Daniel 11:39

Do in the most strong holds. This passage is obscure and has been translated in various ways. The verb here translated “do,” ‘asah, meaning “to make,” “to do,” “to work,” is without a direct object, but it is followed by two prepositions, le, “to,” or “for,” and ‘im, “with.” In Genesis 30:30; 1 Samuel 14:6; and Ezekiel 29:20 ‘asah, without an object and followed by le, as here, has the sense, “to work for [someone].” ‘Asah followed by ‘im occurs in 1 Samuel 14:45, with the meaning “work with.” In view of these usages it would seem reasonable to translate the present passage, “And he will work for the strongest refuges (ma‘uzzim) with a foreign god.” Inasmuch as the ’eloah ma‘uzzim (verse 38) appears to be parallel with “a god whom his fathers knew not,” it is to be expected that here they are to be closely identified with the “foreign god.”

Some see in this passage a reference to the strategic place atheistic and rationalistic ideas occupied among the leaders of France during the Revolution. Others see here a description of the support the Roman Church has given to the worship of “protectors” — the saints — and to festivals held in various cities around the world in honor of the sacrifice of the mass and the virgin Mary.

Divide the land. Some understand these words to describe the breakup of the great estates of the nobility of France, and to the selling of these estates by the government to small landholders. It has been estimated that two thirds of the landed property of France was confiscated by the government during the Revolution.

Others believe these words met their fulfillment in papal domination over temporal rulers and in frequent receipts of revenue from them. It has been suggested that the division of the New World between Spain and Portugal by Pope Alexander VI, in 1493, may be considered one example of the fulfillment of this passage.