Bible Strands
Daniel 11:31
His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Daniel receives a vision outlining future geopolitical conflicts, specifically focusing on a ruler who loses heart after facing ships from Kittim and turns his hostility toward the holy covenant. This verse records the immediate military and religious consequences of that defiance within the broader sequence of northern and southern power struggles.
The words — The Hebrew verb וְ/חִלְּל֞וּ (ve./chi.le.Lu) translates literally to “and they will profane,” denoting the active defilement of the sanctuary. The noun הַ/תָּמִ֔יד (ha./ta.Mid) means “the perpetual,” specifying the daily burnt offering that will be forcibly removed.
The thread — The text describes the suspension of the daily sacrifice and the installation of the abomination of desolation, which Daniel 12:11 uses to mark a 1,290-day timeframe. Jesus references this same event in Matthew 24:15 as a warning sign, while Daniel 9:27 establishes the initial covenant-breaking context that makes the interruption of sacrifice possible.
Why it lands — The passage requires readers to distinguish between political compliance and faithful resistance when religious practices are systematically targeted. It demands clear-eyed observation of how power shifts to test whether individuals will follow corrupt agreements or maintain steadfast obedience.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
Cross-references
- Daniel 12:11 And from the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation set up, there will be 1,290 days.
- Daniel 9:27 And he will confirm a covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of the temple will come the abomination that causes desolation, until the decreed destruction is poured out upon him.”
- Matthew 24:15 So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand),
- Daniel 8:11 It magnified itself, even to the Prince of the host; it removed His daily sacrifice and overthrew the place of His sanctuary.
- Mark 13:14 So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
- Ezekiel 24:21 Tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I am about to desecrate My sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes, and the delight of your soul. And the sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.’
- Luke 21:20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near.
- Acts 13:40 Watch out, then, that what was spoken by the prophets does not happen to you:
- Revelation 17:12 The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings along with the beast.
- Lamentations 1:10 The adversary has seized all her treasures. For she has seen the nations enter her sanctuary—those You had forbidden to enter Your assembly.