Daniel 12:5-13

5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and two others were standing there, one on this bank of the river and one on the other.

6 One said to the man dressed in linen,^[a] who was above the waters of the river,^[b] "How long until the end of these extraordinary things?"

7 Then I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river. He raised both his hands^[c] toward heaven and swore by Him who lives eternally that it would be for a time, times, and half [a time].^[d] When the power of the holy people is shattered, all these things will be completed.

8 I heard but did not understand. So I asked, "My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?"

9 He said, "Go on your way, Daniel, for the words are secret and sealed until the time of the end.

10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined,^[e] but the wicked will act wickedly; none of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.

11 From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up,^[f] there will be 1,290 days.

12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches 1,335 days.

13 But as for you, go on your way to the end;^[g] you will rest, then rise to your destiny at the end of the days."

Daniel 12:5-13 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] Dn 10:5; 12:7
• [b] Dn 8:16
• [c] Lit raised his right and his left
• [d] Dn 7:25
• [e] Dn 11:35
• [f] Dn 11:31; Mt 24:15; Mk 13:14
• [g] LXX omits to the end