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)
The prophecy highlights that the arrogance of this power isn't just directed at earthly rulers, but specifically at God Himself ("the prince of the host"). It’s a chilling detail that the cessation of the daily sacrifice wasn't just an interruption of a ritual, but a direct assault on God's ongoing covenant with His people.
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)
In this passage, Daniel is witnessing a vision of a fierce ram and a goat whose horn is broken, replaced by a smaller horn. This smaller horn, representing a powerful ruler, begins to act with great arrogance and military might. It boasts and declares itself to be as powerful as God, taking away the daily sacrifices and desecrating the sacred Temple.
How can a king, even a powerful one, 'magnify himself' against God Himself? This verse reveals a terrifying escalation of pride and defiance.
The phrase 'even to the Prince of the host' is a profound statement of rebellion. Commentaries agree this refers not just to human leaders or even the High Priest, but ultimately to God Himself.
The Ultimate Target
The 'Prince of the host' is understood as the Lord of all creation, the Commander of celestial armies, and the Protector of His people. For Antiochus Epiphanes (the historical figure most scholars identify with the 'little horn') to magnify himself against Him means to usurp God's authority, to demand worship due only to the Almighty, and to declare war on God's covenant people.
Beyond Human Authority
This isn't just political or military arrogance; it's a spiritual assault. It's claiming divine status and setting oneself against the very Creator and Sustainer of all things. This level of defiance is staggering.
What does it mean for the 'daily sacrifice' to be 'taken away'? This wasn't just an inconvenience; it struck at the heart of Israel's worship.
The 'daily sacrifice' (often called the 'continual' or 'tamed' offering in Hebrew) was a fundamental aspect of worship in the Jerusalem Temple. It was offered every single morning and evening.
A Symbol of God's Presence and Pardon
This continuous offering symbolized God's constant presence with His people, His ongoing provision for their needs, and His continuous forgiveness for their sins. It was a perpetual reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Israel.
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The Assault on Relationship
When Antiochus stopped the daily sacrifice, he wasn't just halting a ritual. He was attempting to sever the connection between God and His people. He sought to remove the means of atonement and erase the evidence of God's covenant faithfulness. This act was designed to make God's people feel abandoned and to demonstrate that their God was powerless or unwilling to intervene.
The sanctuary, God's dwelling place on earth, was 'overthrown.' What does this devastating desecration signify?
The 'place of his sanctuary' refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, the physical dwelling place of God's presence among His people. To have it 'overthrown' signifies more than just physical damage.
From Sacred to Profane
Antiochus didn't just plunder the Temple; he defiled it. He turned a place of holy worship into a site of pagan abomination, even setting up an idol. This act was a direct insult to God and a profound violation of the sacred space He had ordained.
The Heart of the Attack
Attacking the sanctuary was an assault on the very heart of Israel's identity and their relationship with God. It was an attempt to erase their unique calling and replace God's worship with idolatry. The destruction and desecration of the Temple symbolized the perceived defeat of Israel's God and the triumph of foreign gods and the king's own power.
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
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. 175-164 BC
Antiochus IV Epiphanes Reigns
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, ruler of the Seleucid Empire, ascended the throne. His reign was marked by a forceful Hellenization policy that clashed with Jewish religious practices.
c. 167 BC— this verse
Temple Desecration Begins
Antiochus IV Epiphanes issued decrees demanding Jews adopt Greek customs, forbid circumcision, and offer sacrifices to pagan gods. The Temple in Jerusalem was desecrated, and the daily sacrifice was halted.
c. 167 BC
Mattathias Sparks Maccabean Revolt
In response to Antiochus's decrees, a Jewish priest named Mattathias and his sons, including Judas Maccabeus, revolted against the Seleucid rule. This marked the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt.
c. 164 BC
Temple Rededicated
After years of struggle, Judas Maccabeus and his forces recaptured Jerusalem and cleansed the Temple. They rededicated the sanctuary and reinstituted the daily sacrifices, a significant victory for Jewish religious freedom.
This passage describes the 'continual burnt offering' commanded by God, highlighting the significance of the daily sacrifice that was later taken away by Antiochus, as mentioned in Daniel 8:11.
This historical account provides direct evidence of Antiochus Epiphanes' actions, detailing how he commanded the cessation of sacrifices and the profanation of the sanctuary, directly correlating with the events described in Daniel 8:11.
This verse also describes a future event where an opposing force will 'desecrate the temple fortress, take away the regular burnt offering, and set up detestable idol.'
Psalm 74:3-7This psalm laments the destruction of the sanctuary and the burning of its sanctuaries, echoing the sense of devastation and desecration described in Daniel 8:11.
Daniel 8:25This verse further describes the ruler who 'will oppose the Prince of princes,' directly linking to the defiance against the 'prince of the host' mentioned in Daniel 8:11.
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…
The prophecy highlights that the arrogance of this power isn't just directed at earthly rulers, but specifically at God Himself ("the prince of the host"). It’s a chilling detail that the cessation of the daily sacrifice wasn't just an interruption of a ritual, but a direct assault on God's ongoing covenant with His people.
In this passage, Daniel is witnessing a vision of a fierce ram and a goat whose horn is broken, replaced by a smaller horn. This smaller horn, representing a powerful ruler, begins to act with great arrogance and military might. It boasts and declares itself to be as powerful as God, taking away the daily sacrifices and desecrating the sacred Temple.
In this passage, Daniel is witnessing a vision of a fierce ram and a goat whose horn is broken, replaced by a smaller horn. This smaller horn, representing a powerful ruler, begins to act with great arrogance and military might. It boasts and declares itself to be as powerful as God, taking away the daily sacrifices and desecrating the sacred Temple.
"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." — The prophecy highlights that the arrogance of this power isn't just directed at earthly rulers, but specifically at God Himself ("the prince of the host"). It’s a chilling detail that the cessation o…
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Last reviewed October 2026