Daniel 12:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.

NIV: He replied, 'Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end.

NASB: And he said, 'Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time.

CSB: He said, "Go on your way, Daniel, for the words are secret and sealed until the time of the end.

NLT: But he said, 'Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is kept secret and sealed until the time of the end.

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

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

This is a non-answer to Daniel's prior question (Daniel 12:8). He didn't fully understand all he'd seen and heard (Daniel 11:2—12:4). But at that time, everything which needed to be given was delivered. Daniel is simply told to go about his life (Daniel 12:13). As before (Daniel 12:4), the terms "seal" and "shut up" imply protection and preservation. They are not commands here but stated as completed actions. Likely this means Daniel was to safeguard what he'd written and to be careful with whom he shared. At "the time of the end," these prophecies would be more widely applied and more relevant. As with many prophecies, they will probably only be fully understood when they are fulfilled.

Next, the angel offers more broad insight into the end times. This includes a comment about those who will or will not follow God and another note about timing (Daniel 12:10–12).

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 5:15:53 AM