Daniel 12 4

Daniel 12:4 kjv

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.

Daniel 12:4 nkjv

"But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."

Daniel 12:4 niv

But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."

Daniel 12:4 esv

But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."

Daniel 12:4 nlt

But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase."

Daniel 12 verses

Daniel 12 4 meaning

The command given to Daniel is to conceal and safeguard the words of his prophecy until a designated future time known as "the time of the end." This implies that the full understanding and ultimate fulfillment of these profound visions are not meant for immediate comprehension by his contemporary audience. Instead, closer to the appointed "end time," there will be a significant increase in activity where many individuals will diligently seek out and scrutinize these prophecies. Consequently, a deeper understanding and increased knowledge regarding these divine revelations will unfold, becoming clearer and more widely understood in that destined period.

Daniel 12 4 Context

Daniel 12 is the culmination of a lengthy vision spanning chapters 10-12, presenting a detailed prophecy about the future, extending from Daniel's time through the intertestamental period (Persian and Greek empires, specifically Antiochus IV Epiphanes) to the ultimate "time of the end" and the resurrection. In chapter 12, an angelic messenger reveals a final series of events, including distress, deliverance for Israel, the resurrection of the dead, and the ultimate destiny of the righteous and the wicked. Despite these profound disclosures, Daniel himself admits his inability to fully comprehend the meaning of these prophecies (Dan 12:8). The verse directly precedes further inquiry from Daniel and the angel's reiteration that the words are "closed up and sealed till the time of the end" (Dan 12:9), reinforcing the message of restricted understanding until God's appointed hour.

Daniel 12 4 Word analysis

• But you, Daniel: A direct and emphatic address to Daniel, highlighting his unique role as the recipient of these ultimate revelations, and placing a personal directive upon him concerning their treatment.
• shut up (Heb. סְתֹם, `setom`): From the root `sātam`, meaning to close, conceal, or seal up. It denotes an act of making inaccessible or keeping secret, suggesting that the understanding of these words is to be restricted from immediate comprehension.
• the words (Heb. הַדְּבָרִים, `ha-devārīm`): Refers to the specific prophetic messages and revelations Daniel has just received in chapters 10-12, indicating the comprehensive scope of what needs to be preserved.
• and seal (Heb. וַחְתֹּם, `va-ḥatom`): From the root `ḥātam`, meaning to seal, either to attest to genuineness or to secure against tampering/disclosure. In this context, it reinforces the concept of keeping the book secret, preserved, and unavailable for full interpretation until a later date.
• the book (Heb. הַסֵּפֶר, `ha-sēfer`): Refers to the written compilation of Daniel's visions and prophecies, metaphorically or literally indicating a scroll containing the revelations. The sealing ensures its authenticity and restricted access.
• until the time of the end (Heb. עַד־עֵת קֵץ, `ʿad-ʿet qēṣ`): This is a crucial eschatological phrase in Daniel, appearing frequently (Dan 8:17, 11:35, 11:40). It specifies the divinely appointed period when the prophecies will begin to unfold in a recognizable way and when their meaning will become fully manifest or capable of being fully understood.
• many (Heb. רַבִּים, `rabbīm`): Signifies a significant number of people. In the context of "running to and fro" and increasing knowledge, it suggests widespread, perhaps global, involvement in the latter days.
• shall run to and fro (Heb. יִשְׁטְטוּ, `yishtōṭṭū`): From the root `shāṭaṭ`, meaning to run or go to and fro, roam, or scour. This phrase carries several potential connotations:
  • Physical movement: Refers to increased travel and exploration across the earth, characteristic of the modern era.
  • Diligent searching/investigation: Implies a fervent, investigative search for truth and understanding, particularly concerning these prophecies. Like a search party diligently scouring an area.
  • Intellectual/spiritual restlessness: Suggests an intense period of inquiry, speculation, and pursuit of knowledge in preparation for the end.
• and knowledge shall increase (Heb. וְהַדַּ֙עַת֙ תִּרְבֶּֽה, `ve-ha-ddaʿat tirbeh`):
  • Knowledge (`daʿat`): Can refer to general knowledge, scientific advancement, technological insight, or, crucially, knowledge of the divine, spiritual understanding, and particularly insight into these prophecies.
  • Shall increase (`tirbeh`): Signifies an exponential growth or accumulation. This points to an era characterized by unparalleled advancement in human understanding, or more specifically, a profound spiritual awakening leading to deeper discernment of God's prophetic word as the end approaches.

Words-group analysis

• "shut up the words, and seal the book": This dual command emphasizes the secure preservation and restricted interpretation of the prophecy. It is not to be fully unsealed until God's appointed time. This mirrors ancient practices for safeguarding important documents and ensuring their contents remained private or confidential. The sealing ensured the prophecy's integrity through time.
• "until the time of the end": This phrase functions as a temporal qualifier, marking the crucial juncture when the previous directive (shutting up and sealing) transitions to active revelation. It denotes an eschatological period, characterized by the progressive unfolding and enhanced comprehension of divine truth, as opposed to its concealment.
• "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase": This clause describes two interconnected characteristics of "the time of the end." The diligent, perhaps restless, search by many people directly correlates with a burgeoning of understanding. This could refer to seeking the understanding of God's Word or a general surge in human knowledge and travel that indirectly facilitates the broader dissemination and discussion of biblical prophecies. Both activities signify an active and inquiring populace that God enables to grasp His plan more clearly as His timing approaches.

Daniel 12 4 Bonus section

The concept of a "sealed book" until the "time of the end" has profound theological implications for progressive revelation. While Daniel was told to seal the words, Revelation often speaks of a scroll that only Jesus, the Lamb of God, is worthy to unseal, signifying that ultimately all divine mystery culminates in Him. This suggests that the sealing was not to hide but to preserve and reveal at the optimal moment within God's redemptive plan. The "running to and fro" can also be interpreted spiritually as the active and widespread evangelistic movement preceding the Lord's return, wherein the Gospel and the understanding of end-time prophecies are proclaimed to all corners of the earth. Furthermore, some interpretations of the increase in knowledge go beyond spiritual understanding, pointing to the rapid acceleration of scientific and technological knowledge witnessed in the modern era, which undeniably aids global communication and the spread of religious texts, including Daniel's prophecies, making them accessible to "many" who run to and fro.

Daniel 12 4 Commentary

Daniel 12:4 serves as a pivotal statement regarding divine revelation and its timing. It instructs Daniel to ensure the preservation and confidentiality of his apocalyptic visions, implying that their profound significance will not be readily deciphered by his contemporaries. This is not due to a flaw in the prophecy but a matter of God's sovereign timetable. The "time of the end" is the specific period designated by God for the unsealing and clearer apprehension of these truths. During this era, a heightened global movement and intellectual or spiritual fervor ("many shall run to and fro") will emerge. This vigorous activity—whether it be widespread physical travel, earnest study of the scriptures, or a pervasive spiritual search—will coincide with an unprecedented expansion of understanding ("knowledge shall increase"). This increased knowledge can pertain to the specific details of Daniel's prophecy, broader theological insights, or general human knowledge that somehow illuminates the prophetic context. The verse assures us that though some truths are veiled for a season, God intends for them to be revealed in fullness at the appropriate time, empowering a generation to comprehend the mysteries of the "last days."