Daniel 8:12
And a host will be given over to it together with the regular burnt offering because of transgression, and it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse reveals a crucial cause-and-effect: the "transgression" (wickedness or apostasy) of God's own people is what allows this oppressive force to attack the daily sacrifice and truth. It's not just an external enemy acting alone, but internal rebellion that opens the door for spiritual devastation.
This verse describes a powerful enemy (symbolized by a horn, continuing from the previous chapter's vision) that will be given authority to disrupt the Jewish people and their worship. This authority is granted because of the people's disobedience, and it leads to the suppression of religious truth and the success of this oppressive force. The preceding verses detail the rise of this power, and the following verses will explain the extent of its destruction and the eventual restoration of worship.
Ever feel like the world is pushing you to compromise your values? This verse shows how that push can lead to devastating consequences, not just for individuals, but for the worship of God itself.
Daniel 8:12 paints a grim picture where a 'host' is given over 'against the daily sacrifice.' This isn't just about religious rituals; it's about the integrity of worship and how it can be undermined.
The 'Host' and Its Purpose
The 'host' here refers not to heavenly armies, but tragically, to some within God's own people who apostatize, or to an opposing force that targets God's people. They are given power 'because of transgression' – meaning, due to the sin and unfaithfulness of some. This allowed an enemy (represented by the 'little horn' in Daniel's vision) to attack the very heart of Israel's worship: the daily burnt offering.
Truth Crushed Underfoot
This attack on worship isn't just external; it leads to 'truth to the ground.' This means the core principles of God's revealed will, the covenant faithfulness, and the true way of relating to God are trampled underfoot. It’s a spiritual and moral devastation where what is right and true is made to seem irrelevant or is actively suppressed. The enemy 'acted and prospered' in this suppression, making it look like truth had no chance.
Why would God allow His sanctuary and truth to be attacked? This verse points to a painful but crucial reason: the sinfulness within His own people.
The phrase 'by reason of transgression' is absolutely key here. It reveals that the enemy's success and the trampling of truth aren't solely due to the power of the oppressor, but also because of sin within the community being oppressed.
Internal Decay Paves the Way
Commentators agree that this 'transgression' refers to the sinfulness of the people and perhaps even the priests. Some Jews were willing to adopt pagan practices or turn away from God's covenant. This internal spiritual decay created an opening for external forces to attack. It's like a nation weakened by internal division becoming vulnerable to foreign invasion.
Understand the original words
pesha · Hebrew Noun
The term 'pesha' describes a willful rebellion, revolt, or transgression against God's law and authority. It implies a breaking of covenant and a deliberate departure from righteousness.
emeth · Hebrew Noun
The term 'emeth' refers to truth, faithfulness, or reliability. Biblically, it signifies not only factual correctness but also moral integrity and consistency with God's character.
This prophecy speaks directly to the brutal actions of Antiochus IV Epiphanes against Jewish faith and the Temple. It highlights how transgression—both by foreign rulers and, sadly, by some within Israel—can lead to the suppression of truth and the corruption of worship, but it also foreshadows ultimate prosperity for God's people.
c. 167 BC— this verse
Antiochus IV Desecrates the Temple
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, ruler of the Seleucid Empire, attempts to suppress Jewish religion, leading to the desecration of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
c. 167-164 BC
Persecution of Jews
Antiochus issues decrees forbidding Jewish religious practices, forcing Jews to adopt Hellenistic customs, and persecuting those who refuse, as described in 1 Maccabees.
166 BC
The Maccabean Revolt Begins
Mattathias and his sons, including Judas Maccabeus, begin an armed rebellion against Antiochus's oppressive rule and religious persecution.
164 BC
Temple Rededicated
After military victories, Judas Maccabeus and his followers cleanse the Second Temple and rededicate it to God, re-establishing Jewish worship.
This passage directly illustrates Daniel's prophecy by describing how Antiochus Epiphanes outlawed Jewish practices and forced adherence to pagan customs, showing how 'truth was cast down to the ground'.
Paul speaks of the 'mind of the flesh' being hostile to God and unable to please Him, echoing Daniel's theme of transgression leading to a rejection of divine truth and ways.
Isaiah 59:14This verse laments that 'truth has failed' and 'justice cannot enter,' painting a similar picture of societal decay and the overthrow of righteousness, directly paralleling Daniel's vision.
Daniel 11:31This later passage in Daniel describes a similar power that will 'desecrate the sanctuary and abolish the regular burnt offering,' directly fulfilling the actions prophesied in chapter 8.
ellicottDaniel 8:12: "And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered."
(12) An host . . .—The host is apparently the same as that which is mentioned in Daniel 8:10 , and means some of the Jewish people. It is known that some of them lapsed under the persecutions of Antiochus, and joined in his idolatrous rites. These apostates were given into his hand, and on account of their apostasy the daily…
barnesDaniel 8:12: "And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered."
And a host was given him - The Vulgate renders this, "and strength - robur - was given him, etc." Theodotion, "and sin was permitted - ἐδόθη edothē - against the sacrifice; and this righteousness was cast on the ground; so he acted and was prospered." Luther renders it, "and such might (or power, macht) was given him." Th…
This verse reveals a crucial cause-and-effect: the "transgression" (wickedness or apostasy) of God's own people is what allows this oppressive force to attack the daily sacrifice and truth. It's not just an external enemy acting alone, but internal rebellion that opens the door for spiritual devastation.
This verse describes a powerful enemy (symbolized by a horn, continuing from the previous chapter's vision) that will be given authority to disrupt the Jewish people and their worship. This authority is granted because of the people's disobedience, and it leads to the suppression of religious truth and the success of this oppressive force. The preceding verses detail the rise of this power, and the following verses will explain the extent of its destruction and the eventual restoration of worship.
This verse describes a powerful enemy (symbolized by a horn, continuing from the previous chapter's vision) that will be given authority to disrupt the Jewish people and their worship. This authority is granted because of the people's disobedience, and it leads to the suppression of religious truth and the success of this oppressive force. The preceding verses detail the rise of this power, and the following verses will explain the extent of its destruction and the eventual restoration of worship.
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God's Judgment and Discipline
When God's people turn away from Him, His allowance of suffering or oppression can be seen as a form of discipline. It’s not that God is weak, but that He is allowing the natural consequences of sin to play out, hoping to bring about repentance. The 'daily sacrifice' being compromised and 'truth cast down' becomes a severe consequence of this widespread 'transgression.'
"And a host will be given over to it together with the regular burnt offering because of transgression, and it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper." — This verse reveals a crucial cause-and-effect: the "transgression" (wickedness or apostasy) of God's own people is what allows this oppressive force to attack the daily sacrifice and truth. It's no…
