12:1 at that time Possibly referring to the death of Antiochus IV (see 11:45 and note).

Michael, the great prince Possibly the patron angel of Israel. See 10:13 and note; 10:21 and note.

Angels in the Bible Table

a time of distress Describes the persecution under Antiochus IV (e.g., 1 Maccabees 1:54–64; 2 Maccabees 6:7–11). In this verse, Michael arises to the Israelites’ defense, particularly in response to Antiochus’ return from battle to quell a rebellion (see Dan 11:44–45). However, it is unclear how Antiochus dies (see 11:45 and note).

has not been since Hyperbolic language used to describe the severity of the situation (see 9:12 and note).

the scroll See 7:10 and note.

12:2 some to everlasting life Daniel is expounding on Isaiah’s framework for resurrection. This fits with the reconciliation and restoration promised to Israel through the Servant figure in Isa 52:13–53:12. Resurrection accounts also occur in Isa 26:19; Ezek 37:1–14.

12:3 the ones having insight See Dan 11:33 and note. The Hebrew phrase referring to wise men”) sounds similar to the language in Isa 52:13. This makes the connection between the resurrected servant here and the resurrected Servant in Isa 53:10 more explicit.

the ones providing justice for the many In Dan 11:33, wise men are said to give understanding. Here, they turn many to righteousness. The two concepts are related and demonstrate how indispensable these teachers were—particularly in times of crisis. In addition to instructing, they modeled peace and hope for deliverance (see 11:33–35). The description of those who lead people to righteousness in this verse echoes language about the righteous servant from Isa 53:11—solidifying the relationship between these passages.

12:4 seal the scroll The scroll (or book) here refers to the book of Daniel—not the book mentioned in Dan 12:1. As is typical of apocalyptic literature, the book containing the vision is sealed until its contents become pertinent to the time at hand. See 7:10 and note. Compare 8:17 and note; 11:40 and note.

many will run back and forth See Amos 8:12.

knowledge The intended reading of the Hebrew text here is debated. The words for “knowledge” and “evil” only differ by one letter in Hebrew. The difference is whether a Hebrew “d” or “r” is read and those letters look very similar; both are represented in the various manuscripts and versions.

12:5 two others Angels.

one on this bank of the stream and one on the other Of the Tigris (see Dan 10:4).

12:6 the man who was clothed in linen See note on 10:5.

How long until the end of the wonders? See 8:13.

the end of the wonders The actions of and judgment of Antiochus, which has been described up to this point.

12:7 above the water of the stream Meaning upstream.

the one who lives forever Describes God (see 4:34; Gen 21:33; compare the ancient Jewish works Sirach 18:1; 1 Enoch 5:1).

appointed time, appointed times, and half Echoes Dan 7:25 (see 7:25 and note). This refers to the last half of the week in 9:27.

will be accomplished When Antiochus dies.

all these things Acts in the same way as “the end of these wonders” (see v. 6 and note).

12:9 Go Daniel would receive no further revelation on the matter, thus leaving his question in v. 8 unanswered. He—and those for whom the vision was recorded—had all of the information needed to persevere in righteousness through persecution.

the time of the end See 8:17 and note; 11:40 and note; v. 1 and note.

12:10 will be purified The terms in this verse are best translated as “be purified, cleansed, and refined.”

12:11 And from the time See 8:13.

one thousand two hundred and ninety days Verses 11–12 presents two seemingly irreconcilable time frames for Antiochus’ desecration of the sanctuary to the end times.

12:13 you will arise for your allotted inheritance May also connote the idea of standing to receive a reward. This phrase references resurrection and the afterlife (see Dan 12:2). The book concludes with Daniel’s own resurrection in view.

the end of the days When all that was predicted in chs. 10–12 and Dan 7–9 takes place, Daniel will arise with those of v. 2 to his everlasting life (see 8:17 and note; v. 1 and note). Since the end of days is in view throughout the persecution, it is a fitting theme with which to close the book.