King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"But you, Dani'el, keep these words secret, and seal up the book until the time of the end. Many will rush here and there as knowledge increases."
Berean Standard Bible:
But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.”
American Standard Version:
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
But thou, O Daniel{H1840}, shut up{H5640} the words{H1697}, and seal{H2856} the book{H5612}, even to the time{H6256} of the end{H7093}: many{H7227} shall run to and fro{H7751}, and knowledge{H1847} shall be increased{H7235}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Daniel 12:9
- And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words [are] closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Daniel 8:26
- And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told [is] true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it [shall be] for many days.
Revelation 22:10
- And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
Daniel 8:17
- So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end [shall be] the vision.
Revelation 10:4
- And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
Isaiah 29:18
- And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
Isaiah 29:19
- The meek also shall increase [their] joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Daniel 12:4
Daniel 12:4 is part of the final chapter of the Book of Daniel, which is set in the context of the Babylonian Exile (6th century BCE) and written from the perspective of Daniel, a Jewish nobleman who served in the court of Babylonian and Persian kings. The verse is part of a vision concerning the end times and the resurrection of the dead, a theme that runs through the latter part of the book.
In this verse, Daniel is instructed to "shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end." This suggests that the prophecies contained within are meant to be kept secret or not fully understood until the time they are to be fulfilled. The phrase "time of the end" refers to the eschatological period when divine mysteries would be revealed and the prophecies would come to pass.
The latter part of the verse, "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased," speaks to the idea that in the time leading up to the end, there will be a significant increase in human activity and learning. This has often been interpreted to mean that there will be a proliferation of information, travel, and possibly technology as the end times approach. Historically, this verse has been cited in discussions about the progress of human knowledge and the approach of the apocalypse, with some interpreting it as a reference to the rapid advancements of the modern era.
The themes of Daniel 12:4 include prophecy, eschatology, divine revelation, and the progress of human knowledge. It reflects a belief in a predetermined divine plan for history, the idea that human understanding is limited and subject to God's timing, and the anticipation of a future time when all will be revealed. The verse has been influential in apocalyptic and eschatological thought throughout Jewish and Christian history, with various interpretations reflecting the contexts and concerns of different eras.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1840
There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָנִיֵּאל
Transliteration: Dânîyêʼl
Pronunciation: daw-nee-yale'
Description: in Ezekiel it is; דָּנִאֵל; from דָּן and אֵל; judge of God; Daniel or Danijel, the name of two Israelites; Daniel. - Strong's Number: H5640
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סָתַם
Transliteration: çâtham
Pronunciation: saw-tham'
Description: or שָׂתַם; (Numbers 24:15), a primitive root; to stop up; by implication, to repair; figuratively, to keep secret; closed up, hidden, secret, shut out (up), stop. - Strong's Number: H1697
There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּבָר
Transliteration: dâbâr
Pronunciation: daw-baw'
Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. - Strong's Number: H2856
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָתַם
Transliteration: châtham
Pronunciation: khaw-tham'
Description: a primitive root; to close up; especially to seal; make an end, mark, seal (up), stop. - Strong's Number: H5612
There are 174 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סֵפֶר
Transliteration: çêpher
Pronunciation: say'-fer
Description: or (feminine) סִפְרָה; (Psalm 56:8 (אֲבֵדָה)), from סָפַר; properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book; bill, book, evidence, [idiom] learn(-ed) (-ing), letter, register, scroll. - Strong's Number: H6256
There are 258 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵת
Transliteration: ʻêth
Pronunciation: ayth
Description: from עַד; time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.; [phrase] after, (al-) ways, [idiom] certain, [phrase] continually, [phrase] evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-, noon-) tide, (meal-), what) time, when. - Strong's Number: H7093
There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קֵץ
Transliteration: qêts
Pronunciation: kates
Description: contracted from קָצַץ; an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after; [phrase] after, (utmost) border, end, (in-) finite, [idiom] process. - Strong's Number: H7227
There are 439 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רַב
Transliteration: rab
Pronunciation: rab
Description: by contracted from רָבַב; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality); (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). - Strong's Number: H7751
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׁוּט
Transliteration: shûwṭ
Pronunciation: shoot
Description: a primitive root; properly, to push forth; (but used only figuratively) to lash, i.e. (the sea with oars) to row; by implication, to travel; go (about, through, to and fro), mariner, rower, run to and fro. - Strong's Number: H1847
There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דַּעַת
Transliteration: daʻath
Pronunciation: dah'-ath
Description: from יָדַע; knowledge; cunning, (ig-) norantly, know(-ledge), (un-) awares (wittingly). - Strong's Number: H7235
There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָבָה
Transliteration: râbâh
Pronunciation: raw-baw'
Description: a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect); (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for רָבַב), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very.