Daniel 12:8

8 And I heard, and understood not (And I heard, but I did not understand); and I said, My lord, what shall be after 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 that was clothed in linen clothes, that stood on the waters of the flood, How long shall be (until) the end of these marvels? (And I said to the man who was clothed in linen clothes, who stood on the bank of the river, How long shall it be until the end of all these marvels?)
7 And I heard the man, that was clothed in linen clothes, that stood on the waters of the flood, when he had raised his right hand and left hand to heaven, and had sworn by him that liveth without end, (say,) For into a time, and times, and the half of time. And when the scattering of the hand of the holy people is [ful]filled, all these things shall be (ful)filled. (And I heard the man, who was clothed in linen clothes, who stood on the bank of the river, when he had raised up his right hand and his left hand to heaven/unto the heavens, and had sworn by him who liveth forever, say, For unto a time, and times, and the half of time. And when the scattering of the power of the holy people is finished, or shall cease, then all these things shall be come to an end.)
8 And I heard, and understood not (And I heard, but I did not understand); and I said, My lord, what shall be after these things?
9 And he said, Go thou, Daniel, for the words be closed (up) and asealed, till to the time determined.
10 Many men shall be chosen, and shall be made white, and shall be proved, as (by) fire, and wicked men shall do wickedly, neither all wicked men shall understand (but none of the wicked shall understand); certainly taught men shall understand.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.