Daniel 12:8

8 I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, "O my lord, what shall be the issue of these things?"

Daniel 12:8 Meaning and Commentary

Daniel 12:8

And I heard, but understood not
Daniel heard what Christ said, in answer to the angel, but he did not understand the meaning of it, which he ingenuously confesses; he did not understand what was meant by "time", and "times", and "half a time"; what kind of time this was, and when and how it would end, and which he was very desirous of knowing: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
he applied not to the angel that put the above question, but to the man clothed with linen; to Christ, whom he perceived to be a divine Person, a Person of dominion, power, and authority, superior to angels, and his Lord and God; and who only could resolve the question he puts, which is somewhat different from that of the angel's, ( Daniel 12:6 ) , that respects the length of time, to the accomplishment of these things; this the quality at the end of them, what kind of end they should have; or what the signs, symptoms, and evidences of the end of them, by which the true end of them might be known. Mr. Mede renders it, "what are these latter times?" perhaps it might be rendered better, "what is the last of these things?" F15 what is the last thing that will be done, that so it may be known when all is over?


FOOTNOTES:

F15 (hla tyrxa hm) "quid erit novissimum horum?" Munster; "postremum horum?" Calvin.

Daniel 12:8 In-Context

6 And I said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, "How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?"
7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven; and I heard him swear by him who lives for ever that it would be for a time, two times, and half a time; and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be accomplished.
8 I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, "O my lord, what shall be the issue of these things?"
9 He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
10 Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but those who are wise shall understand.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.