The most striking part of this verse is that the great enemy, who "in his own mind he shall become great," will ultimately be destroyed "by no human hand." This highlights that despite his immense power and cunning, his defeat will come directly from God, revealing that true authority rests not with earthly rulers, but with the Creator.
By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken—but by no human hand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage describes the arrogant rise and ultimate downfall of a powerful ruler who opposes God. Following the vision of the ram and the goat, the angel explains that this figure will use deceit and cunning to achieve success, becoming incredibly proud and destructive. He will even dare to challenge the divine order, but his reign will end not by human force, but by a direct act of God.
How does someone so powerful rely on deception? This verse reveals the dark strategy behind tyranny.
This verse highlights the deliberate use of craft and cunning as primary weapons of the oppressor. It's not just brute force, but a calculated strategy to make 'deceit prosper.' This means the enemy uses lies, manipulation, and trickery to achieve their goals.
The Art of Deception
This enemy doesn't just attack people; they aim for the highest authority. What does it mean to stand against the 'Prince of princes'?
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The ultimate target of this destructive power is not merely human rulers or even the people of God, but God Himself. The verse states, 'he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes.'
Ultimate Defiance
Understand the original words
mirmah · Hebrew Noun
The use of trickery, falsehood, or manipulation to mislead and gain advantage, often associated with the character of the wicked or the enemy.
sar sarim · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title signifying the ultimate authority or ruler over all earthly rulers; refers to God or the Messiah who possesses supreme sovereignty.
This verse vividly describes Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Hellenistic king whose reign of terror against the Jews and defiance of God culminated in his own horrific demise, not by human hands but by divine judgment.
175-164 BC— this verse
Antiochus IV Epiphanes' Rule
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, ruler of the Seleucid Empire, initiated a brutal campaign to suppress Jewish religion and customs, imposing Hellenistic practices.
167 BC
Desecration of the Jerusalem Temple
Antiochus IV desecrated the Second Temple in Jerusalem by erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs, a major offense to Jewish law.
167-160 BC
Maccabean Revolt
The Maccabean Revolt, led by Judas Maccabeus, began in response to Antiochus's religious persecution. It was a fierce struggle for religious freedom and political autonomy.
164 BC
Death of Antiochus IV Epiphanes
Antiochus IV died a painful and humiliating death while on campaign, often interpreted as a divine judgment for his actions against the Jews and God.
This passage describes a foolish shepherd who will not care for the lost, scatter the<seg_111> and break the flesh of the fat ones, mirroring the destructive and self-serving nature of the leader described in Daniel.
This historical account directly illustrates Antiochus Epiphanes' deceptive tactics, where he 'entered peaceably into the richest provinces' and 'did according to his word,' showing how 'craft prospered in his hand'.
This passage provides a vivid, though likely embellished, account of Antiochus' horrific and divinely-ordained death from a painful disease, directly fulfilling the prophecy that he would be 'broken—but by no human hand'.
This verse in the same book describes a contemptible person who will come to power through intrigue and flattery, echoing the 'policy' and 'craft' used by the figure in Daniel 8:25.
Revelation 17:12-14This New Testament passage speaks of future kings who will wage war against the 'Lamb' and be defeated, offering a parallel to the ultimate defeat of earthly powers that stand against the 'Prince of princes'.
ellicottDaniel 8:25: "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand."
(25) Through his policy.— This is explained more fully in the next two sentences. Through his craft he succeeds, and becomes able to destroy many unexpectedly, and finally raises up himself against God. Without hand.—Not by the hand of man (com…
barnesDaniel 8:25: "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand."
And through his policy - The word rendered "policy" here (שׂכל s'êkel) means, properly, intelligence, understanding, wisdom; and then, in a bad sense, craft, cunning. So it is rendered here by Gesenius, and the meaning is, that he would owe h…
The most striking part of this verse is that the great enemy, who "in his own mind he shall become great," will ultimately be destroyed "by no human hand." This highlights that despite his immense power and cunning, his defeat will come directly from God, revealing that true authority rests not with earthly rulers, but with the Creator.
This passage describes the arrogant rise and ultimate downfall of a powerful ruler who opposes God. Following the vision of the ram and the goat, the angel explains that this figure will use deceit and cunning to achieve success, becoming incredibly proud and destructive. He will even dare to challenge the divine order, but his reign will end not by human force, but by a direct act of God.
This passage describes the arrogant rise and ultimate downfall of a powerful ruler who opposes God. Following the vision of the ram and the goat, the angel explains that this figure will use deceit and cunning to achieve success, becoming incredibly proud and destructive. He will even dare to challenge the divine order, but his reign will end not by human force, but by a direct act of God.
"By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken—but by no human h…" — The most striking part of this verse is that the great enemy, who "in his own mind he shall become great," will ultimately be destroyed "by no human hand." This highlights that despite his immense po…
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Last reviewed October 2026
