Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 8:12
And a host was given [him] against the daily [sacrifice] by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered.
12. And a host, &c.] The first part of this verse is difficult and uncertain; but the most natural rendering is, ‘ And a host was appointed [or, a warfare (Isa 40:2) was undertaken ] against [324] the continual (burnt-offering), with transgression (i.e. wickedly).’ The allusion, with this rendering, will be to the violent measures adopted by Antiochus for the purpose of suppressing the sacred rites of the Jews in particular, perhaps, to the armed garrison established by him in the ‘city of David’ with the object of overawing the worshippers, which remained there for many years ( 1Ma 1:33-38 ; cf. 8: 51, 1Ma 2:15; 1Ma 2:31 f., 1Ma 4:41 ). R.V. has ‘ And the host [better, with Meinhold, Keil, &c. an host ] i.e. an army of Israelites, the figure of Dan 8:10-11 being kept up was given over to it (i.e. into the power of the horn) together with the continual (burnt-offering) through transgression (i.e. on account of the apostasy of the Hellenizing Jews): this has the advantage of taking ‘host,’ ‘give’ (i.e. give up, abandon [325] ), and ‘transgression,’ in the same senses as in Dan 8:13; but the rendering together with is not here very natural.
[324] A.V. and the first marg. of R.V. do not differ in general sense; but ‘was appointed’ (absolutely) is better than ‘was given (to it).’ The 2nd marg. of R.V. renders (nearly as Ewald) ‘was set over the continual (burnt-offering)’ viz. to lay compulsion upon it, or to suppress it also with no difference in the general sense. For the rendering appoint (or set) see 2Ch 20:22, Neh 9:17; and with over, 2Ch 32:6, Neh 9:37.
[325] In Heb. to give may mean, according to the context, either to set, place (as Gen 1:17, and frequently), or to give over, deliver (Deu 1:27, &c.), and abs. (though this usage is rare) to give up, abandon, Num 21:3 ; 1Ki 14:16; Mic 5:3; Dan 11:6.
and it cast down truth to the ground ] i.e. overthrew the true religion. ‘Truth’ is commonly used in Heb. subjectively of a moral quality; but here it denotes that which is true objectively, a body of true principles, i.e. true religion. So Dan 9:13, Psa 25:5.
As pointed, the verb ‘and it cast down’ ought strictly to be construed as a future; but the rest of the description is in the past time; and probably the punctuation should be altered accordingly. The other two verbs in the verse may denote either future or past time; they must be rendered, therefore, so as to agree with the tense of ‘cast down.’
and it did, and prospered ] cf. Dan 8:24. ‘Did’ is used in a pregnant sense, acted (viz. with effect), carried through his purpose; hence R.V. ‘ did (its pleasure)’. Cf. 2Ch 31:21 ‘And in every work that he began , he did (i.e. acted) with all his heart, and prospered;’ also the absolute use of ‘do’ of God, Psa 22:31; Psa 52:9 (there is no ‘it’ in the Heb.), Psa 37:5 (lit. ‘and he will do ’). Comp. ch. Dan 11:28; Dan 11:30; Dan 11:32.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And a host was given him – The Vulgate renders this, and strength – robur – was given him, etc. Theodotion, and sin was permitted – edothe – against the sacrifice; and this righteousness was cast on the ground; so he acted and was prospered. Luther renders it, and such might (or power, macht) was given him. The Syriac renders it, and strength was given him, etc. Bertholdt renders it, Statt jenes stellte man den Greuel auf, instead of this (the temple) there was set up an abomination. Dathe, and the stars were delivered to him – tradita ei fuerunt astra, seu populus Judaicus. Maurer understands it also of the Jewish people, and interprets it, and an army – exercitus – the people of the Jews was delivered to destruction, at the same time with the perpetual sacrifice, on account of wickedness, that is, for a wicked thing, or for impure sacrifices. Lengerke renders it, as in our translation, an host – ein Heer – was Wen up to him at the same time with the daily offering, on account of evil. The word host ( tsaba’) is doubtless to be taken here in the same sense as in Dan 8:10, where it is connected with heaven – the host of heaven. If it refers there to the Jewish people, it doubtless does here, and the appellation is such a one as would not unnaturally be used. It is equivalent to saying the army of the Lord, or the people of the Lord, and it should have been rendered here and the host was given up to him; that is, the people of God, or the holy people were given into his hands.
Against the daily sacrifice – This does not convey any clear idea. Lengerke renders it, sammt den bestandigen opfer – at the same time with the permanent sacrifice. He remarks that the preposition al (rendered in our version against), like the Greek epi, may denote a connection with anything, or a being with a thing – Zusammenseyn – and thus it would denote a union of time, or that the things occurred together, Gen 32:11 (12); Hos 10:14; Amo 3:15. Compare Gesenius (Lexicon) on the word al, 3. According to this, the meaning is, that the host, or the Jewish people, were given to him at the same time, or in connection with the daily sacrifice. The conquest over the people, and the command respecting the daily sacrifice, were simultaneous. Both passed into his hands, and he exercised jurisdiction over them both.
By reason of transgression – – beppasha. That is, all this was on account of the transgression of the people, or on account of abounding iniquity. God gave up the people, and their temple, and their sacrifices, into the hands of Antiochus, on account of the prevailing impiety. Compare 1 Macc. 1:11-16. The author of that book traces all these calamities to the acts of certain wicked men, who obtained permission of Antiochus to introduce pagan customs into Jerusalem, and who actually established many of those customs there.
And it cast down the truth to the ground – The true system of religion, or the true method of worshipping God – represented here as truth in the abstract. So in Isa 59:14, it is said: Truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. The meaning here is, that the institutions of the true religion would be utterly prostrate. This was fully accomplished by Antiochus. See 1 Macc. 1.
And it practiced – Hebrew. it did, or it acted. That is, it undertook a work, and was successful. So in Psa 1:3, where the same expression occurs: And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. This was fully accomplished in Antiochus, who was entirely successful in all his enterprises against Jerusalem. See 1 Macc. 1.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 12. And a host was given him] That is, power; or perhaps the host of heaven – the priesthood – the whole sacrificial system, by reason of transgression. They had filled up the measure of their iniquities, in rejecting the Lord that bought them; and the daily sacrifice, being no longer of use, was given up with the rest to destruction.
Cast down the truth] Probably the whole Jewish ritual and religion.
Practised, and prospered.] Prosperity or success followed all their acts.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
By reason of transgression, i.e. either the transgression of the priests, for Jason perfidiously took away the priesthood from his brother Onias, and afterwards Menelaus did the like by him. Or else for the sin of the people about the worship of God. Or else Antiochus wickedly and in contempt of God put soldiers into the city to hinder or break up the meetings of Gods people about his worship, 1Ma 1:47.
It cast down the truth, i.e. the law of God, called the law of truth, Mal 2:6, which Antiochus cut in pieces and burnt, 1Ma 1:59. This was his practice, and it succeeded for a time as he desired.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12. an hostrather, “thehost was given up to him,” that is, the holy peoplewere given into his hands. So in Da8:10 “the host” is used; and again in Da8:13, where also “give” is used as here for “givingup” for destruction (compare Da11:6) [MAURER].
against . . . dailysacrificerather (the host was given up for him to tread upon),”together with the daily sacrifice” (compare Da8:13).
by reason of transgression1Maccabees 1:11-16 traces all the calamities suffered underAntiochus to the transgression of certain Jews who introducedheathen customs into Jerusalem just before. But transgressionwas not at the full (Da8:23) under Antiochus; for Onias the high priest administered thelaws in godliness at the time (2 Maccabees 3:1). Therefore the”transgression” must refer to that of the Jews hereafterrestored to Palestine in unbelief.
the truththe worshipof the true God. Isa 59:14,”Truth is fallen in the street.”
practised, andprosperedWhatever he undertook succeeded (Dan 8:4;Dan 11:28; Dan 11:36).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression,…. Which some interpret of a garrison of soldiers placed by Antiochus, through his sin and wickedness, to hinder the oblation of the daily sacrifice, as Grotius: others, of a host of apostates among the Jews, who advised Antiochus against the daily sacrifice, and to kill swine, and offer them on the altar, as Jacchiades; or rather it may be rendered, “and the host was given over”, or “delivered”, i.e. to the enemy, “because of the transgression against the daily sacrifice” e; that is, because of the transgression of the priests or the people, in neglecting the daily sacrifice, the host or people of the Jews were delivered up into the hands of Antiochus; or they were delivered up, together with the daily sacrifice, for their sins f. The word is by Jarchi and Ben Melech interpreted a set time, a fixed time which shall have an end; and Calvin inclines to this sense, that though the daily sacrifice would be taken away, because of the transgression of the people, yet it was only for a certain time, and would be restored again when that time was up; and so is spoken for the comfort of the Lord’s people:
and it cast down the truth to the ground: that is, the little horn Antiochus, or his host and army; he did all that in him lay to extirpate and abolish true religion and godliness; he cut in pieces the copies of the book of the law, and burnt them, called the law of truth in Mal 2:6, as Jacchiades observes, and put to death the professors of the truth; and showed all the contempt of true doctrine and worship he was capable of; see the Apocrypha:
“57 And whosoever was found with any the book of the testament, or if any committed to the law, the king’s commandment was, that they should put him to death. 58 Thus did they by their authority unto the Israelites every month, to as many as were found in the cities. 59 Now the five and twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice upon the idol altar, which was upon the altar of God. 60 At which time according to the commandment they put to death certain women, that had caused their children to be circumcised.” (1 Maccabees 1)
and it practised, and prospered; he did what he pleased, and he succeeded in his attempts for a while, there being none to oppose him.
e “exercitusque traditus est propter trangressionem contra res circa illud juge sacrificium”, Vatablus. f “Et exercitus tradetur una cum sacrificio jugi ob praevaricationem”, Michaelis.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The Prophet mitigates the asperity which he now records. It seems absurd for God to allow such license to Antiochus, that his temple should be spoiled and all sacrifices and all worship exterminated. It is difficult to reconcile this, for the opinion will naturally creep in, — possibly God is constrained and deprived of power to subdue his foes. The, Prophet therefore clearly states here how the license for vexing and oppressing’ the Church would never have been granted to Antiochus without God’s permission. Time, therefore, shall be given him, says he. By the words, time shall be given. he refers to the will of God, meaning, the pious shall have no cause for desponding while they see all things disturbed and confused in every direction, as God will rule all these perplexities by his secret judgment. Time, then, shall be given, implying, Antiochus can do nothing by his unbridled and furious audacity, unless divinely permitted and previously limited. צבא tzeba, signifies both “army” and “time,” but the latter meaning is the most suitable here; for when it is translated “an army shall be given him,” the sense appears forced. I more willingly embrace the sense of time being allowed; that is, God will try the patience of his Church for a certain definite time, and will then bring their troubles to an end. We, know it to be impossible to sustain the spirits of the faithful, otherwise that by their expectation of a favorable termination, and by the hope of their emerging from the abyss of sorrow. This, then, is the reason why God shews his Prophet by a vision the temporary duration of the sway of Antiochus. A period, then, shall be appointed to him over the perpetual sacrifice; meaning, whatever he may intend, he shall not abolish the worship of God. For, however he may exert himself, God will not permit the sacrifices to perish utterly and forever; he will restore them in his own time, as we shall afterwards see, and when we come to the close, we shall find the context flowing on in accordance with this meaning — a time shall be given him over the continual sacrifice.
He afterwards adds בפשע, beph-sheng, “in wickedness,” or “in sin.” I prefer the simple translation “in sin” to “by sin,” although different senses are elicited according to the different views of interpreters. It is better to leave it to every one’s free choice, and thus simply to translate “in wickedness” or “sin.” Some refer it to Antiochus, because he wickedly polluted God’s temple, and abolished the sacrifices. This sense is probable, but I will add others, and then say which of them I like best. Some understand “in sin” of the priests, because, through the perfidy of Jason, Antiochus entered the city, spoiled the temple, and introduced those abominations which exterminated all piety and divine worship. (2Ma 4:7.) As Jason desired to snatch the priesthood from his brother Onias, he opened the gates to Antiochus; then a great slaughter followed, in which all the adherents of Onias were cruelly slain. Afterwards Menelaus expelled Jason again by similar perfidy. Some translate “by means of wickedness,” as these priests induced Antiochus to exercise cruelty in the holy city, and to violate the temple itself. Others approach nearer the real sense, by supposing the sacrifices to have ceased through wickedness, because they were adulterated by the priests. But this appears to me too restricted. In my judgment, I rather hold towards the view of those who take “wickedness” as a cause arid origin, thereby teaching the Jews how justly they were punished for their sins. I have already explained how properly the vision was limited as to time, and controlled by God’s permission and secret counsel. The cause is here expressed; for it might still be objected, “How happens it that God submits himself and his sacred name to the ridicule of the impious, and even deserts his own people? What does he intend by this?” The Prophet, therefore, assigns this cause — the Jews must feel the profanation of the temple, the sad devastation. of the whole city and their horrible slaughter, to be the reward due to their sins. A time, therefore, shall be assigned over the perpetual sacrifice in sin; that is, on account of sin. We here see how God on the one hand moderates the weight of the evils which pressed upon the Jews, and shews them some kindness, lest sorrow, anxiety, and despair should consume the wretched people; on the other hand, he humbles them and admonishes them to confess their sins, and then he urges them to apply their minds to repentance, by stating their own sins to be the cause of their afflictions. He thus shews how the source of all their evils was in the Jews themselves, while God’s anger was provoked by their vices. It is necessary to stop here till tomorrow.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(12) An host . . .The host is apparently the same as that which is mentioned in Dan. 8:10, and means some of the Jewish people. It is known that some of them lapsed under the persecutions of Antiochus, and joined in his idolatrous rites. These apostates were given into his hand, and on account of their apostasy the daily sacrifice also was taken away. (Comp. Dan. 8:13.)
The truthi.e., the word of God, as appears from 1Ma. 1:43-52; 1Ma. 1:56; 1Ma. 1:60.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Dan 8:12. And an host was given him Moreover, a ministry was delivered to him against, &c.He cast the truth to the ground, and whatever he undertook, it prospered. Houbigant.
See commentary on Dan 8:9
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Dan 8:12 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.
Ver. 12. And an host was given him. ] Or, The host was given over, for the transgression against the daily sacrifice. The Jews were grown to a great height of profaneness, even in Malachi’s days, as is to be seen Mal 1:1-14 ; Mal 2:1-17 ; Mal 3:1-15 , and by this time, doubtless, they were become much worse; God therefore, for punishment, turned this tiger loose upon them.
And it cast down the truth to the ground.
And it practised, and prospered.
a Acts and Mon., 1421.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
an host. Here the word is used of a military host, in opposition to the “host” of Num 4:23, Num 4:30, Num 4:35, Num 4:39, Num 4:43; Num 8:24, Num 8:25.
was given him against = was set over: i.e. war is raised against “the daily sacrifice”.
by reason of = by.
transgression. Hebrew. pasha’. App-44.
it cast down the truth = truth was cast down. The verb is passive.
truth: i.e. the truth of God as revealed in the law and the prophets.
practised = did it with effect. Compare Dan 8:24.
and prospered = and succeeded.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Dan 8:12
Dan 8:12 And an hostH6635 was givenH5414 him againstH5921 the dailyH8548 sacrifice by reason of transgression,H6588 and it cast downH7993 the truthH571 to the ground;H776 and it practised,H6213 and prospered.H6743
Dan 8:12
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.
The Jews were given over to Antiochus because of their transgressions against God. Some of the Jews were acquiescing to the Hellenization of their culture. They were accepting the change and even welcoming them into their culture. They built a place of exercise and a gymnasium where they were reported to compete in the Greek games naked. Moreover they forsook the holy covenant and the covenant of circumcision, becoming more and more like the Greeks. The high priest Onias III was administering the law in godliness until his brother, Jason, who was pro-Antiochus was instated as high priest. Onias III was imprisoned and Jason, his brother and successor, was betrayed by his aid who was appointed as high priest in exchange for a vigorous program of Hellenization. The result was that many of the Jews went along with this and thus their transgression in this matter was the reason for the calamities that befell them as a result of Antiochus’ cruelty.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
daily sacrifice
Cf. Dan 9:27 where the Beast comes into view:
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
an host was given him against the daily sacrifice: or, the host was given over for the transgression against the daily sacrifice. Dan 11:31-35, Rev 13:7
and it cast: Psa 119:43, Psa 119:142, Isa 59:14, 2Th 2:10-12
and it practiced: Dan 8:4, Dan 11:28, Dan 11:36, 1Sa 23:9, Job 12:6, Jer 12:1, Rev 13:11-17
Reciprocal: Psa 37:12 – plotteth Jer 48:26 – for he Dan 7:21 – General Dan 8:11 – the daily Dan 8:13 – the vision Dan 8:24 – shall prosper Dan 12:11 – the time 2Th 2:4 – sitteth
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Dan 8:12, We might wonder why God would suffer as wicked a man as Antiochus to be so successful against His people. It was not the first time He had used evil characters as instruments by which to chastise the Jews. The last great instance was that of the king of Babylon who was empowered to take them off into eaptivity to punish them for their idolatry. But after that experience the Lord assured his people that they would never again be sent as a nation out of their own land. However, He did not tell them they never would be punished at all if they disobeyed the divine laws. And when they again became corrupt in other ways (not idolatry), He determined to punish them. This time it was by suffering the wicked king Antiochus to interrupt their sacred practice of the daily sacrifice, and the present verse has to do with that sad affair. Host is from TSEBAAH which Strong defines. A mass of persons (or figuratively things), especially regularly organized for war {an army); by Implication a campaign, literal or figurative).” The prediction means that Antiochus would be given an army to be used in a campaign against the practice of the daily sacrifice. The passage further tells why he was given this service against the Jews; it was by reason of transgressions. This point is verified hy ancient history, and I shall quote an interesting paragraph on the subject. “Epiphanes ridiculed all religions. He plundered the temples of Greece, and wanted to rob that of Elymais. He exercised his impious fury chiefly against Jerusalem and the Jews, and almost without resistance. The Almighty seemed to wink for a time at all the abominations which were committed in His temple, till his wrath against his people was satisfied.”-Rollins Ancient History, Volume 4, Page 242. But however faithfully an instrumentality of man is used to carry out the divine will, the Lord never tolerates the wicked motive with which that service is rendered, but will eventually bring the proper punishment upon that person or persona. We shall learn before this chapter is finished that Antiochus received the full reward for his wicked treatment of the Jes who were the people of the God of heaven.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Dan 8:12. And a host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression Antiochus prospered so far in his attempts against the Jews and their religion, that he built a citadel in the city of David, and placed a garrison of soldiers there, to disturb those that should come to worship God at the temple: see 1Ma 1:33-36. This God permitted, as a just punishment for the sins of the people, and particularly of those who professed a willingness to forsake the worship of God, and to join with the heathen in their idolatry, 1Ma 1:11; 2Ma 4:13-17. Some translate the words, And a set time was appointed against the daily sacrifice; for the word , rendered host, signifies likewise a set time: see Dan 10:1. And it cast down the truth to the ground, and prospered The book of the law, or the divine ordinances delivered to the Jews by Moses, is here called the truth. He prospered so far in his attempts against the true religion, as to suppress it for a time, and hinder the open profession of it: see Dan 8:24, and Dan 11:28-32. We read, 1Ma 1:56, that Antiochus ordered the copies of the law to be cut in pieces and burned.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
8:12 And {s} an host was given [him] against the daily [sacrifice] by reason of transgression, and it {t} cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.
(s) He shows that their sins are the cause of these horrible afflictions: and yet comforts them, in that he appoints this tyrant for a time, whom he would not allow to utterly abolish his religion.
(t) This horn will abolish for a time the true doctrine, and so corrupt God’s service.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
God would give control of the host (the Jews) to the little horn (Antiochus) because of transgression. This verse makes identification of the host as the Jews-rather than angels-almost beyond doubt.
This verse may mean that God would use Antiochus as His instrument of discipline-as He had used so many other leaders and nations in Israel’s past-because of Israel’s transgression (cf. 1Ma 1:44-49, RSV). [Note: Archer, "Daniel," pp. 100-101.] Another view is that God would give him control of the sacrifices so he would transgress against God. [Note: Walvoord, Daniel . . ., p. 188; Pentecost, p. 1356.] This second view has in its favor that the transgression in view in Dan 8:13 is Antiochus’ rather than the Jews’. Antiochus would terminate the sacrifices, disregard the truth (he destroyed the Torah scrolls, 1Ma 1:56), do as he chose, and succeed.
"Attacks on Israel are not the same as attacks on other peoples. Anti-Semitism has an extra dimension." [Note: Goldingay, p. 220.]