Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't just describe a future desecration; it names the temple "the sanctuary of strength," highlighting how it was meant to be a spiritual fortress for God's people, not just a building. This emphasizes the profound violation that occurs when this sacred space is defiled. The phrase "abomination that makes desolate" points to an idol or act so offensive it signifies and causes the utter ruin of God's presence and worship.
Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following Antiochus IV Epiphanes' retreat from Egypt, his forces, including apostate Jews, turn their attention violently towards Jerusalem. They desecrate the Temple, stop the daily sacrifices central to Jewish worship, and set up an idol – the "abomination of desolation" – in its place, marking a period of intense persecution and defilement. This act signifies a profound violation of God's presence and His people's covenant, turning the holy sanctuary into a place of pagan worship and sorrow.
Imagine the holiest place you know, filled with awe and reverence. Now imagine it desecrated. This verse describes a profound violation of God's dwelling place.
The phrase 'sanctuary of strength' (or 'sanctuary of his fortress') points to the Jerusalem Temple not just as a physical building, but as a symbol of God's presence and protection for His people. It was seen as a stronghold, a place of divine refuge.
When Antiochus Epiphanes' forces entered, they didn't just occupy a building; they desecrated the very heart of Israel's spiritual life. This defilement involved literal actions like.
This phrase is chilling, evoking utter ruin. What does it really mean for something to be an 'abomination' that causes 'desolation'?
The 'abomination that makes desolate' (or 'astonishes') refers to the ultimate act of desecration: the erection of an idol or pagan altar within the holy Temple itself. This wasn't just a violation; it was an intentional act to.
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Historically, this is often identified with the altar to Zeus Olympius that Antiochus Epiphanes erected on the altar of burnt offering in the Jerusalem Temple. It was an 'abomination' because it was detestable to God and His people, and it led to 'desolation' by ending worship and causing widespread grief and crisis.
Understand the original words
miqdash · Hebrew Noun
A sacred place or building dedicated to the worship of God, in the Old Testament referring specifically to the tabernacle or temple in Jerusalem as the place of His presence.
chalal · Hebrew Verb
An act of treating something holy with irreverence, contempt, or using it for common or unholy purposes.
tamid · Hebrew Noun
The daily sacrifice offered morning and evening in the temple, representing the continuous devotion and reconciliation between God and His people under the Mosaic law.
shiqquz · Hebrew Noun
An object, idol, or practice that is detestable to God and contrary to His holiness, frequently associated with idolatry and resulting in judgment or abandonment.
This verse vividly describes Antiochus IV Epiphanes' brutal suppression of Jewish religious life, culminating in the desecration of the Second Temple and the installation of a pagan altar. This historical context underscores the profound violation of God's covenant and the intense suffering of the faithful Jews under his oppressive rule.
171 BC
Antiochus IV Epiphanes Ascends Throne
Antiochus IV Epiphanes becomes king of the Seleucid Empire, setting the stage for his aggressive policies towards Judea and its people.
169 BC
First Campaign in Egypt and Temple Looting
Antiochus invades Egypt, but is forced to retreat. On his way back, he attacks Jerusalem, loots the Second Temple, and desecrates it.
168 BC
Second Campaign in Egypt and Divine Intervention
Antiochus invades Egypt again. Roman intervention forces him to withdraw, but his fury is then directed towards Judea.
167 BC— this verse
Desecration of the Temple and Sacrifice of Swine
Antiochus' forces, led by Apollonius, desecrate the Jerusalem Temple, stop the daily sacrifices, and set up an idol altar, forcing Jews to sacrifice swine.
167 BC
Forced Hellenization and Jewish Resistance
Antiochus issues decrees demanding Jews adopt Greek customs, forbid their religious practices, and worship pagan gods. This sparks the Maccabean Revolt.
145 BC
Abomination of Desolation on the Altar
According to the Apocrypha (1 Maccabees), an idol altar is set up on the altar of burnt offering in the Jerusalem Temple, a direct fulfillment of the prophecy.
This passage directly echoes Daniel's language, describing the 'abomination of desolation' being set up on the altar, which historical accounts identify with Antiochus Epiphanes' desecration of the Jerusalem temple.
These verses provide further historical detail on Antiochus' actions, explaining how the temple was defiled, daily sacrifices were stopped, and idol altars were erected, directly illustrating the events described in Daniel 11:31.
Jesus himself quotes Daniel's phrase 'the abomination of desolation' when speaking of future events, linking Antiochus' historical act to a greater eschatological fulfillment.
Daniel 8:13This earlier prophecy in Daniel also speaks of the trampling of the sanctuary and the removal of regular worship due to transgression, providing context for the specific actions detailed in chapter 11.
Daniel 12:11This verse directly follows the description of the 'abomination that makes desolate' and speaks of continuous opposition to God's worship, reinforcing the theme of desecration and resistance against divine service.
ellicottDaniel 11:31: "And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate."
(31) Arms. —A further statement of the assistance which the king obtains in his attacks upon all sacred institutions. The word “arms,” as in Daniel 11:5 , means “assistance,” especially military assistance, or some other aid, with which is contrasted in the next verse the help given by the apostate…
barnesDaniel 11:31: "And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate."
And arms shall stand on his part - Up to this verse there is a general agreement among commentators, that the reference is to Antiochus Epiphanes. From this verse, however, to the end of the chapter, there is no little diversity of opinion. One portion suppose that the description of Antiochus and…
The verse doesn't just describe a future desecration; it names the temple "the sanctuary of strength," highlighting how it was meant to be a spiritual fortress for God's people, not just a building. This emphasizes the profound violation that occurs when this sacred space is defiled. The phrase "abomination that makes desolate" points to an idol or act so offensive it signifies and causes the utter ruin of God's presence and worship.
Following Antiochus IV Epiphanes' retreat from Egypt, his forces, including apostate Jews, turn their attention violently towards Jerusalem. They desecrate the Temple, stop the daily sacrifices central to Jewish worship, and set up an idol – the "abomination of desolation" – in its place, marking a period of intense persecution and defilement. This act signifies a profound violation of God's presence and His people's covenant, turning the holy sanctuary into a place of pagan worship and sorrow.
Following Antiochus IV Epiphanes' retreat from Egypt, his forces, including apostate Jews, turn their attention violently towards Jerusalem. They desecrate the Temple, stop the daily sacrifices central to Jewish worship, and set up an idol – the "abomination of desolation" – in its place, marking a period of intense persecution and defilement. This act signifies a profound violation of God's presence and His people's covenant, turning the holy sanctuary into a place of pagan worship and sorrow.
"Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate." — The verse doesn't just describe a future desecration; it names the temple "the sanctuary of strength," highlighting how it was meant to be a spiritual fortress for God's people, not just a building.…
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Last reviewed October 2026