Daniel 12:1-7

The Time of the Judgment and the Resurrection of Two Groups

1 "Now at that time, Michael, the great prince, will arise, {the protector} over the sons of your people, and it will be a time of distress that has not been since [your people] {have been} a nation until that time. And at that time your people will escape, {everyone who is found} written in the scroll.

2 And many from [those] sleeping {in the dusty ground} will awake, some to {everlasting life} and some to disgrace and {everlasting contempt}.

3 But the [ones] having insight will shine like the brightness of the expanse, and [the ones] providing justice [for] the many [will be] like the stars {forever and ever}.

4 But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and seal the scroll until [the] time of [the] end; many will run back and forth and knowledge will increase."

5 Then I looked, I myself, Daniel, and look, there were two others standing: {one on this bank of the stream and one on the other}.

6 Then he said to the man [who] was clothed in linen who [was] above the water of the stream, "{How long until} the end of the wonders?"

7 And I heard the man [who] was clothed in linen who [was] above the water of the stream, and he raised his right hand and his left hand to heaven and he swore {by the one who lives forever} that [an] appointed time, appointed times, and half [an appointed time] [would pass] when [the] shattering of {the power of the holy people} {would be completed}; [then] all these things will be accomplished.

Daniel 12:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DANIEL 12

This chapter begins with an account of a time of exceeding great trouble to the people of God, who are comforted with the consideration of Michael the great Prince being on their side, and with a promise of deliverance, with the resurrection of the dead, and the glorious state of wise and good men upon that, Da 12:1-3, and Daniel is ordered to shut up and seal the book of the prophecy, until a time when it should be better understood, Da 12:4, next follows a question put by an angel to Christ, and his answer to it, with respect to the time of the fulfilment of those wonderful events, Da 12:5-7. Daniel, not understanding what he heard, asks what would be the end of those things, Da 12:8 in answer to which he is bid to be content with what he knew; no alteration would be among men; things would be neither better nor worse with them, Da 12:9,10, a time is fixed for the accomplishment of all, Da 12:11,12, and it is promised him that he should have rest after death, and rise again, and have his lot and share with the blessed, Da 12:13.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "the one who stands with"
• [b]. Literally "to be" or "being"
• [c]. Literally "all [of] the being found"
• [d]. Or "book"
• [e]. Literally "[of the] ground of dust"
• [f]. Literally "life of eternity"
• [g]. Literally "contempt [of] eternity"
• [h]. Or "leading the many in righteousness"
• [i]. Literally "to eternity and ever"
• [j]. Or "book"
• [k]. Literally "one here on the bank of the stream and one there on the bank of the stream"
• [l]. Hebrew "from above"
• [m]. Or "river"
• [n]. Literally "Until when"
• [o]. Hebrew "from above"
• [p]. Or "river"
• [q]. Literally "by the life of the eternity"
• [r]. Literally "[the] power of [the] people of holiness"
• [s]. Literally "to come to an end"