Daniel 12 7

Daniel 12:7 kjv

And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

Daniel 12:7 nkjv

Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.

Daniel 12:7 niv

The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed."

Daniel 12:7 esv

And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished.

Daniel 12:7 nlt

The man dressed in linen, who was standing above the river, raised both his hands toward heaven and took a solemn oath by the One who lives forever, saying, "It will go on for a time, times, and half a time. When the shattering of the holy people has finally come to an end, all these things will have happened."

Daniel 12 verses

Daniel 12 7 meaning

Daniel 12:7 presents a solemn oath sworn by a divine figure, revealing the precise, albeit cryptic, duration of an intense period of tribulation before the ultimate resolution of God's plans. It signifies that the period of severe persecution and dispersion for the "holy people" is divinely appointed and strictly limited. The culmination of this period, marked by the cessation of the power of those who scatter God's people, will trigger the predetermined end of all these prophetic events.

Daniel 12 7 Context

Daniel chapter 12 serves as the grand finale to Daniel's last vision, encompassing chapters 10-12. This particular verse comes as a direct response to Daniel's inquiry about "what shall be the end of these things" (Dan 12:8) and follows the dramatic prophecies of end-time tribulation and Michael's role in the protection and resurrection of God's people (Dan 12:1-3). The man clothed in linen, identified previously in Daniel 10:5-6 as a glorious divine messenger, delivers this specific temporal prophecy. Historically, the chapter builds upon earlier predictions of Gentile domination and persecution against the chosen people, ultimately pointing to a divinely ordained resolution to suffering and injustice. The immediate preceding verses set the stage for a "time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation" (Dan 12:1), emphasizing the severity and unprecedented nature of the events before the end.

Daniel 12 7 Word analysis

• And I heard: This indicates Daniel's receptivity to a revelation, highlighting his role as the recipient of divine prophecy.
• the man clothed in linen: (Hebrew: hā·’îš lə·ḇūš baḏ·ḏîm) This figure is identical to the one in Daniel 10:5 and strongly echoes the celestial beings in Ezekiel 9:2-3 and the high priest's attire (Lev 16:4). "Linen" signifies purity, righteousness, and often, priestly or divine authority, indicating a high-ranking angelic being or a pre-incarnate appearance of the Son of God. His identity conveys the ultimate truth and authority of the message.
• who was above the waters of the river: The divine figure is positioned above "the river," likely the Tigris, mentioned in Daniel 10:4. This elevation symbolizes supremacy and divine authority over earthly powers and affairs, consistent with prophetic imagery where rivers can represent nations, peoples, or chaos.
• when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven: This is a profound and ancient gesture for taking a solemn, unchangeable oath (Deut 32:40; Gen 14:22). Lifting both hands accentuates the absolute seriousness, sincerity, and binding nature of the pronouncement. It suggests that what is being declared comes directly from the highest authority and is irrevocably certain.
• and swore by Him who lives forever: (Hebrew: way·yiš·šā·ḇe‘ bə·ḥê hā·‘ōw·lām) This is an oath swearing by God Himself, specifically emphasizing His eternal nature—"Him who lives forever." God's eternality ensures that His promises and decrees are unchangeable and utterly trustworthy. The one making the oath (the "man clothed in linen") confirms that the authority for his declaration rests squarely with God.
• that it would be for a time, times, and half a time: (Hebrew: mō·w‘êḏ mō·w‘ăḏîm wā·ḥē·ṣî) This is a highly significant prophetic time indicator, equating to 3.5 units. In prophetic symbolism (Dan 7:25; Rev 12:14; 11:2-3; 13:5), "a time" generally refers to a year, "times" to two years, and "half a time" to half a year, totaling 3.5 prophetic years, or 1,260 days (42 months). This duration frequently symbolizes a specific period of tribulation and the antichrist's reign, emphasizing a definite, albeit incomplete, period before God's ultimate intervention. It implies a divinely appointed limit to the tribulation.
• and when all these things are completed which scatter the power of the holy people: (Hebrew: kə·ḵal·lōṯ nē·faṣ yaḏ-‘am-qō·ḏeš) This phrase details the condition for the end: the completion of the "shattering of the hand/power of the holy people." "Scatter" (nē·faṣ) implies dispersal, fragmentation, and weakening. The "holy people" refers to God's chosen people, Israel, but can also encompass believers throughout history facing persecution. The complete scattering or breaking of their power signifies their utmost vulnerability and a peak in their suffering, reaching the very end of human endurance. It means the time is finished after the purpose of scattering is fulfilled.
• all these things will be finished: This is a declaration of ultimate finality and divine certainty. Once the specified duration passes, and the "scattering" has run its course, the sequence of events leading to the "end" will inevitably reach its conclusion. God's determined purpose will be accomplished, marking the close of this intense period of suffering.

Daniel 12 7 Bonus section

• Prophetic Parallelism: The phrase "a time, times, and half a time" is uniquely powerful because of its repeated use in Daniel (Dan 7:25) and its precise echo in the Book of Revelation (Rev 12:14) as well as its equivalents of 42 months (Rev 11:2; 13:5) and 1260 days (Rev 11:3; 12:6). This strong inter-testamental link signifies that these passages are referring to the same overarching period of tribulation, ultimately tying Daniel's prophecies directly into the New Testament's understanding of the end times.
• Purpose of Scattering: The "scattering of the power of the holy people" is often seen as having a dual purpose: judgment for disobedience (as frequently seen in Old Testament prophecies) and a refining process. This period of intense pressure is designed not to destroy God's people but to purify them and prove their faith, separating the true believers from those who compromise (Dan 12:10).
• Unsealing for Understanding: While Daniel was initially told to "shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end" (Dan 12:4), this verse and its surrounding context are given for later understanding. It implies that at the appointed time, divine insight would be given to comprehend these complex prophecies, guiding those living through these intense periods.

Daniel 12 7 Commentary

Daniel 12:7 encapsulates the divine certainty regarding a predetermined period of immense tribulation before the eschatological climax. The identity of the speaker, the "man clothed in linen," an august heavenly being, imbues the revelation with supreme authority, affirmed by his unique double-handed oath "by Him who lives forever"—God Himself. This gesture highlights the irrevocable nature of the decree. The prophetic timeline, "a time, times, and half a time," is not merely an arbitrary number but a fixed, though symbolically expressed, duration of distress. It has seen partial fulfillment in history (e.g., Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Roman destruction of Jerusalem) and points towards a future ultimate fulfillment. This specific period is intertwined with the "scattering of the power of the holy people," indicating a time of severe weakness, dispersion, and persecution for God's chosen, allowing them to be refined and tested. Yet, this suffering is finite. The declaration that "all these things will be finished" offers a powerful assurance that the pain and displacement will conclude, marking the dawn of God's final and complete restoration. The verse thus promises both a terrifying trial and a guaranteed, divinely orchestrated end, ensuring hope beyond suffering.