Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 8:10
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.
10. The horn ‘waxed great,’ in the vision, not only over the surface of the earth ( Dan 8:9); it even towered up to heaven, struck and hurled down to the earth some of the stars, and then trampled contumeliously upon them.
even to ] as far as, so as even to reach. Cf. Isa 14:13-14; Job 20:6; and 2Ma 9:10 , ‘the man (Ant. Ep.) that a little afore supposed himself to touch the stars of heaven.’ The ‘host of heaven’ are the stars (as Deu 4:19, Jer 8:2; Jer 33:22, and elsewhere) [323] . Antiochus did not merely (cf. the passages quoted) touch heaven in his pride: he is represented further, with allusion to his insolent assaults upon the religion of the Jews, and to the martyrs who fell in consequence ( Dan 8:24; cf. 1Ma 1:24 ; 1Ma 1:30 ; 1Ma 1:57 ; 1Ma 1:63 , &c.), as audaciously attacking it, and hurling down some of the stars to the earth.
[323] See Host of Heaven in Hasytings’ Dict. of the Bible. It denotes them as a disciplined army, obedient to the commands of its leader (Isa 40:26).
and it cast, &c.] better, R.V. and some of the host and of the stars it cast down to the ground, and trampled ( Dan 8:7) upon them. The stars are intended to symbolize the faithful Israelites: cf. Enoch xlvi. 7.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And it waxed great – It became very powerful. This was eminently true of Antiochus, after having subdued Egypt, etc.
Even to the host of heaven – Margin, against. The Hebrew word ( ad) means to or unto, and the natural idea would seem to be that he wished to place himself among the stars, or to exalt himself above all that was earthly. Compare the notes at Isa 14:13 : For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. Lengerke supposes that the meaning here is, that he not only carried his conquests to Egypt and to the East, and to the holy land in general, but that he made war on the holy army of God – the priests and worshippers of Jehovah, here spoken of as the host of heaven. So Maurer understands it. In 2 Macc. 9:10, Antiochus is described in this language: And the man that thought a little afore he could reach the stars of heaven, etc. The connection, would seem to demand the interpretation proposed by Lengerke and Maurer, for it is immediately said that he cast down some of the host and the stars to the ground. And such an interpretation accords with the language elsewhere used, of the priests and rulers of the Hebrew people. Thus, in Isa 24:21, they are called the host of the high ones that are on high. See the note at that passage. This language is by no means uncommon in the Scriptures. It is usual to compare princes and rulers, and especially ecclesiastical rulers, with the sun, moon, and stars. Undoubtedly it is the design here to describe the pride and ambition of Antiochus, and to show that he did not think anything too exalted for his aspiration. None were too high or too sacred to be secure from his attempts to overthrow them, and even those who, by their position and character, seemed to deserve to be spoken of as suns and stars, as the host of heaven, were not secure.
And it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground – The horn seemed to grow up to the stars, and to wrest them from their places, and to cast them to the earth. Antiochus, in the fulfillment of this, east down and trampled on the princes, and rulers, and people, of the holy host or army of God. All that is implied in this was abundantly fulfilled in what he did to the Jewish people. Compare 1 Macc. 1, and 2 Macc. 8:2.
And stamped upon them – With indignation and contempt. Nothing could better express the conduct of Antiochus toward the Jews.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 10. The host of heaven] The Jewish hierarchy. The stars, the priests and Levites. The powers or host of heaven are probably intended by our Lord, Mt 24:29, to signify the whole Jewish hierarchy.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Even to the host of heaven, i.e. the church of God militant, who worship the God of heaven, who are citizens of heaven, whose names are written in heaven; and among these chiefly the priests, and nobles, and champions, who were as stars shining above the rest; these he profaned and slew cruelly.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
10. great, even to . . . host ofheavenexplained in Da 8:24,”the mighty and holy people,” that is, the Jews (Da7:21) and their priests (compare Isa24:21). The Levites’ service is called “a warfare“(Num 8:24; Num 8:25,Margin). Great civil and religious powers are symbolized by”stars” (Mt 24:29).See 1 Maccabees 1:25, c. 1 Maccabees 2:35, c. 1 Maccabees 5:2, 12,13. TREGELLES refers”stars” to those Jews whose portion from God is heavenlyglory (Da 12:3), beingbelievers in Him who is above at God’s right hand: not the blindedJews.
cast . . . stars to thegroundSo Babel, as type of Antichrist, is described (Isa 14:13;Isa 14:14), “I will exalt mythrone above the stars of God.” Compare Re12:4; 2 Maccabees 9:10, as to Antiochus.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven,…. The people of the Jews, the army of the living God, the church militant, among whom were many of the citizens of heaven, whose names are written there; such was the insolence of this king, as to molest and disturb them:
and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped them; some of the common people he persecuted and destroyed, or prevailed upon them, either by threats or flatteries, to relinquish their religion; and even some of the “stars”, the lights of the people, the priests and Levites, that ministered unto them; or the princes, and elders of the people, whom he slew, as Jacchiades interprets it; or removed from their posts so that they could not do their office; or they turned apostates; and those that did not he barbarously put to death, and insulted over them, and used them in a very contemptuous manner, as old Eleazar, the mother and her seven sons; see 2 Maccabees chapter 7.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Here Daniel continues the vision which he had received. We have already shewn he object of the Almighty to be the preparation of the faithful to bear serious calamities, because nothing new or unexpected should happen to them. Now, Daniel’s dwelling upon this point is not surprising, for it becomes his duty to inform the faithful of the heavy calamities which were at hand, and thus to mould them to patience and equity. Thus he says, The horn became magnificent, even to the army of the heavens. Without the slightest doubt this figure marks the elect people of God. Although the Church often lies prostrate in the world, and is trodden under foot and buried, yet it is always precious before God. Hence the Prophet adorns the Church with this remarkable praise, not to obtain for it any honor before men, but because God has separated it from the world, and provided a sure inheritance in heaven. Although the sons of God are pilgrims on earth, and have scarcely any dwelling-place here, becoming like castaways before men, yet they are nevertheless citizens of heaven. The usefulness of this teaching to us is apparent, by its inducing us to bear it patiently whenever we are often thrown prostrate on the ground, and whenever tyrants and the despiser’s of God look down upon us with scorn. Meanwhile our seat is laid up in heaven, and God numbers us among the stars, although, as Paul says, we are as dung and the offscouring of all things. (1Co 4:13.) In fine, God here shews his Prophet, as in a mirror, the estimation in which he holds his Church, however contemptible it is on earth. That horn, then, was magnified before the army of the heavens, and cast down some of that army upon the earth, and trod them out of the stars Exactly as if he proclaimed the loosening of the reins from the tyrant, permitting him to treat the Church with contempt, to tread it under foot;, and to draw down the stars from heaven, just as if God never appeared for its protection. For when God permits us to be safe and secure in his hand, and pronounces it impossible to prevail against his help, while tyrants harass and oppress us by their lust, it is like drawing down stars from heaven. God therefore, while he takes us under his guardianship, does not offer us. any succor, but dissembles as if he wished to betray us to our enemies. Nothing therefore is superfluous in these expressions of the Prophet — The stars were trodden down and the heavenly army thrown down to earth He now adds —
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(10) The host of heaven.Probably meaning the stars, as Jer. 33:22, but in a metaphorical sense indicating the people of Israel. (Comp. Exo. 7:4; Num. 24:17.) The actions of Antiochus, predicted here, are related 1Ma. 1:24; 1Ma. 1:30; 1Ma. 1:37; 1Ma. 2:38; 2Ma. 9:10.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
10. The little evil horn grew till it reached heaven and made war on the stars (compare Isa 14:13) and the host, that is, the army of stars (Deu 4:19; 2Ki 17:16; Jer 8:2), or of angels (Dan 4:35, Aramaic; 1Ki 22:19; Neh 9:6). On the stars compare Isa 14:13; the LXX. in its oldest manuscript speaks only of the stars. Professor G.F. Moore’s conjecture that this verse refers to Antiochus’s treatment of heathen religions (compare Dan 11:36; 1Ma 1:42 ; 1Ma 1:51 ) while the next verse refers to the Jewish religion “the prince of the host” has not met with much favor ( Journal of Biblical Literature, 1896). Thomson’s idea that the host means the various guardian angels of the nations which Antiochus defeated (the stars being the symbols of those angels) is also too ingenious to be probable (yet compare note Dan 10:13). It seems more natural to suppose that these heavenly lights and ministers are all only symbols of the holy heavenly people against whom Antiochus was most fierce (Dan 8:24-25; Dan 11:36-37).
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Dan 8:10 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.
Ver. 10. And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven. ] Or, Against the host of heaven, so the Church militant is called. The saints are the world’s great luminaries, yea, the only earthly angels, although wicked people count and call them the “filth and offscouring of all things.”
And of the stars.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
even to = as far as.
host = stars. Compare Rev 12:4.
of the host and of the stars. Figure of speech Hendiadys (App-6), for emphasis = the starry host.
stamped upon them = trampled them under foot. Compare Dan 8:13; Dan 7:21, Dan 7:25.
them: i.e. the people symbolized by them.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Dan 8:10
Dan 8:10 And it waxed great,H1431 even toH5704 the hostH6635 of heaven;H8064 and it cast downH5307 some ofH4480 the hostH6635 and ofH4480 the starsH3556 to the ground,H776 and stamped uponH7429 them.
Dan 8:10
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.
As seen earlier, Antiochus grew in power. The “host” is in reference to the Israelites. Stars represented a major ruler or authority. In this context, the stars which are cast down and stamped upon are probably in reference to the Jewish high priests and the Sanhedrin which were replaced as a result of the Hellenism of Jerusalem under Antiochus.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
And it waxed great
This passage (Dan 8:10-14) is confessedly the most difficult in prophecy, a difficulty increased by the present state of the text. Historically this was fulfilled in and by Antiochus Epiphanes, but in a more intense and final sense Antiochus but adumbrates the awful blasphemy of the “little horn” of; Dan 7:8; Dan 7:24; Dan 7:25; Dan 9:27; Dan 11:36-45; Dan 12:11. In Daniel Dan 8:10-14 the actions of both “little horns” blend.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
to the host: or, against the host, Dan 8:24, Dan 8:25, Dan 11:28, Dan 11:30, Dan 11:33-36, Isa 14:13, Rev 12:4
and stamped: Dan 8:7, Dan 7:7
Reciprocal: Gen 37:9 – stars Dan 11:22 – also Dan 11:35 – some Rev 1:16 – he had Rev 6:13 – the stars Rev 11:2 – tread
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Dan 8:10. Stars Is from KOWKAR which Strong defines, “figuratively a prince.” The words host of heaven, therefore, means the citizens of this “pleasant land,” and the stars has reference to the outstanding men among them. This wicked king had a bitter feeling against the Jews, and was disposed to do them all the harm he could.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Dan 8:10-11. And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven By the host of heaven, seems to be here meant the Jewish priesthood, so called from their continual attendance on Gods service in the temple, as the angels do in heaven. The word , here rendered host, is applied to the attendants in the sanctuary, Exo 38:8; Num 4:23. And it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground Persons of principal dignity and high offices are often called stars in the Scriptures. In Isa 24:21, The host of the high ones that are on high, is explained by Vitringa of the Jewish rulers and people: see Dan 12:3, and Rev 1:20, where the angels, or governors of the church, are called stars. The words here seem to import, either that Antiochus should put an end to the services of the temple, by taking away the daily sacrifice, Dan 8:12; or else that he should seduce some of the priests and rulers, by threats and flatteries, to turn apostates. And stamped upon them Utterly subdued and destroyed them: see Dan 7:7. Yea, he magnified himself even to [or against] the prince of the host This may be understood of the high-priest Onias, (compare Dan 11:22,) whom Antiochus deprived of his office, putting Jason in his place, an ungodly wretch, who set up heathen rites in Gods temple, 2Ma 4:13-17. But Jerome and Theodoret understand it of God himself, as do many others; or of Christ, the High-Priest over the house of God, whose sanctuary the temple is called in the following words. Antiochus erected in the temple a statue to Jupiter Olympus, deservedly esteemed the abomination of desolation, and thus magnified himself against God, to whom the sanctuary and its services were appropriated. And by him the daily sacrifice was taken away The sacrifice which was offered, in the name of the whole nation, every morning and evening: see Num 28:3. This was taken away by Antiochus, together with the whole customary worship, and both altar and temple profaned: see 1Ma 1:44-64. And the place of his sanctuary was cast down Or cast out, or rendered profane: comp. Rev 11:2. It was deprived of the honour and privileges that belonged to a holy place, as if the enclosures had been thrown down which separated it from common ground. It may include also the profanation of the high- priesthood, which Antiochus set up to sale, and let men of the most profligate lives have it; so that both the sanctuary itself, and the priesthood, might truly be said to be rendered profane.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
8:10 And it waxed great, [even] to the {p} host of heaven; and it cast down [some] of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.
(p) Antiochus raged against the elect of God, and tread his precious stars underfoot, who are so called because they are separated from the world.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
This little horn grew up to the host of heaven, caused some of the host and some of the stars to fall to the earth, and trampled on them. The stars probably refer to the children of Israel whom God predicted would be as numerous as the stars of heaven (Gen 15:5; Gen 22:17; Gen 37:9-10; cf. Dan 12:3; Mat 13:43; Enoch 46:7). [Note: Walvoord, Daniel . . ., p. 185; Driver, p. 116.] They constitute His armies (cf. Exo 7:4; Exo 12:17; Exo 12:51; Num 33:1).
"If the world calls those men and women stars who excel in one or another department of human activity, why should not a similar statement be still more appropriate with reference to God’s people?" [Note: Leupold, p. 346.]
Many scholars regard the stars and the host of heaven as synonymous: "the host even the stars" (cf. Dan 8:13; Exo 12:41). [Note: E.g., ibid.; Pentecost, p. 1355; Archer, "Daniel," p. 99.] This is the appositional use of "and," which is quite common. Alternatively the host of heaven may be angels who have some connection with the Jews (the stars). The falling of the host to the earth then would picture Antiochus’ victory over these angels, and his trampling the stars down would signify his persecution of the Jews. However, Dan 8:12 seems to indicate that the horn really controlled the host, which would be impossible if they were angels.