| There
are a number of expressions in Dn. 8:9-14 that are directly related to the
Hebrew cultus or sanctuary worship system. Both Shea72
and Rodriguez73 rightly
suggest that terms such as ram, goat, sanctuary (miqdash),
continuous (tamid), lift up (rum), host (saba’) in
8:12, place (makon) and horn (qeren) inherently possess
sanctuary or cultic significance. Whereas Rodriguez argues that many of
these terms such as rum, miqdash, tamid, and makon
relate directly to the reality of the heavenly sanctuary, it is suggested
that all of the terms described thus far exhibit counterfeit cultic
significance in Daniel 8.
The key which unlocks Daniel’s
use of cultic terminology is the identification of the cultic ram symbol
as the pagan power of Media-Persia and the cultic goat symbol as the pagan
power of Greece. From this initial clue, it becomes apparent that Daniel
intends that many of his cultic symbols and terms will represent
counterfeit cultic applications. The following chart contrasts the true
and the counterfeit applications of these terms in the OT with Daniel 8.
From the comparisons of cultic symbols and their counterfeit applications,
it becomes evident that the primary emphasis of Dn. 8:9-14 concerns the
activity of the horn from littleness in a counterfeit cultic setting. This
false worship system is ultimately “incorporated” into papal Rome by
lifting up of the continual (tamid) self exalting behavior (gadal)
inherent among pagan nations. The false system of worship includes
occupation of the habitation (city of Rome) of pagan Rome’s sanctuary
and results in casting truth to the ground and trampling the heavenly
sanctuary and the high priestly ministration of Christ. This false system
manifests itself by establishing a “daily mass” and interposing a
priestcraft between God and His people. A counterfeit worship system
equivalent to Baal worship of the OT is established in opposition to the
worship of God.
CULTIC LANGUAGE CONTRASTS
|
Old
Testament Cultic
Application |
Cultic
Symbol Term |
Daniel
8 Counterfeit
Cultic Application |
| Trespass
offering (Lv. 5:15) |
RAM |
Media-Persia
(8:20) |
| Trespass
offering (Lv. 5:15) |
GOAT |
Greece
(8:21) |
| Continual
fire (Lv. 6:13) |
TAMID |
Continual
exalting (8:11-13) |
| Continual
incense (Ex. 30:8) |
" |
" |
| Fat
lift up (Lv. 4:8, 10, 19) |
RUM |
Tamid
lifted up (8:11) |
| God’s
earthly Sanc. (Ex. 25:8) |
MIQDASH |
Pagan
Sanct. (8:11) |
| Habitation
of God (Ex. 15:17) |
MAKON |
Pag.
Habit: Rome (8:11) |
| Levite’s
work (Num. 4:3) |
SABA’
(host/army) |
Pagan
forces (8:12) |
| God’s
army (Ex. 12:41) |
"
" |
"
" |
| Heaven’s
host (Dn.8:11/Dt.4:19) |
"
" |
"
" |
| Horns
of altar (Ex. 27:2 / Lv. 4:7) |
HORN |
Pagan
nation
(8:3, 5, 9) |
Evening-Morning
True
Worship Cycle (Lv. 24:1-4) |
`EREB-BOQER |
False
Worship Cycle
(8:13-14) |
7.0
CULTIC LANGUAGE IN LEVITICUS
AND COUNTERFEIT PARALLELS IN DANIEL 8 |