Analysis of the Chapter There are several general remarks which may be made respecting this, the closing chapter of the book of Daniel. I. It is a part, or a continuation of the general prophecy or vision which was commenced in Daniel 10, and which embraces the whole of the eleventh chapter. Except... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AT THAT TIME - At the period referred to in the preceding chapter. The fair construction of the passage demands this interpretation, and if that refers to Antiochus Epiphanes, then what is here said must also; and we are to look for the direct and immediate fulfillment of this prediction in some... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MANY OF THEM - The natural and obvious meaning of the word “many” (רבים _rabı̂ym_) here is, that a large portion of the persons referred to would thus awake, but not all. So we should understand it if applied to other things, as in such expressions as these - “many of the people,” “many of the h... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY THAT BE WISE - This is the language which, in the Scriptures, is employed to denote the pious, or those who serve God and keep his commandments. See the book of Proverbs, passim. True religion is wisdom, and sin is folly, and they who live for God and for heaven are the truly wise. The mean... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THOU, O DANIEL, SHUT UP THE WORDS - To wit, by sealing them up, or by closing the book, and writing no more in it. The meaning is, that all has been communicated which it was intended to communicate. The angel had no more to say, and the volume might be sealed up. AND SEAL THE BOOK - This would... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN I DANIEL LOOKED - My attention was attracted in a new direction. Hitherto, it would seem, it had been fixed on the angel, and on what he was saying. The angel now informed him that he had closed his communication, and Daniel was now attracted by a new heavenly vision. AND, BEHOLD, THERE STOOD... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ONE SAID - One of these angels. It would seem that, though before unseen by Daniel, they had been present, and had listened with deep interest to the communication respecting the future which the angel had made to him. Feeling a deep concern in the issue of these wonderful events - thus evincing... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I HEARD THE MAN ... - That is, he replied to the question at once, and in a most solemn manner, as if he were communicating a great and momentous truth respecting the future. WHEN HE HELD UP HIS RIGHT HAND AND HIS LEFT HAND UNTO HEAVEN - Toward heaven; as if appealing to heaven for the sincerity... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I HEARD, BUT I UNDERSTOOD NOT - He understood not the full significance of the language employed - “a time, and times, and an half.” This would make it probable that there was something more intended than merely three years and a half as the period of the continuation of these troubles. Daniel s... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID, GO THY WAY, DANIEL - That is, make no further inquiries. All has been disclosed that is to be. At the close of his communication Daniel 12:4, he had told Daniel to shut up, and seal the book, for his revelations were ended. He here repeats substantially the same thing, and he assures hi... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY SHALL BE PURIFIED - In future times. That is, as the connection would seem to require, there will be a system introduced by which many will become purified, and made holy. Daniel might hope and expect that under the arrangements which God would make, many of the human race would be cleansed fro... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FROM THE TIME - Though the angel had said Daniel 12:4, Daniel 12:9 that his communication was closed, and that he imparted all that he was commissioned to communicate to Daniel, yet, as it would seem, in reply to the earnest request of Daniel, he volunteers an additional statement, in regard to... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED IS HE THAT WAITETH - This indicates a patient expectation of an event that was to occur, and the happy state of him who would reach it. The angel refers to another period different from the “time, and times, and an half,” and different also from the twelve hundred and ninety days. He speaks... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT GO THOU THY WAY UNTIL THE END BE - See Daniel 12:4, Daniel 12:9. The meaning is, that nothing more would be communicated, and that he must wait for the disclosures of future times. When that should occur which is here called “the end,” he would understand this more fully and perfectly. The langu... [ Continue Reading ]