Daniel 12:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream.

NIV: Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank.

NASB: Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream.

CSB: Then I, Daniel, looked, and two others were standing there, one on this bank of the river and one on the other.

NLT: Then I, Daniel, looked and saw two others standing on opposite banks of the river.

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

NKJV: Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank.

Daniel received this series of prophecies (Daniel 10:1) while standing near the Tigris River (Daniel 10:4–6). The celestial being who delivers these predictions is most likely the angel Gabriel (Daniel 8:15–16; 9:21–22; 10:18–21; Luke 1:26). The prior verse ended a long passage where Daniel recorded the words of this being (Daniel 11:2—12:4). Now, two more figures appear.

Scripture gives no further information about these "two others." No physical description is offered, and no identity is assigned. They are not any of the men who were with Daniel when the vision first began (Daniel 10:7); those men had run away in terror.

The positions on either side of the Tigris may symbolize involvement with Greece and Persia (Daniel 10:13; 12:1). Presumably, these new characters had a human appearance, or else Daniel likely would have used different words. These might be angels curiously listening in on what Daniel was hearing (1 Peter 1:12). Their arrival may also have been simply for Daniel's benefit, though the reasons are unknown.

Daniel 12:5–13 completes the final prophecy given to Daniel. He sees two additional beings and hears a question about the timing of the predicted events. Daniel does not fully understand the answer and asks for clarity. Instead of more answers, he is told to return to his life. After another reference to days and times, the message ends, as does Daniel's writing.

The angelic being who has been giving Daniel insight into the future (Daniel 10:18–21) provides a few last remarks. These reiterate ideas such as resurrection, eternal fate, and salvation. Daniel asks for more clarity, but the angel simply tells him to care for the prophecies which have been given. He tells Daniel to go back to his life, reassuring him that he will experience resurrection and restoration after his death.

Daniel has been receiving information from an angelic being who appeared near the Tigris River (Daniel 10:4–6). The prophecies covered several centuries of events which were themselves centuries in Daniel's future (Daniel 11). As did prior chapters (Daniel 7—9), these interlock with other prophetic Scriptures. This chapter ends Daniel's text, leaving later prophets to record more details about the end times.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.

Accessed 5/5/2024 12:27:25 PM