Daniel 12:1-13 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

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The Final Vision

These chs, form a connected whole, with three sub-divisions. Daniel 10:1 to Daniel 11:1 are introductory; Daniel 11:2 to Daniel 12:4 contain a detailed account of future events down to the 'time of the end.' This time is further defined in the concluding section, Daniel 12:5-13.

(a) Introduction (Daniel 10:1 to Daniel 11:1)

In the third year of Cyrus, after three weeks of mourning and fasting, Daniel has a vision by the river Hiddekel of a glorious angelic being (Daniel 10:1-10), who addresses him in encouraging words (Daniel 10:11-12). This angel has been delayed by a conflict with the guardian angel of Persia, in which he has been helped by Michael, the guardian angel of the Jews. He is about to return to the conflict, and will afterwards have to oppose the guardian angel of Greece (Daniel 10:13-21). Michael has formerly been indebted to the speaker for help (Daniel 11:1).

This conception of guardian or patron angels of the different nations is not found elsewhere in the OT., but is prominent in the book of Enoch (Daniel 6-15).

Related Commentaries of Daniel 12:1

Daniel 12:1-13

1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

3 And they that be wisea shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bankb of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.

6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was uponc the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?

7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time,d times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?

9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abominatione that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.