Daniel 11:38

38 But instead, he will honor the god of strongholds; with gold, silver, precious stones and other costly things he will honor a god unknown to his ancestors.

Daniel 11:38 Meaning and Commentary

Daniel 11:38

But in his estate shall he honour the god of forces
Or god Mahuzzim F17; departed saints and their images, whom the Papists make their protectors, defenders, and guardians: the word signifies towers, strong holds, fortresses; and by these titles the martyrs, saints departed, are called by the ancient fathers, who first introduced the worship of them: So Basil F18, speaking of the forty martyrs, says,

``these are they, who obtaining our country, like certain towers, afford us a refuge against the incursion of enemies:''
and a little after thus addresses them,
``O ye common keepers of mankind, the best companions of our cares, the suffragans of our prayers and wishes, "most powerful" ambassadors with God:''
and elsewhere F19 he prays,
``that God would keep the church unmoved, and fortified with the great towers of the martyrs;''
so Chrysostom F20 calls them patrons and protectors. Or, "with God he shall honour" F21; these along with him, or besides him; these shall be the objects of religious worship and honour, as they are: and that "in his estate"; or in his room and stead, that is, of the true God, our Lord Jesus Christ, the only Mediator between God and man; and yet angels and departed saints are set up as mediators in his stead: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour;
the host, the wafer, the breaden god, made a god by the words of a muttering priest; this is such a god as the apostles, and Peter particularly, from whom the popes of Rome pretend to, derive their succession, never knew, nor once dreamed of; and yet this is received as a god, bowed unto, and worshipped, and honoured: with gold, silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things;
with rich and costly ornaments, with which the pyxis or box, in which it is carried in procession, is adorned.
FOOTNOTES:

F17 (Myzem hwhlalw) "deum Mahuzim", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus.
F18 Homil. in 40. Martyr. p. 151.
F19 Homil. de Martyr. Mamant. p. 167.
F20 Sermo in Berenice, Homil. l. in 1 Thess. See Mede's Works, B. 3. p. 673, 674.
F21 "Ad, [vel] juxta deum Mahuzzimos in sede ejus honorabit", Medus, p. 667, 671.

Daniel 11:38 In-Context

36 "The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt himself and consider himself greater than any god, and he will utter monstrous blasphemies against the God of gods. He will prosper only until the period of wrath is over, for what has been determined must take place.
37 He will show no respect for the gods his ancestors worshipped, or for the god women worship - he won't show respect for any god, because he will consider himself greater than all of them.
38 But instead, he will honor the god of strongholds; with gold, silver, precious stones and other costly things he will honor a god unknown to his ancestors.
39 He will deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. He will confer honor on those he acknowledges, causing them to rule over many and distributing land as a reward.
40 "When the time for the end comes, the king of the south will push at him; while the king of the north will attack him like a whirlwind, with chariots, cavalry and a large navy. He will invade countries, overrun them and move on.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.