Daniel 12:4
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.” | 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. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedAfter the promise of deliverance and resurrection (12:1-3), Daniel is told to shut up and seal the book until the time of the end. The words were not for full understanding in his day. Daniel says he "understood not" (12:8), and he is told that the words are sealed till the end and that then "the wise shall understand" (12:9-10). Daniel 12:1Daniel 12:2Daniel 12:3Daniel 12:4Daniel 12:8Daniel 12:9Daniel 12:10
SpeakingThe verses given here do not name who speaks in 12:4. In the same scene Daniel hears "the man clothed in linen" and calls on "my Lord," who answers with the same command: the words "are closed up and sealed till the time of the end" (12:6-9). Daniel 12:4Daniel 12:6Daniel 12:7Daniel 12:8Daniel 12:9
ToDaniel himself, addressed directly: "But thou, O Daniel." Daniel 12:4Strong's H1840G
Also involvedLater readers living toward "the time of the end," for whom the sealed words are kept. Among them "the wise shall understand" while the wicked will not. Daniel 12:10Daniel overview
Daniel is to close up and seal the words of the vision until the time of the end. In that time many will run to and fro, and knowledge will increase. The same order is repeated in 12:9, and an earlier vision was also to be shut up "for many days" (8:26). Daniel 12:4Daniel 12:9Daniel 8:26Strong's H5640AStrong's H2856Strong's H7751AStrong's H7235A
Daniel sees this vision beside a river, with figures standing on either bank (12:5-7). The book places his life and service in Babylon under Babylonian and then Persian kings. Daniel 12:5Daniel 12:6Daniel overview
The eventsThe book's events run to the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, about 536 BC, where the book's last vision begins (10:1). This verse looks ahead to "the time of the end." Daniel overviewDaniel 12:4
WrittenTraditional: written by Daniel in the 500s BC. Scholarly: many critical scholars date the book's final form to about 167-164 BC under Antiochus IV, while others hold to the 500s BC date, pointing to Matthew 24:15 and the book's knowledge of the Babylonian court. Daniel overview
HereThe sealing shows that the full meaning of the vision belongs to the time of the end, not to Daniel's day, as 8:17 also says: "at the time of the end shall be the vision." Daniel is told to go his way and rest, and he will stand in his lot at the end of the days (12:13). Daniel 12:4Daniel 12:9Daniel 12:13Daniel 8:17
In the whole of ScriptureThe book shows that God reveals secrets to those who seek him and that his kingdom will outlast every empire. Revelation 22:10 gives a contrast: John is told "Seal not" the prophecy, "for the time is at hand." Daniel overviewRevelation 22:10
For readersReaders are called to be among "the wise" who understand and who turn many to righteousness (12:3, 12:10). They should wait faithfully, as 12:12 blesses the one "that waiteth." Daniel 12:3Daniel 12:10Daniel 12:12
Christians read this differently
The verse does not say what the many run to and fro after, or knowledge of what increases. Some read it as people searching eagerly through the sealed words, so that understanding of the prophecy grows at the end, as 12:9-10 says the wise shall understand. Others read it as a wider sign of the end times: much movement of people and a general rise in knowledge. Daniel 12:4Daniel 12:9Daniel 12:10Strong's H7751AStrong's H1847
- shut upסָתַם
The word means to stop up, shut up, or keep close, and its participle can mean "secret." The words are kept closed until their time. The same command is given for the earlier vision in 8:26. Strong's H5640ADaniel 8:26
- sealחָתַם
It means to seal up or fasten up by sealing. The book is closed until its appointed time, as 12:9 repeats: "closed up and sealed till the time of the end." Strong's H2856Daniel 12:9
- run to and froשׁוּט
The word means to go or rove about, or to go eagerly or quickly to and fro. The verse itself does not say what the many are moving after. Strong's H7751ADaniel 12:4
- knowledgeדַּ֫עַת
The word covers knowledge, perception, discernment, understanding and wisdom. The same chapter says that at the end "the wise shall understand" (12:10). Strong's H1847Daniel 12:10
- endקֵץ
The word means end, used of time or of space. "The time of the end" runs through the chapter and appears in 8:17 as the time the vision points to. Strong's H7093Strong's H6256Daniel 8:17Daniel 12:13
Takeaway
Daniel is told to seal the words of his vision until the time of the end. The verse marks that time by many running to and fro and knowledge increasing, and the chapter adds that then the wise shall understand. Daniel 12:4Daniel 12:9Daniel 12:10
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
The world around the text
About 605-536 BC. King of Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC). Where Daniel lived and served for about seventy years. The capital of the Babylonian empire, on the Euphrates south of modern Baghdad, in the land the Bible calls Shinar and Chaldea.
Who ruled
- King of BabylonNebuchadnezzar605-562 BC
The king who besieged Jerusalem, carried Daniel and the temple vessels to Babylon, and later destroyed the city and temple. His own building inscriptions boast of the Babylon he built. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 24:12 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 25:1Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- Last king of Babylon, and his son who ruled in his placeNabonidus and Belshazzar556-539 BC
Nabonidus spent about ten years at the oasis of Tema in Arabia and left his son Belshazzar to rule in Babylon. That is why Belshazzar could only offer Daniel the place of "third ruler in the kingdom": he was himself second. Daniel 5:1Daniel 5:7Daniel 5:29Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Verse Account of Nabonidus
- Received the kingdom after Babylon fellDarius the MedianFrom 539 BC
Daniel says he "took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old" and set 120 princes over it. Records outside the Bible do not name him; he has been identified with Gubaru, the governor Cyrus set over Babylon, or with Cyrus himself. Daniel 5:31Daniel 6:1Daniel 9:1Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)
- King of PersiaCyrus559-530 BC
He united the Medes and Persians, took Babylon in 539 BC, and let the exiles go home to rebuild the temple, as Isaiah had named him beforehand. Daniel 1:21Daniel 6:28Daniel 10:1Ezra 1:1-4Isaiah 44:28-45:1Cyrus Cylinder
- King of JudahJehoiakim609-598 BC
Judah's king when Daniel was taken. Jeremiah warned him and his people that the land would serve Babylon seventy years. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 23:36-24:6Jeremiah 25:1-11
What was happening, 612 BC to 167 BC
- 612 BCWarNineveh falls
Babylon and the Medes destroyed Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, as Nahum and Zephaniah had foretold. Babylon became the great power of the region. Nahum 3:7Zephaniah 2:13Fall of Nineveh Chronicle (ABC 3)
- 605 BCWarBattle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar defeated Pharaoh Necho of Egypt at Carchemish on the Euphrates, in Jehoiakim's fourth year. The same year he came against Jerusalem and took the first captives, Daniel among them. Jeremiah 46:2Daniel 1:1-4Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 597 BCWarJerusalem surrenders
Nebuchadnezzar took King Jehoiachin, his nobles and craftsmen to Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel went into exile with them. 2 Kings 24:10-17Ezekiel 1:2Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 586 BCWarJerusalem and the temple destroyed
Babylon's army burned the temple and the city and broke down its walls. Daniel later prays over "the desolations of Jerusalem" and asks God to shine on his "sanctuary that is desolate." 2 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 52:12-14Daniel 9:2Daniel 9:17
- c. 575 BCBuildingBabylon rebuilt in splendor
Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt Babylon with great walls, palaces and the blue-glazed Ishtar Gate, and his inscriptions praise his own work. Compare his boast: "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built?" Daniel 4:30Nebuchadnezzar's East India House InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 1.178-183
- 562 BCRulersNebuchadnezzar dies
His son Evil-merodach became king and released Jehoiachin of Judah from prison. 2 Kings 25:27-30Jeremiah 52:31-34
- c. 553-543 BCRulersNabonidus leaves Babylon to Belshazzar
King Nabonidus stayed at Tema in Arabia for about ten years, and the yearly New Year festival in Babylon was not held. Belshazzar governed in Babylon. Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Daniel 5:1Daniel 7:1
- 550 BCWarCyrus unites the Medes and Persians
Cyrus of Persia defeated Astyages king of the Medes, joining the two peoples in one kingdom. Daniel's vision names the ram's two horns as "the kings of Media and Persia," the higher coming up last. Daniel 8:3Daniel 8:20Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.127-130
- October 539 BCWarBabylon falls to Cyrus
Cyrus's army entered Babylon without a long siege. Herodotus says the people were feasting when the city was taken. Daniel records that "in that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain." Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.191Cyrus Cylinder
- 538 BCGod's peopleCyrus lets the exiles return
In his first year over Babylon, Cyrus proclaimed that the Jews could go back and build the LORD's house in Jerusalem. Daniel "continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus." Ezra 1:1-42 Chronicles 36:22-23Daniel 1:21Cyrus Cylinder
- c. 536 BCGod's peopleThe temple's foundation is laid
The returned exiles rebuilt the altar and laid the foundation of the temple. In the third year of Cyrus, Daniel was still in the east, mourning and praying. Ezra 3:1-11Daniel 10:1-3
- 334-331 BCWarAlexander the Great conquers Persia
Alexander of Macedon crossed into Asia and overthrew the Persian empire within four years. Daniel 8:21 names the rough goat as "the king of Grecia" and its great horn as "the first king." Daniel 8:5-8Daniel 8:21Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 1-3
- 323-301 BCWarAlexander's empire is divided
Alexander died young, and after twenty years of war his generals divided his empire, chiefly into four kingdoms. Daniel 8:22 says "four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power." Daniel 8:8Daniel 8:22Daniel 11:4Diodorus Siculus, Library 18-20Plutarch, Demetrius 28-30
- 167 BCWarAntiochus IV defiles the temple
The Greek king Antiochus IV banned Jewish worship and set up a pagan altar on the altar of burnt offering. 1 Maccabees calls it "the abomination of desolation." Two centuries later Jesus spoke of "the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet" as still to come. 1 Maccabees 1:54-59Josephus, Antiquities 12.5.4Matthew 24:15
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records of these years (the Babylonian Chronicles, the Cyrus Cylinder, Nebuchadnezzar's inscriptions) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Diodorus, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| and you | וְאַתָּ֣ה | ve-'a-TAH | H0859A | youאַנְתָּה (an.tah) you, thou (second pers. sing.) Aramaic of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A) |
| O Daniel | דָֽנִיֵּ֗אל | da-ni-YEL | H1840G | Belteshazzarבֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר (be.le.te.shats.tsar) A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezk.14.14; also called Belteshazzar at Dan.1.7; 2.26; 4.8,9,18,19; 5.12; 10.1; Another name of da.niy.yel (דָּנִיֵּאל, דָּנִאֵל "Daniel" H1840G) § Belteshazzar = "lord of the straitened's treasure" … |
| keep secret | סְתֹ֧ם | se-TOM | H5640A | to closeסָתַם (sa.tam) 1) to stop up, shut up, keep close 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stop up 1a2) to shut up, keep close 1a3) secret (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be stopped up 1c) (Piel) to stop up |
| the words | הַדְּבָרִ֛ים | ha-de-va-RIM | H1697G | wordדָּבָר (da.var) : word/speech/command 1) speech, word, speaking, thing 1a) speech 1b) saying, utterance 1c) word, words 1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension) |
| and seal up | וַחֲתֹ֥ם | va-cha-TOM | H2856 | to sealחָתַם (cha.tam) 1) to seal, seal up, affix a seal 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to seal, affix one's seal 1a2) to seal up, fasten up by sealing 1b) (Niphal) to seal 1c) (Piel) to lock up 1d) (Hiphil) to be stopped Aramaic equivalent: cha.tam (חֲתַם "to seal" H2857) |
| the scroll | הַסֵּ֖פֶר | ha-SE-fer | H5612H | No entry |
| until | עַד־ | 'ad- | H5704 | tillעַד (ad) prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705) |
| [the] time of | עֵ֣ת | 'et | H6256 | timeעֵת (et) 1) time 1a) time (of an event) 1b) time (usual) 1c) experiences, fortunes 1d) occurrence, occasion |
| [the] end | קֵ֑ץ | Ketz | H7093 | endקֵץ (qets) 1) end 1a) end, at the end of (of time) 1b) end (of space) |
| they will rove about | יְשֹׁטְט֥וּ | ye-sho-te-TU | H7751A | to roveשׁוּט (shut) 1) to go, go or rove about, go to and fro 1a) (Qal) to go or rove about 1b) (Polel) to go to and fro, go eagerly or quickly to and fro 1c) (Hithpolel) to run to and fro |
| many [people] | רַבִּ֖ים | ra-BIM | H7227A | manyרַב (rav) adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly |
| so it may increase | וְתִרְבֶּ֥ה | ve-tir-BEH | H7235A | to multiplyרָבָה (ra.vah) 1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things) 1a2) to be or grow great 1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make much, make many, have many 1c1a) to multiply, increase 1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly 1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly 1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236) |
| the knowledge | הַדָּֽעַת׃ | ha-DA-'at | H1847 | knowledgeדַּ֫עַת (da.at) 1) knowledge 1a) knowledge, perception, skill 1b) discernment, understanding, wisdom |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.