Daniel 8:10

10 and it magnified itself to the host of heaven; and there fell to the earth of the host of heaven and of the stars, and they trampled on them.

Daniel 8:10 Meaning and Commentary

Daniel 8:10

And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven
The people of the Jews, the army of the living God, the church militant, among whom were many of the citizens of heaven, whose names are written there; such was the insolence of this king, as to molest and disturb them: and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and
stamped them;
some of the common people he persecuted and destroyed, or prevailed upon them, either by threats or flatteries, to relinquish their religion; and even some of the "stars", the lights of the people, the priests and Levites, that ministered unto them; or the princes, and elders of the people, whom he slew, as Jacchiades interprets it; or removed from their posts so that they could not do their office; or they turned apostates; and those that did not he barbarously put to death, and insulted over them, and used them in a very contemptuous manner, as old Eleazar, the mother and her seven sons; see 2 Maccabees chapter 7.

Daniel 8:10 In-Context

8 And the he-goat grew exceedingly great: and when he was strong, his great horn was broken; and four other rose up in its place toward the four winds of heaven.

9 And out of one of them came forth one strong horn, and it grew very great toward the south, and toward the host:

10 and it magnified itself to the host of heaven; and there fell to the earth of the host of heaven and of the stars, and they trampled on them.

11 And until the chief captain shall have delivered the captivity: and by reason of him the sacrifice was disturbed, and he prospered; and the holy place shall be made desolate.

12 And a sin-offering was given for the sacrifice, and righteousness was cast down to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.