Daniel 12:9

And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words [are] closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

And he said {H559}, Go thy way {H3212}, Daniel {H1840}: for the words {H1697} are closed up {H5640} and sealed {H2856} till the time {H6256} of the end {H7093}.

But he said, "Go your way, Dani'el; for these words are to remain secret and sealed until the time of the end.

“Go on your way, Daniel,” he replied, “for the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.

And he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end.

Commentary

Daniel 12:9 (KJV) concludes a profound prophetic section, delivering a final instruction and a key revelation to the prophet Daniel regarding the understanding of the visions he has received.

Context of Daniel 12:9

This verse follows Daniel's plea for clarification after an extensive vision detailing future events, including the rise and fall of earthly powers, the tribulation of God's people, and the ultimate resurrection (Daniel 11 and Daniel 12). Overwhelmed by the complexity and scope of what he heard and saw, Daniel asks, "O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?" (Daniel 12:8). The angelic messenger's response in verse 9 is a directive for Daniel to simply "go thy way" – to live out his remaining days faithfully, because the full comprehension of these prophecies is not for his immediate time.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sealing of Prophecy: The core message is that the intricate details of the future, particularly concerning the "words [are] closed up and sealed". This means their full meaning and unfolding are intentionally hidden from immediate understanding and are reserved for a specific future period.
  • The "Time of the End": This phrase signifies a distinct eschatological period when these prophecies will be unveiled and understood. It implies that as history progresses towards its culmination, divine revelation regarding these events will become clearer. This concept is vital for understanding biblical prophecy, as it suggests a progressive unfolding of God's plan.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Knowledge: The verse powerfully asserts that God controls not only the events of history but also the timing of their revelation. Human understanding is limited by divine prerogative.
  • Patience and Faithfulness: Daniel is not given immediate full clarity but is instructed to continue in his path of righteousness. This encourages believers to trust God's timing and wisdom, even when facing mysteries.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "closed up" (satham) and "sealed" (chatham) convey the idea of being shut, hidden, or made inaccessible. This is not to say the words are meaningless, but that their full implication and the precise timing of their fulfillment are divinely protected and preserved. The act of sealing often indicated authenticity, preservation, and restricted access, much like a legal document sealed until the appropriate time for its contents to be revealed. This contrasts with the instruction given to John in Revelation 22:10, where he is told *not* to seal the words of that prophecy, indicating a different stage in God's unfolding plan.

Practical Application

Daniel 12:9 offers comfort and guidance for modern believers. It reminds us that while we should diligently study God's Word and prophecy, not every detail will be perfectly clear until God's appointed time. This verse encourages:

  • Trust in God's Plan: Even when future events seem confusing or distant, we can rest in the assurance that God has a sovereign plan that will unfold perfectly.
  • Faithful Living: Like Daniel, our primary call is to "go thy way" – to live faithfully and obediently in the present, while awaiting the future revelations of God.
  • Humility in Interpretation: It cautions against dogmatic interpretations of highly specific prophetic timelines, acknowledging that some truths remain "sealed" until the "time of the end."
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Daniel 12:4

    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.

  • 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.

  • Isaiah 29:11

    And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which [men] deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it [is] sealed:

  • 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 8:16

    ¶ Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
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