Daniel 8:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: It grew great, even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them.

NIV: It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them.

NASB: It grew up to the heavenly lights, and some of the lights, that is, some of the stars it threw down to the earth, and it trampled them.

CSB: It grew as high as the heavenly army, made some of the army and some of the stars fall to the earth, and trampled them.

NLT: Its power reached to the heavens, where it attacked the heavenly army, throwing some of the heavenly beings and some of the stars to the ground and trampling them.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them.

Daniel's prophecy (Daniel 8:1–2) included symbolic references to future events (Daniel 8:3–7). These are later explained as references to the Medo-Persian and Greek empires (Daniel 8:20–22). His vision also depicts how Alexander the Great would fall, only to be replaced by four others (Daniel 8:8–9). The next notable ruler is described as a "little horn." Scholars suggest this is a reference to the infamous Antiochus IV Epiphanes. As noted here, this figure treated godly things with contempt and vile disrespect (Daniel 8:11–14, 23–25).

Epiphanes blasphemed God and persecuted the Jewish people. The phrase "host of heaven" usually refers to God's heavenly armies. Here, it seems to be a symbolic representation of the people of Israel. This is not an uncommon analogy in the Bible; the Lord compared Abraham's descendants to the stars (Genesis 15:5; 22:17). Exodus 12:41 describes the Hebrews as "the hosts of the LORD." Balaam's prophecy about the Messiah refers to the Messiah as a star that comes out of Jacob (Numbers 24:17). Jeremiah 33:22 compares the offspring of David to "the host of heaven that cannot be numbered." Daniel 12:3 prophesies that, when believing Jews are resurrected, "those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever."

Daniel 8:1–14 changes the written language to Hebrew, after several chapters in Aramaic. This indicates a shift in intended audience: these messages are primarily meant for the benefit of Israel. This section gives the time, place, and contents of another of Daniel's visions. Like the dream and visions of chapter 7, it concerns the time before Christ's birth. While the vision of Daniel 7 provides more detail on the final end times, the vision here includes a prophecy that appears to have dual fulfillment. After the vision, Daniel will record the meaning as given to him by the angel, Gabriel.

Daniel sees a vision, later explained to him by the angel Gabriel. A swift-moving goat overpowers a two-horned ram. This represents the conquest of Greece over Medo-Persia. Then the goat's horn shatters, replaced by four more; this predicts Alexander the Great's death and succession. Later, a ruler arises to brutally persecute God's people. This prophecy refers to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who desecrated the temple and outlawed Jewish religious practices. It also foreshadows the end times when the Antichrist will be tied to similar events. The experience leaves Daniel temporarily bedridden.

The first 6 chapters of Daniel recorded events from his life. The final chapters record his visions of the future. The prior chapter contained a dream involving several animals, depicting powerful nations. The vision explained here also deals with conquering empires, but also touches on events to come in the end times. Daniel's next passage includes his prayer for Israel and further explanation of what will happen in the last days of human history.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.