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Daniel 11:20

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Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes [in] the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.

Then shall stand up {H5975} in his estate {H3653} a raiser {H5674} of taxes {H5065} in the glory {H1925} of the kingdom {H4438}: but within few {H259} days {H3117} he shall be destroyed {H7665}, neither in anger {H639}, nor in battle {H4421}.

"In his place will arise one who will send a tax collector through the Glorious Kingdom; but within a few days, he will be broken, though neither in anger nor in battle.

In 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.

Then shall stand up in his place one that shall cause an exactor to pass through the glory of the kingdom; but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.

Commentary

Daniel 11:20 continues the detailed prophetic vision concerning the succession of kings, specifically following Antiochus III ("the king of the North" from previous verses). This particular verse describes a successor whose reign would be notably defined by financial exaction and an ignominious end.

Historical and Cultural Context

Scholars widely interpret this verse as referring to Seleucus IV Philopator, the son and direct successor of Antiochus III the Great. He ruled the Seleucid Empire from 187 BC to 175 BC. His father's defeat by the Romans had imposed a heavy war indemnity, placing a significant financial burden on the kingdom. Consequently, Seleucus IV's reign was largely consumed by the need to gather revenue, making him literally "a raiser of taxes" (Hebrew: noges mas, an exactor of tribute).

The phrase "in the glory of the kingdom" acknowledges that he inherited a powerful, though financially strained, empire. Despite its past military achievements, his primary focus became the collection of tribute and taxes to meet Roman demands and stabilize his kingdom. His death, described as "within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle," accurately reflects his relatively short reign (11 years) and his assassination by his chief minister, Heliodorus, rather than falling in warfare or a popular uprising.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty Over History: The precise fulfillment of these prophecies in Daniel 11 powerfully demonstrates God's absolute control over human history, including the rise and fall of empires and individual rulers (as seen in Daniel 2:21).
  • Fleeting Nature of Earthly Power: Despite inheriting a glorious kingdom, Seleucus IV's reign was brief and ended abruptly through treachery. This highlights the transient and often precarious nature of worldly power and ambition.
  • Consequences of Material Focus: The description of him as a "raiser of taxes" points to a ruler whose primary concern was financial accumulation, perhaps overshadowing other aspects of leadership or military strength, ultimately leading to a weak end.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "raiser of taxes" is noges mas, which literally means "one who causes tribute to pass over" or "an exactor of tribute," aptly describing Seleucus IV's financial policies. The term "destroyed" (Hebrew: yishaber) can mean "broken" or "shattered," implying a decisive and often violent end, perfectly fitting for an assassination.

Practical Application

For believers today, Daniel 11:20 serves as a profound reminder that God's intricate plan unfolds throughout history, even in the specific details of secular rulers and their reigns. It encourages us to:

  • Trust in God's Ultimate Control: Regardless of current political or economic conditions, God remains sovereign over all nations and leaders, working out His divine purposes (Proverbs 21:1).
  • Recognize Earthly Transience: The pursuit of wealth and power, even when achieved, is ultimately temporary and subject to God's decree. Our ultimate hope and security should not be placed in earthly kingdoms or financial stability, but in eternal treasures (Matthew 6:19-21).
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 60:17 (3 votes)

    For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.

  • Daniel 11:7 (2 votes)

    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:

  • Daniel 11:21 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • Deuteronomy 15:2 (2 votes)

    And this [is] the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth [ought] unto his neighbour shall release [it]; he shall not exact [it] of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD'S release.

  • Deuteronomy 15:3 (2 votes)

    Of a foreigner thou mayest exact [it again]: but [that] which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release;

  • 2 Kings 23:35 (2 votes)

    And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give [it] unto Pharaohnechoh.

  • Proverbs 30:33 (2 votes)

    Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.