The Bible Says
Daniel 11:20-28 Meaning

In Daniel 11:20-28, the angel tells Daniel of the aftermath of Antiochus III’s death (“he will stumble and fall and be found no more-Daniel 11:19), Daniel’s vision introduces yet another ruler in the Seleucid realm. History tells us that upon the death of Antiochus III in 187 BC, the throne passed to his son, Seleucus IV Philopator. According to the prophecy, then in his place one will arise who will send an oppressor through the Jewel of his kingdom; yet within a few days he will be shattered, though not in anger nor in battle (v. 20).

By sending an oppressor (v. 20), Seleucus IV sought desperately to pay crushing protectionary bribes to Rome, imposed after his father’s defeat. The term the Jewel of his kingdom (v. 20) hints that this oppressor (often identified as Heliodorus) was dispatched to collect hefty taxes from the richest provinces, including the Beautiful Land (Israel). That he will be shattered (v. 20) fits with historical records showing that Seleucus IV’s rule abruptly ended-assassinated by poison in 175 BC, not in anger nor in battle (v. 20), but through internal court schemes.

Such rapid turnover again highlights the unsettled atmosphere in the Seleucid court. Powerful rulers and their oppressive tax policies do not escape God’s scrutiny; they appear powerful for a moment, only to be removed in a blink. Throughout Scripture, God warns that prideful rulers who exploit their people for earthly gain face swift accountability (Habakkuk 2:6-8). Even the mightiest king must reckon with the divine timetable. Like Antiochus III before him, Seleucus IV discovered that no amount of wealth or cunning can shield a kingdom from God’s sovereign decrees.

For believers, this account also reminds us that God is not indifferent to exploitation. While the Jewel of his kingdom (v. 20) was the Seleucid realm’s most prized region (including Judea), it was also precious because it encompassed the covenant land. Though the people there often suffered through heavy tributes and the meddling of foreign rulers, the Lord would continue His overarching plan for Israel. As we see repeatedly in Daniel, no oppressive scheme can thwart God’s ultimate design of redemption.

When Seleucus IV’s brief rule ended, 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 (v. 21). This despicable person (v. 21) is Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a pivotal figure also described in Daniel 8:9-12. He was never the rightful heir, since the throne should have passed to Seleucus IV’s son. But by manipulating internal chaos and bribing influential supporters, he seized the kingdom by intrigue (v. 21). True to the prophecy, Antiochus IV’s cunning rather than open warfare installed him as Seleucid king around 175 BC.

The phrase the honor of kingship has not been conferred (v. 21) underscores that his ascent lacked legal foundation. He was a usurper, exploiting the turmoil of court politics. The Seleucid Empire was riddled with assassinations and sudden reversals. Antiochus IV’s emergence perfectly fits this disruptive environment. While he would claim the name Epiphanes (“God manifest”), he was destined to meet a divine judgment (Daniel 8:25).

Daniel’s angelic messenger continues: The overflowing forces will be flooded away before him and shattered, and also the prince of the covenant (v. 22). Once enthroned, Antiochus IV rapidly brought his power to bear, crushing any who opposed him. The overflowing forces (v. 22) evokes an image of his armies overwhelming his foes like a flash flood. Secular historians attest to his military acumen, especially in dealing with remaining Ptolemaic influence and internal rebellions.

The phrase and also the prince of the covenant (v. 22) likely refers to a high-ranking official or leader who had an agreement with Antiochus IV, or it may allude to Ptolemy VI of Egypt (sometimes described as the “covenant” king allied with Antiochus under duress). Antiochus IV negotiated covenants only to betray them when it suited his ambition. This prince of the covenant found himself flooded away (v. 22)-either politically neutralized or militarily defeated-demonstrating that alliances with a tyrant often lead to ruin.

For God’s people, the mention of the covenant carries sobering undertones. During Antiochus IV’s reign, many among the Jewish elite compromised with Hellenistic policies, hoping to secure favor. Yet as the prophecy implies, those who placed their trust in Antiochus’s promises discovered he was the despicable person (v. 21) who had no qualms turning on them. Spiritually, it warns of the folly in yoking ourselves to worldly powers rather than seeking the steadfast covenant God offers (2 Corinthians 6:14-16).

We then read, After an alliance is made with him he will practice deception, and he will go up and gain power with a small force of people (v. 23). Antiochus IV’s hallmark was intrigue (v. 21) and deception (v. 23). Even when entering alliances-such as treaties with influential Jewish leaders or negotiations with Egypt-he always preserved his own ambition above all. Often, he exploited any agreement to infiltrate and subvert from within. His conquests frequently began with minimal forces, relying on surprise or local collaborators to install him in power before the opposition realized what had occurred.

The Seleucid realm was rife with betrayal and counter-betrayal. Antiochus IV thrived on it, using a small force (v. 23) of loyal mercenaries and advisors to assert control. This matches historical anecdotes describing how Antiochus initially advanced with fewer troops, relying on cunning to outmaneuver larger armies. Once established, he would expand through intimidation.

From a biblical standpoint, the phrase he will practice deception is a warning: deception is a prime weapon of those influenced by satanic methods (John 8:44). Antiochus IV’s success through trickery underscores how spiritual warfare often hides behind political ambition. The Apostle Paul later wrote about the “schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11), indicating that manipulative tactics are not merely historical footnotes but remain a key threat to those who follow God’s truth.

Continuing the prophecy, Daniel hears: In a time of tranquility he will enter the richest parts of the realm, and he will accomplish what his fathers never did…he will distribute plunder, booty, and possessions among them, and he will devise his schemes against strongholds, but only for a time (v. 24).

Ancient accounts confirm that Antiochus IV launched unexpected maneuvers in a time of tranquility (v. 24), catching rivals off-guard. He seized the richest parts of the realm, harnessing wealth to curry favor among supporters, handing out lavish gifts-plunder, booty, and possessions (v. 24)-to secure loyalty.

This approach differed from earlier Seleucid or Ptolemaic monarchs, who more typically relied on well-established networks of nobility. Antiochus accomplished what his fathers never did (v. 24) by redistributing wealth in ways that won him a devoted following, a tactic reminiscent of how unscrupulous leaders throughout history have bought political power. Yet the verse clarifies that these gains would be only for a time (v. 24); any empire built on corruption and bribes is not firmly established.

For Israel, this momentary time of tranquility looked like relief from constant warfare, yet it would soon give way to even greater trouble. No matter how generous or charismatic a tyrant appears initially, a corrupt foundation yields destructive fruit. God’s Word teaches that the blessings of genuine peace come through righteousness, not bribery or robbery (Psalm 37:10-11).

The prophet next learns that he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South with a large army (v. 25). True to historical accounts, Antiochus IV staged renewed offensives against Egypt. The king of the South (v. 25) was Ptolemy VI, who initially faced Antiochus in the wake of repeated Seleucid aggression. Antiochus stirred up his strength and courage (v. 25), marshaling a formidable force to push further into Ptolemaic lands.

Military campaigns in Hellenistic times often featured vast infantry and cavalry, sometimes accompanied by war elephants. The large army (v. 25) would have dwarfed many city-states, underscoring the might of a unified Seleucid front. Yet the prophecy in Daniel demonstrates that these powerful legions did not guarantee permanent victory. Rather, they moved at God’s allowance, and He alone determined the boundaries of their success (Daniel 2:21).

Even as the conflict escalated, God’s covenant people in Judea remained caught in the crosshairs of these two feuding powers. Many Jews attempted to navigate alliances for survival. The repeated lesson of Daniel, however, is that human alliances can fail, while trust in the Lord’s sovereignty endures. Antiochus’s unstoppable push south foreshadows future oppression in Judea, leading ultimately to the Maccabean revolts (167-160 BC).

Verse 26 reveals: Those who eat his choice food will destroy him, and his army will overflow, but many will fall down slain (v. 26). Within the Ptolemaic court, those who eat his choice food (v. 26)-the king’s own advisors-secretly betrayed him. In Egyptian power circles, court intrigues and shifting allegiances were rampant, allowing Antiochus IV to exploit dissension in the highest ranks. This betrayal ensured that his army (the Ptolemaic forces) would overflow in defeat, leading to significant casualties.

Such intrigues echo earlier verses, where Daniel notes how repeated betrayals and deceptions shaped the entire Hellenistic period. The lesson is that no amount of external fortification can withstand internal treachery. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that destructive plots often spring from closest confidants (Psalm 41:9).

Finally, the prophecy addresses diplomatic maneuvering: As for both kings, their hearts will be intent on evil, and they will speak lies to each other at the same table… but it will not succeed, for the end is still to come at the appointed time (v. 27). The two kings (v. 27) are Antiochus IV and Ptolemy VI, who-after initial hostilities-sat down to negotiate. Each used false promises, hoping to gain advantage. Indeed, ancient records show that both sides routinely broke treaties, forging alliances that were never truly honored.

Yet Scripture clarifies that it will not succeed. No matter how cunning, any plan built on deceit fails to thwart divine sovereignty. These forced agreements often collapsed, revealing again that the end is still to come at the appointed time (v. 27). While Antiochus IV and Ptolemy VI believed they held the keys to their nations’ destinies, God ultimately controlled the outcomes, and the Messiah’s arrival was still centuries ahead on God’s redemptive timeline (Galatians 4:4).

Concluding this section, the angelic messenger states: Then he will return to his land with much plunder; but his heart will be set against the holy covenant, and he will take action and then return to his own land (v. 28). Having extracted wealth or tribute, Antiochus IV journeys back with much plunder (v. 28), flaunting his spoils of war. But crucially, his heart will be set against the holy covenant (v. 28), indicating that on his way home, he imposes persecution and sacrilege upon the Jewish faith. Historical sources (1 and 2 Maccabees) recount how Antiochus disrupted the temple service, seized sacred items, and sowed violence in Jerusalem.

The phrase he will take action (v. 28) reveals that Antiochus IV’s oppressive measures accelerated tensions in Judea. This oppression set the stage for the Maccabean Revolt in 167 BC, when faithful Jews resisted Hellenistic decrees that banned core practices of their covenant and faith. Antiochus’s aggression against Jewish worship was indeed a turning point, foreshadowing the “abomination of desolation” (Daniel 11:31) he would later inflict upon the temple.

Despite his might, Antiochus IV’s story ends as just another fallen tyrant within the grand tapestry of Scripture, pointing forward to the ultimate King whose covenant blessings will never be trampled (Isaiah 9:6-7). True covenant faithfulness stands in stark contrast to this king’s treachery, urging readers then and now to cling to God’s promises rather than fear the violence of momentary empires.