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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 12:1-4

It is usual with the prophets, when they foretel the grievances of the church, to furnish it at the same time with proper antidotes, a remedy for every malady. And no relief is so sovereign, of such general application, so easily accommodated to every case, and of such powerful efficacy, as those that are fetched from Christ and the future state; thence the comforts here are fetched. I. Jesus Christ shall appear his church's patron and protector: At that time, when the persecution is at the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 12:4

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words ,.... Of the book, in which he had wrote the visions and prophecies delivered to him: this he is bid to "shut up", to keep it from the common and profane people, who would only burlesque it; and to keep it to himself, as a peculiar treasure committed to his care; and though it was not kept from the saints and people of God, from their reading it, yet he was not to interpret and explain it to them; it was to remain a secret until the time of its... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 12:4

Shut up the words, and seal the book - When a prophet received a prediction concerning what was at a considerable distance of time, he shut his book, did not communicate his revelation for some time after. This Daniel was commanded to do, Daniel 8:26 . See also Isaiah 29:10 , Isaiah 29:11 ; Revelation 22:10 . Among the ancients, those were said to seal, who in the course of their reading stamped the places of which they were yet doubtful, in order to keep them in memory, that they... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 12:4

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 12:1-4

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 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. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 12:4

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 12:4-13

Precept and promise. "But go thou thy way," etc. ( Daniel 12:13 ). From Daniel 12:4 to the end we have the epilogue to the last vision of the book. In the epilogue are many interesting matters, which will no doubt be developed in the Exposition. We here lay hold of the closing words of all, suggest them for homiletical treatment, and indicate their meaning. No more than this. I. A PRECEPT . "Go thou thy way till the end be." Here the old man of near ninety years is bidden to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 12:4

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words - To wit, by sealing them up, or by closing the book, and writing no more in it. The meaning is, that all has been communicated which it was intended to communicate. The angel had no more to say, and the volume might be sealed up.And seal the book - This would seem to have been not an unusual custom in closing a prophecy, either by affixing a seal to it that should be designed to confirm it as the prophet’s work - as we seal a deed, a will, or a contract;... read more

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