Daniel 8:12
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. | And in the rebellion, the host and the daily sacrifice were given over to the horn, and it flung truth to the ground and prospered in whatever it did. | And the host was given over to it together with the continual burnt-offering through transgression; and it cast down truth to the ground, and it did its pleasure and prospered. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedGabriel explains the vision: the ram is the kings of Media and Persia, the goat is the king of Grecia, and its great horn is the first king, followed by four kingdoms. A little horn grows out of one of the four and attacks the host of heaven, the sanctuary and the daily sacrifice. This verse says an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground, and it practised, and prospered. Daniel 8:20Daniel 8:21Daniel 8:22Daniel 8:9Daniel 8:10Daniel 8:11Daniel 8:12
SpeakingDaniel tells, in his own words, a vision he saw in the third year of king Belshazzar. Daniel 8:1Daniel overview
ToThe book is written for God's people in exile and after it. Daniel is told to shut up the vision, for it shall be for many days. Daniel overviewDaniel 8:26
Also involvedThose affected are the daily sacrifice, the sanctuary, the host, and the mighty and the holy people whom the king of fierce countenance destroys. Daniel 8:11Daniel 8:13Daniel 8:24
A host is given to the little horn against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression. It casts truth to the ground and succeeds in what it does. Gabriel uses the same words, that he "shall prosper, and practise," of the king of fierce countenance who stands up in the latter time of the four kingdoms. Daniel 8:12Daniel 8:23Daniel 8:24
In the vision Daniel was at Shushan in the province of Elam, by the river Ulai. The horn grows toward the south, the east and the pleasant land, and by him the place of the sanctuary is cast down. Daniel 8:2Daniel 8:9Daniel 8:11
The eventsDaniel saw the vision in the third year of Belshazzar. Gabriel places the fierce king in the latter time of the four kingdoms that come out of Grecia, when the transgressors are come to the full, and says the vision is for the time of the end. Daniel 8:1Daniel 8:17Daniel 8:21Daniel 8:22Daniel 8:23
WrittenTraditional: written by Daniel in the 500s BC. Scholarly: many critical scholars date the book's final form to about 167-164 BC, under the Greek king Antiochus IV, while others keep the 500s BC date, pointing to Jesus' words in Matthew 24:15 and the book's knowledge of the Babylonian court. Daniel overview
HereThe verse shows that the host was given to him, and the next verses show its time has a limit. A saint asks how long it will last, the answer is 2,300 days and then the sanctuary is cleansed, and the king is finally broken without hand. Daniel 8:12Daniel 8:13Daniel 8:14Daniel 8:25
In the whole of ScriptureDaniel teaches that the most High rules in the kingdom of men and sets up and removes kings. Here even a power that casts down truth acts only until the end comes at the time appointed. Revelation 13:7 uses similar words: "it was given unto him to make war with the saints." Daniel overviewDaniel 8:19Revelation 13:7
For readersReaders who ask with Jeremiah why the way of the wicked prospers, or who see that truth is fallen in the street, as Isaiah said, are shown that such success is given and measured. It ends when the proud king is broken without hand. Jeremiah 12:1Isaiah 59:14Daniel 8:14Daniel 8:25
Christians read this differently
Gabriel ties the horn to a king of fierce countenance from the four Greek kingdoms, but no cited passage names which king. Some Christians read it as fulfilled in a past king of those kingdoms; others also see a later end-time enemy, linking "the time of the end" (8:17) with Revelation 13 and 2 Thessalonians 2. Readers also differ on whether a host is given to the horn or the host is given over to it (compare 8:13), and on whose transgression is meant (compare 8:23). Daniel 8:17Daniel 8:22Daniel 8:23Daniel 8:13Strong's H5414GStrong's H5921ARevelation 13:72 Thessalonians 2:10
- dailyתָּמִיד
The word means continuity or perpetuity, and here it is rendered "the perpetual [offering]." The attack is on the regular offering, the daily sacrifice taken away when the place of the sanctuary is cast down. Strong's H8548Daniel 8:11Daniel 8:13
- hostצָבָא
The word can mean an organized army, the host of angels, or the sun, moon and stars; here it is rendered "an army." "Host" runs through this vision (8:10, 8:11, 8:13). Strong's H6635ADaniel 8:10Daniel 8:11Daniel 8:13
- transgressionפֶּ֫שַׁע
The word means transgression or rebellion, including rebellion against God. The vision speaks of "the transgression of desolation" (8:13) and of the time "when the transgressors are come to the full" (8:23). Strong's H6588Daniel 8:13Daniel 8:23
- truthאֱמֶת
The word covers firmness, faithfulness and truth, including truth of divine instruction. Isaiah 59:14 uses a similar picture: "truth is fallen in the street." Strong's H0571HIsaiah 59:14
- prosperedצָלֵחַ
The word means to advance, succeed or prosper. The fierce king is likewise said to prosper in 8:24-25, and his success ends when he is broken without hand. Strong's H6743BDaniel 8:24Daniel 8:25
Takeaway
Evil may seem to win, casting truth down and prospering for a time, but its power is given, its days are counted, and it is broken without hand. Daniel 8:12Daniel 8:14Daniel 8:25
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
The world around the text
About 605-536 BC. King of Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC). Where Daniel lived and served for about seventy years. The capital of the Babylonian empire, on the Euphrates south of modern Baghdad, in the land the Bible calls Shinar and Chaldea.
Who ruled
- King of BabylonNebuchadnezzar605-562 BC
The king who besieged Jerusalem, carried Daniel and the temple vessels to Babylon, and later destroyed the city and temple. His own building inscriptions boast of the Babylon he built. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 24:12 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 25:1Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- Last king of Babylon, and his son who ruled in his placeNabonidus and Belshazzar556-539 BC
Nabonidus spent about ten years at the oasis of Tema in Arabia and left his son Belshazzar to rule in Babylon. That is why Belshazzar could only offer Daniel the place of "third ruler in the kingdom": he was himself second. Daniel 5:1Daniel 5:7Daniel 5:29Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Verse Account of Nabonidus
- Received the kingdom after Babylon fellDarius the MedianFrom 539 BC
Daniel says he "took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old" and set 120 princes over it. Records outside the Bible do not name him; he has been identified with Gubaru, the governor Cyrus set over Babylon, or with Cyrus himself. Daniel 5:31Daniel 6:1Daniel 9:1Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)
- King of PersiaCyrus559-530 BC
He united the Medes and Persians, took Babylon in 539 BC, and let the exiles go home to rebuild the temple, as Isaiah had named him beforehand. Daniel 1:21Daniel 6:28Daniel 10:1Ezra 1:1-4Isaiah 44:28-45:1Cyrus Cylinder
- King of JudahJehoiakim609-598 BC
Judah's king when Daniel was taken. Jeremiah warned him and his people that the land would serve Babylon seventy years. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 23:36-24:6Jeremiah 25:1-11
What was happening, 612 BC to 167 BC
- 612 BCWarNineveh falls
Babylon and the Medes destroyed Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, as Nahum and Zephaniah had foretold. Babylon became the great power of the region. Nahum 3:7Zephaniah 2:13Fall of Nineveh Chronicle (ABC 3)
- 605 BCWarBattle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar defeated Pharaoh Necho of Egypt at Carchemish on the Euphrates, in Jehoiakim's fourth year. The same year he came against Jerusalem and took the first captives, Daniel among them. Jeremiah 46:2Daniel 1:1-4Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 597 BCWarJerusalem surrenders
Nebuchadnezzar took King Jehoiachin, his nobles and craftsmen to Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel went into exile with them. 2 Kings 24:10-17Ezekiel 1:2Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 586 BCWarJerusalem and the temple destroyed
Babylon's army burned the temple and the city and broke down its walls. Daniel later prays over "the desolations of Jerusalem" and asks God to shine on his "sanctuary that is desolate." 2 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 52:12-14Daniel 9:2Daniel 9:17
- c. 575 BCBuildingBabylon rebuilt in splendor
Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt Babylon with great walls, palaces and the blue-glazed Ishtar Gate, and his inscriptions praise his own work. Compare his boast: "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built?" Daniel 4:30Nebuchadnezzar's East India House InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 1.178-183
- 562 BCRulersNebuchadnezzar dies
His son Evil-merodach became king and released Jehoiachin of Judah from prison. 2 Kings 25:27-30Jeremiah 52:31-34
- c. 553-543 BCRulersNabonidus leaves Babylon to Belshazzar
King Nabonidus stayed at Tema in Arabia for about ten years, and the yearly New Year festival in Babylon was not held. Belshazzar governed in Babylon. Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Daniel 5:1Daniel 7:1
- 550 BCWarCyrus unites the Medes and Persians
Cyrus of Persia defeated Astyages king of the Medes, joining the two peoples in one kingdom. Daniel's vision names the ram's two horns as "the kings of Media and Persia," the higher coming up last. Daniel 8:3Daniel 8:20Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.127-130
- October 539 BCWarBabylon falls to Cyrus
Cyrus's army entered Babylon without a long siege. Herodotus says the people were feasting when the city was taken. Daniel records that "in that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain." Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.191Cyrus Cylinder
- 538 BCGod's peopleCyrus lets the exiles return
In his first year over Babylon, Cyrus proclaimed that the Jews could go back and build the LORD's house in Jerusalem. Daniel "continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus." Ezra 1:1-42 Chronicles 36:22-23Daniel 1:21Cyrus Cylinder
- c. 536 BCGod's peopleThe temple's foundation is laid
The returned exiles rebuilt the altar and laid the foundation of the temple. In the third year of Cyrus, Daniel was still in the east, mourning and praying. Ezra 3:1-11Daniel 10:1-3
- 334-331 BCWarAlexander the Great conquers Persia
Alexander of Macedon crossed into Asia and overthrew the Persian empire within four years. Daniel 8:21 names the rough goat as "the king of Grecia" and its great horn as "the first king." Daniel 8:5-8Daniel 8:21Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 1-3
- 323-301 BCWarAlexander's empire is divided
Alexander died young, and after twenty years of war his generals divided his empire, chiefly into four kingdoms. Daniel 8:22 says "four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power." Daniel 8:8Daniel 8:22Daniel 11:4Diodorus Siculus, Library 18-20Plutarch, Demetrius 28-30
- 167 BCWarAntiochus IV defiles the temple
The Greek king Antiochus IV banned Jewish worship and set up a pagan altar on the altar of burnt offering. 1 Maccabees calls it "the abomination of desolation." Two centuries later Jesus spoke of "the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet" as still to come. 1 Maccabees 1:54-59Josephus, Antiquities 12.5.4Matthew 24:15
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records of these years (the Babylonian Chronicles, the Cyrus Cylinder, Nebuchadnezzar's inscriptions) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Diodorus, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| and an army | וְצָבָ֛א | ve-tza-VA' | H6635A | armyצָבָא (tsa.va) : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service |
| it will be set | תִּנָּתֵ֥ן | ti-na-TEN | H5414G | to give: giveנָתַן (na.tan) : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted … |
| over | עַל־ | 'al- | H5921A | uponעַל (al) prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) … |
| the perpetual [offering] | הַתָּמִ֖יד | ha-ta-MID | H8548 | continuallyתָּמִיד (ta.mid) 1) continuity, perpetuity, to stretch 1a) continually, continuously (as adverb) 1b) continuity (subst) |
| in transgression | בְּפָ֑שַׁע | be-FA-sha' | H6588 | transgressionפֶּ֫שַׁע (pe.sah) 1) transgression, rebellion 1a1) transgression (against individuals) 1a2) transgression (nation against nation) 1a3) transgression (against God) 1a3a) in general 1a3b) as recognised by sinner 1a3c) as God deals with it 1a3d) as God forgives 1a4) guilt of transgression 1a5) punishment for transgression 1a6) offering for transgression |
| and it will throw down | וְתַשְׁלֵ֤ךְ | ve-tash-LEKH | H7993 | to throwשָׁלַךְ (sha.lakh) 1) to throw, cast, hurl, fling 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to throw, cast, throw away, cast off, shed, cast down 1a2) to cast (lots) (fig) 1b) (Hophal) 1b1) to be thrown, be cast 1b2) to be cast forth or out 1b3) to be cast down 1b4) to be cast (metaph) |
| truth | אֱמֶת֙ | 'e-MET | H0571H | truth: faithfulאֱמֶת (e.met) : faithful 1) firmness, faithfulness, truth 1a) sureness, reliability 1b) stability, continuance 1c) faithfulness, reliableness 1d) truth 1d1) as spoken 1d2) of testimony and judgment 1d3) of divine instruction 1d4) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge 1d5) true doctrine adv 2) in truth, truly |
| [the] ground towards | אַ֔רְצָה | 'AR-tzah | H0776H | earth: soilאֲרַע (a.ra) : soil earth, world, ground Aramaic of e.rets (אֶ֫רֶץ ": soil" H0776H) |
| and it will act | וְעָשְׂתָ֖ה | ve-'a-se-TAH | H6213A | to make: doעָשָׂה (a.sah) : do/perform 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made |
| and it will succeed | וְהִצְלִֽיחָה׃ | ve-hitz-LI-chah | H6743B | to prosperצָלֵחַ (tsa.lech) 1) to advance, prosper, make progress, succeed, be profitable 1a) (Qal) to prosper 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to make prosperous, bring to successful issue, cause to prosper 1b2) to show or experience prosperity, prosper Aramaic equivalent: tse.lach (צְלַח "to prosper" H6744) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.