Daniel 8:24 Meaning and Explanation
“And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →His power will be great, though not his own; he will work astonishing destruction, prosper, and devastate the mighty and the holy people.
What Does Daniel 8:24 Mean?
This king's strength will be mighty, yet the vision is careful to add 'but not by his own power.' He will destroy astonishingly, succeed in his designs, and bring ruin upon both the strong and 'the holy people,' those set apart for God. His campaign reaches its cruelest point in the persecution of the faithful.
That his power is 'not his own' is the key that unlocks the whole. His might is permitted, on loan, held within limits he does not set. The persecutor flatters himself that he acts by his own strength, but he moves only as far as he is allowed. This both warns and consoles: the suffering of the holy people is real and grievous, yet it is bounded. No oppressor wields a power that God has not measured, and what is borrowed will surely be required back.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel 8:24
What does Daniel 8:24 mean?
His power will be great, though not his own; he will work astonishing destruction, prosper, and devastate the mighty and the holy people.