Daniel 11:38 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces— The original word rendered forces, is מעזים mauzzim, which is taken personally, and retained in the versions of the LXX and Vulgate. It is derived from the radical verb עוז oz, signifying he was strong; and its proper meaning is munitions, bulwarks, fortresses: but, the Hebrews often using abstracts for concretes, it signifies equally, protectors, defenders, and guardians. This being the derivation and signification of the word, the verse may be literally translated, And the god Mahuzzim, in his estate shall he honour; even a god whom, &c. But if it be thought requisite to separate the word God and Mahuzzim, and to express the force of the Hebrew particle ל lamed, then the verse may be translated, And with God, or instead of God, Mahuzzim in his estate shall he honour; even with God, or instead of God, those whom his fathers knew not, shall he honour with gold, &c. However it be translated,'the meaning evidently is, that he should establish the worship of Mahuzzim, of protectors, defenders, and guardians. He should worship them as God, or with God; and who is there so little acquainted with ecclesiastical history, as not to know that the worship of saints and angels was established both in the Greek and Latin church? They were not only invocated and adored as patrons, intercessors, protectors, and guardians, but miracles were ascribed to them; their very relics were worshipped, and their shrines and images adorned with the most costly offerings, and honoured with gold and silver, with precious stones, and desirable things. And what renders the completion of the prophesy more remarkable is, that they were celebrated and adored under the very title of Mahuzzim, of bulwarks and fortresses, of protectors and guardians; as appears from various striking passages in the writings of Basil, Chrysostome, Hilary, Gregory Nyssen, Eucherius, Theodoret, and others. This superstition began to prevail in the fourth century; and in the eighth, in the year 787, the worship of images, &c. was fully established by the seventh general council,—the second that was held at Nice. See Bishop Newton.