Daniel 11:31

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

• Desecration of Sacred Spaces: The verse vividly describes the pollution and defilement of God's sanctuary, highlighting the extreme impiety of the antagonist. This act represents an assault not just on a building, but on the very worship of God and the covenant people.
• Cessation of Worship: The "taking away the daily sacrifice" signifies the forcible interruption of regular, commanded worship, a direct challenge to God's ordinances.
• The Abomination that Maketh Desolate: This phrase is central to the verse's meaning and has profound historical and prophetic significance. It refers to an act of extreme sacrilege that brings about desolation or ruin.
• Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse demonstrates the incredible accuracy of biblical prophecy, with Antiochus IV Epiphanes fulfilling these details centuries after Daniel wrote them. It also points to a future, ultimate fulfillment.

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.