Daniel 11:38

38 But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things.

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.

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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 "Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done.

37 He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all.

38 But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things.

39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.

40 "At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through.