Daniel 12
The full text of Daniel 12 in the Trinity Bible Version — clear modern English, translated from the original Hebrew and Aramaic. Free to read.
1 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank.
6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?"
7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed."
8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?"
9 He replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end.
10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
11 "From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.
13 "As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance."
Translation notes (9)
- Daniel 12:1a Michael = Israel's angelic guardian (10:13, 21). 'Time of distress' (Heb. et tsarah) = the Great Tribulation (cf. Matt 24:21; Rev 12:7–9). 'Written in the book' = the Book of Life (cf. Exod 32:32; Rev 20:12).
- Daniel 12:2a The clearest OT statement of bodily resurrection and dual destiny. 'Sleep in the dust' = death (cf. Gen 3:19). This verse is foundational for Jewish and Christian resurrection theology.
- Daniel 12:3a The maskilim of 11:33-35 receive their reward. 'Shine like stars' = glorification/transformation (cf. Matt 13:43; Phil 2:15).
- Daniel 12:4a To 'seal the scroll' means to preserve and protect it for a future generation that will need it. The Hebrew word yeshotetu, meaning 'many will go here and there,' can refer to either a frantic searching for understanding or widespread travel and exploration. To 'increase knowledge' means that the sealed revelation will eventually be unlocked.
- Daniel 12:6a The linen-clothed figure from Daniel 10:5 now hovers above the water, indicating a supernatural positioning.
- Daniel 12:7a Both hands raised = doubly solemn oath (normally one hand, cf. Deut 32:40). 'Time, times, half a time' = 3½ years again (cf. 7:25). 'When the power of the holy people has been finally broken'—complete helplessness precedes divine intervention.
- Daniel 12:11a 1,290 days equals 3½ years plus 30 days. The extra 30 days beyond the 1,260 days (which equals 3½ years multiplied by 360 days) may represent a transition or judgment period after the tribulation itself.
- Daniel 12:12a 1,335 days equals 1,290 plus 45 days, which is another unexplained extension. This is a blessing for perseverance, meaning those who endure to this point will receive a blessing. The numbers resist precise calculation and may intentionally frustrate attempts to set dates.
- Daniel 12:13a To 'rest' means you will die. The Hebrew word ta'amod, meaning 'rise,' refers to bodily resurrection. Daniel is personally promised resurrection and a reward, and the book ends with hope for the end times beyond death.
About this translation
You are reading the Trinity Bible Version (TBV) — an original 2026 translation made straight from the Hebrew and Aramaic, in clear modern English, exclusive to Trinity Bible. Every chapter of every book is free to read online. For the study edition — with Hebrew and Greek on every verse and the full translation notes — open Daniel in the Trinity Bible app.
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