Daniel 12:4

4. “This command more naturally refers to the entire Book of Daniel’s revelations, whether communicated by dream, by vision, or by the word of the angel. It is like Daniel 8:26, and Isaiah 8:16, a solemn charge to preserve the written revelation in security. Daniel wrote his dreams (Daniel 7:1), but he did not, even after the explanation of the angel, fully comprehend them (Daniel 7:28; Daniel 8:27). None could clearly understand their import at that time. They were accordingly to be kept in most perfect security until the time of the end, when God’s own providence would make all plain” Terry. All past exegesis proves the truth of Daniel’s statement here. This is one prediction which every scholar must acknowledge has been proved literally true. More books have been written concerning this prophecy of Daniel than on any other book of Scripture, yet only those who are very ignorant can think that they have even yet solved all its enigmas. The book is still at least partially sealed. We remember that Nachmonides in his colossal biblical treatise, Gate of Reward, closed the discussion of one difficult section with the remark: “Only One can know the exact truth about a great mystery.” Many shall run to and fro, etc. This may either refer to the excitement and hurry of troublous times, in which case the last clause should be translated, “and many shall be the calamities;” or it may refer to the running everywhere in search after knowledge, in which case we may translate, with Prince, “many shall search it [the book] diligently, and knowledge shall be increased.” This passage has inspired many Hebrews to poetic flights:

Virgin of Israel, arise! rejoice!

In Daniel’s vision, lo! the end is sealed:

When Michael on the height

Shall stand aloft in strength

And shout aloud in might,

And a Redeemer come to Zion at length!

Amen, amen! Behold

The Lord’s decree foretold.

E’en as thou hast our souls afflicted sore,

So wilt thou make us glad for evermore!

Ibn Gebirol.