Daniel 8:11
It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host. And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easily missed here is that the "prince of the host" isn't just a high-ranking official, but a title referring directly to God Himself. This reveals the immense audacity of this power, which not only stops God's daily worship but also attacks His very dwelling place. This act is a direct assault on God's sovereignty and presence among His people.
In this vision, Daniel sees a powerful ram and then a goat that dramatically conquers it. This verse describes the actions of a "little horn" that emerges from the goat, which is understood to represent a conquering king. This horn grows in power, challenging even God himself, and then actively stops the daily sacrifices in the Temple and desecrates the holy place.
Imagine someone openly defying the highest authority, not just in words, but in actions that strike at the very heart of worship. This verse describes a level of rebellion that's hard to grasp.
Daniel 8:11 describes a terrifying escalation of pride and defiance. The 'little horn' power isn't just conquering nations; it's setting itself up against the ultimate Sovereign.
Against Whom?
This isn't just political ambition; it's spiritual warfare. It’s an attack on God’s rule and His people's devotion.
What happens when someone tries to silence the voice of worship in a community? This verse points to a devastating act that aimed to extinguish the flame of devotion.
The verse doesn't just mention general opposition; it specifies a direct attack on the central acts of worship:
The "Daily" Sacrifice
Understand the original words
sar · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew term 'sar' refers to a leader, ruler, official, or prince. In a military or spiritual context, it signifies one who holds authority over others or leads a group, such as the 'Prince of the host' who represents the Lord or His heavenly army.
tsaba · Hebrew Noun
This term ('tsaba') refers to a large number of persons or things, often used for an army or a host of heavenly beings. It denotes God’s organized forces, whether earthly or spiritual, under His command.
tamid · Hebrew Noun
The 'tamid' refers to the daily burnt offering presented in the temple, symbolizing the continual relationship and atonement between God and His people. Its interruption signifies a profound rupture in covenant worship.
miqdash · Hebrew Noun
This verse describes the actions of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid king who profoundly oppressed the Jewish people. His attempt to eradicate their religious practices, including the cessation of daily sacrifices and the desecration of the Temple, was a defining crisis that ultimately sparked the Maccabean Revolt.
c. 200-175 BC
Seleucid Rule Over Judea
Following the wars between the Ptolemies (Egypt) and Seleucids (Syria), Judea came under Seleucid control. This period saw increasing Hellenistic influence and pressure on Jewish traditions.
175 BC
Antiochus IV Epiphanes Reigns
Antiochus IV Epiphanes ascended the Seleucid throne. He was known for his aggressive promotion of Hellenistic culture and his severe persecution of Judaism.
c. 169-167 BC— this verse
Desecration of the Temple
Antiochus IV Epiphanes violently suppressed a Jewish revolt, entered the Jerusalem Temple, and desecrated its holy sanctuary. He offered sacrifices to Zeus on the altar and forbade Jewish religious practices.
c. 167 BC
Maccabean Revolt Begins
In response to Antiochus's decrees and the Temple's desecration, Mattathias and his sons (the Maccabees) led a Jewish rebellion against Seleucid rule.
This passage directly details Antiochus Epiphanes' actions, mirroring Daniel 8:11 by describing how he commanded sacrifices to cease and desecrated the Temple, fulfilling the prophecy.
This verse describes the 'king' who will 'desecrate the sanctuary fortress, take away the regular burnt offering, and set up an abomination that desolates,' directly echoing the events described in Daniel 8:11.
Exodus 29:42This verse establishes the concept of the 'continual burnt offering' (Hebrew: 'tamid'), which was the daily sacrifice central to Israel's worship and the very thing that was taken away according to Daniel 8:11.
Isaiah 18:4This verse refers to God's established 'dwelling place' or 'sanctuary,' providing context for the significance of the Temple ('place of his sanctuary') being overthrown in Daniel 8:11.
Luke 21:20-24Jesus references the future destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, echoing the desolation and profanation described in Daniel 8:11 and showing a recurring theme of God's holy places being attacked.
ellicottDaniel 8:11: "Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down."
(11) Prince of the host— i.e. , Jehovah Himself. (Comp. Daniel 8:25 , Daniel 11:36 .) The daily—i.e., everything permanent in the worship of God, such as sacrifices, &c. (See Note on Leviticus 6:13.) On this conduct of Antiochus see 1 Maccabees 1:39; 1 Maccabees 1:45, &c., 1 Maccabees 3:45. Place of his sanctuary—i.e., the Temple.…
barnesDaniel 8:11: "Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down."
Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host - Grotius, Ephraem the Syrian, and others, understand this of Onias the high priest, as the chief officer of the holy people. Lengerke supposes that it means God himself. This interpretation is the more probable; and the idea in the phrase "prince of the host" is, that as God…
What's easily missed here is that the "prince of the host" isn't just a high-ranking official, but a title referring directly to God Himself. This reveals the immense audacity of this power, which not only stops God's daily worship but also attacks His very dwelling place. This act is a direct assault on God's sovereignty and presence among His people.
In this vision, Daniel sees a powerful ram and then a goat that dramatically conquers it. This verse describes the actions of a "little horn" that emerges from the goat, which is understood to represent a conquering king. This horn grows in power, challenging even God himself, and then actively stops the daily sacrifices in the Temple and desecrates the holy place.
In this vision, Daniel sees a powerful ram and then a goat that dramatically conquers it. This verse describes the actions of a "little horn" that emerges from the goat, which is understood to represent a conquering king. This horn grows in power, challenging even God himself, and then actively stops the daily sacrifices in the Temple and desecrates the holy place.
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The Overthrown Sanctuary
This assault signifies a desire to sever the relationship between God and His people, to create a void where worship used to be.
The 'miqdash' refers to a holy or consecrated place, specifically the Temple or Tabernacle where God’s presence dwells. It is the designated location for divine encounter and worship.
c. 164 BC
Rededication of the Temple
Judas Maccabeus and his forces recaptured Jerusalem and cleansed the Temple. They rededicated it to God and reinstituted the daily sacrifices, marking a significant victory for the revolt.
"It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host. And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown." — What's easily missed here is that the "prince of the host" isn't just a high-ranking official, but a title referring directly to God Himself. This reveals the immense audacity of this power, which no…
