Daniel 12:4 Commentary and Bible Study

‘But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end.’ The phrase ‘shut up the words’ uses a verb related to the Hebrew for ‘secret’: hide the words, make them secret. The same word has been used in Daniel 8:26 where Daniel is told that the vision which he has seen (of the ram and goat) is true, but nevertheless it is to be shut up because it belongs to the distant future – it is a long-term prophecy. ‘And seal the book’ – this could mean to attach a seal, confirming its authenticity and accuracy, preventing it from being altered, or guaranteeing that it has not been altered. But the word can also mean to seal up so as to prevent it being read, and it would be consistent with the previous phrase to interpret it in this way. The same word is used in 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.’ The sealing results in the words being unreadable as the passage tells us. The Septuagint renders this with the Greek word which is related to that used in Revelation, where it undoubtedly intends a sealing that prevents reading (Revelation 5:4; 10:4) or negates it (Revelation 22:10). Obviously Daniel is not being told to make this a hidden book, and to forbid anyone to read it. These are words that need to be studied and read by subsequent generations; they are inspired words; they are part of the canon of Scripture; they are a revelation of God's truth. They must be read. And yet, they are sealed in the sense that they are hard to understand, and Daniel is being told that that is bound to be the case. They are mysterious because they relate to far distant events which will take place at the end of the world. Until their fulfilment they will be difficult to understand. A little later, as the vision unfolds, even Daniel is compelled to say, ‘And I heard, but I understood not’ (verse 8). Daniel is told to seal the book, not because he is to make it hard to understand, but because it is already hard. This is to be the nature of the book that is come from his hand. It is interesting that the very unusual note that is added by Matthew, urging care in understanding, also refers to a quote from Daniel – ‘When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)’ (Matthew 24:15).So he is told to ‘seal the book, even to the time of the end’. This prophecy will apply, but it is not a short-term prophecy. The part about Antiochus Epiphanies was relatively short term; that was fulfilled. But of course, even that has a future application, because he and his actions typify what the real antichrist will do at the end of time. However, this book must be open to the very end. As the last generations arrive then people must be able to see it and read, and then its meaning will become clear. This is what God will permit and superintend; this is how things will work out.And then there is a curious phrase. ‘Many shall run to and fro’, and this perplexes friends. Some people interpret it in this manner: that the world, for its part, will forever be running to and fro and trying to find knowledge and will increase its knowledge, but its knowledge will be Christless, and will never take account of God's plan for the ages and God's way. EJ Young says, ‘Thus, it is unwarranted to consider the modern increase in travel and in education as specific fulfilments of this prophecy.’ Others more correctly interpret it as meaning that the eyes of the faithful will run to and fro, as they scan their scroll or their book, and they read the text, and knowledge shall be increased; that certainly fits the context better. This is knowledge of the things revealed in the vision. Daniel has been told to seal the book and the words, but a time will come when their meaning will become plain to the people of God. To the very end of time this is an inspired book, and many shall run their eyes, as it were, across its lines – Leupold translates this as ‘many shall diligently peruse it’ – and knowledge shall be increased. People will be greatly comforted and given perspective by this vision.