful of 1c2) to think to do, devise, plan 1c3) to count, reckon 1d) (Hithpael) to be considered |
| plans his | מַחְשְׁבֹתָ֖יו | mach-she-vo-TAV | H4284 | plotמַחֲשָׁבָה (ma.cha.sha.vah) 1) thought, device 1a) thought 1b) device, plan, purpose 1c) invention |
| and until | וְעַד־ | ve-'ad- | H5704 | tillעַד (ad) prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705) |
| a time | עֵֽת׃ | 'Et | H6256 | timeעֵת (et) 1) time 1a) time (of an event) 1b) time (usual) 1c) experiences, fortunes 1d) occurrence, occasion |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.