Daniel 8 10

Daniel 8:10 kjv

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.

Daniel 8:10 nkjv

And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them.

Daniel 8:10 niv

It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them.

Daniel 8:10 esv

It grew great, even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them.

Daniel 8:10 nlt

Its power reached to the heavens, where it attacked the heavenly army, throwing some of the heavenly beings and some of the stars to the ground and trampling them.

Daniel 8 verses

Daniel 8 10 Meaning

The verse describes the further expansion of the small horn's power, extending its reach towards the "host of heaven." This conquest resulted in some of the host and some stars being cast down to the ground. It signifies a profound act of aggression and usurpation of authority, impacting celestial elements metaphorically or literally within the vision.

Daniel 8 10 Context

Daniel chapter 8 presents a vision concerning the succession of powers following the Medo-Persian empire, culminating in the rise of a powerful entity symbolized by a small horn. This particular verse (8:10) describes a phase of intense expansion and desecration by this horn. The vision's primary focus is on the political and religious struggles that would impact God's people, the Jews, over centuries, leading up to a final period of tribulation and divine intervention. The context is one of prophecy concerning future kingdoms and their opposition to God and His covenant people.

Daniel 8 10 Word Analysis

• וַתַּגְדֵּל (vat-tag-del):
  • Vav (ו): Conjunction, "and." Connects this action to the preceding ones.
  • Tag-del (תַּגְדֵּל): Verb, Qal imperfect, 2nd person feminine singular (likely referring to the horn as a feminine noun conceptually representing the kingdom/power) or Qal imperfect, 3rd person feminine singular (if "horn" is treated as a grammatical feminine noun). Root is גָּדַל (gadal) meaning "to grow great," "to become large," "to be magnified." Here, it signifies an aggressive expansion, "it magnified itself," or "it grew great."
• עַד (ad):
  • Preposition, meaning "unto," "as far as," "up to." Indicates the extent or direction of the action.
• צְבָא (tzva):
  • Noun, feminine singular, meaning "host," "army," "company." In biblical context, often refers to the armies of Israel, celestial beings (hosts of heaven, angels), or the heavenly bodies themselves. Given the context of "heaven," it strongly suggests angelic hosts or, symbolically, God's people as His heavenly host.
• הַשָּׁמַיִם (ha-shamayim):
  • Ha (הַ): Definite article, "the."
  • Shamayim (שָׁמַיִם): Noun, masculine plural, meaning "heaven," "heavens." The "heavens" in the Old Testament can refer to the physical sky, the dwelling place of God, or the spiritual realm. In prophetic visions like this, it often carries symbolic weight, pointing to spiritual or divine authority.
• וַתַּפֵּל (vat-tafel):
  • Vav (ו): Conjunction, "and." Links the action to the growth.
  • Ta-fel (תַּפֵּל): Verb, Qal imperfect, 3rd person feminine singular (referring back to the horn). Root is נָפַל (naphal) meaning "to fall." Here, it is causative (Hiphil, though it reads like Qal due to vowel changes) or intensive in meaning, implying "caused to fall," "cast down," "threw down."
• מִן (min):
  • Preposition, meaning "from," "out of." Indicates the source or origin of what was cast down.
• הַצָּבָא (ha-tzava):
  • Ha (הַ): Definite article, "the."
  • Tzava (צָבָא): Noun, "host," "army." Again referring to the "host of heaven."
• וּמִן (u-min):
  • U (וּ): Conjunction, "and."
  • Min (מִן): Preposition, "from," "out of."
• הַכּוֹכָבִים (ha-kochavim):
  • Ha (הַ): Definite article, "the."
  • Kochavim (כּוֹכָבִים): Noun, masculine plural, "stars." These are seen alongside the "host."
• הָאָרֶץ (ha'aretz):
  • Ha (הָ): Definite article, "the." (Note the final 'het' sound which affects the preceding vowel).
  • Aretz (אָרֶץ): Noun, feminine singular, meaning "earth," "ground," "land." The "ground" as the place to which these heavenly elements were cast down.

Word Group Analysis:

• "magnified itself unto the host of heaven": This phrase depicts a supreme act of pride and rebellion. The "host of heaven" can be interpreted as the angelic beings around God's throne or as a representation of God's authority and His spiritual kingdom. The horn's action signifies a direct challenge and attempt to usurp this divine authority and dominion.
• "cast some of the host and some of the stars to the ground": This imagery underscores the destructive power and audacity of the horn. Casting stars and hosts to the ground implies demoting or destroying those associated with heavenly power and light, bringing them low and into disgrace or annihilation. It symbolizes the trampling of divine order and spiritual hierarchy.

Daniel 8 10 Bonus Section

The imagery of casting stars to the ground is evocative of cosmic disruption. It resonates with ancient Near Eastern cosmological beliefs where celestial bodies were often associated with deities and political destinies. For the original audience, this imagery would have communicated a profound level of spiritual defiance. It also parallels prophetic denunciations against proud earthly rulers who likened themselves to stars or divine powers, such as Lucifer's fall (Isaiah 14) or certain condemnations of rulers in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 28). The "host of heaven" could also refer to the divine council as depicted in some Old Testament texts, further highlighting the horn's ambition to overthrow God's ordained governance. The scattering of "stars" is a powerful metaphor for the disruption of God's people or His representatives, leading to a state of disarray and persecution.

Daniel 8 10 Commentary

Daniel 8:10 vividly portrays the aggressive and sacrilegious nature of the power symbolized by the small horn. Its unchecked growth leads it to assail the very fabric of the spiritual realm, casting down celestial elements. This act signifies not merely territorial conquest but an assault on divine authority and order. Scholars generally interpret the "host of heaven" and "stars" as symbolic representations of spiritual powers or God's people who are aligned with His heavenly kingdom. The casting down indicates severe persecution, subjugation, and perhaps even the destruction or overthrow of these spiritual entities or the leadership within God's covenant community. This verse foreshadows a period of intense spiritual conflict where divine authority is challenged, and faithful representatives are brought low. The "ground" signifies humiliation and desolation.