Daniel 12 5

Daniel 12:5 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.

Daniel 12:5 nkjv

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

Daniel 12:5 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.

Daniel 12:5 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.

Daniel 12:5 nlt

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

Daniel 12 verses

Daniel 12 5 meaning

Following the extensive prophecies of chapters 10-12:4, Daniel 12:5 marks a shift in the final vision. The prophet observes two additional angelic beings appearing on opposite banks of a river. This visual arrangement sets the stage for a critical dialogue concerning the timeline and conclusion of the profound end-time events just revealed. These new figures serve to frame or facilitate the impending inquiry about the fulfillment of these "wonders."

Daniel 12 5 Context

Daniel chapter 12 serves as the grand finale to Daniel's most extensive prophetic vision, which began in chapter 10. The preceding verses (12:1-4) provide a summary of climactic events related to Israel's future: a time of unprecedented distress, the deliverance of those whose names are written in the book, the resurrection to eternal life or to contempt, and the wisdom of the righteous who will shine. This revelation is profound and culminates in the sealing of the book until the time of the end. Verse 5 is positioned immediately after this dense prophetic outpouring. Daniel is still "at the great river, the Tigris" (Dan 10:4), and this new observation acts as a transitional scene. The appearance of "two others" around the main revealing figure (likely the "man clothed in linen" from 10:5-6) establishes a heavenly courtroom or deliberative setting, preceding the questions regarding the timeline and certainty of the wonders just disclosed. The historical context is Daniel himself, an exiled Jew, receiving future visions relevant to his people centuries later.

Daniel 12 5 Word analysis

• Then I, Daniel, looked:

  • וָאֵרֶא֙ (va'e're): "and I saw" or "and I looked." This verb (וַיַּרְא, from רָאָה ra'ah) signifies active perception, not merely passive seeing. Daniel is an intentional observer. It underscores his direct witness to the events.
  • אֲנִי֙ (ani): "I" (emphatic). This explicit self-identification "I, Daniel" emphasizes his personal involvement and authenticates the vision's account, a common feature in prophetic writings to assert authority and experience (e.g., Isa 1:1, Eze 1:3).

• and there before me stood two others:

  • וְהִנֵּה֙ (v'hinneh): "and behold" or "and look." An interjection often used to draw attention to something new, significant, or surprising in a vision, signifying a revelation.
  • שְׁנַ֙יִם֙ (shnayim): "two." The specific number emphasizes distinct entities.
  • אֲחֵרִ֜ים (achērīm): "others." These are distinct from the primary angelic figure in linen, implying additional heavenly beings who are participants or witnesses in this celestial scene. They are likely angels, reinforcing the divine origin of the revelation. Their designation as "others" highlights their supplementary role to the primary messenger.

• one on this bank of the river and one on the other:

  • אֶחָ֣ד (eḥad): "one." Denoting distinct individuals.
  • לִשְׂפַת֮ הַיְאֹר֙ (lisfat haye'or): "on the bank of the river."
    • שְׂפַת (sfat): "bank," literally "lip" (of a river), an idiom for its edge. This precisely situates the figures.
    • הַיְאֹר (haye'or): "the river," specifically the river, likely the Tigris, as mentioned in Dan 10:4. Rivers often symbolize boundaries or thresholds for profound spiritual encounters (e.g., Ezekiel's vision at Chebar).
  • מֵעֵ֣בֶר מִזֶּ֔ה וְאֶחָ֖ד מֵעֵ֥בֶר מִזֶּֽה (mē`êḇer mizzəh... ûmizzəh): "from this side... and from this side" (referring to opposite banks). This repetition signifies the exact opposing positions, creating a dramatic visual frame. This arrangement evokes a setting of observation, dialogue, or judgment, suggesting a complete vantage point over the events discussed. The spatial separation highlights distinct perspectives or roles for the two figures.

• "I, Daniel, looked": This opening phrase reiterates Daniel's role as the central human recipient of these divine visions, providing an eyewitness account of these supernatural occurrences. It contrasts the vastness of the prophecies with the singularity of the observer.

• "two others": These additional beings signify that Daniel is witnessing a larger, heavenly assembly or council regarding these end-time prophecies. Their presence legitimizes and adds weight to the forthcoming dialogue, implying that the subject matter is significant enough to warrant multiple celestial observers.

• "on this bank of the river and one on the other": This imagery positions the two angels on either side of a natural divide. The river itself can symbolize the flow of time, separation, or the profound depth of the revelations being discussed. The angels straddling this divide could represent comprehensive oversight or the cosmic reach of the prophecy. This visual also prepares the reader for an inquiry or a profound interaction across this metaphorical or literal boundary, establishing a setting that feels deliberate and authoritative. The precise staging hints at the ordered nature of divine revelation.

Daniel 12 5 Bonus section

• The three figures now present (the main revealer from 10:5-6 and these "two others") might allude to the judicial principle of establishing truth through multiple witnesses, found in both Old Testament law (Deut 19:15) and later Christian teaching (Matt 18:16). This strengthens the authority and certainty of the ensuing questions and answers.
• The imagery of the angels stationed at different banks creates a powerful visual of a cosmic 'council' or 'forum,' where divine truths about history and prophecy are being laid out and interrogated. This elevates the significance of Daniel's vision beyond merely a personal experience to an event of universal import.
• Rivers in Near Eastern cosmology sometimes symbolized boundaries between the human and divine realms, or the known and unknown. The angels here bridge or oversee these symbolic boundaries.

Daniel 12 5 Commentary

Daniel 12:5 is a critical scene-setter for the conclusion of Daniel's final, complex prophecy. After receiving overwhelming revelations about end-time conflicts, deliverance, and resurrection, Daniel now observes a significant celestial gathering. The appearance of "two others," distinct from the main revealer (the man clothed in linen), creates a sense of profound spiritual weight. Positioned on opposite banks of the Tigris, these two angelic figures frame the prophetic stage, indicating that the preceding message is not merely a soliloquy but part of a greater heavenly deliberation. This arrangement emphasizes the gravity of the questions about "how long" until these wonders are fulfilled (Dan 12:6), acting as cosmic witnesses to the divine plan and reinforcing the reliability and precision of God's future purposes. It signifies that God's plans are openly witnessed by heavenly beings, and their timing is a matter of profound concern, even for the celestial host.