THEOSISJerome of Stridon
He will disregard the God of his ancestors and cater to the desires of his wives, paying no heed to any deities, for he will oppose them all. Instead, he will honor the god Maozim, and to a god whom his forefathers did not know, he will ascribe glory through gold, silver, precious stones, and valuable trinkets. By a foreign god whom he acknowledges, he will fortify Maozim, amplify his glory, grant him authority over many, and generously distribute land. In contrast to our translation that mentions the desires of his wives, the Septuagint renders this as he will not comply with the desires of his wives. Where we refer to the god Maozim as per the Hebrew text, Akilah translates it as the god of fortresses, while the Septuagint calls it the god of the strong.
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The Hebrew text presents ambiguity regarding the reference to wives, and as rendered by Akilah: neither will he remember the God of his fathers, nor the desires of wives, nor acknowledge any other god. This can be interpreted in such a way that he both possesses and lacks the desire for wives. If we interpret his disregard for the desires of wives literally, it may be seen in light of Antichrist, as he will feign purity to lure as many as possible. However, if we interpret it as meaning he will entertain the desires of wives, it aligns more with Antiochus, who was known for his debauchery and disgracing royal dignity through lustful acts, engaging publicly with performers and immoral women. Porphyry presents a peculiar view of Maozim, suggesting that in Modinus, the region from which Mattathias and his sons hailed, Antiochus's officials erected a statue of Jupiter, compelling the Jews to sacrifice to him, representing the deity of Modinus. Yet the phrase, and the god whom his fathers knew not, he shall honor, resonates more with Antichrist than with Antiochus, who is documented to have revered Greek idols and compelled both Jews and Samaritans to venerate their gods. As stated, he will fortify Maozim with a foreign god that he recognizes, increase the honors, bestow dominion over many, and distribute the land freely. Theodotion paraphrases this as fortifying the fortifications with a foreign god and proclaiming to them, increasing the honors and granting authority over many while generously distributing land. Where we mention strengthening, Simmachus translates it as securing. Porphyry interprets that he will do all this to strengthen the stronghold of Jerusalem and establish garrisons in other cities, conditioning the Jews to worship a foreign god, likely referring to Jupiter. Once he has revealed himself and persuaded them to worship him, he will shower honors, immense glory, and authority upon those who are deceived, and in return for their betrayal, he will grant them estates and bestow gifts. The Antichrist will also lavish many gifts upon the deceived and endow his followers with land; those he cannot conquer through fear, he will defeat through temptation.