Daniel 11:21 (jan 1, 175 BC – dec 31, 175 BC)

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Dan 11:21  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. 

Antiochus IV Epiphanes:
The “contemptible person” mentioned in this verse is Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

The term “contemptible” is significant because Antiochus IV was widely seen as a scoundrel by many of his contemporaries. He was not the rightful heir to the throne—Seleucus IV’s son, Demetrius I Soter, should have been the king. However, Demetrius was held hostage in Rome, which gave Antiochus IV an opportunity.

Antiochus IV was the younger brother of Seleucus IV and was not expected to take the throne. But he used flattery and political maneuvering to gain the support of the court, eventually seizing power in 175 BCE.

"To whom royal majesty has not been given":
Antiochus IV's rise to power was unconventional—he was not the rightful heir to the throne. However, through manipulation and intrigue, he managed to secure the throne and was declared king.

He took the title “Epiphanes”, meaning "God Manifest," a title that caused great offense to many, especially in Jerusalem, as it was considered blasphemous.

"He shall come in without warning":
Antiochus IV's rise to power was unexpected and happened rapidly, as the prophecy suggests. He was able to seize control without much resistance, largely because Rome was preoccupied with other matters and because of his cunning political alliances.

"He shall obtain the kingdom by flatteries":
Antiochus used flattery and diplomacy to win the favor of the court and the people. His charm and persuasive rhetoric allowed him to outmaneuver his rivals, including Heliodorus, who had initially assassinated Seleucus IV and wanted to take the throne for himself.

He won favor with various factions in the Seleucid court, including the influential military commanders and elites.

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