But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end.This directive to Daniel emphasizes the importance and confidentiality of the prophecy he received. In ancient times, sealing a document was a way to preserve its contents and ensure its authenticity. The command to "shut up" and "seal" suggests that the full understanding of these prophecies was not meant for Daniel's time but for a future period. This mirrors the sealing of the scroll in
Revelation 5, which only the Lamb, Jesus Christ, is worthy to open. The "time of the end" refers to the eschatological period, a theme consistent throughout the book of Daniel, which often points to the culmination of history and the establishment of God's kingdom.
Many will roam to and fro,
This phrase can be interpreted as a description of increased movement and searching for understanding in the last days. It suggests a time of restlessness and seeking, possibly both physically and intellectually. The imagery of roaming "to and fro" is reminiscent ofAmos 8:12, where people search for the word of the Lord but do not find it. This could imply a spiritual searching or a quest for truth and understanding as the end times approach.
and knowledge will increase.
The increase in knowledge can be seen as both a positive and a negative development. On one hand, it may refer to a greater understanding of God's plans and prophecies as the end times draw near. On the other hand, it could also indicate a surge in secular knowledge and technological advancement, which can lead to both progress and moral challenges. This aligns with2 Timothy 3:7, where people are "always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth," highlighting the potential for knowledge to be misused or misunderstood without divine wisdom.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
DanielA prophet and a key figure in the Old Testament, known for his faithfulness to God and his ability to interpret dreams and visions. In this verse, he is instructed to seal the words of the prophecy.
2.
The BookRefers to the prophetic writings and visions given to Daniel, which are to be sealed until the end times.
3.
The Time of the EndA period often associated with eschatological events, marking the culmination of God's plan for history.
4.
Many Roaming to and FroThis phrase suggests a time of increased movement and searching, possibly for understanding or truth.
5.
Increase of KnowledgeIndicates a future time when knowledge, particularly of God's plans and purposes, will expand significantly.
Teaching Points
Sealing of ProphecyThe sealing of the book signifies that some revelations are meant for a future time. This teaches us patience and trust in God's timing.
End Times AwarenessUnderstanding that we live in a time where knowledge is increasing should prompt us to seek discernment and wisdom from God.
Pursuit of True KnowledgeAs knowledge increases, believers are called to discern between worldly knowledge and divine truth, grounding themselves in Scripture.
Faithfulness in UncertaintyLike Daniel, we are to remain faithful and obedient, even when full understanding is not yet revealed.
Preparation for the FutureThe increase in knowledge and movement suggests a need for spiritual readiness and vigilance as we approach the end times.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Daniel 12:4?
2.How can we "seal the book" in our daily spiritual practices today?
3.What does "many will roam" suggest about seeking knowledge in today's world?
4.How does Daniel 12:4 connect with Revelation's prophecies about the end times?
5.How should increased knowledge influence our faith and actions as believers?
6.What practical steps can we take to prepare for the end times?
7.What does "seal the book until the time of the end" mean in Daniel 12:4?
8.How does "many will roam to and fro" relate to modern technology and travel?
9.What is the significance of "knowledge will increase" in Daniel 12:4?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Daniel 12?
11.Does Daniel 12:4’s statement about increased knowledge and travel genuinely predict historical advancements, or is it too vague to be taken seriously?
12.What are the signs of the end times?
13.If the “seven thunders” speak words that remain sealed (Revelation 10:4), how can we reconcile that with the Bible’s claim to reveal truth?
14.Why do many biblical prophecies rely on symbolic language open to multiple interpretations?What Does Daniel 12:4 Mean
But you, Daniel- The angel singles out Daniel by name: “But you, Daniel” (Daniel 12:4).
- Personal address highlights Daniel’s role as a faithful steward of God’s revelation, much like Noah was singled out inGenesis 7:1 and Mary inLuke 1:30.
- God entrusts prophetic truth to specific servants (Daniel 10:11;Revelation 1:1).
shut up these words- “Shut up” means to guard what has been revealed, not hide it forever.
•Isaiah 8:16 shows a similar charge: “Bind up the testimony; seal the instruction among my disciples.”
• Daniel is to preserve the prophecy intact so that later generations receive it unchanged (Psalm 12:6–7).
and seal the book- Sealing authenticated a document and protected it from tampering (Daniel 8:26;Jeremiah 32:10–14).
- By sealing, the angel underscores that these words are final and authoritative, like the scroll inRevelation 5:1 that only the Lamb can open.
- The seal implies the prophecy will stand until God Himself breaks it open for understanding (Revelation 10:4).
until the time of the end- There is a divinely set moment when the seal will be removed (Acts 1:7;1 Peter 1:5).
- “Time of the end” anchors the prophecy in real history, looking forward to events Jesus later described inMatthew 24:14–21.
- The sealed message is therefore both preserved for and directed to those living in that climactic period.
Many will roam to and fro- The phrase describes intense, restless searching:
•Amos 8:12 pictures people “wandering from sea to sea” seeking God’s word.
•Jeremiah 5:1 speaks of running “to and fro” in the streets to find one righteous man.
- Practical outworking:
• Rapid travel and global movement characteristic of the last days.
• Spiritual quest as people scour every source for answers (2 Timothy 3:7).
and knowledge will increase- Explosive growth in information—scientific, technological, and prophetic.
•Habakkuk 2:14 foresees the earth “filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD.”
•Daniel 11:33 shows “those who have insight” instructing many during tribulation.
- Two dimensions:
1. General knowledge: inventions, communication, medical breakthroughs.
2. Prophetic insight: believers understanding sealed truths as events unfold (Proverbs 1:5;Revelation 22:10).
- God foretold this surge so that when it arrives, discerning hearts would recognize the season (Matthew 24:32–35).
summaryDaniel was commanded to safeguard the prophecy, sealing it for a future generation who would witness unprecedented travel, searching, and knowledge. God assured Daniel that what was written would remain intact and be unlocked at “the time of the end,” when seekers, circumstances, and divinely granted insight converge to unveil its full meaning.
(4)
Shut up the words.--The revelation, which commenced in
Daniel 10:20, now draws towards a close, and the prophet receives a further revelation respecting the time of the end. The revelation continues to be called by the same name, "the words," as in
Daniel 10:1; and now the prophet is told that the book in which this revelation is written must be placed in a safe and sure place, for the need of it will be felt in "the time of the end," that is, in the time when the fulfilment makes the meaning of the prophecy clear and unambiguous.
Many shall run to and fro.--The verb "to run" is used inJeremiah 5:1 of searching after knowledge. In this sense it is used of "the eyes of the Lord" (Zechariah 4:10; comp.Amos 8:12). In the same sense it is used in this verse. Many will anxiously search in this book for knowledge of the manner of God's dealings with His people, and will derive comfort and understanding therefrom. . . .
Verse 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. The Septuagint rendering in the last portion of the verse is totally different from the Masserotic recension, which is correctly rendered in our English version, "And thou, Daniel, hide the commands and seal the book till the time of the end, till many shall rave violently (
ἀπομανῶσιν) and the earth be filled with unrighteousness." It is possible that
יְשֻׁגּעוּ (
yeshoogg'oo), "were mad," was read instead of
יִּשׂטְטוּ (
yishoetoo), "ran to and fro." In the older script
מ. was not unlike
ע. Professor Bevan has suggested that instead of
הַדָּעַת (
hadda'th), "the knowledge," the Septuagint translator has read
הָרָעֹת (
hara'oth), "the evils," and thinks that this gives the Septuagint Greek. Were one, however, to render the Greek back into Hebrew, that would not be the form the words would take. It may, however, be regarded as a paraphrase. Theodotion's version is closer to the Massoretic, "And thou, Daniel, shalt guard (
ἕμφραζον, ('make a fence round') the words, and seal the book till the time of the end, till many shall be taught, and knowledge shall be fulfilled." Theodotion here takes
שיט as meaning, not "run to and fro," but "peruse carefully." The last clause somewhat justifies Professor Bevan's suggestion:
רָבָה used to mean "fulfil" or "fill out." The Peshitta renders, "And thou, then, Daniel, seal these commands, render silent, and seal this book till the time of the end, and many shall inquire, and knowledge shall be increased." The Vulgate agrees on the whole with the Massoretic text.
Shut up the words. The exact rendering of the words is "close up;" hence Theodotion's rendering "put a rampart round," the
סָתַם (
satham), means generally "to stop up a well;"
e.g.2 Kings 3:19;
2 Chronicles 32:30;
Genesis 26:15. In
Nehemiah 4:1 (7) it is used of stopping the breaches in the wall; only in
Ezekiel 28:3 and
Psalm 8 (6) is the word rendered, even in the English versions, "hidden;" but even in these cases that is not the necessary or even the natural meaning of the woful. These remarks apply also to
Daniel 8:26.
Seal the book. There is a question as to the force of this phrase. Does it mean, as Hitzig, Bevan, and the critical school generally maintain it means, that the book was to be hidden and concealed? This view, if correct, would certainly give a plausibility to the contention that the book of Daniel is the work of a
falsarisu. We have seen, however, that the real meaning of the verb translated "shut up" is not "conceal," but "to shut up" with the view certainly of hindering access to them, but not at all with the intention of concealment. So the "sealing" here does not necessarily indicate concealment, but rather the conclusion of the matter with further idea of confirmation. The oracles of God are regarded as a spring of water; if we follow the figure implied in the first word used, the flow is stopped now; so far as this message is concerned, nothing more is to be drawn from the fountain. But a fountain may also be sealed (see
Song of Solomon 4:12, "A garden enclosed, a fountain sealed"). In that case there is no idea of concealment. The book, then, of the prophecy is to be sealed against any change or addition. Even take the view of the critics, there is here no elaborate directions as to the concealment of the vision as we find in the case of the 'Assumption of Moses.' But further, we have no account of the finding of the book. Daniel was not like the 'Assumption of Moses,' the esoteric possession of a single sect, it was on the critical hypothesis soon known all over Palestine and Egypt. We know that the finding of the book of the Law in the reign of Josiah is narrated in
2 Kings 22. and
2 Chronicles 34; but neither 1 Maccabees nor 2 Maccabees says a word about the finding of the Book of Daniel. Josephus also has no word of the discovery of Daniel, although he relates the finding of the book of the Law in the days of Josiah. There must have been no tradition of such a thing taking place, yet two centuries was not so long as to obliterate tradition. The sealing had metaphorical meaning - a book sealed, though it was visible to the eye, and was not hidden away - could not be read. If the key by which to interpret it is not granted, a book in cipher cannot be read (comp.
Isaiah 29:11, 12, "And the vision of all is become unto you as 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. And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned." If the book were sealed that it could not be opened, the delivering of the book and the request to read it would be meaningless). Prophecy was delivered frequently in enigmatic language, and the meaning of it could only be grasped when circumstance supplied the key.
To the time of the end. The end is not the end of the persecution of the days of Antiochus - that is already past; we have now reached the consummation of all things.
Many shall run to and fro,
and knowledge shall be increased. This is to be looked upon as a description of the last time, when circumstance shall remove the seal from the book. The translator of the Septuagint has been led away by the idea of the time as one of sorrow. The verb, however, translated "going to and fro" may be rendered, as it is by Ewald, as "to peruse." The veil then shall be removed, the seals broken when men peruse the prophecy carefully, and knowledge is increased.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
But you,וְאַתָּ֣ה(wə·’at·tāh)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859:Thou and thee, ye and youDaniel,דָֽנִיֵּ֗אל(ḏā·nî·yêl)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1840:Daniel -- 'God is my judge', the name of several Israelitesshut upסְתֹ֧ם(sə·ṯōm)Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5640:To stop up, to repair, to keep secretthese wordsהַדְּבָרִ֛ים(had·də·ḇā·rîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a causeand sealוַחֲתֹ֥ם(wa·ḥă·ṯōm)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 2856:To seal, affix a seal, seal upthe bookהַסֵּ֖פֶר(has·sê·p̄er)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5612:A missive, document, writing, bookuntilעַד־(‘aḏ-)Preposition
Strong's 5704:As far as, even to, up to, until, whilethe timeעֵ֣ת(‘êṯ)Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 6256:Time, now, whenof the end.קֵ֑ץ(qêṣ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7093:An extremity, afterManyרַבִּ֖ים(rab·bîm)Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227:Much, many, greatwill roam to and fro,יְשֹׁטְט֥וּ(yə·šō·ṭə·ṭū)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7751:To push forth, to lash, to row, to traveland knowledgeהַדָּֽעַת׃(had·dā·‘aṯ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1847:Knowledgewill increase.”וְתִרְבֶּ֥ה(wə·ṯir·beh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7235:To be or become much, many or great
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OT Prophets: Daniel 12:4 But you Daniel shut up the words (Dan. Da Dn) 
