Daniel 8:10
And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.
Original Language Analysis
וַתִּגְדַּ֖ל
And it waxed great
H1431
וַתִּגְדַּ֖ל
And it waxed great
Strong's:
H1431
Word #:
1 of 11
to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
2 of 11
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַצָּבָ֥א
even to the host
H6635
הַצָּבָ֥א
even to the host
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
3 of 11
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
of heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
of heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
4 of 11
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וַתַּפֵּ֥ל
and it cast down
H5307
וַתַּפֵּ֥ל
and it cast down
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
5 of 11
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַצָּבָ֥א
even to the host
H6635
הַצָּבָ֥א
even to the host
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
8 of 11
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
וּמִן
H4480
וּמִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Cross References
Revelation 12:4And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.Isaiah 14:13For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:Daniel 8:7And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.Daniel 7:7After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.Daniel 11:28Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.
Historical Context
Antiochus's persecution specifically targeted religious leaders. According to 1 Maccabees, he executed priests who refused to violate Torah, martyred faithful mothers and their children, and destroyed Scripture copies. Elderly scribe Eleazar and mother of seven sons became martyrdom examples. The high priesthood was corrupted—Antiochus sold the office to the highest bidder, Jason, then Menelaus, who weren't legitimate Aaronic descendants. This assault on spiritual leadership nearly destroyed covenant faith.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Antiochus's attack on religious leaders warn us that Satan particularly targets spiritual shepherds and teachers?
- What does faithful Jews' martyrdom under Antiochus teach us about remaining faithful when persecution specifically targets religious conviction?
- In what ways does Christ's resurrection guarantee believers' ultimate victory despite severe temporal persecution?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The little horn's expansion "waxed great, even to the host of heaven" describes his audacious attack on spiritual realities. The "host of heaven" can refer to God's people (stars symbolizing Abraham's seed, Genesis 15:5) or celestial beings. Antiochus persecuted the priesthood ("cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground") and "stamped upon them," meaning executing and torturing faithful Jews, including priests and religious leaders.
This spiritual dimension of Antiochus's war wasn't merely political but attacked covenant faith itself. He sought to eradicate Judaism, replace Yahweh worship with Greek paganism, and destroy the distinct identity of God's people. The violence against God's "host" parallels Satan's war against the church throughout history—physical persecution serves spiritual rebellion against divine authority.
Theologically, this reveals that earthly persecution always has spiritual dimensions. Human tyrants serve satanic agenda, consciously or not, when attacking God's people. Yet God limits such attacks—Antiochus's reign ended in judgment, the temple was cleansed, and faith survived. This points to Christ, who endured Satan's ultimate attack but rose victorious, guaranteeing His people's eternal security despite temporal persecution.