Daniel 12:2-3

2 And many of those who ¹sleep in ²the dust of the earth shall ³awake, ⁴some to everlasting life, and ⁵some to shame and everlasting contempt.

3 ⁶And those who are wise ⁷shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; ^[a] and ⁸those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Daniel 12:2-3 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.

Cross References

• 1. 12:2 [Ps. 17:15; John 11:11]
• 2. 12:2 [Isa. 26:19]; See Ezek. 37:1-10
• 3. 12:2 [Isa. 26:19]; See Ezek. 37:1-10
• 4. 12:2 Matt. 25:46; John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15; Rev. 20:12, 13
• 5. 12:2 Matt. 25:46; John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15; Rev. 20:12, 13
• 6. 12:3 ch. 11:33
• 7. 12:3 Matt. 13:43
• 8. 12:3 [Mal. 2:6]

Footnotes

• [a] 12:3 Hebrew 'the expanse'; compare Genesis 1:6–8