He will attack the strongest fortressesThis phrase suggests a powerful military campaign against seemingly impregnable defenses. In the context of
Daniel 11, this likely refers to the actions of a king or ruler who seeks to expand his dominion through force. Historically, this could be linked to the actions of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who aggressively expanded his territory. Theologically, it may also foreshadow the Antichrist's future actions, as described in eschatological prophecies, where he will wage war against strongholds, both physical and spiritual.
with the help of a foreign god
The "foreign god" implies reliance on a deity not traditionally worshiped by the Israelites. This could refer to the Hellenistic gods introduced by Antiochus IV, who promoted the worship of Zeus. In a broader prophetic sense, it may symbolize the Antichrist's reliance on demonic powers or ideologies contrary to the God of Israel. This aligns with the biblical theme of false gods leading people astray, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 32:16-17.
and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him
This indicates a system of rewards for loyalty, where the ruler bestows honor and possibly wealth or power on those who support his regime. Historically, Antiochus IV rewarded those who adopted Hellenistic customs and supported his rule. In a prophetic context, this could parallel the Antichrist's manipulation of people through incentives, as seen in Revelation 13:16-17, where allegiance is rewarded with economic benefits.
making them rulers over many
This suggests the delegation of authority to loyal followers, establishing a hierarchy that supports the ruler's agenda. Historically, this was a common practice among ancient empires to maintain control over vast territories. In a prophetic sense, it may reflect the Antichrist's strategy to consolidate power by appointing leaders who will enforce his policies, reminiscent of the ten kings in Revelation 17:12-13.
and distributing the land for a price
This phrase implies the selling or granting of land as a means of securing loyalty or raising funds. Historically, rulers like Antiochus IV might have used land grants to reward supporters or finance military campaigns. In a prophetic interpretation, it could symbolize the Antichrist's exploitation of resources and people for personal gain, echoing the corrupt practices condemned by prophets like Micah (Micah 3:11).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The KingThis refers to a powerful ruler who acts with the support of a foreign deity, symbolizing a leader who relies on external, possibly idolatrous, influences.
2.
Strongest FortressesThese represent the most secure and fortified places, symbolizing strongholds of power and influence that the king seeks to conquer.
3.
Foreign GodThis indicates an allegiance to a deity outside of the traditional worship of Yahweh, suggesting idolatry or reliance on false gods.
4.
Those Who Acknowledge HimThese are individuals who support or align themselves with the king, receiving rewards and positions of power in return.
5.
Distribution of LandThis refers to the allocation of territories or resources, often as a reward for loyalty, indicating a transactional approach to governance.
Teaching Points
Reliance on God AloneBelievers are reminded to place their trust in God rather than in worldly powers or false deities.
Discernment in LeadershipChristians should exercise discernment in whom they follow, ensuring that leaders align with biblical principles.
The Dangers of IdolatryThe passage warns against the allure of idolatry and the consequences of turning away from God.
Integrity Over CompromiseThe temptation to gain power or wealth through compromise is real, but integrity should guide our actions.
Eternal PerspectiveEarthly rewards and power are temporary; believers should focus on eternal values and God's kingdom.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Daniel 11:39?
2. How does Daniel 11:39 illustrate the misuse of power and influence today?
3. What does "attack the strongest fortresses" reveal about the king's character?
4. How can we guard against idolatry as seen in Daniel 11:39?
5. Connect Daniel 11:39 to Ephesians 6:12 on spiritual warfare.
6. How can believers apply the lessons of Daniel 11:39 in modern leadership?
7. What does Daniel 11:39 reveal about the nature of power and authority in biblical prophecy?
8. How does Daniel 11:39 relate to historical events and their fulfillment?
9. What is the significance of "fortresses" in Daniel 11:39?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Daniel 11?
11. Is the Antichrist's sexual orientation homosexual?
12. Who was Antiochus Epiphanes?
13. Isaiah 39:8: Why does Hezekiah seem untroubled by the future judgment pronounced on his descendants, and what does this imply about his character or leadership?
14. Who holds the title King of the North?What Does Daniel 11:39 Mean
He will attack the strongest fortressesDaniel pictures a final ruler who turns his military power against the most secure, heavily defended places.
• Daniel 7:23-24 shows the same king “devouring the whole earth, trampling it down, and crushing it.”
• Revelation 13:4 echoes the awe the world feels: “Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it?”.
• The “strongest fortresses” points to every human defense—cities, alliances, even nuclear-level deterrents—crumbling before him. God lets this happen to expose the emptiness of earthly security (Psalm 20:7).
with the help of a foreign godVerse 38 already called this deity “a god his fathers did not know.” The king’s victories come through demonic empowerment rather than mere human genius.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:9 says the lawless one arrives “by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder.”
• Revelation 13:15 shows the beast’s image granted “breath” so it can speak—supernatural backing that deceives the nations.
• The phrase warns believers not to ascribe success solely to technology or politics; unseen spiritual forces are at work (Ephesians 6:12).
and will greatly honor those who acknowledge himLoyalty brings reward. The king creates a culture of flattery and favoritism:
• Revelation 13:16-17 connects economic privilege to allegiance: no one buys or sells without the beast’s mark.
• John 12:43 reminds us how easily people “loved praise from men more than praise from God.”
• Proverbs 29:25 contrasts this: “The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts the LORD is set securely on high”.
By elevating his supporters, the ruler consolidates power and deepens dependence.
making them rulers over many and distributing the land for a priceHe reshapes political maps and property rights for profit and control.
• Daniel 11:24 earlier noted he “will distribute plunder, loot, and riches among his followers.”
• Daniel 8:24 foretells that he “will destroy mighty men and the holy people,” then seize what they possessed.
• Micah 2:1-2 condemns those “who covet fields and seize them,” a pattern repeated here on a global scale.
Practical implications:
– Positions go to the highest bidder or the most compliant.
– Land—symbol of heritage and promise—is reduced to a commodity, reversing God’s design in Leviticus 25:23 that “the land is Mine.”
summaryDaniel 11:39 sketches an end-time tyrant who storms earth’s defenses, empowered by a god of war, rewarding devotees and selling influence for land and power. The verse stands as a sober reminder that human strength, wealth, and alliances cannot save; only steadfast faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will endure when earthly fortresses fall.
(39).
A strange god.--By this help he carries out his schemes, and all who acknowledge him are rewarded. (Comp.
Revelation 13:4;
Revelation 13:16-17.)
Divide the land.--This is evidently done as a reward offered to those who join his ranks. No such conduct of Antiochus is recorded. Bribery, however, was not an unusual mode of persuasion adopted by him. (See 1 Maccabees 2:18; 1 Maccabees 3:30.)
Verse 39. -
Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain. The version of the LXX. is somewhat difficult to render intelligibly, "By desires of cities he shall act, and to a strong fortress shall he come with a strange god whom he will acknowledge; he will increase his glory, and shall master him much, and shall divide his territory freely." The first words of this belong to the previous verse, and at the same time there has been some confusion with the opening words of the present verse according to the Massoretic division. Theodotion is not much closer to the received text, "And he shall act in strongholds of refuge with a strange god, and shall increase glory, and subject many to them, and shall divide the land in gifts." The sense of this last, as given in the Greek versions, is illustrated by
Psalm 16:4. The Peshitta renders, "He shall pass over to the strong cities, on account of ('
al) the strange gods which he shall see, and he shall rule over many, and the land he shall divide for gain" The Vulgate renders more in accordance with Theodotion than with the Massoretic yet independently, "And he shall do (
faciet) that he may fortify
Maozim with a foreign god, whom he knew not, and shall multiply glory, and shall give to them power in many (things), and shall divide the land gratuitously" This verse as it stands is nearly unintelligible. The suggestion of Hitzig and yon Lengerke, followed by Bevan, that we should read
עַם ('am), "people," instead of
עִם (
eem), "with," is very plausible. The only objection is that none of the versions have it. As, however, it seems to us the only way out of the difficulty, we shall take this reading, and render, with Professor Bevan, "He shall procure for the strong fortresses the people of a strange god." For this use of
עשׂה Professor Bevan refers to
2 Samuel 15:1, "Absalom procured for himself chariot and horses;"
1 Kings 1:5, so of Adonijah.
Whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory. This we should render, "who have acknowledged him," making the antecedent to the relative, not the king, but "the people of the strange god;" the reference being to the mercenaries of the Syrian army, who were the people of a god strange to the Israelites, and not impossibly made less difficulty in giving up their national gods, and recognizing the gods of Greece as their gods. The K'thib here is the preterite instead of the imperfect, which occurs in the following clause, the reading which we accept here.
He shall increase with glory; or rather,
he shall multiply in glory. These mercenaries of his he would increase, and give ever more honour to them.
And he shall cause them to rule over many. These mercenaries placed in fenced cities were formed into Hellenic communities, and received many of the natives as subjects. The reference is not merely to garrisons being placed in fortresses, but to a chain of Hellenic cities, which, in imitation of the Romans, Antiochus placed in Palestine.
And shall divide the land for gain. As will be seen, the Greek versions and the Vulgate reverse the idea here, and render - the LXX.,
δωρεάν, "
gratuitously;" Theodotion,
ἐν δώροις, "in gifts;" the Vulgate,
gratuito, which is due to reading
מְחִיר (
meheer) instead of
מְהִיר (
meheer). The word may mean, as it is taken by the English versions and the Peshitta to mean, "for a price;" as in
2 Samuel 24:24, David purchased the threshing-floor of Araunah
bimeheer, "
at a price;" but it also means "
wages," as in
Micah 3:11, "Her priests teach for hire wages (
bimeheer)." The reference, then, is to the fact that in the deplenished state of his treasury, Antiochus divided the land of Palestine to his mercenaries, in lieu of the wages he could not pay.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
He will attackוְעָשָׂ֞ה (wə·‘ā·śāh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, makethe strongest fortressesלְמִבְצְרֵ֤י (lə·miḇ·ṣə·rê)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4013: A fortification, castle, fortified city, a defenderwithעִם־ (‘im-)Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally withthe help of a foreignנֵכָ֔ר (nê·ḵār)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5236: That which is foreign, foreignnessgodאֱל֣וֹהַּ (’ĕ·lō·w·ah)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 433: God -- a deity, the Deityand will greatlyיַרְבֶּ֣ה (yar·beh)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or greathonorכָב֑וֹד (ḵā·ḇō·wḏ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3519: Weight, splendor, copiousnessthose whoאֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatacknowledge him,יַכִּ֖יר (yak·kîr)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5234: To regard, recognizemaking them rulersוְהִמְשִׁילָם֙ (wə·him·šî·lām)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4910: To rule, have dominion, reignover manyבָּֽרַבִּ֔ים (bā·rab·bîm)Preposition-b, Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, greatand distributingיְחַלֵּ֥ק (yə·ḥal·lêq)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2505: To be smooth, to apportion, separatelandוַאֲדָמָ֖ה (wa·’ă·ḏā·māh)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 127: Ground, landfor a price.בִּמְחִֽיר׃ (bim·ḥîr)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4242: Price, payment, wages
Links
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OT Prophets: Daniel 11:39 He shall deal with the strongest fortresses (Dan. Da Dn) 
