King James Version

What Does Daniel 11:24 Mean?

Daniel 11:24 in the King James Version says “He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not d...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. peaceably: or, into the peaceable and fat, etc forecast: Heb. think his thoughts”

Daniel 11:24 · KJV

Context

22

And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.

23

And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.

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. peaceably: or, into the peaceable and fat, etc forecast: Heb. think his thoughts

25

And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.

26

Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.

Read Daniel 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Antiochus entered peaceful provinces, distributed plunder to gain loyalty—tactics unprecedented among his predecessors. His campaign strategies and political maneuvering fulfilled predictions precisely. The 'for a time' indicates temporary success before eventual downfall.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Daniel chapter 11 contains some of Scripture's most detailed predictive prophecy, written c. 536 BC and fulfilled with remarkable precision 200-160 BC during Ptolemaic-Seleucid conflicts. The prophecies served multiple purposes: encouraging Jewish exiles that God controls history, providing roadmap for future generations facing Hellenistic pressures, and typologically pointing to end-times Antichrist. Reformed theology sees dual fulfillment: near historical events (Antiochus Epiphanes) typifying far eschatological realities (final Antichrist). This pattern validates divine inspiration—only God knows future details with such precision. For believers under persecution, these prophecies demonstrated that tyrannical opposition is temporary, God's sovereignty absolute, and ultimate victory certain. The historical fulfillment encourages trust that eschatological promises will similarly fulfill exactly as prophesied.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the remarkable precision of fulfilled prophecy strengthen faith in Scripture's divine origin?
  2. What does the dual fulfillment pattern (historical Antiochus typifying eschatological Antichrist) teach about biblical prophecy's layered meaning?
  3. How should these prophecies encourage believers facing persecution or opposition today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
בְּשַׁלְוָ֞ה1 of 22

“peaceably”

H7962

security (genuine or false)

וּבְמִשְׁמַנֵּ֣י2 of 22

“even upon the fattest places”

H4924

fat, i.e., (literally and abstractly) fatness; but usually (figuratively and concretely) a rich dish, a fertile field, a robust man

מְדִינָה֮3 of 22

“of the province”

H4082

properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region

יָבוֹא֒4 of 22

“He shall enter”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עָשׂ֤וּ5 of 22

“and he shall do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֲשֶׁ֨ר6 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹא7 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עָשׂ֤וּ8 of 22

“and he shall do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֲבֹתָ֔יו9 of 22

“fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֲבֹתָ֔יו10 of 22

“fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֲבֹתָ֔יו11 of 22

“fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

בִּזָּ֧ה12 of 22

“among them the prey”

H961

booty

וְשָׁלָ֛ל13 of 22

“and spoil”

H7998

booty

וּרְכ֖וּשׁ14 of 22

“and riches”

H7399

property (as gathered)

לָהֶ֣ם15 of 22
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

יִבְז֑וֹר16 of 22

“he shall scatter”

H967

to disperse

וְעַ֧ל17 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִבְצָרִ֛ים18 of 22

“against the strong holds”

H4013

a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender

יְחַשֵּׁ֥ב19 of 22

“yea and he shall forecast”

H2803

properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou

מַחְשְׁבֹתָ֖יו20 of 22

“his devices”

H4284

a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)

וְעַד21 of 22
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עֵֽת׃22 of 22

“even for a time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 11:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 11:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 38:10Proverbs 17:8Daniel 7:25Judges 9:4Proverbs 23:7Proverbs 19:6

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