He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The most striking, and perhaps easily missed, detail here is the specific wording "think to change times and the law." This doesn't just mean a ruler changing laws; it suggests an ambition to alter the very fabric of ordered existence and divine decree, highlighting a profound, almost cosmic, arrogance.
He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The vision describes a powerful, oppressive entity that emerges and persecutes God's people. This entity will speak arrogantly against God, attempt to dismantle religious traditions and laws, and gain control over the faithful for a specific, limited period. The prophecy continues by explaining the ultimate judgment and the eternal reign of God's people.
This powerful figure doesn't just oppose God; they aim to usurp His very place. What does it look like to speak 'great words' against the Almighty?
The 'little horn' is characterized by its audacious defiance of God. It doesn't just disagree; it speaks 'great words' – not just arrogant claims, but blasphemies that elevate itself to divine status. This isn't merely an external opposition, but an internal rebellion that seeks to usurp God's authority and prerogatives.
The Heart of Blasphemy
Beyond words, this power seeks to crush God's people. What does this relentless persecution entail, and why are God's people the target?
The opposition to God inevitably leads to opposition against His people, referred to here as the 'saints of the Most High.' This isn't just occasional conflict; it's a sustained effort to 'wear them out.'
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The Nature of Persecution
The assault is fierce, but not eternal. What does the phrase 'a time, times, and half a time' reveal about God's control over suffering?
Despite the intensity of the persecution and the attempts to subvert God's order, the reign of this oppressive power is strictly limited. The prophecy gives a specific, albeit symbolic, duration for this trial.
God's Sovereign Hand
Understand the original words
mallel millin ‘al ‘illaya’ · Aramaic Verb Phrase
To speak blasphemously or arrogantly against God; it signifies a challenge to God's authority, character, or supremacy.
bela' · Aramaic Verb
To exhaust, harass, or persecute continuously, specifically regarding the patience and endurance of God's people under intense suffering.
dath · Aramaic Noun
The divinely established order or religious statutes given by God. Changing them implies an attempt to usurp God's legislative authority over human life and morality.
‘iddan, ‘iddaniyn, uw-phlag ‘iddan · Aramaic Noun Phrase
Refers to a specific, limited period of divine allowance; often interpreted as representing the duration of the persecution of the saints before God intervenes.
This passage likely describes Antiochus IV Epiphanes' reign of terror against the Jews, a period marked by his arrogant defiance of God, brutal persecution of his people, and attempts to eradicate their religious laws and customs.
c. 175-164 BC— this verse
Antiochus IV Epiphanes' Oppression
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, ruler of the Seleucid Empire, attempted to suppress Jewish religion, enforcing Hellenistic customs and persecuting those who resisted. This included desecrating the Temple and prohibiting religious observances.
167 BC
Temple Defiled
Antiochus IV Epiphanes desecrated the Second Temple in Jerusalem, erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs, a direct affront to Jewish law and identity.
166-160 BC
Maccabean Revolt
The Jewish people, led by the Maccabee family, revolted against Antiochus IV's oppressive rule. This period saw significant battles and ultimately led to the rededication of the Temple.
164 BC
Temple Rededicated
The Second Temple was cleansed and rededicated to God by the Maccabees, marking a significant victory and the end of Antiochus' severe persecution, celebrated annually as Hanukkah.
This passage describes a beast that is given authority to act for 42 months, mirroring the 'time, times, and half a time' in Daniel, signifying a period of oppressive power against God's people.
Matthew 24:22Jesus speaks of 'shortening those days' for the sake of the elect, which parallels the concept in Daniel that the persecution, though severe, will not last indefinitely but for a divinely limited time.
2 Thessalonians 2:4This verse describes the 'man of lawlessness' who 'opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship,' directly echoing Daniel's description of speaking against the Most High and thinking to change laws.
Daniel 11:36This verse describes a king who 'shall exalt himself and prove greater than every god,' aligning with the blasphemous speech against the Most High mentioned in Daniel 7:25.
Revelation 12:14The woman (representing God's people) is given wings 'to fly into the wilderness, to her place, where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time,' which is the same duration and imagery of refuge and sustenance during persecution found in Daniel.
ellicottDaniel 7:25: "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time."
(25) And he shall speak. —The marks of identification of the little horn are—(1) blasphemy of God; (2) persecution and affliction of the saints; (3) attempts, apparently ineffectual (he will “think to change”), against all institutions, whether of Divine or h…
clarkeDaniel 7:25: "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time."
He shall speak great words against the Most High - Sermones quasi Deus loquetur; "He shall speak as if he were God." So St. Jerome quotes from Symmachus. To none can this apply so well or so fully as to the popes of Rome. They have assumed infallibility, whic…
The most striking, and perhaps easily missed, detail here is the specific wording "think to change times and the law." This doesn't just mean a ruler changing laws; it suggests an ambition to alter the very fabric of ordered existence and divine decree, highlighting a profound, almost cosmic, arrogance.
The vision describes a powerful, oppressive entity that emerges and persecutes God's people. This entity will speak arrogantly against God, attempt to dismantle religious traditions and laws, and gain control over the faithful for a specific, limited period. The prophecy continues by explaining the ultimate judgment and the eternal reign of God's people.
The vision describes a powerful, oppressive entity that emerges and persecutes God's people. This entity will speak arrogantly against God, attempt to dismantle religious traditions and laws, and gain control over the faithful for a specific, limited period. The prophecy continues by explaining the ultimate judgment and the eternal reign of God's people.
"He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a ti…" — The most striking, and perhaps easily missed, detail here is the specific wording "think to change times and the law." This doesn't just mean a ruler changing laws; it suggests an ambition to alter t…
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Last reviewed October 2026