Daniel 11 38

Daniel 11:38 kjv

But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.

Daniel 11:38 nkjv

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 niv

Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts.

Daniel 11:38 esv

He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these. A god whom his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts.

Daniel 11:38 nlt

Instead of these, he will worship the god of fortresses ? a god his ancestors never knew ? and lavish on him gold, silver, precious stones, and expensive gifts.

Daniel 11 verses

Daniel 11 38 meaning

Daniel 11:38 describes the idolatrous and self-serving worship of a powerful "wilful king," typically interpreted as Antiochus IV Epiphanes historically and a future eschatological Antichrist. This king disregards traditional gods and instead dedicates extravagant offerings to a "god of fortresses" – a deity representing military power, strength, or human might, effectively worshipping his own prowess or the instruments of his power. He further honors "a god whom his fathers knew not," indicating a new or foreign deity, or a perverse new system of belief, showering it with immense wealth, including gold, silver, precious stones, and other desirable treasures. This highlights his devotion to material and military dominance, in stark contrast to true faith.

Daniel 11 38 Context

Daniel chapter 11 details a long and precise prophetic vision concerning kings of the North and South (the Seleucid and Ptolemaic empires) that spans from Daniel's time to the end times. Verses 36-39 introduce a specific, particularly malicious king, often called the "wilful king" (v.36). This section shifts focus from general historical prophecy to a king who "shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods" (v.36). Historically, this refers primarily to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, known for his intense persecution of the Jews and his desecration of the Jerusalem Temple by erecting an altar to Zeus. The prophecy, however, often points beyond him to a final, eschatological figure – the Antichrist – due to the scope and nature of his blasphemies and his eventual fate (Dan 11:40-45) which goes beyond Antiochus IV. Verse 38 specifically describes the nature of this king's 'worship,' contrasting his self-exaltation and disregard for the God of his fathers (v.37) with his lavish devotion to a "god of fortresses" and a previously unknown deity, showcasing his pride, materialism, and ultimate allegiance to power and worldly glory rather than the Almighty God.

Daniel 11 38 Word analysis

• But in his estate: The Hebrew phrase `וְעַל־מִכָּל־מָעֻזִּ֖ים` (wəʿal-mikkōl-māʿuzzîm) is challenging. The KJV "in his estate" or "in his place" suggests this king acts from his position of authority. Many modern translations render `וְעַל` (wəʿal) as "and (instead of)," tying it directly to the next phrase to mean, "instead of these [gods of his fathers], he will honor a god of fortresses." Alternatively, `עַל` can imply "concerning" or "with regard to," or simply "upon/above." The specific context in KJV suggests a position of power, indicating he prioritizes what comes next within or from his own sphere of influence.
• shall he honour: Hebrew `יְכַבֵּ֔ד` (yəḵabēḏ) meaning to make heavy, glorious, or show respect/reverence. It implies high regard, glorification, and bestowing dignity or worship upon something.
• the God of forces: Hebrew `אֱל֙וֹהַּ֙ מָעֻזִּ֔ים` (ʾelōh māʿuzzîm).
  • `אֱל֙וֹהַּ֙` (ʾelōah): A singular term for God, often used poetically for the God of Israel, but here refers to a false god or concept.
  • `מָעֻזִּ֔ים` (māʿuzzîm): Plural of ma'oz, meaning "fortress," "stronghold," or "source of strength." Therefore, "God of Fortresses/Strongholds." This could represent:
    1. Military Strength/Human Might: The king's worship is effectively of military power, strategic might, or his own strength/ingenuitas, rather than a divine being.
    2. A Pagan Deity: A foreign god associated with war, fortifications, or sovereign power (e.g., Jupiter Capitolinus, or some god of battles). Antiochus IV promoted Zeus Olympus as the supreme god, who was associated with power and imperial might.
    3. His Own Self: An extreme form of self-exaltation, making his own power the ultimate object of worship, disguised as honoring a "god" representing these attributes.
• and a god whom his fathers knew not: Hebrew `וְלֶאֱל֙וֹהַּ֙ לֹֽא־יְדָע֥וּהוּ אֲבֹתָ֖יו` (wəleʾelōah lōʾ yəḏāʿūhū ʾăḇōṯāyw). This clearly indicates a novel, foreign, or unprecedented deity/cult. This highlights a break from tradition or even a synthesis of different pagan systems under his will. For Antiochus, this meant the intense Hellenization and promotion of Greek cults, specifically Zeus. For the Antichrist, it means a completely new or revived form of worship, not rooted in past (Jewish or general ancestral) spiritual heritage.
• shall he honour: (Repetition of `יְכַבֵּ֔ד` (yəḵabēḏ)). Emphasizes the lavish and devoted nature of this worship.
• with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and with pleasant things: Hebrew `וְזָהָ֥ב וְכֶ֖סֶף וְאֶ֥בֶן יְקָרָ֛ה וַחֲמֻד֥וֹת` (wəzāhāḇ wəḵeseph wəʾeven yəqārāh waḥămuḏōth).
  • `זָהָ֥ב` (zāhāḇ): Gold.
  • `כֶ֖סֶף` (keseph): Silver.
  • `אֶ֥בֶן יְקָרָ֛ה` (ʾeven yəqārāh): Precious stones (literally "stone dear/valuable").
  • `חֲמֻד֥וֹת` (ḥămuḏōth): Desirable or precious things. This includes highly valued objects, exquisite ornaments, or splendid gifts. It signifies an extravagant and complete dedication of worldly wealth and resources, contrasting with the poverty or spiritual humility of true worship.

Daniel 11 38 Bonus section

This verse carries a significant dual fulfillment, characteristic of many prophecies in Daniel. While describing the actions of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, whose Hellenization efforts included dedicated lavish resources to Olympian Zeus (a foreign 'god of fortresses' representing state power), it also prefigures the Antichrist. The Antichrist will similarly disregard traditional spiritual values, embody extreme self-exaltation (Dan 11:36), and ultimately command a form of worship that is centered on earthly power, control, and wealth. The dedication of precious items for this 'god' reflects a material spirituality that offers no salvation, but instead enslaves people through economic and military systems. This foreshadows a coming era where devotion to political, military, and financial power becomes a pseudo-religion for many, with tangible assets offered in allegiance.

Daniel 11 38 Commentary

Daniel 11:38 concisely reveals the core devotion of the "wilful king" to worldly power and materialistic display. Far from being an atheist as his disregard for other gods might suggest (v.37), he indeed worships, but his object of worship is a "god of fortresses" – representing military might, human strength, strategic ingenuity, or possibly a foreign war deity. This highlights his reliance on tangible, earthly power as his ultimate authority, contrasting sharply with true reverence for the Creator. His "honoring" is characterized by extreme opulence, using gold, silver, precious stones, and desirable treasures, indicative of a system that is materially rich but spiritually bankrupt. The "god whom his fathers knew not" points to a break from traditional beliefs, emphasizing a new, possibly self-invented, and perverse religious devotion perfectly aligned with his egocentric agenda. This verse profoundly critiques the idolatry of human strength, wealth, and power, which becomes an anti-god requiring lavish devotion from those who would manipulate it for their own ends.