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

This verse describes a ruler who worships a god different from his ancestors' God, honoring forces or powers rather than the God of gods. He also honors a "god of fortresses" and receives divine favor and authority for his actions.

Daniel 11 38 Context

Daniel 11 describes a series of conflicts and political maneuvers between the Ptolemaic (Greek) kingdom of Egypt and the Seleucid (Greek) kingdom of Syria. These events follow the division of Alexander the Great's empire. The "king of the north" (Seleucid) and the "king of the south" (Ptolemaic) are central figures. Chapter 11 predicts their wars, alliances, and internal struggles. Specifically, the latter part of the chapter focuses on a future king who will rise from the remnants of these Hellenistic powers. This king is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of the Antichrist or a specific historical figure like Antiochus IV Epiphanes, though many scholars see it as a typological prophecy pointing to a future fulfillment. Daniel 11:38 occurs within this prophetic historical narrative, describing the actions of this future king in terms of his worship and allegiances.

Daniel 11 38 Word Analysis

• but (וְ־ - və): A conjunctive particle, here indicating a contrast or continuation of the narrative.
• in his place (בִּתְמוּרוֹ - bi-tmuroh): Literally "in his exchange" or "in his stead." It signifies a succession, where this king's actions are in place of or a replacement of previous ways or rulers.
• shall he honor (יְכַבֵּד - yekhabed): The Hiphil (causative) form of the verb כָּבַד (kabed), meaning "to honor," "to respect," "to make heavy with value." In this context, it points to the deliberate act of bestowing honor or reverence.
• the god of forces (אֱלָהּ הַמְּצֻרוֹת - 'elāh hammetsurōt):
  • God (’elāh - אֱלָהּ): A divine name, less common than Elohim or Yahweh, used in Aramaic contexts and sometimes here for a god that is not necessarily the God of Israel.
  • of forces (hammetsurōt - הַמְּצֻרוֹת): The definite article "ha-" (the) followed by "metaphorical fortresses" or "forces" (plural feminine). The root is צוּר (tsur), meaning "rock" or "fortress." This suggests a deity associated with strength, military power, fortifications, or perhaps a concept of unassailable power. Scholars debate whether this refers to physical fortresses, military might, or a specific deity known for these attributes. Some interpretations connect this to the god of "strongholds."
• and a god (וֵאלָהּ - wē'elāh): Again, the divine name 'elāh. The "waw" (and) connects this to the previous subject.
• whom his fathers knew not (אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יְדָעוּהָ אֲבָתָיו - 'asher lō yeda'ūhā 'avōtāv):
  • whom (asher - אֲשֶׁר): A relative pronoun.
  • not (lō - לֹא): Negation.
  • knew (yeda'ūhā - יְדָעוּהָ): The third person plural imperfect of יָדַע (yada), "to know," "to be acquainted with." The suffix "-hā" refers back to "a god." This highlights a rejection of the ancestral faith and its God.
  • his fathers (’avōtāv - אֲבָתָיו): Refers to the forefathers of the king.
• shall he honor (יְכַבֵּד - yekhabed): Repeats the verb "to honor."
• with gold (בְּזָהָב - bəzāhāv): Material wealth.
• and silver (וָכֶסֶף - wākeseph): More material wealth, often used alongside gold to signify great riches.
• and with precious stones (וּבְאֶבֶן יְקָרָה - uwb'eben yəqārah): "And with stone precious." This signifies costly and valuable adornments.
• and with pleasant things (וּבְחֶמְדּוֹת - uwbəḥemdōt): "And with delights" or "desires" or "treasures." It signifies desirable or beloved possessions, indicating that these are offerings of great personal value and affection to the new deity.

Words-Group By Words-Group Analysis:

• "god of forces" and "a god whom his fathers knew not": This juxtaposition emphasizes a radical departure from ancestral religious practices. The "god of forces" suggests a deity who bestows or represents power, potentially a martial deity or one associated with impregnable defenses. The subsequent mention of a "god whom his fathers knew not" explicitly marks a turning away from the known covenant God to novel and potentially demonized powers.
• "honor with gold and silver and with precious stones and with pleasant things": This entire phrase denotes extravagant and devoted worship, offering the most valuable possessions to this new deity. It underscores the depth of the king's allegiance to these foreign or invented gods.

Daniel 11 38 Bonus Section

The "god of forces" could be interpreted in several ways by scholars: some see it as the god of military strongholds or fortresses (linking to the Hebrew root tsur). Others understand "forces" as armies or power in general, pointing to a worship of sheer might. Historically, rulers often adopted deities of conquered lands or synthesized religious concepts. In a typological sense, this verse is seen as foreshadowing a future power that will challenge God's dominion and seek worship based on its perceived strength and achievements. The materials used for worship—gold, silver, precious stones, and desirable things—are precisely the kind of treasures associated with earthly kingdoms and the splendor that worldly powers might accumulate and dedicate to their patron deities, contrasting sharply with the worship God desires. The phrase "pleasant things" (חֶמְדּוֹת, ḥemdōt) implies objects of desire or even cherished possessions, indicating that the worship is both costly and reflects what the king finds most valuable in the material realm. This elevates worldly acquisition and power over spiritual truth.

Daniel 11 38 Commentary

This verse depicts a significant spiritual apostasy by a future ruler. Instead of honoring the God of his fathers (the God of Israel, or potentially the God who governed the historical order he inherited), he elevates and offers tribute to a deity of power and military might, along with another unknown god. This "god of forces" could represent the raw power of the state, military strength, or even a specific pagan deity embodying these concepts. The explicit mention of lavish offerings in gold, silver, precious stones, and desirable things shows a profound dedication, prioritizing these new divinities above the traditional faith. This action signifies a shift in loyalty, attributing power and success to forces other than the Lord. It highlights the dangerous allure of power and worldly might when it becomes an object of worship, eclipsing the divine source of all true authority.