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Daniel 10-12
New English Translation

An Angel Appears to Daniel

10 [a] In the third[b] year of King Cyrus of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel (who was also called Belteshazzar). This message was true and concerned a great war.[c] He understood the message and gained insight by the vision.

2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three whole weeks.[d] 3 I ate no choice food, no meat or wine came to my lips,[e] nor did I anoint myself with oil[f] until the end of those three weeks.

4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month[g] I was beside the great river, the Tigris.[h] 5 I looked up[i] and saw a[j] man[k] clothed in linen;[l] around his waist was a belt made of gold from Ufaz.[m] 6 His body resembled yellow jasper,[n] and his face had an appearance like lightning. His eyes were like blazing torches;[o] his arms and feet had the gleam of polished bronze. His voice[p] thundered forth like the sound of a large crowd.

7 Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men who were with me did not see it.[q] On the contrary, they were overcome with fright[r] and ran away to hide. 8 I alone was left to see this great vision. My strength drained from[s] me, and my vigor disappeared;[t] I was without energy.[u] 9 I listened to his voice,[v] and as I did so[w] I fell into a trance-like sleep with my face to the ground. 10 Then[x] a hand touched me and set me on my hands and knees.[y] 11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are of great value.[z] Understand the words that I am about to[aa] speak to you. So stand up,[ab] for I have now been sent to you.” When he said this[ac] to me, I stood up shaking. 12 Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day you applied your mind[ad] to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words. 13 However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia was opposing me for twenty-one days. But[ae] Michael, one of the leading princes, came to help me, because I was left there[af] with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in future days, for the vision pertains to days to come.”[ag]

15 While he was saying this to me,[ah] I was flat on[ai] the ground and unable to speak. 16 Then[aj] one who appeared to be a human being[ak] was touching my lips. I opened my mouth and started to speak, saying to the one who was standing before me, “Sir,[al] due to the vision, anxiety has gripped me and I have no strength. 17 How, sir, am I able to speak with you?[am] My strength is gone,[an] and I am breathless.” 18 Then the one who appeared to be a human being touched me again[ao] and strengthened me. 19 He said to me, “Don’t be afraid, you who are highly valued.[ap] Peace be to you! Be strong! Be really strong!” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened. I said, “Sir, you may speak now,[aq] for you have given me strength.” 20 He said, “Do you know why I have come to you?[ar] Now I am about to return to engage in battle with the prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece is coming. 21 However, I will first tell you what is written in a dependable book.[as] (There is no one who strengthens me against these princes,[at] except Michael your[au] prince.

11 And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I[av] stood to strengthen him and to provide protection for him.) 2 Now I will tell you the truth.

The Angel Gives a Message to Daniel

“Three[aw] more kings will arise for Persia. Then a fourth[ax] king will be unusually rich,[ay] more so than all who preceded him. When he has amassed power through his riches, he will stir up everyone against[az] the kingdom of Greece. 3 Then a powerful king[ba] will arise, exercising great authority and doing as he pleases. 4 Shortly after his rise to power,[bb] his kingdom will be broken up and distributed toward the four winds of the sky[bc]—but not to his posterity or with the authority he exercised, for his kingdom will be uprooted and distributed to others besides these.

5 “Then the king of the south[bd] and one of his subordinates[be] will grow strong. His subordinate[bf] will resist[bg] him and will rule a kingdom greater than his.[bh] 6 After some years have passed, they[bi] will form an alliance. Then the daughter[bj] of the king of the south will come to the king of the north to make an agreement, but she will not retain her power,[bk] nor will he continue[bl] in his strength.[bm] She, together with the one who brought her, her child,[bn] and her benefactor will all be delivered over at that time.[bo]

7 “There will arise in his[bp] place one from her family line[bq] who will come against their army and will enter the stronghold of the king of the north and will move against them successfully.[br] 8 He will also take their gods into captivity to Egypt, along with their cast images and prized utensils of silver and gold. Then he will withdraw for some years from[bs] the king of the north. 9 Then the king of the north[bt] will advance against the empire of the king of the south, but will withdraw to his own land. 10 His sons[bu] will wage war, mustering a large army that will advance like an overflowing river and carrying the battle all the way to the enemy’s[bv] fortress.[bw]

11 “Then the king of the south[bx] will be enraged and will march out to fight against the king of the north, who will also muster a large army, but that army will be delivered into his hand. 12 When the army is taken away, the king of the south will become arrogant.[by] He will be responsible for the death[bz] of thousands and thousands of people,[ca] but he will not continue to prevail. 13 For the king of the north will again muster an army, one larger than before. At the end of some years he will advance with a huge army and enormous supplies.

14 “In those times many will oppose[cb] the king of the south.[cc] Those who are violent[cd] among your own people will rise up in confirmation of[ce] the vision, but they will falter. 15 Then the king of the north will advance and will build siege mounds and capture a well-fortified city.[cf] The forces of the south will not prevail, not even his finest contingents.[cg] They will have no strength to prevail. 16 The one advancing against him will do as he pleases, and no one will be able to stand before him. He will prevail in the beautiful land, and its annihilation will be within his power.[ch] 17 His intention[ci] will be to come with the strength of his entire kingdom, and he will form alliances.[cj] He will give the king of the south[ck] a daughter[cl] in marriage in order to destroy the kingdom, but it will not turn out to his advantage. 18 Then he will turn his attention[cm] to the coastal regions and will capture many of them. But a commander[cn] will bring his shameful conduct to a halt; in addition,[co] he will make him pay for his shameful conduct.[cp] 19 He will then turn his attention to the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble and fall, not to be found again. 20 There will arise after him[cq] one[cr] who will send out an exactor[cs] of tribute to enhance the splendor of the kingdom, but after a few days he will be destroyed,[ct] though not in anger or battle.

21 “Then there will arise in his place a despicable person[cu] to whom the royal honor has not been rightfully conferred. He will come on the scene in a time of prosperity and will seize the kingdom through deceit. 22 Armies[cv] will be suddenly[cw] swept away in defeat[cx] before him; both they and a covenant leader[cy] will be destroyed.[cz] 23 After[da] entering into an alliance with him, he will behave treacherously; he will ascend to power with only a small force.[db] 24 In a time of prosperity for the most productive areas of the province he will come and accomplish what neither his fathers nor their fathers accomplished. He will distribute loot, spoils, and property to his followers, and he will devise plans against fortified cities, but not for long.[dc] 25 He will rouse his strength and enthusiasm[dd] against the king of the south[de] with a large army. The king of the south will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to prevail because of the plans devised against him. 26 Those who share the king’s fine food will attempt to destroy him, and his army will be swept away;[df] many will be killed in battle. 27 These two kings, their minds[dg] filled with evil intentions, will trade[dh] lies with one another at the same table. But it will not succeed, for there is still an end at the appointed time. 28 Then the king of the north[di] will return to his own land with much property. His mind will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action, and then return to his own land. 29 At an appointed time he will again invade the south, but this latter visit will not turn out the way the former one did. 30 The ships of Kittim[dj] will come against him, leaving him disheartened.[dk] He will turn back and direct his indignation against the holy covenant. He will return and honor[dl] those who forsake the holy covenant. 31 His forces[dm] will rise up and profane the fortified sanctuary,[dn] stopping the daily sacrifice. In its place they will set up[do] the abomination that causes desolation. 32 Then with smooth words he will defile[dp] those who have rejected[dq] the covenant. But the people who are loyal to[dr] their God will act valiantly.[ds] 33 These who are wise among the people will teach the masses.[dt] However, they will fall[du] by the sword and by the flame,[dv] and they will be imprisoned and plundered for some time.[dw] 34 When they stumble, they will be granted some help. But many will unite with them deceitfully. 35 Even some of the wise will stumble, resulting in their refinement, purification, and cleansing until the time of the end, for it is still for the appointed time.

36 “Then the king[dx] will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every deity and he will utter presumptuous things against the God of gods. He will succeed until the time of[dy] wrath is completed, for what has been decreed must occur.[dz] 37 He will not respect[ea] the gods of his fathers—not even the god loved by women.[eb] He will not respect any god; he will elevate himself above them all. 38 What he will honor is a god of fortresses—a god his fathers did not acknowledge he will honor with gold, silver, valuable stones, and treasured commodities. 39 He will attack[ec] mighty fortresses, aided by[ed] a foreign deity. To those who recognize him he will grant considerable honor. He will place them in authority over many people, and he will parcel out land for a price.[ee]

40 “At the time of the end the king of the south will attack[ef] him. Then the king of the north will storm against him[eg] with chariots, horsemen, and a large armada of ships.[eh] He[ei] will invade lands, passing through them like an overflowing river.[ej] 41 Then he will enter the beautiful land.[ek] Many[el] will fall, but these will escape:[em] Edom, Moab, and the Ammonite leadership. 42 He will extend his power[en] against other lands; the land of Egypt will not escape. 43 He will have control over the hidden stores of gold and silver, as well as all the treasures of Egypt. Libyans and Ethiopians[eo] will submit to him.[ep] 44 But reports will trouble him from the east and north, and he will set out in a tremendous rage to destroy and wipe out many. 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas[eq] toward the beautiful holy mountain. But he will come to his end, with no one to help him.

12 “At that time Michael,
the great prince who watches over your people,[er]
will arise.[es]
There will be a time of distress
unlike any other from the nation’s beginning[et]
up to that time.
But at that time your own people,
all those whose names are[eu] found written in the book,
will escape.
2 Many of those who sleep
in the dusty ground will awake—
some to everlasting life,
and others to shame and everlasting abhorrence.[ev]
3 But the wise will shine
like the brightness of the heavenly expanse.
And those bringing many to righteousness
will be like the stars forever and ever.

4 “But you, Daniel, close up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will dash about,[ew] and knowledge will increase.”

5 I, Daniel, watched as two others stood there, one on each side of the river.[ex] 6 One said to the man clothed in linen who was above the waters of the river, “When will the end of these wondrous events occur?” 7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen who was over the waters of the river as he raised both his right and left hands to the sky[ey] and made an oath by the one who lives forever: “It is for a time, times, and half a time. Then, when the power of the one who shatters[ez] the holy people has been exhausted, all these things will be finished.”

8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I said, “Sir,[fa] what will happen after these things?” 9 He said, “Go, Daniel. For these matters are closed and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made clean, and refined, but the wicked will go on being wicked. None of the wicked will understand, though the wise will understand. 11 From the time that the daily sacrifice is removed and the abomination that causes desolation is set in place,[fb] there are 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits and attains to the 1,335 days. 13 But you should go your way[fc] until the end.[fd] You will rest and then at the end of the days you will arise to receive[fe] what you have been allotted.”[ff]

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 10:1 sn This chapter begins the final unit in the book of Daniel, consisting of chapters 10-12. The traditional chapter divisions to some extent obscure the relationship of these chapters.
  2. Daniel 10:1 tc The LXX has “first.” sn Cyrus’ third year would have been ca. 536 b.c. Daniel would have been approximately eighty-four years old at this time.
  3. Daniel 10:1 tn The meaning of the Hebrew word צָבָא (tsavaʾ) is uncertain in this context. The word most often refers to an army or warfare. It may also mean “hard service,” and many commentators take that to be the sense here (i.e., “the service was great”). The present translation assumes the reference to be to the spiritual conflicts described, for example, in 10:16-11:1.
  4. Daniel 10:2 tn Heb “three weeks of days.” The inclusion of “days” here and in v. 3 is perhaps intended to call attention to the fact that these weeks are very different in nature from those of chap. 9, which are “weeks of years.”
  5. Daniel 10:3 tn Heb “mouth.”
  6. Daniel 10:3 sn Anointing oneself with oil (usually olive oil) was a common OT practice due to the severity of the Middle Eastern sun (cf. Ps 121:6). It was also associated with rejoicing (e.g., Prov 27:9) and was therefore usually not practiced during a period of mourning.
  7. Daniel 10:4 sn The first month would be the month of Nisan, during which Passover was observed.
  8. Daniel 10:4 tn The Hebrew text has חִדָּקֶל (hiddaqel). “Tigris” appears here in the LXX, since it is the Greek name for this river. Elsewhere in the OT “the great river” refers to the Euphrates (e.g., Gen 15:18; Josh 1:4), leading some interpreters to think that a mistake is involved in using the expression to refer to the Tigris. But it is doubtful that the expression had such a fixed and limited usage. The Syriac, however, does render the word here by “Euphrates” (Syr. perat) in keeping with biblical usage elsewhere.
  9. Daniel 10:5 tn Heb “I lifted up my eyes.”
  10. Daniel 10:5 tn Heb “one.” The Hebrew numerical adjective is used here like an English indefinite article.
  11. Daniel 10:5 sn The identity of the messenger is not specifically disclosed. Presumably he is an unnamed angel. Some interpreters identify him as Gabriel, but there is no adequate reason for doing so.
  12. Daniel 10:5 tn The Hebrew word בַּדִּים (baddim) is a plural of extension. See GKC 396-97 §124.a, b, c and Joüon 2:500 §136.c.
  13. Daniel 10:5 tn The location of this place and even the exact form of the Hebrew name אוּפָז (ʾufaz) are uncertain. Apparently it was a source for pure gold. (See Jer 10:9.) The Hebrew word פָּז (paz, “refined gold” or “pure gold”) is more common in the OT than אוּפָז, and some scholars emend the text of Dan 10:5 to read this word. Cf. also “Ophir” (1 Kgs 9:28; Isa 13:12; Job 22:24; 28:16).
  14. Daniel 10:6 tn The Hebrew word translated “yellow jasper” is תַּרשִׁישׁ (tarshish); it appears to be a semiprecious stone, but its exact identity is somewhat uncertain. It may be the yellow jasper, although this is conjectural (cf. NAB, NIV “chrysolite”; NASB, NRSV “beryl”).
  15. Daniel 10:6 tn Heb “torches of fire.”
  16. Daniel 10:6 tn Heb “The sound of his words” (cf. v. 9).
  17. Daniel 10:7 tn Heb “the vision.”
  18. Daniel 10:7 tn Heb “great trembling fell on them.”
  19. Daniel 10:8 tn Heb “did not remain in.”
  20. Daniel 10:8 tn Heb “was changed upon me for ruin.”
  21. Daniel 10:8 tn Heb “strength.”
  22. Daniel 10:9 tc Heb “I heard the sound of his words.” These words are absent in the LXX and the Syriac.
  23. Daniel 10:9 tn Heb “as I listened to the sound of his words.”
  24. Daniel 10:10 tn Heb “Behold.”
  25. Daniel 10:10 tc Theodotion lacks “and the palms of my hands.”tn Heb “on my knees and the palms of my hands.”
  26. Daniel 10:11 tn Or “a treasured person”; KJV “a man greatly beloved”; NASB “man of high esteem.”
  27. Daniel 10:11 tn The Hebrew participle is often used, as here, to refer to the imminent future.
  28. Daniel 10:11 tn Heb “stand upon your standing.”
  29. Daniel 10:11 tn Heb “spoke this word.”
  30. Daniel 10:12 tn Heb “gave your heart.”
  31. Daniel 10:13 tn Heb “and behold.”
  32. Daniel 10:13 tc The Greek version of Theodotion reads “I left him [i.e., Michael] there,” and this is followed by a number of English translations (cf. NAB, NRSV, NLT).
  33. Daniel 10:14 tn Heb “days.”
  34. Daniel 10:15 tn Heb “speaking to me according to these words.”
  35. Daniel 10:15 tn Heb “I placed my face toward.”
  36. Daniel 10:16 tn Heb “Behold.”
  37. Daniel 10:16 tc So most Hebrew mss; one Hebrew ms along with the Dead Sea Scrolls and LXX read: “something that looked like a man’s hand.”
  38. Daniel 10:16 tn Heb “my lord,” here a title of polite address (cf. v. 19).
  39. Daniel 10:17 tn Heb “How is the servant of this my lord able to speak with this my lord?”
  40. Daniel 10:17 tn Heb “does not stand.”
  41. Daniel 10:18 tn Heb “He added and touched me.” The construction is a verbal hendiadys.
  42. Daniel 10:19 tn Heb “treasured man.”
  43. Daniel 10:19 tn Heb “my lord may speak.”
  44. Daniel 10:20 sn The question is rhetorical, intended to encourage reflection on Daniel’s part.
  45. Daniel 10:21 tn Heb “a book of truth.” Several English versions treat this as a title of some sort (cf. NIV, NCV, TEV, CEV, NLT), although the NAB’s rendering, “the truthful book,” regards “truth” as an attributive adjective, as does the present translation.
  46. Daniel 10:21 tn The word “princes” is supplied for clarity.
  47. Daniel 10:21 tn The pronoun is plural in Hebrew, suggesting that Michael is the angelic prince of Daniel and his people.
  48. Daniel 11:1 sn The antecedent of the pronoun “I” is the angel, not Daniel. The traditional chapter division at this point, and the presence of a chronological note in the verse similar to ones used elsewhere in the book to position Daniel’s activities in relation to imperial affairs, sometimes lead to confusion on this matter.
  49. Daniel 11:2 sn Perhaps these three more kings are Cambyses (ca. 530-522 b.c.), Pseudo-Smerdis (ca. 522 b.c.), and Darius I Hystaspes (ca. 522-486 b.c.).
  50. Daniel 11:2 sn This fourth king is Xerxes I (ca. 486-465 b.c.).
  51. Daniel 11:2 tn Heb “rich with great riches.”
  52. Daniel 11:2 tn Or “All [of it] will arouse the kingdom of Greece.” The text is difficult. The text is traditionally taken to have the fourth king as the subject of the verb, making the relationship between הַכֹּל (hakkol, “all, the whole, everyone, everything”) and the kingdom of Greece difficult. Presumably “everyone” is the direct object, but the “kingdom” has the direct object marker אֶת (ʾet). This is very unlikely to be the preposition אֶת (ʾet, “with”) because the verb עוּר (ʿur, “to arouse”) uses the preposition עַל (ʿal) to mean “stir up against.” Nevertheless the meaning “against” is typically supplied or assumed from context. An alternative is to take הַכֹּל as the subject, meaning “all of it,” that is the power and wealth, will arouse [the interest] of the kingdom of Greece. This makes sense of the articular use of הַכֹּל, the parsing of the verb, and the direct object indicator, and also fits the context where in the next verse the Greek king rises up.
  53. Daniel 11:3 sn The powerful king mentioned here is Alexander the Great (ca. 336-323 b.c.).
  54. Daniel 11:4 tn Heb “and when he stands.”
  55. Daniel 11:4 tn Or “the heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “sky” depending on the context.
  56. Daniel 11:5 sn The king of the south is Ptolemy I Soter (ca. 323-285 b.c.). The following reference to one of his subordinates apparently has in view Seleucus I Nicator (ca. 311-280 b.c.). Throughout the remainder of chap. 11 the expressions “king of the south” and “king of the north” repeatedly occur. It is clear, however, that these terms are being used generically to describe the Ptolemaic king (i.e., “of the south”) or the Seleucid king (i.e., “of the north”) who happens to be in power at any particular time. The specific identity of these kings can be established more or less successfully by a comparison of this chapter with the available extra-biblical records that discuss the history of the intertestamental period. In the following notes the generally accepted identifications are briefly mentioned.
  57. Daniel 11:5 tn Heb “princes.”
  58. Daniel 11:5 tn Heb “and he”; the referent (the subordinate prince mentioned in the previous clause) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  59. Daniel 11:5 tn Heb “be strong against.”
  60. Daniel 11:5 tn Heb “greater than his kingdom.”
  61. Daniel 11:6 sn Here they refers to Ptolemy II Philadelphus (ca. 285-246 b.c.) and Antiochus II Theos (ca. 262-246 b.c.).
  62. Daniel 11:6 sn The daughter refers to Berenice, who was given in marriage to Antiochus II Theos.
  63. Daniel 11:6 tn Heb “the strength of the arm.”
  64. Daniel 11:6 tn Heb “stand,” as also in vv. 7, 8, 11, 13.
  65. Daniel 11:6 tn Heb “and his arm.” Some understand this to refer to the descendants of the king of the north.
  66. Daniel 11:6 tc The present translation reads יַלְדָּה (yaldah, “her child”) rather than the MT יֹלְדָהּ (yoledah, “the one who begot her”). Cf. Theodotion, the Syriac, and the Vulgate.
  67. Daniel 11:6 sn Antiochus II eventually divorced Berenice and remarried his former wife Laodice, who then poisoned her husband, had Berenice put to death, and installed her own son, Seleucus II Callinicus (ca. 246-227 b.c.), as the Seleucid king.
  68. Daniel 11:7 sn The reference is to the king of Egypt.
  69. Daniel 11:7 tn Heb “the stock of her roots.”sn The reference to one from her family line is probably to Berenice’s brother, Ptolemy III Euergetes (ca. 246-221 b.c.).
  70. Daniel 11:7 tn Heb “will deal with them and prevail.”
  71. Daniel 11:8 tn The Hebrew preposition מִן (min) is used here with the verb עָמַד (ʿamad, “to stand”). It probably has a sense of separation (“stand away from”), although it may also be understood in an adversative sense (“stand against”).
  72. Daniel 11:9 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the king of the north) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  73. Daniel 11:10 sn The sons of Seleucus II Callinicus were Seleucus III Ceraunus (ca. 227-223 b.c.) and Antiochus III the Great (ca. 223-187 b.c.).
  74. Daniel 11:10 tn Heb “his”; the referent (the enemy of the king of the north) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  75. Daniel 11:10 tn Heb “and he will certainly come and overflow and cross over and return and be aroused unto a fortress.” The translation has attempted to simplify the syntax of this difficult sequence.
  76. Daniel 11:11 sn This king of the south refers to Ptolemy IV Philopator (ca. 221-204 b.c.).
  77. Daniel 11:12 tn Heb “his heart will be lifted up.” The referent (the king of the south) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  78. Daniel 11:12 tn Heb “cause to fall.”
  79. Daniel 11:12 tn Heb “of myriads.”
  80. Daniel 11:14 tn Heb “stand against.”
  81. Daniel 11:14 sn This was Ptolemy V Epiphanes (ca. 203-181 b.c.).
  82. Daniel 11:14 tn Heb “sons of violence.” “Son(s)” is sometimes used idiomatically in Hebrew to indicate that someone is characterized by a certain quality. So the expression “sons of violence” means that these individuals will be characterized by violent deeds.
  83. Daniel 11:14 tn Heb “to cause to stand.”
  84. Daniel 11:15 sn This well-fortified city is apparently Sidon. Its capture from the Ptolemies by Antiochus the Great was a strategic victory for the Seleucid kingdom.
  85. Daniel 11:15 tn Or “choice troops” (BDB 104 s.v. מִבְחָר), or “elite troops” (HALOT 542 s.v. מִבְחָר).
  86. Daniel 11:16 tn Heb “hand.”
  87. Daniel 11:17 tn Heb “and he will set his face” (cf. vv. 18, 19).
  88. Daniel 11:17 tc The present translation reads מֵישָׁרִים (mesharim, “alliances”) for the MT וִישָׁרִים (viysharim, “uprightness”).
  89. Daniel 11:17 tn Heb “him”; the referent (the king of the south) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  90. Daniel 11:17 tn Heb “the daughter of the women.”sn The daughter refers to Cleopatra, the daughter of Antiochus, who was given in marriage to Ptolemy V.
  91. Daniel 11:18 tn Heb “his face,” as also in v. 19.
  92. Daniel 11:18 sn The commander is probably the Roman commander, Lucius Cornelius Scipio.
  93. Daniel 11:18 tn The Hebrew here is difficult in that the negative בִּלְתִּי (bilti, “not”) is used in an unusual way. The sense is not entirely clear.
  94. Daniel 11:18 tn Heb “his shameful conduct he will return to him.”
  95. Daniel 11:20 tn Heb “on his place.”
  96. Daniel 11:20 sn The one who will send out an exactor of tribute was Seleucus IV Philopator (ca. 187-176 b.c.).
  97. Daniel 11:20 sn Perhaps this exactor of tribute was Heliodorus (cf. 2 Macc 3).
  98. Daniel 11:20 tn Heb “broken” or “shattered.”
  99. Daniel 11:21 sn This despicable person to whom the royal honor has not been rightfully conferred is Antiochus IV Epiphanes (ca. 175-164 b.c.).
  100. Daniel 11:22 tn Heb “arms.”
  101. Daniel 11:22 tc The present translation reads הִשָּׁטֹף (hishatof), Niphal infinitive absolute of שָׁטַף (shataf, “to overflow”), for the MT הַשֶּׁטֶף (hashetef, “flood”).
  102. Daniel 11:22 tn The words “in defeat” are added in the translation for clarification.
  103. Daniel 11:22 tn Heb “a prince of the covenant.”
  104. Daniel 11:22 tn Heb “broken” or “shattered.”
  105. Daniel 11:23 tn The preposition מִן (min) is probably temporal here (so BDB 583 s.v. 7.c; cf. KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV), although it could also be understood here as indicating means (so J. Goldingay, Daniel [WBC], 279, n. 23a; cf. TEV, NLT).
  106. Daniel 11:23 tn Heb “nation.”
  107. Daniel 11:24 tn Heb “and unto a time.”
  108. Daniel 11:25 tn Heb “heart.”
  109. Daniel 11:25 sn This king of the south was Ptolemy Philometer (ca. 181-145 b.c.).
  110. Daniel 11:26 tc The present translation reads יִשָׁטֵף (yishatef, passive) rather than the MT יִשְׁטוֹף (yishtof, active).
  111. Daniel 11:27 tn Heb “heart,” as also in v. 28.
  112. Daniel 11:27 tn Heb “speak.”
  113. Daniel 11:28 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the king of the north) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  114. Daniel 11:30 sn The name Kittim has various designations in extra-biblical literature. It can refer to a location on the island of Cyprus, or more generally to the island itself, or it can be an inclusive term to refer to parts of the Mediterranean world that lay west of the Middle East (e.g., Rome). For ships of Kittim the Greek OT (LXX) has “Romans,” an interpretation followed by a few English versions (e.g., TEV). A number of times in the Dead Sea Scrolls the word is used in reference to the Romans. Other English versions are more generic: “[ships] of the western coastlands” (NIV, NLT); “from the west” (NCV, CEV).
  115. Daniel 11:30 sn This is apparently a reference to the Roman forces, led by Gaius Popilius Laenas, which confronted Antiochus when he came to Egypt and demanded that he withdraw or face the wrath of Rome. Antiochus wisely withdrew from Egypt, albeit in a state of bitter frustration.
  116. Daniel 11:30 tn Heb “show regard for.”
  117. Daniel 11:31 tn Heb “arms.”
  118. Daniel 11:31 tn Heb “the sanctuary, the fortress.”
  119. Daniel 11:31 tn Heb “will give.”
  120. Daniel 11:32 tn Or “corrupt.”
  121. Daniel 11:32 tn Heb “acted wickedly toward.”
  122. Daniel 11:32 tn Heb “know.” The term “know” sometimes means “to recognize.” In relational contexts it can have the connotation “recognize the authority of, be loyal to,” as it does here.
  123. Daniel 11:32 sn This is an allusion to the Maccabean revolt, which struggled to bring about Jewish independence in the second century b.c.
  124. Daniel 11:33 tn Heb “the many.”
  125. Daniel 11:33 tn Heb “stumble.”
  126. Daniel 11:33 tn Or “by burning.”
  127. Daniel 11:33 tn Heb “days.”
  128. Daniel 11:36 sn The identity of this king is problematic. If vv. 36-45 continue the description of Antiochus Epiphanes, the account must be viewed as erroneous, since the details do not match what is known of Antiochus’ latter days. Most modern scholars take this view, concluding that this section was written just shortly before the death of Antiochus and that the writer erred on several key points as he tried to predict what would follow the events of his own day. Conservative scholars, however, usually understand the reference to shift at this point to an eschatological figure, viz., the Antichrist. The chronological gap that this would presuppose to be in the narrative is not necessarily a problem, since by all accounts there are many chronological gaps throughout the chapter, as the historical figures intended by such expressions as “king of the north” and “king of the south” repeatedly shift.
  129. Daniel 11:36 tn The words “the time of” are added in the translation for clarification.
  130. Daniel 11:36 tn Heb “has been done.” The Hebrew verb used here is the perfect of certitude, emphasizing the certainty of fulfillment.
  131. Daniel 11:37 tn Heb “consider.”
  132. Daniel 11:37 tn Heb “[the one] desired by women.” The referent has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  133. Daniel 11:39 tn Heb “act against.”
  134. Daniel 11:39 tn Heb “with.”
  135. Daniel 11:39 tn Or perhaps “for a reward.”
  136. Daniel 11:40 tn Heb “engage in thrusting.”
  137. Daniel 11:40 tn The referent of the pronoun is most likely the king of the south, in which case the text describes the king of the north countering the attack of the king of the south.
  138. Daniel 11:40 tn Heb “many ships.”
  139. Daniel 11:40 tn This most likely refers to the king of the north who, in response to the aggression of the king of the south, launches an invasion of the southern regions.
  140. Daniel 11:40 tn Heb “and will overflow and pass over.”
  141. Daniel 11:41 sn The beautiful land is a cryptic reference to the land of Israel.
  142. Daniel 11:41 tn This can be understood as “many people” (cf. NRSV) or “many countries” (cf. NASB, NIV, NLT).
  143. Daniel 11:41 tn Heb “be delivered from his hand.”
  144. Daniel 11:42 tn Heb “hand.”
  145. Daniel 11:43 tn Or “Nubians” (NIV, NCV); Heb “Cushites.”
  146. Daniel 11:43 tn Heb “Libyans and Cushites [will be] at his footsteps.”
  147. Daniel 11:45 sn Presumably seas refers to the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea.
  148. Daniel 12:1 tn Heb “stands over the sons of your people.”
  149. Daniel 12:1 tn Heb “will stand up.”
  150. Daniel 12:1 tn Or “from the beginning of a nation.”
  151. Daniel 12:1 tn The words “whose names are” are added in the translation for stylistic reasons and for clarification.
  152. Daniel 12:2 sn This verse is the only undisputed reference to a literal resurrection found in the Hebrew Bible.
  153. Daniel 12:4 tn Or “will run back and forth”; KJV “shall run to and fro”; NIV “will go here and there”; CEV “will go everywhere.”sn Many will dash about is probably an allusion to Amos 8:12.
  154. Daniel 12:5 tn Heb “one to this edge of the river and one to that edge of the river.”
  155. Daniel 12:7 tn Or “to the heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “sky” depending on the context.
  156. Daniel 12:7 tc The present translation reads יַד־נֹפֵץ (yad nofets, “hand of one who shatters”) rather than the MT נַפֵּץ־יַד (nappets yad, “to shatter the hand”).
  157. Daniel 12:8 tn Heb “my lord,” a title of polite address.
  158. Daniel 12:11 tn Heb “to give.”
  159. Daniel 12:13 tn The words “your way” are not in the Hebrew text but are implied.
  160. Daniel 12:13 tc The LXX lacks “until the end.”
  161. Daniel 12:13 tn The word “receive” is added in the translation for clarification.
  162. Daniel 12:13 sn The deuterocanonical writings known as the Story of Susanna and Bel and the Dragon appear respectively as chapters 13 and 14 of the book of Daniel in the Greek version of this book. Although these writings are not part of the Hebrew/Aramaic text of Daniel, they were popular among certain early communities who valued traditions about the life of Daniel.
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Daniel 10-12
New International Version

Daniel’s Vision of a Man

10 In the third year of Cyrus(A) king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar).(B) Its message was true(C) and it concerned a great war.[a] The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.

2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned(D) for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips;(E) and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank(F) of the great river, the Tigris,(G) 5 I looked up(H) and there before me was a man dressed in linen,(I) with a belt of fine gold(J) from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like topaz,(K) his face like lightning,(L) his eyes like flaming torches,(M) his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze,(N) and his voice(O) like the sound of a multitude.

7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it,(P) but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. 8 So I was left alone,(Q) gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left,(R) my face turned deathly pale(S) and I was helpless.(T) 9 Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.(U)

10 A hand touched me(V) and set me trembling on my hands and knees.(W) 11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed,(X) consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up,(Y) for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid,(Z) Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble(AA) yourself before your God, your words(AB) were heard, and I have come in response to them.(AC) 13 But the prince(AD) of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael,(AE) one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain(AF) to you what will happen to your people in the future,(AG) for the vision concerns a time yet to come.(AH)”

15 While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless.(AI) 16 Then one who looked like a man[b] touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak.(AJ) I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish(AK) because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. 17 How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”(AL)

18 Again the one who looked like a man touched(AM) me and gave me strength.(AN) 19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,”(AO) he said. “Peace!(AP) Be strong now; be strong.”(AQ)

When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”(AR)

20 So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece(AS) will come; 21 but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth.(AT) (No one supports me against them except Michael,(AU) your prince. 11 1 And in the first year of Darius(AV) the Mede, I took my stand to support and protect him.)

The Kings of the South and the North

2 “Now then, I tell you the truth:(AW) Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.(AX) 3 Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases.(AY) 4 After he has arisen, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven.(AZ) It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted(BA) and given to others.

5 “The king of the South will become strong, but one of his commanders will become even stronger than he and will rule his own kingdom with great power. 6 After some years, they will become allies. The daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to make an alliance, but she will not retain her power, and he and his power[c] will not last. In those days she will be betrayed, together with her royal escort and her father[d] and the one who supported her.

7 “One from her family line will arise to take her place. He will attack the forces of the king of the North(BB) and enter his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious. 8 He will also seize their gods,(BC) their metal images and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt.(BD) For some years he will leave the king of the North alone. 9 Then the king of the North will invade the realm of the king of the South but will retreat to his own country. 10 His sons will prepare for war and assemble a great army, which will sweep on like an irresistible flood(BE) and carry the battle as far as his fortress.

11 “Then the king of the South will march out in a rage and fight against the king of the North, who will raise a large army, but it will be defeated.(BF) 12 When the army is carried off, the king of the South will be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands, yet he will not remain triumphant. 13 For the king of the North will muster another army, larger than the first; and after several years, he will advance with a huge army fully equipped.

14 “In those times many will rise against the king of the South. Those who are violent among your own people will rebel in fulfillment of the vision, but without success. 15 Then the king of the North will come and build up siege ramps(BG) and will capture a fortified city. The forces of the South will be powerless to resist; even their best troops will not have the strength to stand. 16 The invader will do as he pleases;(BH) no one will be able to stand against him.(BI) He will establish himself in the Beautiful Land and will have the power to destroy it.(BJ) 17 He will determine to come with the might of his entire kingdom and will make an alliance with the king of the South. And he will give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom, but his plans[e] will not succeed(BK) or help him. 18 Then he will turn his attention to the coastlands(BL) and will take many of them, but a commander will put an end to his insolence and will turn his insolence back on him.(BM) 19 After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his own country but will stumble and fall,(BN) to be seen no more.(BO)

20 “His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor.(BP) In a few years, however, he will be destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle.

21 “He will be succeeded by a contemptible(BQ) person who has not been given the honor of royalty.(BR) He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue. 22 Then an overwhelming army will be swept away(BS) before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed.(BT) 23 After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully,(BU) and with only a few people he will rise to power. 24 When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them and will achieve what neither his fathers nor his forefathers did. He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers.(BV) He will plot the overthrow of fortresses—but only for a time.

25 “With a large army he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South. The king of the South will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him. 26 Those who eat from the king’s provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle. 27 The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil,(BW) will sit at the same table and lie(BX) to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time.(BY) 28 The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own country.

29 “At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. 30 Ships of the western coastlands(BZ) will oppose him, and he will lose heart.(CA) Then he will turn back and vent his fury(CB) against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.

31 “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice.(CC) Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.(CD) 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist(CE) him.

33 “Those who are wise will instruct(CF) many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered.(CG) 34 When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere(CH) will join them. 35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined,(CI) purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

The King Who Exalts Himself

36 “The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself(CJ) above every god and will say unheard-of things(CK) against the God of gods.(CL) He will be successful until the time of wrath(CM) is completed, for what has been determined must take place.(CN) 37 He will show no regard for the gods of his ancestors or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. 38 Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.[f]

40 “At the time of the end the king of the South(CO) will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm(CP) out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood.(CQ) 41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land.(CR) Many countries will fall, but Edom,(CS) Moab(CT) and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. 42 He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape. 43 He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt,(CU) with the Libyans(CV) and Cushites[g] in submission. 44 But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many. 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at[h] the beautiful holy mountain.(CW) Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.

The End Times

12 “At that time Michael,(CX) the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress(CY) 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(CZ)—will be delivered.(DA) 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake:(DB) some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.(DC) 3 Those who are wise[i](DD) will shine(DE) like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness,(DF) like the stars for ever and ever.(DG) 4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal(DH) the words of the scroll until the time of the end.(DI) Many will go here and there(DJ) 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.(DK) 6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen,(DL) who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?”(DM)

7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand(DN) and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever,(DO) saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time.[j](DP) When the power of the holy people(DQ) has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.(DR)”

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(DS) until the time of the end.(DT) 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined,(DU) but the wicked will continue to be wicked.(DV) None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.(DW)

11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice(DX) is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation(DY) is set up, there will be 1,290 days.(DZ) 12 Blessed is the one who waits(EA) for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.(EB)

13 “As for you, go your way till the end.(EC) You will rest,(ED) and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.(EE)”

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 10:1 Or true and burdensome
  2. Daniel 10:16 Most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text; one manuscript of the Masoretic Text, Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint Then something that looked like a human hand
  3. Daniel 11:6 Or offspring
  4. Daniel 11:6 Or child (see Vulgate and Syriac)
  5. Daniel 11:17 Or but she
  6. Daniel 11:39 Or land for a reward
  7. Daniel 11:43 That is, people from the upper Nile region
  8. Daniel 11:45 Or the sea and
  9. Daniel 12:3 Or who impart wisdom
  10. Daniel 12:7 Or a year, two years and half a year
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