Daniel 12
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And at that time Michael shall stand up - Michael the archangel, as has already been observed, was ever reputed the guardian of the Jewish people. Every one that shall be found written in the book - All that truly fear, love, and obey the Lord, On the phrase, "written in the book, the book of life," etc., see the passages in the margin, and the notes on those passages.
Open source ↗CONCLUSION OF THE VISION (TENTH THROUGH TWELFTH CHAPTERS) AND EPILOGUE TO THE BOOK. (Dan 12:1-13) at that time--typically, towards the close of Antiochus' reign; antitypically, the time when Antichrist is to be destroyed at Christ's coming. Michael--the guardian angel of Israel ("thy people"), (Dan 10:13). The transactions on earth affecting God's people have their correspondences in heaven, in the conflict between good and bad angels; so at the last great contest on earth which shall decide the ascendency of Christianity (Rev 12:7-10). An archangel, not the Lord Jesus; for he is distinguished from "the Lord" in Jde 1:9. there shall be--rather, "it shall be." time of trouble, such as never was--partially applicable to the time of Antiochus, who was the first subverter of the Jews' religion, and persecutor of its professors, which no other world power had done. Fully applicable to the last times of Antichrist, and his persecutions of Israel restored to Palestine. Satan will be allowed to exercise an unhindered, unparalleled energy (Isa 26:20-21; Jer 30:7; Mat 24:21; compare Dan 8:24-25; Dan 11:36). thy people shall be delivered-- (Rom 11:26). The same deliverance of Israel as in Zac 13:8-9, "the third part . . . brought through the fire . . . refined as silver." The remnant in Israel spared, as not having joined in the Antichristian blasphemy (Rev 14:9-10); not to be confounded with those who have confessed Christ before His coming, "the remnant according to the election of grace" (Rom 11:5), part of the Church of the first-born who will share His millennial reign in glorified bodies; the spared remnant (Isa 10:21) will only know the Lord Jesus when they see Him, and when the spirit of grace and supplication is poured out on them [TREGELLES]. written in the book--namely,…
Open source ↗And at that time shall Michael stand up,.... The Archangel, who has all the angels of heaven under him, and at his command, the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ; who is as God, as the name signifies, truly and really God, and equal in nature, power, and glory, to his divine Father: "he shall stand up"; which is not to be understood of his incarnation, or manifestation in the flesh, for this refers to times long after that; yet neither of his personal appearance in the clouds of heaven, and standing upon the earth in the latter day; but of his spiritual presence among his people, and protection of them, and continuance with them: this respects the spiritual reigns of Christ, the Lamb's standing upon Mount Zion, and the 144,000 with him, Rev 14:1, and this will be at that time, when the eastern antichrist, the Turk, will be destroyed; for the words are closely connected with the last verse of the preceding chapter; and when also the western antichrist, the pope of Rome, will come to his end; for, as they rose, so they will fall, much about the same time; and then Christ will rise and stand up, as the glorious Head of the church, and as a triumphant Conqueror over all his enemies, and take to himself his great power, and reign, and that kingdom which of right belongs to him. The great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people; the King of kings, and Lord of lords, the Prince of the kings of the earth; great in his person, and in his office; great in dignity, power, and authority; who always did, and ever will, stand on the side of the true Israel of God: he espoused their cause very early; he wrought out salvation for them in time; he intercedes for them now in heaven, and will appear to be their patron and defender against all their enemies in the latter day:…
Open source ↗ההיא וּבעת points back to קץ בּעת (Dan 11:4). At the time of the end, in which the hostile persecutor rises up to subdue the whole world, and sets up his camp in the Holy Land to destroy many in great anger and to strike them with the ban (החרים, Dan 11:44), i.e., totally to outroot them (Dan 11:40-45), the great angel-prince Michael shall come forth and fight for the people of God against their oppressor. Regarding Michael, see under Dan 10:13, p. 771. "Who stands over the sons of thy people," i.e., stands near, protecting them (cf. for על עמד in the sense of coming to protect, Est 8:11; Est 9:16), describes Michael, who carries on his work as Israel's שׂר (Dan 10:21). That Michael, fighting for Daniel's people, goes forth against the hostile king (Dan 11:45), is, it is true, not said expressis verbis, but it lies in the context, especially in the עמך ימּלט (they people shall be delivered) of the second half of the verse, as well as in the expressions regarding Michael, Dan 10:13 and Dan 10:21. But the people of God need such powerful help for their deliverance, because that time shall be one of oppression without any parallel. The description of this oppression seems to be based on Jer 30:7 (C. B. Michaelis, Hengstenberg); but that which is there said is here heightened by the relative clause (cf. Joe 2:2), which enlarges the thought, Exo 9:18, Exo 9:24. This צרה עת (time of distress) is the climax of the oppression which the hostile king shall bring upon Israel, and occurs at the same time as the expiry of the last (the seventieth) week, Dan 9:26. "The salvation of Israel (ימּלט), which is here thought of as brought about under the direction of Michael, coincides essentially with the description, Dan 7:18, Dan 7:25., 14, Dan 9:24." Thus Kranichfeld rightly remarks. H…
Open source ↗It is usual with the prophets, when they foretel the grievances of the church, to furnish it at the same time with proper antidotes, a remedy for every malady. And no relief is so sovereign, of such general application, so easily accommodated to every case, and of such powerful efficacy, as those that are fetched from Christ and the future state; thence the comforts here are fetched. I. Jesus Christ shall appear his church's patron and protector: At that time, when the persecution is at the hottest, Michael shall stand up, Dan 12:1. The angel had told Daniel what a firm friend Michael was to the church, Dan 10:21. He all along showed this friendship in the upper world; the angels knew it; but now Michael shall stand up in his providence, and work deliverance for the Jews, when he sees that their power is gone, Deu 32:36. Christ is that great prince, for he is the prince of the kings of the earth, Rev 1:5. And, if he stand up for his church, who can be against it? But this is not all: At that time (that is, soon after) Michael shall stand up for the working out of our eternal salvation; the Son of God shall be incarnate, shall be manifested to destroy the works of the devil. Christ stood for the children of our people when he was made sin and a curse for them, stood in their stead as a sacrifice, bore the cure for them, to bear it from them. He stands for them in the intercession he ever lives to make within the veil, stands up for them, and stands their friend. And after the destruction of antichrist, of whom Antiochus was a type, Christ shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, shall appear for the complete redemption of all his. II. When Christ appears he will recompense tribulation to those that trouble his people. There shall be a time of trouble, threatening to…
Open source ↗12:1-7 At that time, the time of the end, God will rescue his people and defeat every enemy—even death. 12:1 Michael was Israel’s patron angel (cp. 10:13, 21; Rev 2:1, 8, 12). • the book: This is possibly the Book of Truth (Dan 10:21; cp. 7:10). • will be rescued: All previous rescues of God’s people in Daniel (e.g., 3:28; 6:27) had foreshadowed, and now culminated in, the resurrection from the dead (12:2-3).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. מִיכָאֵל (Mîykâʼêl, H4317) — Mikael, the name of an archangel and of nine Israelites עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… הָיָה (hâyâh, H1961) — to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or… צָרָה (tsârâh, H6869) — tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble); transitively, a female rival: גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… מָלַט (mâlaṭ, H4422) — properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness);… מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
Open source ↗רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) יָשֵׁן (yâshên, H3463) — sleepy עָפָר (ʻâphâr, H6083) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) קוּץ (qûwts, H6974) — to awake (literally or figuratively) עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… חֶרְפָּה (cherpâh, H2781) — contumely, disgrace, the pudenda דְּרָאוֹן (dᵉrâʼôwn, H1860) — an object of aversion
Open source ↗שָׂכַל (sâkal, H7919) — to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent זָהַר (zâhar, H2094) — to gleam; figuratively, to enlighten (by caution) זֹהַר (zôhar, H2096) — brilliancy רָקִיעַ (râqîyaʻ, H7549) — properly, an expanse, i.e. the firmament or (apparently) visible arch of the sky רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) צָדַק (tsâdaq, H6663) — to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense) כּוֹכָב (kôwkâb, H3556) — a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… עַד (ʻad, H5703) — properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e. (by implication) duration, in the sense of…
Open source ↗דָנִיֵּאל (Dânîyêʼl, H1840) — Daniel or Danijel, the name of two Israelites סָתַם (çâtham, H5640) — to stop up; by implication, to repair; figuratively, to keep secret דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause חָתַם (châtham, H2856) — to close up; especially to seal סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. קֵץ (qêts, H7093) — an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) שׁוּט (shûwṭ, H7751) — properly, to push forth; (but used only figuratively) to lash, i.e. (the sea with oars)… דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect)
Open source ↗דָנִיֵּאל (Dânîyêʼl, H1840) — Daniel or Danijel, the name of two Israelites רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) אַחֵר (ʼachêr, H312) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc. שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first הֵנָּה (hênnâh, H2008) — hither or thither (but used both of place and time) שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… יְאֹר (yᵉʼôr, H2975) — a channel, e.g. a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the Nile, as the one river of Egypt,…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… בַּד (bad, H906) — flaxen thread or yarn; hence, a linen garment מַעַל (maʻal, H4605) — properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen יְאֹר (yᵉʼôr, H2975) — a channel, e.g. a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the Nile, as the one river of Egypt,… קֵץ (qêts, H7093) — an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after פֶּלֶא (peleʼ, H6382) — a miracle
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… בַּד (bad, H906) — flaxen thread or yarn; hence, a linen garment מַעַל (maʻal, H4605) — properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen יְאֹר (yᵉʼôr, H2975) — a channel, e.g. a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the Nile, as the one river of Egypt,… רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) יָמִין (yâmîyn, H3225) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more… שְׂמֹאול (sᵉmôʼwl, H8040) — properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or…
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) אַחֲרִית (ʼachărîyth, H319) — the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) דָנִיֵּאל (Dânîyêʼl, H1840) — Daniel or Danijel, the name of two Israelites דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause סָתַם (çâtham, H5640) — to stop up; by implication, to repair; figuratively, to keep secret חָתַם (châtham, H2856) — to close up; especially to seal עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. קֵץ (qêts, H7093) — an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after
Open source ↗רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) בָּרַר (bârar, H1305) — to clarify (i.e. brighten), examine, select לָבַן (lâban, H3835) — to be (or become) white; to make bricks צָרַף (tsâraph, H6884) — to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or figuratively) רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person רָשַׁע (râshaʻ, H7561) — to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand שָׂכַל (sâkal, H7919) — to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent
Open source ↗עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. תָּמִיד (tâmîyd, H8548) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as… סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) שִׁקּוּץ (shiqqûwts, H8251) — disgusting, i.e. filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol שָׁמֵם (shâmêm, H8074) — to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction תִּשְׁעִים (tishʻîym, H8673) — ninety יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗אֶשֶׁר (ʼesher, H835) — happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy! חָכָה (châkâh, H2442) — properly, to adhere to; hence, to await נָגַע (nâgaʻ, H5060) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with… אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) קֵץ (qêts, H7093) — an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after נוּחַ (nûwach, H5117) — to rest, i.e. settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) גּוֹרָל (gôwrâl, H1486) — properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively,… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
How awful that day will be! None will be like it! It is the time of Jacob’s distress, but he will be saved out of it.
For at that time there will be great tribulation, unmatched from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again.
For those will be days of tribulation unmatched from the beginning of God’s creation until now, and never to be seen again.
However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.
But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth. Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael your prince.
Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.
And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.
My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and speak lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of My people or be recorded in the register of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord GOD.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”