Daniel 8:10

10 And it magnified itself unto the host of heaven, and it cast down part of the host and of the stars to the ground and trod them under.

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 made himself very great, and when he was at his greatest strength, that great horn was broken; and in its place came up another four marvellous ones toward the four winds of heaven.

9 And out of the first of them came forth a little horn, which grew much toward the south and toward the east and toward the desirable land.

10 And it magnified itself unto the host of heaven, and it cast down part of the host and of the stars to the ground and trod them under.

11 Even against the prince of the host did he magnify himself, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast to the earth.

12 And the host was given over by reason of the prevarication upon the daily sacrifice; and he cast the truth to the ground; and he did whatever he would and prospered.