Daniel 12:6
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? | One of them said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long until the fulfillment of these wonders?” | And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedNear the end of Daniel's last vision, one of two figures standing by the river asks the man clothed in linen how long it will be until 'these wonders' are over. The wonders are the events just foretold: the time of trouble, the rescue of Daniel's people, and the awakening of the dead. The man answers with an oath: 'a time, times, and an half.' Daniel 12:1Daniel 12:2Daniel 12:5Daniel 12:6Daniel 12:7
SpeakingOne of the 'other two' who stood on either bank of the river. The text does not name him. In a similar scene, Daniel 8:13 calls the figures who ask 'How long' saints. Daniel 12:5Daniel 12:6Daniel 8:13
ToThe man clothed in linen who stood above the waters of the river. Earlier in this vision Daniel saw 'a certain man clothed in linen' with a face like lightning and eyes like lamps of fire. Daniel 12:6Daniel 10:5Daniel 10:6
Also involvedDaniel's people, called 'the holy people,' who face a time of trouble but will be delivered. Daniel overhears the exchange and admits he did not understand. Daniel 12:1Daniel 12:7Daniel 12:8
One of the figures by the river asks how long the foretold events will last before their end. The man in linen answers under oath and gives a set period: 'a time, times, and an half.' Daniel then asks his own question and is told the words are sealed until the time of the end. Daniel 12:5Daniel 12:6Daniel 12:7Daniel 12:8Daniel 12:9
The vision takes place beside a river, which this verse does not name. One figure stands on each bank, and the man in linen is above the waters. Daniel lived and served in Babylon under Babylonian and Persian kings. Daniel 12:5Daniel 12:6Strong's H2975HDaniel overview
The eventsThe book's events run up to the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, about 536 BC (10:1). This final vision begins there, where Daniel first sees the man clothed in linen. Daniel overviewDaniel 10:5
WrittenTraditional view: Daniel wrote the book in the 500s BC. Scholarly view: many critical scholars date its final form to about 167-164 BC under Antiochus IV, while others keep the traditional date, citing Matthew 24:15 and the book's knowledge of the Babylonian court. Daniel overview
HereThe question draws out the answer that the time of trouble has a fixed limit. 'All these things shall be finished' at the end of the set time. Daniel 12:6Daniel 12:7
In the whole of ScriptureDaniel shows that God rules over the kingdoms of men and will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed. Here the oath by him that lives forever sets a limit to the trouble. The same 'how long' question is asked in Daniel 8:13 and Zechariah 1:12, and in Zechariah the LORD answers with good and comfortable words. Daniel overviewDaniel 12:7Daniel 8:13Zechariah 1:12Zechariah 1:13
For readersReaders under pressure can know that these troubles do not run without limit. The man in linen swore by him that lives forever that they have a set end. The chapter blesses the one 'that waiteth.' Daniel 12:7Daniel 12:12
Christians read this differently
The text does not name the man clothed in linen. Some read him as a high angel, like the linen-clad angels of Revelation 15:6 or the man in linen of Ezekiel 9:2. Others read him as an appearance of the Lord himself, pointing to the glory described in Daniel 10:5-6. Daniel 12:6Daniel 10:5Daniel 10:6Revelation 15:6Ezekiel 9:2
- How longמָתַי
The word means 'when?', and with a preposition 'until when?' or 'how long?' The same question is asked in Daniel 8:13 and Zechariah 1:12. It asks about a limit of time, not about the nature of the events. Strong's H4970Daniel 8:13Zechariah 1:12
- endקֵץ
The word means an end, including the end of a period of time. It ties this question to the chapter's 'time of the end' (12:4, 12:9) and 'till the end be' (12:13). Strong's H7093Daniel 12:4Daniel 12:9Daniel 12:13
- wondersפֶּ֫לֶא
This is a wonder or marvel: something extraordinary and hard to understand, or one of God's acts of judgment and redemption. That fits the events foretold, which Daniel himself could not understand (12:8). Strong's H6382Daniel 12:1Daniel 12:2Daniel 12:8
- linenבַּד
The word means linen, or white linen. Linen is worn by the man with the inkhorn in Ezekiel 9:2 and by the seven angels in Revelation 15:6. Daniel also saw a man clothed in linen at the start of this vision (Daniel 10:5). Strong's H0906Ezekiel 9:2Revelation 15:6Daniel 10:5
Takeaway
In Daniel's vision the question 'how long?' is asked, and the answer comes with an oath by him that lives forever. The troubles of God's people have a set end, and then 'all these things shall be finished.' Daniel 12:6Daniel 12:7
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 someone said | וַיֹּ֗אמֶר | vai-YO-mer | H0559 | to sayאָמַר (a.mar) 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560) |
| to the man | לָאִישׁ֙ | la-'ISH | H0376G | manאִישׁ (ish) : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective) |
| the clothed of | לְב֣וּשׁ | le-VUSH | H3847 | to clotheלָבֵשׁ (la.vash) 1) to dress, wear, clothe, put on clothing, be clothed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put on clothes, be clothed, wear 1a2) to put on, be clothed with (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to be fully clothed 1c) (Hiphil) to clothe, array with, dress Aramaic equivalent: le.vash (לְבֵשׁ "to clothe" H3848) |
| the linens | הַבַּדִּ֔ים | ha-ba-DIM | H0906 | linenבַּד (bad) linen, white linen |
| who | אֲשֶׁ֥ר | 'a-SHER | H0834A | whichאֲשֶׁר (a.sher) A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when |
| [was] from above | מִמַּ֖עַל | mi-MA-'al | H4605 | aboveמַ֫עַל (ma.al) subst 1) higher part, upper part adv 1a) above prep 1b) on the top of, above, on higher ground than with locative 1c) upwards, higher, above |
| to [the] water of | לְמֵימֵ֣י | le-mei-MEI | H4325G | waterמַי (ma.yim) 1) water, waters 1a) water 1b) water of the feet, urine 1c) of danger, violence, transitory things, refreshment (fig.) |
| the River | הַיְאֹ֑ר | hay-'OR | H2975H | streamיְאֹר (ye.or) 1) river, stream, canal, Nile, Nile-canal 1a) stream, river (Nile) 1b) Nile-arms, Nile-canals 1c) watercourses 1d) shafts (mining) 1e) river (in general) |
| 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) |
| when? | מָתַ֖י | ma-TAI | H4970 | howמָתַי (ma.tay) 1) when? 1a) with prep 1a1) against when?, until when?, how long?, after how long? |
| [will be] [the] end of | קֵ֥ץ | ketz | H7093 | endקֵץ (qets) 1) end 1a) end, at the end of (of time) 1b) end (of space) |
| the wonders | הַפְּלָאֽוֹת׃ | ha-pe-la-'ot | H6382 | wonderפֶּ֫לֶא (pe.le) 1) wonder, marvel 1a) wonder (extraordinary, hard to understand thing) 1b) wonder (of God's acts of judgment and redemption) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.