Bible Strands
Daniel 8:25
Through his craft and by his hand, he will cause deceit to prosper, and in his own mind he will make himself great. In a time of peace he will destroy many, and he will even stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be broken off, but not by human hands.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The angel delivers this interpretation to Daniel regarding a future ruler depicted in the vision. The statement occurs within a prophetic explanation that Daniel 8:26 confirms concerns the distant future.
The words — מִרְמָה (mir.Mah) translates literally as deceit, and יַגְדִּ֔יל (yag.Dil) means he will magnify himself. These terms describe the ruler’s internal arrogance and external manipulation.
The thread — The theme of self-exaltation and opposition to divine authority runs through Daniel 8:11, Daniel 11:32, and Revelation 17:14. Each passage tracks how human power attempts to corrupt the faithful before facing ultimate defeat.
Why it lands — The text states the ruler will prosper in deceit and magnify himself before being broken without human hands. It requires the reader to recognize that human arrogance and deceptive success are temporary and subject to direct divine intervention.
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 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 broken without hand.
Cross-references
- 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.
- Daniel 11:32 With flattery he will corrupt those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.
- Revelation 17:14 They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”
- Job 34:20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
- Daniel 11:21 In his place a despicable person will arise; royal honors will not be given to him, but he will come in a time of peace and seize the kingdom by intrigue.
- Revelation 19:19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies assembled to wage war against the One seated on the horse, and against His army.
- Jeremiah 48:26 “Make him drunk, because he has magnified himself against the LORD; so Moab will wallow in his own vomit, and he will also become a laughingstock.
- Lamentations 4:6 The punishment of the daughter of my people is greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in an instant without a hand turned to help her.
- Daniel 2:34 As you watched, a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them.
- Daniel 2:44 In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever.