John Gill Commentary Daniel 11:39

"And he shall deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god: whosoever acknowledgeth [him] he will increase with glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for a price." — Daniel 11:39 (ASV)

Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god , &c.] Or, "in the strong holds of Mahuzzim" ^F23 that is, in the temples, churches, and chapels, dedicated to angels and departed saints; deck and adorn their images with gold, silver, precious stones, and with desirable things, which is notorious; as well as commit the grossest idolatries with this strange breaden god; which they hold up in such places, cringe and bow to, and pay all religious worship and adoration to it.

whom he shall acknowledge, and increase with glory ; as really God; the wafer being transubstantiated into the very body and blood of Christ, as is said; and own it as such, as very God, and heap religious honour and glory upon it, which is due to Christ.

he shall cause them to rule over many ; that is, the Mahuzzim, the departed saints; one shall rule over England, and be the patron and defender of it, as St. George; another over Scotland, as St. Andrew; another over Ireland, as St. Patrick; another over France, as St. Dennis; another over Spain, as St. James.

and shall divide the land for gain ; or "price" ^F24 ; the whole Romish jurisdiction, all antichristian states, which are divided among those tutelar saints; each of them have their proper country assigned them they are to defend; but this is not done without gain arising to the pope of Rome from those countries, as by firstfruits, annates, Peter's pence.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F23: (Myzem yrubml) "munitionibus Mahuzim", Pagninus, Montanus.
• F24: (ryxmb) "pro pretio", Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.