Through his craft and by his hand, he will cause deceit to prosperThis phrase highlights the cunning and manipulative nature of the figure being described, often identified as a prophetic representation of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid king known for his deceitful tactics. His craftiness is emblematic of the broader theme of deception in biblical prophecy, where false leaders rise through manipulation. This aligns with the biblical warning against false prophets and deceitful workers (
2 Corinthians 11:13-15). The prosperity of deceit suggests a temporary success of evil, a recurring theme in Scripture where wickedness seems to thrive before divine intervention.
and in his own mind he will make himself great
This reflects the pride and self-exaltation of the figure, reminiscent of the pride of Nebuchadnezzar inDaniel 4:30 and the arrogance of the little horn inDaniel 7:8. Such self-aggrandizement is a hallmark of tyrannical rulers throughout history, who often see themselves as invincible or god-like. This self-perception is a direct challenge to God's sovereignty, echoing the pride of Lucifer inIsaiah 14:13-14. The theme of pride leading to downfall is consistent withProverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction."
In a time of peace he will destroy many
This phrase suggests a betrayal of trust, as destruction comes unexpectedly during a period of perceived safety. Historically, Antiochus IV used deceitful diplomacy to gain control, leading to the persecution of the Jewish people. This tactic of sudden destruction during peace is echoed in1 Thessalonians 5:3, where sudden destruction comes upon those who feel secure. It serves as a warning of the false peace offered by worldly powers, contrasting with the true peace found in Christ (John 14:27).
and he will even stand against the Prince of princes
The "Prince of princes" is widely interpreted as a reference to Jesus Christ, the ultimate authority and ruler. Antiochus IV's desecration of the Jewish temple and persecution of God's people is seen as standing against God Himself. This opposition to divine authority is a type of the antichrist spirit, which opposes Christ and His kingdom (1John 2:18). The conflict between earthly powers and divine authority is a central theme in biblical prophecy, culminating in the ultimate victory of Christ (Revelation 19:11-16).
Yet he will be broken off, but not by human hands
This indicates a divine intervention in the downfall of the oppressor, suggesting that his end will come through God's power rather than human effort. Historically, Antiochus IV died suddenly of disease, which many see as fulfillment of this prophecy. The phrase "not by human hands" emphasizes God's sovereignty and the futility of human pride against divine will. This mirrors the fate of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, which was destroyed by a stone "not cut by human hands" (Daniel 2:34), symbolizing God's ultimate authority over earthly kingdoms.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The King of GreeceIn the broader context of
Daniel 8, the vision involves a ram and a goat, symbolizing the Medo-Persian Empire and the Greek Empire, respectively. The "king of Greece" refers to Alexander the Great, whose empire is represented by the goat.
2.
The Little HornThis figure emerges from one of the four divisions of Alexander's empire. Traditionally, this is interpreted as Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a ruler known for his persecution of the Jewish people and desecration of the temple.
3.
The Host of HeavenThis term is often understood to represent the people of God, particularly the Jewish nation, who suffer under the oppression of the little horn.
4.
The Prince of PrincesThis title is generally understood to refer to God Himself, or more specifically, the Messiah, who ultimately triumphs over all earthly powers.
5.
The Vision of the Evenings and MorningsThis refers to the prophetic vision given to Daniel, which includes the period of oppression and desecration, often interpreted as the 2,300 evenings and mornings.
Teaching Points
The Deceptive Nature of EvilDaniel 8:25 highlights how the little horn uses deceit to achieve its ends. Believers must be vigilant and discerning, grounded in truth to recognize and resist deception.
God's Sovereignty Over HistoryDespite the rise of oppressive powers, God remains in control. This assurance should encourage believers to trust in God's ultimate plan and justice.
The Importance of FaithfulnessIn times of persecution and trial, the faithfulness of God's people is crucial. Daniel's vision encourages steadfastness and hope in God's deliverance.
The Reality of Spiritual WarfareThe conflict described in
Daniel 8 is not just political but spiritual. Christians are called to engage in spiritual warfare through prayer, scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
The Hope of RedemptionThe ultimate defeat of the little horn points to the hope of redemption and restoration through Christ, the Prince of Princes, who will establish His eternal kingdom.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Daniel 8:25?
2.How does Daniel 8:25 warn us about the dangers of pride and deceit?
3.What does "by peace shall destroy many" teach about false security today?
4.How can we discern leaders who "stand against the Prince of princes"?
5.How does Daniel 8:25 connect with Ephesians 6:12 on spiritual warfare?
6.How can we apply the lesson of humility from Daniel 8:25 daily?
7.How does Daniel 8:25 relate to the concept of divine sovereignty versus human free will?
8.What historical events might Daniel 8:25 be prophesying about?
9.How does Daniel 8:25 challenge the belief in a benevolent God?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Daniel 8?
11.What are fallen angels?
12.What does the Bible say about the end of the world?
13.Who was Antiochus Epiphanes?
14.In Zephaniah 1:8, what evidence exists, if any, for the identity of 'foreign attire,' and can this cultural reference be authenticated historically?What Does Daniel 8:25 Mean
Through his craft and by his hand, he will cause deceit to prosper• “Through his craft” points to a leader whose power largely rests on manipulation (Daniel 8:12; 8:23).
• “By his hand” shows that God allows him room to act, yet the schemes are his own responsibility (Daniel 4:17).
• Deceit “prospers” because people prefer lies that serve their interests (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10;Revelation 13:14).
• Historically, Antiochus IV Epiphanes used intrigue to gain the throne; prophetically, the coming Antichrist will perfect this strategy (Matthew 24:24).
and in his own mind he will make himself great• Self-exaltation defines this ruler (Daniel 11:36-37).
• He measures greatness by personal ambition, not by God’s standards (Proverbs 16:18).
• God lets the arrogance run its course to expose its emptiness (Psalm 10:4;Luke 1:51).
In a time of peace he will destroy many• “Time of peace” (literally “ease” or “security”) describes a moment when people assume danger is past (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
• Destruction comes suddenly, highlighting the ruler’s treachery (Revelation 6:4).
• Antiochus struck Jerusalem after signing treaties; the future Antichrist will break a covenant midway through the Tribulation (Daniel 9:27).
and he will even stand against the Prince of princes• “Prince of princes” is a messianic title for Christ, the supreme ruler (Joshua 5:14;Revelation 19:16).
• The rebel’s challenge escalates from deceiving people to outright blasphemy against God (Daniel 8:11;Revelation 13:6).
• This confrontation lays bare the spiritual war behind earthly events (Ephesians 6:12).
Yet he will be broken off, but not by human hands• God personally ends his reign; no coalition or revolt gets the credit (Daniel 2:34; 8:7).
• Antiochus died suddenly of disease far from home; the Antichrist will be destroyed by Christ’s appearing (2 Thessalonians 2:8;Revelation 19:20).
• The phrase assures believers that evil has a divinely appointed limit (Psalm 37:12-15).
summaryDaniel 8:25 unveils a ruler who rises through cunning, magnifies himself, betrays those lulled into false security, and even dares to oppose Christ Himself. Yet his apparent invincibility is an illusion; God intervenes directly to shatter his power. The verse therefore warns against trusting deceptive peace, exposes the pride that fuels tyranny, and reassures the faithful that God—not human effort—delivers the final, decisive victory over evil.
(25)
Through his policy.--This is explained more fully in the next two sentences. Through his craft he succeeds, and becomes able to destroy many unexpectedly, and finally raises up himself against God.
Without hand.--Not by the hand of man (comp.Daniel 2:34), but by the act of God.
Verse 25. -
And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be brokenwithout hand. The versions here are at variance with each other and. with the Massoretic recension. The LXX. renders, "And against the saints shall his purpose be" - evidently reading, as suggested by Gratz,
v'al qedosheem siklo - "and craft shall prosper in his hands, and his heart shall be lifted up, and by treachery he shall destroy many, and for the destruction of men shall he stand, and he shall make a gathering of power, and shall sell (it)." Theodotion is, in regard to the first clause, considerably more at variance with the Massorctic, "And the yoke of his collar (or chain) shall prosper." Evidently Theodotion had read
עֹל (
ol), "yoke," instead of
עַל ('
al), "upon," and probably
סִבְלו (
sib'lo), "his burden," instead of
שִׂכְלו (
sik'lo), "his thought." "And in his heart he shall be magnified, and by treachery shall he corrupt many. and for the destruction of many. shall he stand, and as eggs shall he crush (them) in his hand," reading
k'baytzeem b'yad yishbar instead of
be'eseph yad yishahabayr. The Peshitta has several points of peculiarity, "And in his might he shall prosper: he shall restrain with his hand, and his heart shall be lifted up, and by treachery shall he corrupt many. and against the Ruler of rulers shall he rise up, and with grasp of the hand shall be taken." Even Jerome,. who is usually in close agreement with the Massoretic text, translates at variance with their pointing. He begins this verse really with the last clause of the previous one, "And he shall slay strong ones and the people of the saints according to his will, and treachery shall be directed in his hand, and in plenty of all things he shall slay many, and against the Prince of princes shall he rise, and without hand shall be broken." The most singular thing is the omission by both the Greek versions of the phrase
sar sareem, which both appear to have read
yishhat rabbeem a variation of reading difficult to understand. On the whole, these varying versions seem to have sprung from a text originally not differing much from the Massoretic, save in the opening clause, in which the Septuagint appears to suit the succession of thought better. The return of Antiochus from his expedition to Egypt was the signal for his persecution of the saints; then his "purpose, was against the holy people."
Craft shall prosper in his hand. The account we have in the First Book of the Maccabees shows the perpetual exercise by Antiochus and those under him of treachery. At first, at all events, his craft prospered (1 Macc. 1:30).
And he shall magnify himself in his heart. Bevan thinks this hardly accurate, as the hiphil is ordinarily causative. Only
Zephaniah 2:8 has this verb used in hiphil as reflexive. The sense, however, seems to be, not that he shall become proud, but that he has many great projects in his mind one (1 Macc. 1:42) being to unify all the various peoples that were under his sceptre, so that they should be one in religion and law. He further had the design of conquering Egypt and uniting it to his empire, and would have done so had the Romans not intervened.
And by peace shall destroy many. The word translated "peace" means also "
suddenly." The Greek versions both render it by
δόλῳ. Schleusner suggests that the word was derived from another root. There dues not seem such a root in Levy. The probability is that the meaning passed from "tranquillity" to the notion of "treachery." The meaning assigned to the word by Jerome is inexplicable,
copia rerum. It happens that both the meaning attached to the word
shalvah by the Greek versions here, and that found in other passages, harmonize. The treachery of the chief collector of tribute lay in feigning peace, and then slaying the people (1 Macc. 1:29).
He shall also stand up against the Prince of princes. The Greek versions, as above observed, have instead of this,
ἐπὶἀπωλείας ἀνδρῶν στήσεται - a phrase that might be a rendering of
לשחת רבבים. The Massoretic text here seems the preferable. Antiochus had certainly risen up against God, the "Prince of princes," or, as the Peshitta renders, "Ruler of rulers."
He shall be broken without hand. The fact of Antiochus dying immediately after an ineffectual attempt to rob a temple in Elymais, and dying, not from the effect of wounds received, but from chagrin, is symbolized by this statement. The figure of a horn pushing in this direction and in that is resumed; hence Epiphanes is said to be broken. And that he was not overthrown in battle by any rival for the crown is shown by the statement that it was without hands that he was so broken. The Romans resisted his attempt to take
possession of Egypt, so he was baulked in his pursuit after one object. He desired to unite his whole multifarious empire, so that it should be homogeneous; that was baulked by the victorious revolt of the Jews under Judas Maccabaeus. If he could have made his empire homogeneous, he might have expected to be able to defy the Romans. The defeat of his army by Judas might easily be remedied if he had money to pay his troops, so he attempted the plunder of the temple in Elymais, said to be that of Artemis. The inhabitants resisted so vehemently, that he had to retire baffled. This it was that caused his death. Polybius hints at madness inflicted by a Divine hand.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Throughוְעַל־(wə·‘al-)Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againsthis craftשִׂכְל֗וֹ(śiḵ·lōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7922:Intelligence, successand by his hand,בְּיָד֔וֹ(bə·yā·ḏōw)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027:A handhe will cause deceitמִרְמָה֙(mir·māh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4820:Deceit, treacheryto prosper,וְהִצְלִ֤יחַ(wə·hiṣ·lî·aḥ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6743:To push forwardand in his own mindוּבִלְבָב֣וֹ(ū·ḇil·ḇā·ḇōw)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3824:Inner man, mind, will, hearthe will make himself great.יַגְדִּ֔יל(yaḡ·dîl)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1431:To grow up, become greatIn a time of peaceוּבְשַׁלְוָ֖ה(ū·ḇə·šal·wāh)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7962:Quietness, easehe will destroyיַשְׁחִ֣ית(yaš·ḥîṯ)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7843:Perhaps to go to ruinmany,רַבִּ֑ים(rab·bîm)Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227:Much, many, greatand he will even standיַעֲמֹ֔ד(ya·‘ă·mōḏ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975:To stand, in various relationsagainstוְעַ֤ל־(wə·‘al-)Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstthe Princeשַׂר־(śar-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8269:Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, princeof princes.שָׂרִים֙(śā·rîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8269:Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, princeYet he will be broken off,יִשָּׁבֵֽר׃(yiš·šā·ḇêr)Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7665:To break, break in piecesbut notוּבְאֶ֥פֶס(ū·ḇə·’e·p̄es)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 657:Cessation, an end, no further, the ankle, footby human hands.יָ֖ד(yāḏ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3027:A hand
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OT Prophets: Daniel 8:25 Through his policy he shall cause craft (Dan. Da Dn) 
