Daniel 12:8

8 And I heard, but I understood not: and I said, O Lord, what the end of these things?

Daniel 12:8 Meaning and Commentary

Daniel 12:8

And I heard, but understood not
Daniel heard what Christ said, in answer to the angel, but he did not understand the meaning of it, which he ingenuously confesses; he did not understand what was meant by "time", and "times", and "half a time"; what kind of time this was, and when and how it would end, and which he was very desirous of knowing: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
he applied not to the angel that put the above question, but to the man clothed with linen; to Christ, whom he perceived to be a divine Person, a Person of dominion, power, and authority, superior to angels, and his Lord and God; and who only could resolve the question he puts, which is somewhat different from that of the angel's, ( Daniel 12:6 ) , that respects the length of time, to the accomplishment of these things; this the quality at the end of them, what kind of end they should have; or what the signs, symptoms, and evidences of the end of them, by which the true end of them might be known. Mr. Mede renders it, "what are these latter times?" perhaps it might be rendered better, "what is the last of these things?" ^F15 what is the last thing that will be done, that so it may be known when all is over?

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 (hla tyrxa hm) "quid erit novissimum horum?" Munster; "postremum horum?" Calvin.

Daniel 12:8 In-Context

6 And said to the man clothed in linen, who was over the water of the river, When the end of the wonders which thou has mentioned?

7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was over the water of the river, and he lifted up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and sware by him that lives for ever, that for a time of times and half a time: when the dispersion is ended they shall know all these things.

8 And I heard, but I understood not: and I said, O Lord, what the end of these things?

9 And he said, Go, Daniel: for the words are closed and sealed up to the time of the end.

10 Many must be tested, and thoroughly whitened, and tried with fire, and sanctified; but the transgressors shall transgress: and none of the transgressors shall understand; but the wise shall understand.