I heard, but I understand not - Could not comprehend what the time, times, and half time should refer to. These make three years and a half of prophetic times answering to one thousand two hundred and sixty years. read more
Verse 4 We have already explained “the time of the end” is a period previously fixed on by God, and settled by his own counsel. The following word refers to tracing out and running to and fro, but not necessarily in a bad sense, while it also signifies to investigate. Interpreters explain the angel’s meaning, as if many should be unworthy to receive this prophecy from Daniel; and hence it was to be closed up and only enigmatically delivered to a few, because scarcely one in a hundred would... read more
Verse 5 Daniel here relates his vision of other angels standing on each bank of the river. He alludes to the Tigris which he had previously mentioned, as the vision was offered to him there. He says, One asked the other, How long will it be to the end? He who was asked, swore, with hands upraised to heaven, by the living God, that no single prediction was in vain, since the truth would be evident in its own period, and men must wait for the time, times, and half a time This is a summary of the... read more
Verse 7 He says, This angel raised up his hands to heaven Those who consider this action as a symbol of power are mistaken, for without doubt the Prophet intended to manifest the usual method of swearing. They usually raised the right hand, according to the testimony of numerous passages of Scripture. I have raised my hand towards God. (Genesis 14:22.) Here the angel raises both his hands, wishing by this action to express the importance of the subject. Thus to raise both hands, as if doubling... read more
Verse 8 Now Daniel begins to ask questions in accordance with the angel’s example. He had first heard one angel inquiring of the other; he next summons up courage, and becomes desirous of information, and asks what should be the end or issue? He says, he heard without understanding By the word “hearing,” he bears witness to the absence of ignorance, slothfulness, or contempt. Many depart without any perception of a subject, although it may be very well explained, because they were not attentive... read more
Prophetic events in perspective. Nature is full of types. The leaf is type of the tree. The dawn is a type of the resurrection. The same law that moulds the dew-drop moulded the earth. History likewise is full of types. The banishment from Eden is a type of exclusion from heaven. The redemption of the Hebrews from Egyptian bondage is a type of the redemption of the race by Jesus Christ. Both prosperous and adverse events in human history serve as types. This is the key to the present... read more
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. The Septuagint rendering in the last portion of the verse is totally different from the Masserotic recension, which is correctly rendered in our English version, "And thou, Daniel, hide the commands and seal the book till the time of the end, till many shall rave violently ( ἀπομανῶσιν ) and the earth be filled with unrighteousness." It is... read more
Progressive knowledge of Scripture. The treatment of one of Daniel's prophecies which is here referred to may be applied to all the prophecies of the Bible, and to the higher truths of Scripture generally. I. THERE ARE MYSTERIES IN ALL REVELATION , "The words are shut up" and "the book is sealed." Revelation, while it clears up some mysteries, presents new ones. It is full of dark places, unfathomable depths, suggestions of endless truths. 1 . All is not clear, because we... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 12:7
Which was upon the waters - By this description, he was standing on the water. This is very similar to the description of the angel, Revelation 10:5 , Revelation 10:6 , and in the seventh verse there seems to be a reference to this prophecy "a time, times, and a half." See the note on Daniel 7:25 ; (note). read more