Daniel 11:34

KJV

Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now when they shall fall {H3782}, they shall be holpen {H5826} with a little {H4592} help {H5828}: but many {H7227} shall cleave {H3867} to them with flatteries {H2519}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When they stumble, they will receive a little help, although many who join them will be insincere.

Berean Standard Bible

Now when they fall, they will be granted a little help, but many will join them insincerely.

American Standard Version

Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a little help; but many shall join themselves unto them with flatteries.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 11:34 describes a pivotal moment for God's faithful people during a period of intense tribulation, likely referring to the persecution under Antiochus IV Epiphanes. It prophesies that while they will suffer greatly and "fall," they will receive a "little help" – a limited but divinely ordained assistance that sustains them rather than fully delivering them from hardship. The verse also warns against the deceptive nature of false allies who will "cleave to them with flatteries," highlighting the importance of discernment amidst external pressures and internal vulnerabilities.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 11 is a remarkable chapter, often called the "Apocalypse of History," due to its incredibly detailed and accurate prophecy spanning from the Persian Empire through the Hellenistic period. Verses 2-35 specifically focus on the conflicts between the "King of the North" (Seleucid dynasty) and the "King of the South" (Ptolemaic dynasty), culminating in the rise and actions of a particularly malicious ruler, widely identified as Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Daniel 11:34 follows a description of this king's tyrannical actions against the covenant people, including his defilement of the temple and suppression of true worship (see [Daniel 11:30-32](/daniel/11-30-32 "Daniel 11:30-32 - The King's Actions Against the Covenant")). The preceding verse, [Daniel 11:33](/daniel/11-33 "Daniel 11:33 - The Wise Who Instruct Many"), speaks of "those who understand" (the faithful Jews) who will instruct many despite suffering persecution, imprisonment, and death. Verse 34 then elaborates on the nature of the "help" they receive and the challenges posed by insincere supporters. The subsequent verses continue to describe the king's ultimate demise and the eschatological hope for God's people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Daniel 11:34 is the turbulent period of the Maccabean Revolt (c. 167-160 BC). Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid monarch, sought to Hellenize his empire, including Judea, by force. He outlawed Jewish religious practices, desecrated the Jerusalem Temple by sacrificing a pig on its altar and erecting an idol of Zeus, and brutally persecuted those who resisted. This era saw widespread martyrdom among faithful Jews who refused to abandon their covenant with God. The "little help" mentioned in the verse is often interpreted as a reference to the Maccabean Revolt, led by Mattathias and his sons, which provided a temporary reprieve and restored Jewish autonomy, though it did not eliminate all suffering or fully usher in the promised kingdom. Culturally, the concept of "flatteries" was well understood in ancient courts and political maneuvering, where insincere alliances and deceptive rhetoric were common tools for gaining influence or betraying rivals.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Daniel and biblical prophecy. Firstly, it highlights the **persecution and endurance of the faithful remnant** during times of intense tribulation, underscoring that loyalty to God often comes at a great cost. Secondly, it emphasizes **divine sovereignty and sustaining grace**, even when God's intervention appears limited or delayed; the "little help" signifies that God never completely abandons His people, providing just enough strength to persevere. This resonates with the broader theme of God's faithfulness to His covenant, even in the darkest hours, as seen in the preservation of Israel through various exiles and oppressions. Thirdly, the warning about "flatteries" introduces the theme of **discernment and spiritual purity**, cautioning against superficial alliances and opportunistic individuals who may feign support for ulterior motives, a theme also present in the New Testament warnings against false teachers and hypocrites (e.g., [Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - Beware of False Prophets")). The entire chapter reinforces the theme of God's detailed knowledge and control over human history, even the most chaotic and oppressive periods, ultimately leading to the establishment of His eternal kingdom, a concept powerfully articulated in [Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Kingdom Endures Forever").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fall (Hebrew, _kâshal'_):** This word, H3782, means "to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall." In this context, it vividly describes the severe suffering, defeat, and even martyrdom experienced by the faithful. It conveys not just physical falling, but also a spiritual or communal stumbling under intense pressure and persecution.
* **holpen (Hebrew, _ʻâzar'_):** H5826, a primitive root meaning "to surround, i.e. protect or aid; help, succour." The archaic English "holpen" means "helped" or "assisted." The Hebrew implies a protective aid, a surrounding support, even if the extent of that help is qualified as "little" (H4592, _mᵉʻaṭ_). This suggests that God's assistance is sufficient to sustain, even if it doesn't bring immediate or complete liberation from suffering.
* **flatteries (Hebrew, _chălaqlaqqâh'_):** H2519, derived from a root meaning "smooth." It signifies "something very smooth; i.e. a treacherous spot; figuratively, blandishment; flattery, slippery." This term powerfully conveys the deceptive, insincere, and potentially dangerous nature of the support offered by these "many." Their words are smooth and appealing, but their motives are impure, and their allegiance is unreliable, akin to standing on slippery ground.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now when they shall fall":** This phrase anticipates a period of severe tribulation and defeat for the faithful, encompassing suffering, persecution, and even death. It acknowledges the reality of hardship that God's people will face, indicating that their steadfastness will be tested to its limits, leading to apparent weakness or downfall in the eyes of the world.
* **"they shall be holpen with a little help":** Despite the intense suffering, this clause offers a glimmer of hope, indicating that divine assistance will be provided. The qualification "a little help" is crucial; it suggests that the help will not be a complete or overwhelming victory that removes all suffering, but rather a limited, perhaps temporary, or sustaining aid. This "little help" could refer to the Maccabean Revolt's partial success or God's internal strengthening of believers to endure. It emphasizes God's faithfulness to preserve a remnant, even if the external circumstances remain challenging.
* **"but many shall cleave to them with flatteries":** This contrasting clause introduces a new danger, not from the persecutor, but from within or alongside the community of the faithful. "Many" will join them, but their allegiance is not genuine. "Cleave" (H3867, _lâvâh_) means "to unite, to remain," but when paired with "flatteries," it implies a superficial, opportunistic, or even treacherous attachment. These individuals are motivated by self-interest, seeking personal gain, protection, or influence, rather than true conviction or solidarity with the persecuted. This warns against false brethren and the need for discernment.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 11:34 employs several potent literary devices. The primary device is **Prophecy**, as the entire chapter meticulously foretells future historical events, demonstrating God's sovereign control over human affairs. The phrase "a little help" functions as **Understatement** or **Litotes**, emphasizing that while the help is not a grand, overwhelming deliverance, it is nonetheless real and divinely provided, sufficient for endurance. The use of "flatteries" is a form of **Metaphor** or **Imagery**, where smooth words are likened to "slippery things" (as per the Hebrew root), conveying the deceptive and treacherous nature of insincere support. This imagery evokes a sense of instability and danger, warning against those whose words are appealing but whose intentions are impure. The contrast between the "fall" and the "little help," followed by the deceptive "flatteries," creates a powerful **Juxtaposition**, highlighting the multifaceted challenges faced by the faithful—external persecution combined with internal betrayal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 11:34 offers profound theological insights into the nature of suffering, divine providence, and the purity of the church. It teaches that God's people are not exempt from intense trials and persecution; indeed, faithfulness may often lead to it. However, it simultaneously affirms God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, providing sufficient grace and "help" to sustain them through their darkest hours, even if that help does not immediately remove the suffering. This "little help" underscores a theology of divine sufficiency in weakness, where God's power is made perfect precisely when human strength falters. Furthermore, the warning against "flatteries" highlights the ever-present danger of hypocrisy and false allegiance within or around the community of faith, emphasizing the critical need for spiritual discernment and integrity, especially during times of crisis when opportunistic individuals may seek to exploit the vulnerable or gain advantage.

* [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Grace is Sufficient")
* [Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - Beware of False Prophets")
* [Galatians 2:4](/galatians/2-4 "Galatians 2:4 - False Brethren")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 11:34 serves as a timeless mirror for believers navigating adversity in any age. It reminds us that suffering is often an integral part of the faithful walk, not an indicator of God's absence. In our own trials, whether personal, communal, or societal, we are called to endure, trusting that God's "little help"—His sustaining grace, the comfort of His Spirit, the support of true brethren, or unexpected reprieves—is always sufficient. This verse also sharpens our spiritual discernment, urging us to be wary of those who offer support with insincere motives. In an era of performative allyship and superficial connections, the call to identify genuine solidarity from opportunistic "flatteries" is more crucial than ever. It challenges us to examine our own motives: do we "cleave" to Christ and His people out of genuine conviction and love, or for personal gain, social acceptance, or fleeting comfort? True faith is demonstrated in steadfastness and integrity, not in seeking advantage or compromising truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways have I experienced "a little help" from God during times of personal or communal "falling" or hardship?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment to recognize "flatteries" or insincere alliances in my life and community?**
* **Am I willing to endure suffering for my faith, trusting in God's sufficient grace, even when complete deliverance is not immediately apparent?**
* **What does it mean for me to "cleave" to Christ and His people with genuine, unwavering commitment, even when it is costly?**

### FAQ

**What is the "little help" mentioned in Daniel 11:34?**

Answer: The "little help" refers to a limited but divinely provided assistance that God's faithful people would receive during a period of intense persecution, specifically under Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Historically, many scholars interpret this as a reference to the Maccabean Revolt (c. 167-160 BC). While the Maccabean uprising did not bring a complete end to all Jewish suffering or fully usher in the messianic kingdom, it did provide a significant, albeit temporary, reprieve, allowing for the rededication of the Temple (celebrated as Hanukkah) and a period of Jewish autonomy. The phrase emphasizes that God's aid is sufficient to sustain His people through trials, even if it doesn't remove the trials entirely, reinforcing the theme of God's sustaining grace found throughout Scripture, such as in [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Grace is Sufficient").

**Who are the "many" who "cleave to them with flatteries"?**

Answer: These "many" represent individuals who would outwardly associate with the persecuted faithful, but whose motives were insincere and opportunistic. They might offer superficial support, feign allegiance, or join the group for personal gain, protection, or social advantage, rather than out of genuine conviction or solidarity with God's covenant. This warning highlights the danger of hypocrisy and false brethren within or around the community of faith, a theme echoed in the New Testament warnings against those who would infiltrate the church with deceptive intentions (e.g., [Galatians 2:4](/galatians/2-4 "Galatians 2:4 - False Brethren") or [2 Peter 2:1-3](/2_peter/2-1-3 "2 Peter 2:1-3 - False Teachers and Their Destructive Doctrines")). Their "flatteries" are smooth, deceptive words designed to mislead or exploit.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 11:34, while rooted in the historical struggles of God's people under Antiochus Epiphanes, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, and in the experience of His Church. The "falling" of God's people foreshadows the ultimate "falling" of Christ on the cross, where He bore the full weight of sin and suffering, appearing utterly defeated in the eyes of the world (as described in [Isaiah 53:3-5](/isaiah/53-3-5 "Isaiah 53:3-5 - The Suffering Servant")). Yet, it was precisely through this ultimate "fall" that the "little help" of God's salvific plan was fully realized. The resurrection of Jesus was the decisive "help," not a complete removal of suffering from the world, but the ultimate victory over sin and death, providing eternal sustenance and hope for all who believe (see [1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ's Resurrection, the Firstfruits")). Furthermore, the warning about "flatteries" resonates deeply in the New Covenant, where Jesus Himself warned against false prophets and those who would claim allegiance but whose hearts were far from Him (e.g., [Matthew 7:21-23](/matthew/7-21-23 "Matthew 7:21-23 - Not Everyone Who Says 'Lord, Lord'")). The Church, as the body of Christ, continues to experience both periods of "falling" through persecution and trials (as detailed in [Revelation 2:8-10](/revelation/2-8-10 "Revelation 2:8-10 - Smyrna's Persecution")) and the "little help" of the Holy Spirit's sustaining power (as promised in [John 14:16-18](/john/14-16-18 "John 14:16-18 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")), ensuring its perseverance until Christ's glorious return, when all suffering will finally cease (see [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 16:18

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Matthew 7:15

¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

1 John 4:1

¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Acts 20:29

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Acts 20:30

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

2 Peter 2:18

For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

2 Peter 2:19

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.