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Daniel 8:10

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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.

And it waxed great {H1431}, even to the host {H6635} of heaven {H8064}; and it cast down {H5307} some of the host {H6635} and of the stars {H3556} to the ground {H776}, and stamped {H7429} upon them.

It grew so great that it reached the army of heaven; it hurled some of the army and the stars to the ground and trampled on them.

It grew as high as the host of heaven, and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the earth, and trampled them.

And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and some of the host and of the stars it cast down to the ground, and trampled upon them.

Commentary

Daniel 8:10 is a powerful and symbolic verse from Daniel's vision of the ram and the goat, describing the actions of a formidable future power. This vision provides insights into historical events and prophetic patterns concerning those who oppose God and His people.

Context

This verse is part of the vision found in Daniel chapter 8, which Daniel received in the third year of King Belshazzar's reign. The vision begins with a ram with two horns (representing the Medo-Persian Empire) and a goat with a notable horn (representing the Grecian Empire under Alexander the Great). After the great horn is broken, four notable horns arise, and from one of them emerges a "little horn" (Daniel 8:9). Verse 10 describes the aggressive and blasphemous actions of this little horn. While historically interpreted as a prophecy pointing to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid king who persecuted the Jews in the 2nd century BC, its actions also serve as a prefigurement of a future, ultimate antichrist figure.

Key Themes

  • Exalted Arrogance and Blasphemy: The horn "waxed great, even to the host of heaven," signifying an immense pride and a direct defiance of God's authority and realm. This is not merely human ambition but a spiritual rebellion against the divine.
  • Persecution of God's People: The phrase "cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them" is highly symbolic. The "host of heaven" and "stars" in prophetic literature often refer to God's people, particularly spiritual leaders, priests, or those in positions of prominence among them. This indicates a violent and contemptuous persecution, humiliation, and subjugation of those who follow God.
  • Desecration and Dominance: Stamping upon them implies complete victory, utter disdain, and the desecration of that which is holy or set apart for God.

Linguistic Insights

The terms used here are rich in symbolic meaning:

  • "Host of heaven" (Hebrew: tzva hashshamayim - צְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם): While literally referring to celestial bodies or angelic armies, in this prophetic context, alongside "stars," it most likely symbolizes the people of God, especially their leaders or those who represent heavenly authority on earth. It implies a direct assault on the spiritual and religious fabric of God's covenant people.
  • "Stars" (Hebrew: kokhavim - כּוֹכָבִים): In biblical prophecy, stars frequently represent prominent individuals, leaders, or even angelic beings. The act of casting them down echoes similar imagery found elsewhere, such as in Revelation 12:4, depicting spiritual warfare and the fall of significant figures.
  • The verbs "cast down" and "stamped upon" convey extreme violence, oppression, and humiliation, highlighting the brutal nature of this oppressive power as described in Daniel 8:23-25.

Practical Application

Daniel 8:10 serves as a profound warning and a source of encouragement for believers across generations:

  • It reminds us that throughout history, and especially in the end times, there will be powerful forces that openly defy God and persecute His followers.
  • It highlights the spiritual dimension of conflict, where the true target of such oppressive powers is often God's truth and His people's faith.
  • Despite the apparent triumph of evil, the vision in Daniel ultimately points to God's sovereignty and His ultimate judgment over all oppressive powers, as seen in Daniel 7:26. Believers are called to remain steadfast and faithful, knowing that God will ultimately vindicate His people and establish His eternal kingdom.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 14:13 (5 votes)

    For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

  • Revelation 12:4 (5 votes)

    And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

  • Daniel 7:7 (4 votes)

    After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it [was] diverse from all the beasts that [were] before it; and it had ten horns.

  • Daniel 8:7 (4 votes)

    And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.

  • Daniel 11:33 (3 votes)

    And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, [many] days.

  • Daniel 11:36 (3 votes)

    And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

  • Daniel 11:28 (3 votes)

    Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart [shall be] against the holy covenant; and he shall do [exploits], and return to his own land.