And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

DANIEL 8:24KJV
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Daniel 8:24 (KJV)

What does Daniel 8:24 mean?

Daniel 8:24 describes a ruler whose strength is not his alone and whose success brings terrible destruction. His attacks reach both powerful opponents and “the holy people,” the people set apart for God.

The angel Gabriel is explaining Daniel’s vision to him. After describing the ruler’s rise in verse 23, Gabriel tells Daniel what that ruler’s power will mean for others. “Wonderfully” describes the astonishing scale of the destruction, not something admirable.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 8:24

  • “wonderfully” — פָּלָא (pala): The word can carry the sense of something extraordinary or astonishing. Here it describes destruction so great that it causes amazement.
  • “practise” — עָשָׂה (asah): The word means to do or make. In this sentence, the KJV uses “practise” for the ruler’s ability to act and carry out his plans.

Why Daniel 8:24 matters

  • The ruler’s strength has a source beyond himself. The phrase “not by his own power” points beyond the ruler, though the verse leaves that source unnamed.
  • The harm is directed at identifiable people, not just places. “The mighty” and “the holy people” show that his destruction reaches both powerful figures and the people set apart for God.
  • Success and goodness are not treated as the same thing. The ruler “shall prosper,” yet the verse describes his actions as destructive.

Where else these words appear

“mighty” Hebrew H6105 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 26:16 And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.
  • Psalms 69:4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.
  • Jeremiah 5:6 Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.

“mighty” Hebrew H6099 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 18:18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
  • Deuteronomy 26:5 And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish was my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:
  • Isaiah 60:22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.

“prosper” Hebrew H6743 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 24:21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
  • 1 Kings 22:15 So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
  • Isaiah 48:15 I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.

“wonderfully” Hebrew H6381 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
  • Job 5:9 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:
  • Psalms 107:8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!