Definition: And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do [exploits].
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Daniel 11:32. It’s a pretty complex verse, so we'll go through it step-by-step. Here's the gist of what it means: This verse is about challenging God’s authority and using manipulation to undermine him. Let’s unpack each part: “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries…” – "Covenant" in this context refers to a binding agreement, a promise, or a relationship between God and humanity. It could be anything from a religious agreement like the Ten Commandments to a more complex agreement about how things should be. "Wickedly" means doing something wrong or deliberately trying to harm something good. “Flatteries” means being overly flattering or seeking praise – essentially, attempting to trick God. “…shall he corrupt by flatteries:” This is the core of the warning. The verse says that those who are deliberately trying to deceive and manipulate God will actively try to harm him. They're using charm and persuasion to get something they want from him. “But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do [exploits].” – This is where it gets really important. It’s saying that those who understand and trust in God will ultimately be powerful and successful. The word "exploits" is key here. It means to take advantage of or profit from something, often without regard for right or wrong. So, the overall message is a warning about: Don’t be manipulative: Trying to trick or deceive God will backfire. Trust in God: Those who know and rely on God will be strong and successful because they're grounded in his guidance. Taking advantage of God's goodness: The verse suggests that those who try to exploit God’s blessings won’t succeed – they’ll face consequences. In simpler terms, it’s saying that if you try to undermine or take advantage of God through deceit and manipulation, you will ultimately be defeated. --- Does this explanation make sense? Would you like me to: Explain any part in more detail? Provide a historical context (like when this passage was written)? Give you some examples of how this principle might apply to real-life situations?