And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily [sacrifice], and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
And arms {H2220} shall stand {H5975} on his part, and they shall pollute {H2490} the sanctuary {H4720} of strength {H4581}, and shall take away {H5493} the daily {H8548} sacrifice, and they shall place {H5414} the abomination {H8251} that maketh desolate {H8074}.
Armed forces will come at his order and profane the sanctuary and fortress. They will abolish the daily burnt offering and set up the abomination that causes desolation.
His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation.
And forces shall stand on his part, and they shall profane the sanctuary, even the fortress, and shall take away the continual burnt-offering, and they shall set up the abomination that maketh desolate.
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Daniel 12:11
And from the time [that] the daily [sacrifice] shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, [there shall be] a thousand two hundred and ninety days. -
Daniel 9:27
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. -
Matthew 24:15
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) -
Mark 13:14
¶ But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: -
Daniel 8:11
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. -
Daniel 8:13
Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain [saint] which spake, How long [shall be] the vision [concerning] the daily [sacrifice], and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? -
Ezekiel 24:21
Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword.
Commentary on Daniel 11:31 (KJV)
Daniel 11:31 is a pivotal verse in a lengthy prophetic passage that describes conflicts and events involving various kings and empires, leading up to a climactic period. This verse specifically foretells a significant act of desecration against the Jewish sanctuary.
Historical and Cultural Context
The prophecies in Daniel 11 are remarkably detailed, so much so that some scholars have historically considered them to be written after the events they describe. However, conservative scholarship affirms their predictive nature. Verses 21-35 of Daniel 11 are widely understood to refer to the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 BC), a Seleucid king who severely persecuted the Jewish people. His actions, particularly the desecration of the Jerusalem Temple, serve as the primary historical fulfillment of this verse.
The "sanctuary of strength" refers to the Second Temple in Jerusalem, which was not only the center of Jewish worship but also a symbol of their national and spiritual identity and strength. The "daily sacrifice" (Hebrew: tamid) was the regular morning and evening burnt offering made in the Temple, central to the Jewish religious calendar.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "abomination that maketh desolate" translates the Hebrew shiqqutz meshomem (שִׁקּוּץ מְשֹׁמֵם). The word shiqqutz means a detestable or abominable thing, often referring to an idol or something profoundly offensive to God. Meshomem means to be appalled, to lay waste, or to cause desolation. Together, they convey a detestable act leading to utter ruin or devastation, particularly in a sacred context.
Related Scriptures
Historically, Antiochus IV Epiphanes fulfilled this prophecy by setting up an altar to Zeus in the Temple and sacrificing pigs on it, an act that led to the Maccabean Revolt. The cessation of the daily sacrifices is also mentioned in Daniel 8:11-13.
Significantly, Jesus Himself references "the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet" in Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14, indicating a future, ultimate fulfillment during the end times. This suggests a dual prophecy, where the historical event serves as a type or foreshadowing of a greater desecration yet to come, likely involving a future antichrist figure in a rebuilt Temple (see 2 Thessalonians 2:4).
Practical Application
Daniel 11:31 serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual battle against forces that seek to defile what is sacred and to halt true worship. For believers today, it encourages vigilance and discernment, especially regarding attempts to corrupt spiritual truth or to undermine faith. While the physical Temple no longer stands, the principle applies to the "temple" of our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19) and the church as a spiritual sanctuary. Understanding these prophecies helps us recognize patterns of evil and remain steadfast in our devotion to God, knowing that He ultimately triumphs over all attempts to desolate His creation.