Daniel 8

Prince of the Host

Prince of the host — the commander of heaven's armies

Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. Daniel 8:11

The little horn sets itself up against the 'prince of the host,' the Lord whose sanctuary and sacrifices it attacks. Many Christian readers see the Lord Jesus Christ in this title, like the 'captain of the host of the LORD' who appeared to Joshua. The title is not explained in the chapter.

• the same title in Joshua 5:14-15 — The 'captain of the host of the LORD' appears to Joshua and receives his worship.
• the same title in Daniel 8:25 — The same enemy rises up against the Prince of princes.

The Voice Commanding Gabriel

And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. Daniel 8:16

An unseen voice gives Gabriel orders, so the speaker has authority over angels. Some readers take this as the Lord Himself speaking. The text never names the speaker.

Prince of Princes

Prince of princes — the supreme Ruler over all rulers

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. Daniel 8:25

A proud, destructive king will set himself against the Prince of princes, the highest Ruler of all, which Christians understand as Jesus Christ. That king is destroyed 'without hand,' by God's power and not by human armies, like the stone cut out without hands in Daniel 2.

• alludes to Daniel 2:34 — A stone 'cut out without hands' breaks the kingdoms of the image.
• the same title in Daniel 9:25 — The coming ruler is called 'Messiah the Prince.'
• alluded to by Revelation 17:14 — Those who war against the Lamb are overcome, 'for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings.'