Daniel 12 6

Daniel 12:6 kjv

And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?

Daniel 12:6 nkjv

And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?"

Daniel 12:6 niv

One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?"

Daniel 12:6 esv

And someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, "How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?"

Daniel 12:6 nlt

One of them asked the man dressed in linen, who was now standing above the river, "How long will it be until these shocking events are over?"

Daniel 12 verses

Daniel 12 6 meaning

Daniel 12:6 depicts a scene of cosmic inquiry within Daniel's final vision. An unnamed angelic being asks the glorious figure, identified as the "man clothed in linen" and positioned majestically "above the waters of the river," a crucial question concerning the duration of the future. The essence of the query is, "How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?" This question seeks to ascertain the specific timeline for the conclusion of the astonishing and often distressing events foretold, marking the climax of divine intervention and the onset of the final, eschatological end.

Daniel 12 6 Context

Daniel 12:6 stands as a direct question within the climactic final vision of the book of Daniel (chapters 10-12). This vision began with Daniel's personal struggle and angelic comfort (ch. 10), then detailed a complex series of future historical events concerning the empires, kings, and conflicts leading up to the "time of the end" (ch. 11). Chapter 12 focuses intensely on this "time of distress" (Dan 12:1), prophesying deliverance for God's people, resurrection of the dead, and ultimate judgment (Dan 12:1-3). Following Daniel's instruction to seal up these prophetic words until the end (Dan 12:4), the present verse introduces an angelic dialogue that clarifies the temporal aspects of these prophecies. It immediately precedes the answer provided by the "man clothed in linen" regarding specific timeframes (Dan 12:7-12). The historical context for Daniel and his audience, in Babylonian and Persian exile, highlighted their longing for divine intervention amidst perceived endless foreign domination. This vision provided comfort and hope by asserting God's sovereign control over the distant future, ultimately promising vindication and salvation for the righteous, contrasting with the temporary triumphs of human empires.

Daniel 12 6 Word analysis

• וַיֹּאמֶר (vayyomer): "And one said." A consecutive imperfect verb, typical in narrative. The singular suggests a specific individual angelic voice, though unnamed.
• אֶחָד ('echad): "One," "a certain one." Used here as an indefinite numeral, implying another angel or a holy being distinct from the glorious figure being addressed. It emphasizes that this question arises from the angelic realm.
• אֶל-הָאִישׁ ('el-ha'ish): "To the man." The definite article "ha-" (the) indicates this is a previously introduced and prominent figure in the vision.
• לְבוּשׁ הַבַּדִּים (levush habaddim): "Clothed in the linens," or "clothed in linen garments."
  • לְבוּשׁ (levush): "Clothed." A masculine noun used participially.
  • הַבַּדִּים (habaddim): "The linens." Bad (בַּד) refers to fine linen, worn by priests (Exod 28:42; Lev 6:10), indicating purity, sanctity, and often a sacred, judicial, or priestly role. This same figure appears in Daniel 10:5-6 and Ezekiel 9:2-3, 11, signifying divine authority and holiness.
• אֲשֶׁר ('asher): "Who," "that," "which." A relative pronoun connecting the man to his position.
• מִמַּעַל (mimma'al): "From above," "over." A preposition emphasizing transcendence and a position of superiority or authority.
• לְמֵי (lemei): "To the waters of," "above the waters." Forms a construct with the following noun.
• הַיְאֹר (hayye'or): "The river." While ye'or often refers to the Nile, in the context of Daniel 10:4, it specifies the Tigris River, where Daniel received a prior part of this vision. This placement signifies a specific location of divine revelation or an emblem of universal power.
• עַד-מָתַי ('ad-matay): "How long?" An emphatic interrogative phrase expressing earnest inquiry, urgency, and perhaps lament or anticipation. It is a recurring cry in Scripture regarding the duration of trials, judgment, or divine absence (Ps 6:3; 13:1-2; Hab 1:2; Zech 1:12; Rev 6:10).
• קֵץ (qets): "End," "appointed end," "conclusion." This term in Daniel refers to the divinely appointed terminus of events, particularly in eschatological prophecies (Dan 8:17, 19; 11:35, 40, 45; 12:4, 9, 13). It's not a mere cessation but a designated completion.
• הַפְּלָאוֹת (happela'ot): "The wonders," "the marvelous/extraordinary things."
  • פְלָאוֹת (pela'ot): "Wonders," "marvels." This plural noun typically refers to God's mighty acts, both in salvation and judgment (Exod 3:20; Ps 78:12). In this context, it specifically refers to the extraordinary and often terrifying events detailed in Daniel's final vision (chapters 11-12), including tribulation, signs, and deliverance.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And one said... to the man clothed in linen": This establishes a divine/angelic conversation, underscoring the seriousness of the inquiry. The unnamed questioner shows a deference to the distinct, holy figure, identifying him by his raiment.
• "who was above the waters of the river": This detail emphasizes the exalted, transcendent position of the "man clothed in linen." His location signifies divine authority and an oversight of all earthly events, perhaps indicating that the location of this specific encounter has revelatory significance.
• "How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?": This is the central, poignant question. It reflects a cosmic concern for the unfolding of God's ultimate plan, expressing a longing for the completion of the arduous "wonders" (extraordinary, often devastating, prophetic events) and the ushering in of the final appointed age. It anticipates the precise time statements that follow, showing that heavenly beings, like humanity, eagerly await God's timeline.

Daniel 12 6 Bonus section

• The Enquirer's Identity: While "one" ('echad) remains undefined, its singular nature distinguishes the speaker from the primary revealer. This suggests a structured angelic hierarchy or a designated angelic messenger specifically tasked with voicing this collective longing, showing the profound cosmic interest in God's unfolding plan.
• Significance of "The River": Although not always specifying the Tigris in the broader biblical use of ye'or, its connection to Daniel 10:4 where this entire vision commences suggests this location is symbolic of divine encounters and the demarcation of human history against God's eternal purposes. It grounds a heavenly revelation in an earthly, yet elevated, setting.
• Divine Timing as Sovereign Decree: The angelic question, "How long?", despite its earnestness, implies a waiting and an acceptance of a divinely set timeline. It affirms that the timing is entirely in God's hands, reinforcing the concept that humanity, and even angelic beings, must wait for God's sovereign appointment (Hab 2:3).
• Prophetic Fulfillment and Hope: This verse encapsulates a core theme of apocalyptic literature—the assurance that despite present tribulation ("wonders"), God has a predetermined "end" (qets), bringing about the promised future and ultimate victory for His people, thus inspiring enduring hope.

Daniel 12 6 Commentary

Daniel 12:6 captures a moment of profound prophetic inquiry, with an unnamed angel questioning the highly revered "man clothed in linen" concerning the exact timing of God's ultimate plan. The phrase "How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?" reveals a deep concern for the resolution of the extraordinary and often turbulent events outlined in Daniel's final vision. The question is not born of mere curiosity, but reflects a celestial longing for the cessation of distress and the definitive manifestation of God's righteous rule. The "man clothed in linen," standing majestically "above the waters of the river," symbolizes purity, authority, and divine revelation, positioning him as the perfect source for the awaited answers about the eschatological "end" and the fulfillment of these "marvelous events" (pela'ot) that encompass both judgment and eventual deliverance. This verse acts as a narrative hinge, leading directly to the precise chronological statements that follow, underscoring the sovereign control of God over all future events.