Daniel 11:39 - He will deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god. He will increase with glory whoever acknowledges him. He will cause them to rule over many, and will divide the land for a price.
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What does "Daniel 11:39" mean?
Daniel 11 is a notoriously difficult chapter to interpret, filled with prophecies about future kings and kingdoms, often believed to refer to the Seleucid dynasty and its interactions with Israel in the period between the Old and New Testaments. Verse 39 specifically builds upon the actions of the king described in verses 36-38. Let's break down each phrase of verse 39:
"He will deal with the strongest fortresses..." This refers to the king's military conquests and his ability to overcome heavily defended positions. He's a successful military leader.
"...by the help of a foreign god." This is a key point. The king is not relying on the traditional God of Israel for his success, but rather attributing his victories to a foreign deity. This suggests a rejection or disregard for the true God and the adoption of pagan beliefs or practices.
"He will increase with glory whoever acknowledges him." Those who recognize and support the king and his foreign god will be rewarded with honor and prestige. This implies a system of patronage and favoritism based on loyalty to the king and his chosen deity.
"He will cause them to rule over many..." Those who acknowledge the king and his foreign god will be given positions of power and authority over a larger number of people. This reinforces the idea of rewarding allegiance with positions of influence.
"...and will divide the land for a price." This suggests that the king will redistribute land, likely seized through conquest or confiscation, among his loyal followers. The phrase "for a price" implies that this redistribution is not done fairly or justly, but rather in exchange for loyalty, bribes, or other forms of compensation. It also suggests a commercialization or commodification of land.
Interpretations:
Historical Context (Antiochus IV Epiphanes): Most scholars believe this verse, and the surrounding passages, primarily refer to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid king who ruled from 175 to 164 BC. He is known for his oppressive policies towards the Jews, including desecrating the Temple in Jerusalem, forbidding Jewish practices, and promoting the worship of Greek gods. In this context:
"Strongest fortresses" would refer to fortified cities in Judea and surrounding regions.
"Foreign god" would refer to the Greek gods he promoted, particularly Zeus.
The rest of the verse would describe how Antiochus rewarded those who supported his Hellenistic policies and punished those who remained faithful to Judaism. He seized and redistributed land amongst his supporters.
Figurative/Symbolic Interpretation: Some interpret this verse more broadly, seeing it as a pattern of tyrannical rulers throughout history:
"Foreign god" could represent any ideology or system of belief that replaces the true God (e.g., materialism, secularism, political power).
The verse then describes how such rulers reward loyalty to their ideology and consolidate power through unfair practices.
In summary, Daniel 11:39 depicts a powerful ruler who achieves military success by rejecting the true God and embracing a foreign deity. He rewards those who acknowledge him and his foreign god with positions of power and unfairly redistributes land to consolidate his control.
The verse highlights the dangers of religious apostasy, the corrupting influence of power, and the importance of remaining faithful to God in the face of persecution. It also serves as a warning against being swayed by earthly rewards and promises that come at the expense of one's faith and integrity.
Daniel 11:39 - He will deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god. He will increase with glory whoever acknowledges him. He will cause them to rule over many, and will divide the land for a price.
What does "Daniel 11:39" mean?
Daniel 11 is a notoriously difficult chapter to interpret, filled with prophecies about future kings and kingdoms, often believed to refer to the Seleucid dynasty and its interactions with Israel in the period between the Old and New Testaments. Verse 39 specifically builds upon the actions of the king described in verses 36-38. Let's break down each phrase of verse 39:
"He will deal with the strongest fortresses..." This refers to the king's military conquests and his ability to overcome heavily defended positions. He's a successful military leader.
"...by the help of a foreign god." This is a key point. The king is not relying on the traditional God of Israel for his success, but rather attributing his victories to a foreign deity. This suggests a rejection or disregard for the true God and the adoption of pagan beliefs or practices.
"He will increase with glory whoever acknowledges him." Those who recognize and support the king and his foreign god will be rewarded with honor and prestige. This implies a system of patronage and favoritism based on loyalty to the king and his chosen deity.
"He will cause them to rule over many..." Those who acknowledge the king and his foreign god will be given positions of power and authority over a larger number of people. This reinforces the idea of rewarding allegiance with positions of influence.
"...and will divide the land for a price." This suggests that the king will redistribute land, likely seized through conquest or confiscation, among his loyal followers. The phrase "for a price" implies that this redistribution is not done fairly or justly, but rather in exchange for loyalty, bribes, or other forms of compensation. It also suggests a commercialization or commodification of land.
Interpretations:
Historical Context (Antiochus IV Epiphanes): Most scholars believe this verse, and the surrounding passages, primarily refer to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid king who ruled from 175 to 164 BC. He is known for his oppressive policies towards the Jews, including desecrating the Temple in Jerusalem, forbidding Jewish practices, and promoting the worship of Greek gods. In this context:
"Strongest fortresses" would refer to fortified cities in Judea and surrounding regions.
"Foreign god" would refer to the Greek gods he promoted, particularly Zeus.
The rest of the verse would describe how Antiochus rewarded those who supported his Hellenistic policies and punished those who remained faithful to Judaism. He seized and redistributed land amongst his supporters.
Figurative/Symbolic Interpretation: Some interpret this verse more broadly, seeing it as a pattern of tyrannical rulers throughout history:
"Foreign god" could represent any ideology or system of belief that replaces the true God (e.g., materialism, secularism, political power).
The verse then describes how such rulers reward loyalty to their ideology and consolidate power through unfair practices.
In summary, Daniel 11:39 depicts a powerful ruler who achieves military success by rejecting the true God and embracing a foreign deity. He rewards those who acknowledge him and his foreign god with positions of power and unfairly redistributes land to consolidate his control.
The verse highlights the dangers of religious apostasy, the corrupting influence of power, and the importance of remaining faithful to God in the face of persecution. It also serves as a warning against being swayed by earthly rewards and promises that come at the expense of one's faith and integrity.