Daniel 12:13

But go thou thy way till the end [be]: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

But go thou thy way {H3212} till the end {H7093} be: for thou shalt rest {H5117}, and stand {H5975} in thy lot {H1486} at the end {H7093} of the days {H3117}.

But you, go your way until the end comes. Then you will rest and rise for your reward, at the end of days."

But as for you, go on your way until the end. You will rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”

But go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and shalt stand in thy lot, at the end of the days.

This verse concludes the book of Daniel, offering a personal assurance to the prophet after he has received complex and sometimes troubling visions about the future, the end times, and the fate of his people. The divine messenger instructs Daniel to continue his life faithfully until the end of the age, promising him a future rest and a specific inheritance.

Context

Daniel chapter 12 describes events leading up to the "time of trouble" (Daniel 12:1), the resurrection of the dead (Daniel 12:2), and the ultimate destiny of the wise and the wicked. After Daniel expresses confusion and asks about the outcome (Daniel 12:8), he is told the words are sealed until the time of the end (Daniel 12:9). This final verse provides a personal word of comfort and promise to Daniel himself, reassuring him of his own future.

Key Themes

  • Personal Assurance: Despite the grand, often overwhelming scope of the prophecies, this verse brings the focus back to Daniel's individual destiny.
  • Rest: The promise of "rest" suggests an end to his labors, trials, and the burden of understanding these visions, looking forward to a peaceful state. This rest is often understood as the rest of death before resurrection.
  • Resurrection: The phrase "stand in thy lot at the end of the days" strongly implies a future resurrection. Daniel will rise from the dead to receive his appointed place or inheritance.
  • Inheritance/Lot: The word "lot" (Hebrew: גֹּרָל - goral) refers to an assigned portion or inheritance, often allocated by lot (like land in Canaan). Here, it signifies Daniel's specific, secure place in God's eternal kingdom or plan at the culmination of history.
  • The End of the Days: This phrase points to the ultimate conclusion of the age and the beginning of the eternal state or the messianic kingdom, aligning with the eschatological themes of the preceding verses.

Linguistic Insights

The word for "rest" is nuach (נוּחַ), meaning to settle down, repose, or cease from work or trouble. It's the same root used for Noah's name, implying rest or comfort. The word for "lot" is goral (גֹּרָל), which literally means a stone used for casting lots, and by extension, the portion or inheritance determined by lot. It signifies a secure, divinely appointed place. The phrase "end of the days" (קֵץ הַיָּמִים - qets hayyamim) is a technical term for the final period of human history leading into God's eternal reign.

Reflection and Application

Daniel's final instruction and promise offer a powerful message of hope. For Daniel, after a life of faithfulness and service, the promise was rest and a secure future inheritance at the end of the age. This resonates with the hope offered to believers today: perseverance through trials is met with the promise of future rest and a guaranteed place in God's eternal kingdom. It encourages us to remain faithful, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain and that a glorious future awaits those who endure to the end. The concept of a future rest for the people of God is a recurring theme in scripture, culminating in the promise of eternal life in the new heaven and new earth where there will be no more death or suffering. Daniel's lot is secure, and this verse reassures all who are faithful that their future in God's plan is also secure.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 14:13

    ¶ And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:1

    ¶ For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

  • 2 Timothy 4:7

    I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:

  • 2 Timothy 4:8

    Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

  • Zechariah 3:7

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

  • Daniel 12:3

    And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

  • Matthew 19:28

    And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back