Bible Commentaries
Daniel 12

Verse 1

This is not the epilogue to the book, Daniel 12:1-3 are the conclusion of the prophecy given by the hierophant, which commenced at Daniel 10:20 .

at that time . This fixes the end of the Tribulation. Note the three subjects thus connected with "the time of the end".

Michael . See note on Daniel 10:13 .

children = sons.

thy People: i.e. Daniel's People, Israel.

a time of trouble: i.e. the great Tribulation. Compare Daniel 8:24 , Daniel 8:25 ; Daniel 9:26 . Isaiah 26:20 , Isaiah 26:21 .Jeremiah 30:7 . Matthew 24:21 .Mark 13:19 . Revelation 16:17 Revelation 16:1 .

trouble = tribulation.

shall be delivered . Compare Isaiah 11:11 , &c.; Dan 27:12 , Dan 27:12 .Jeremiah 30:7 . Ezekiel 37:21-28 ; Ezekiel 39:25-29 . Hosea 3:4 , Hosea 3:5 .Joel 3:16-21 .Amos 9:11-15 .Obadiah 1:17-21 .Zechariah 12:3-10 . Romans 11:5 , Romans 11:6 , Romans 11:15 , Romans 11:26 .

written in the book . Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:32 , Exodus 32:33 ). App-92 . Compare Psalms 56:8 ; Psalms 69:28 . Isaiah 4:3 .Ezekiel 13:9 . Luke 10:20 . Revelation 3:5 ; Revelation 13:8 ; Revelation 20:12 , Revelation 20:15 .

Verse 2

of them = from among them.

sleep, &c. An inspired revelation as to death.

earth = ground.

shall awake . This is bodily resurrection.

some = these (the former).

everlasting life . John 5:28 , John 5:29 . Acts 24:15 .

some = those. The latter: i.e. the rest of the dead (Isaiah 26:19 , Isaiah 26:21 ; Isaiah 27:6 . Revelation 20:5 , Revelation 20:6 ). Compare 1 Corinthians 15:23 . 1 Thessalonians 4:16 .

contempt = thrusting away.

Verse 3

they that be wise = they that make wise. The Maskilim of Daniel 12:10 ; Daniel 11:33 , Daniel 11:35 .

Verse 4

shut = close up.

even to = until.

run to and fro: or, apostatize. The Hebrew shut = to rove, turn about, despise. Hence, to do despite (Ezekiel 16:57 ; Ezekiel 28:24 , Ezekiel 28:26 ). But if we spell sut with (= S), instead of with (= Sh), the meaning is to swerve, turnaside, apostatise, "those who turn aside", or revolters (Psalms 101:3 .Hosea 5:2; Hosea 5:2 ); as in Psalms 40:4 (5), "such as turn aside to lies". So the Oxford Gesenius, p. 962 (these are the only occurrence of sut , unless Daniel 12:4 be another). The dots over the letter making it (Sin = S) and (Shin = Sh), formed no part of the inspired primitive text, but were added by the Massoretic scribes, and with the vowel points were gradually introduced into the Hebrew text. The Septuagint, Swete's edition, vol. iii, p. 572 (A) reads heos an apomanosin = "till many shall have gone raving mad".

knowledge: or, calamities, or wickedness. Ginsburg would read hara'oth for hadda'ath. The Sept, (A) reads adikias, "wickedness" (Swete's edition, vol. iii, p. 572). The Vatican (B), Theodotion's translation, reads "knowledge" ( gnosis ): Ginsburg's hypothesis for this reading arises from the two letters (= R) for (= D), being not infrequently mistaken.

Verse 5

the river . See note on Daniel 10:4 .

Verse 6

man . Hebrew ' ish . App-14 .

upon = above.

How long . . . ? Note the two questions ("5, 6" and "8" in the Structure above).

Verse 7

held up his right hand, &c . Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:40 ). App-92 .

a time, times, and an half . See App-90 and App-91 .

he: i.e. the "little horn" or Antichrist.

Verse 8

MY Lord. Hebrew. Adoni. See App-4 .

what . . . ? Note the correspondence of these two questions in verses: Daniel 12:6 and Daniel 12:8 .

the end of these things? (i.e. the "wonders" of Daniel 12:6 ). The prophecy from Daniel 10:14 is given in view of these questions.

Verse 10

tried = refined.

wicked . . . wickedly . . . wicked = lawless . . . lawlessness . . . lawless. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .

understand . The Maskilim of Daniel 12:3 .

Verse 11

the daily sacrifice . . . taken away . See note on Daniel 8:11 ; and App-89 .

abomination, &c. See note on Daniel 8:12 ; and App-89 .

a thousand two hundred and ninety days . See App-90 .

Verse 12

Blessed = O the blisses! See Psalms 1:1 . The only Beatitude in this book.

waiteth = is steadfast. Compare Matthew 24:13 .Mark 13:13 .Revelation 2:26 .

the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days . See App-90 . The Hebrew accent suggests the rendering: "Blessed is he that expecteth and shall reach [the goal: he shall reach] to day, 1335. "

Verse 13

the end. This is the sole object of the hierophant's words from Daniel 10:14 onward.

rest: in death.

stand: i.e. in resurrection.