Daniel 8:12

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 (Isaiah 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, Malachi 2:15; Malachi 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 Daniel 8:10 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 Daniel 8:13; but the rendering together withis 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 2 Chronicles 20:22; Nehemiah 9:17; and with over, 2 Chronicles 32:6; Nehemiah 9:37.

[325] In Heb. to givemay mean, according to the context, either to set, place(as Genesis 1:17, and frequently), or to give over, deliver(Deuteronomy 1:27, &c.), and abs. (though this usage is rare) to give up, abandon, Num 21:3; 1 Kings 14:16; Micah 5:3; Daniel 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 Daniel 9:13; Psalms 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."

andit did, and prospered cf. Daniel 8:24. -Did" is used in a pregnant sense, acted(viz. with effect), carried through his purpose; hence R.V. - did(its pleasure)". Cf. 2 Chronicles 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, Psalms 22:31; Psalms 52:9 (there is no -it" in the Heb.), Psalms 37:5 (lit. -and he will do"). Comp. ch. Daniel 11:28; Daniel 11:30; Daniel 11:32.