Daniel Chapter 8 · Verse 11

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וְעַ֥ד H5704
וְעַ֥ד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 1 of 10
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
שַֽׂר himself even to the prince H8269
שַֽׂר himself even to the prince
Strong's: H8269
Word #: 2 of 10
a head person (of any rank or class)
הַצָּבָ֖א of the host H6635
הַצָּבָ֖א of the host
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 3 of 10
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
הִגְדִּ֑יל Yea he magnified H1431
הִגְדִּ֑יל Yea he magnified
Strong's: H1431
Word #: 4 of 10
to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
וּמִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙ H4480
וּמִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 5 of 10
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הרּיַ֣ם sacrifice was taken away H7311
הרּיַ֣ם sacrifice was taken away
Strong's: H7311
Word #: 6 of 10
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
הַתָּמִ֔יד and by him the daily H8548
הַתָּמִ֔יד and by him the daily
Strong's: H8548
Word #: 7 of 10
properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re
וְהֻשְׁלַ֖ךְ was cast down H7993
וְהֻשְׁלַ֖ךְ was cast down
Strong's: H7993
Word #: 8 of 10
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
מְכ֥וֹן and the place H4349
מְכ֥וֹן and the place
Strong's: H4349
Word #: 9 of 10
properly, a fixture, i.e., a basis; generally a place, especially as an abode
מִקְדָּשֽׁוֹ׃ of his sanctuary H4720
מִקְדָּשֽׁוֹ׃ of his sanctuary
Strong's: H4720
Word #: 10 of 10
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum

Analysis & Commentary

The little horn's pride reaches its zenith: "he magnified himself even to the prince of the host." This "prince of the host" is variously interpreted as the high priest, the angel Michael (referenced in 10:21, 12:1), or ultimately God Himself. Antiochus's actions demonstrated all three: he deposed legitimate high priests, opposed angelic protection of Israel, and blasphemed Yahweh by claiming divine status ("Epiphanes"—God manifest).

"By him the daily sacrifice was taken away" describes the historical cessation of temple worship. The Hebrew tamid (תָּמִיד, "daily") refers to the perpetual burnt offering (Exodus 29:38-42), central to covenant worship. Antiochus forbade this sacrifice, desecrating the temple in 167 BC. "The place of his sanctuary was cast down" means the temple's defilement—not physical destruction but religious pollution through pagan sacrifice and prostitution introduced into holy precincts.

This attack on worship prefigures the Antichrist's future actions (2 Thessalonians 2:4, Revelation 13) and points backward to earlier Babylonian temple destruction. Yet each interruption of worship was temporary—God always restored His people. Ultimately, Christ's sacrifice superseded all temple rituals, and His body became the true temple. Antiochus could stop animal sacrifices, but he couldn't prevent Christ's once-for-all atonement that eternally satisfies divine justice.

Historical Context

On the 15th of Kislev, 167 BC (1 Maccabees 1:54), Antiochus erected a "desolating sacrilege" (likely a Zeus altar or image) in the Jerusalem temple and sacrificed pigs—unclean animals—on God's altar. This "abomination of desolation" (verse 31) represented total desecration. Daily sacrifices ceased for three years until Judas Maccabeus cleansed and rededicated the temple (December 164 BC), commemorated in Hanukkah. This 1,150-day period closely matches the 2,300 evenings/mornings of verse 14.

Questions for Reflection