Daniel 8:11
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Daniel 8:11
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.
Chapter Context
Daniel 8 is a apocalyptic and narrative chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of fellowship, prayer, love. Written during the Babylonian and Persian periods (c. 605-530 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Demonstrates faithful living under foreign rule during the Babylonian and Persian empires.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-27: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Daniel and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Daniel 8:11
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.
Analysis
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.
Reflection
- How does Antiochus's stopping of daily worship warn us that Satan's attacks often target regular spiritual disciplines and corporate worship?
- What does God's restoration of worship after Antiochus teach us about His commitment to His glory and people's spiritual life?
- In what ways does Christ's once-for-all sacrifice provide security that no earthly power can ultimately interrupt our access to God?
Cross-References
- Sacrifice: Daniel 11:31, 12:11, Ezekiel 46:14
- Parallel theme: Daniel 8:25, Isaiah 37:23, Revelation 17:14