Daniel 8:12 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Because of transgression a host is given over to the horn against the daily sacrifice; it casts truth to the ground and prospers in what it does.
What Does Daniel 8:12 Mean?
An army is handed over to the horn against the daily sacrifice, and the cause is named: 'by reason of transgression.' The horn casts truth to the ground, trampling what is right, and for a season it succeeds in all it attempts. The verse acknowledges the painful mystery that wickedness is sometimes permitted to flourish for a time.
That God 'gives' the host into the oppressor's hand reminds the reader that even hostile power operates only within bounds He allows. Truth thrown down is not truth destroyed; it lies on the ground waiting to be raised. The prospering of the horn is real but temporary, a measured permission rather than a verdict. The faithful are called to hold fast when evil seems to win, trusting that the God who set the limit will also set the end.
Daniel 8:12 in the Original Language
emet (אֱמֶת), 'truth' -- firmness and faithfulness, here cast to the ground yet not abolished.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel 8:12
What does Daniel 8:12 mean?
Because of transgression a host is given over to the horn against the daily sacrifice; it casts truth to the ground and prospers in what it does.