Bible Encyclopedias
Forces

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(spec. חִיַל cha'yil, strength, especially in a military point of view; hence, also, army, fortification, etc.), in one phrase, "forces of the Gentiles" (Isaiah 60:5; Isaiah 60:11), seems to be used in its widest sense (see Alexander, ad loc.) to denote (as the context implies) not only the subjugation of the heathen, but also the consecration of their wealth (Genesis 34:29, where the Same Heb. word occurs). The אֵֹלהּ מָעֻזּים, or god of strongholds, of Daniel 11:38, is probably Mars, or rather Jupiter (Olympius or Capitolinus), whom Antiochus (q.v.) specially honored. (See DANIEL).

Bibliography Information
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Forces'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tce/​f/forces.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.