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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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但以理书 10-12
Chinese New Version (Simplified)

但以理再得示与异象

10 波斯王古列第三年，有一个信息启示给那称为伯提沙撒的但以理。这信息是真的，是关于一场大战争；但以理明白这信息，了解这异象。

悲哀禁食

2 那时，我但以理悲伤了三个星期。 3 美味的食物我没有吃，肉和酒没有入我的口，我也没有用膏油抹身，整整三个星期。

得天使的安慰

4 正月二十四日，我在底格里斯大河边的时候， 5 我举目观看，看见有一个人身穿细麻衣，腰束乌法纯金的带。 6 他的身像水苍玉，面貌像闪电的样子，眼睛像火把，手臂和腿像擦亮的铜那么闪耀，说话的声音像群众喊叫的声音。 7 独有我但以理看见这异象，那些和我在一起的人都没有看见，不过他们却大大惊慌，逃跑躲藏起来了。 8 因此，只有我一人留下来；我看见了这大异象，就全身无力，脸色大变，一点力气都没有。 9 我却仍听见他说话的声音；我一听见他说话的声音，就沉睡了，脸伏在地。

10 忽然有一只手按在我身上，使我用膝和手掌勉强支持着要站起来。 11 他对我说：“大蒙眷爱的但以理啊！你应当留意我要对你说的话。你只管站起来，因为我现在奉差遣到你这里来。”他和我说这话的时候，我就战战兢兢地站起来。 12 他又对我说：“但以理啊！不要惧怕，因为自从你第一天决心要明白这些事，又在你的　神面前谦卑自己，你祷告的话已蒙垂听了；我就是因你祷告的话而来的。 13 但波斯国的护卫天使拦阻我二十一天；后来有护卫天使长中的一位米迦勒来帮助我，我就留他在那里（按照《马索拉文本》，“我就留他在那里”作“我就被留在那里”；现参照《七十士译本》翻译），和波斯众王在一起。 14 现在我来是要使你明白日后所要发生在你的同胞身上的事，因为这异象是关于将来许多的年日的。” 15 他和我说这些话的时候，我就脸伏在地，默默无声。 16 忽然有一位像人的，摸我的嘴唇，我就开口和那站在我面前的交谈，说：“我主啊！因着这异象，我非常痛苦，毫无气力。 17 我主的仆人怎能和我主说话呢？我现在全身无力，没有气息。”

18 那位像人的再摸我，使我有力量。 19 他说：“大蒙眷爱的人哪！不要惧怕，愿你平安，你要大大刚强。”他和我说话的时候，我就刚强起来；于是我说：“我主请说，因为你刚强了我。” 20 他说：“现在我要回去和波斯的护卫天使作战；我一离去，希腊的护卫天使就要来。但你知道我为甚么到你这里来吗？ 21 我来是要把那记录在真理书上的事告诉你。除了你们的护卫天使米迦勒之外，没有一个帮助我，和我一起抵挡他们。”

波斯攻击希腊的预言

11 “玛代人大利乌王第一年，我曾经起来帮助米迦勒，使他坚强。 2 现在我要把真理告诉你。看哪！在波斯还有三个王要兴起；第四个王必非常富有，远超过所有的王；他因富足成为强盛以后，就必煽动众民攻击希腊国。 3 后来必有一个英勇的王兴起，他必执掌大权，任意而行。 4 他兴起的时候，他的国就破裂，向天的四方（“四方”原文作“四风”）分开，却不归给他的后代，国势也不及他掌权的时候；因为他的国必被拔出，归给他后代以外的人。

南方王与北方王时战时和

5 “南方的王必强盛，他的将领中必有一个比他更强盛的，这人必掌权，他的权势很大。 6 过了多年，南方王的女儿必到北方王那里去修好，他们必互相结盟。但这女子的势力必存留不住；王和他的势力也站立不住；她连同那些带她来的、那生她的，和那帮助她的，都被交出处死。 7 但这女子的本家（“本家”原文作“根”）必另有一个儿子（“儿子”原文作“枝子”）兴起，继承父位；他必来攻击北方王的军队，进入北方王的堡垒，攻打他们，而且得胜。 8 他又把他们的神像、铸成的偶像，连同金银的宝器，都一起掳掠到了埃及去。此后数年之久，他不再去攻击北方王。 9 后来北方王必侵入南方王的国土，然后撤退归回本国。

10 “北方王的众子必备战，招集大军；这大军前进，如洪水泛滥，横扫南方王的国土；之后他又再去争战，直到南方王的堡垒。 11 南方王必发大怒，出来和北方王交战；北方王必摆列大军，但这大军必交在南方王的手里。 12 这大军被扫除以后，南方王就心高气傲；他虽然使千万人倒毙，他的胜利却不能持久。 13 北方王必再招聚大军，比先前的更多；时机成熟的时候（“时机成熟的时候”直译是“过了一些时候，一些年”），他就率领装备好了的大军而来。

14 “那时，必有许多人起来攻击南方王，并且你同胞中的强暴人必挺身而起，要使那异象应验，但他们必失败。 15 北方王必来，堆土筑垒攻取坚固城。南方的军力必抵挡不住，甚至精锐的部队也无力抵抗。 16 那来攻击南方王的，必任意而行；没有人能在他面前站立得住；他必站在那荣美之地，手握毁坏之权。 17 他决意倾全国的力量而来，但他先和南方王修好，把自己的女儿给南方王为妻，好毁灭南国；可是他的计划没有成功，他自己也得不到甚么好处。 18 后来他必转向沿海的岛屿，夺取了许多海岛。但有一个将领要制止他的骄横，并且使他的骄横归回他身上。 19 于是他转向自己国中的堡垒，终于绊跌仆倒，不再存在了。

20 “那时，必有一个人兴起来代替他；这人要派一个横征暴敛的人，为了王国的荣华，走遍全地；可是不多几日，这人就必被毁灭，不是因为忿怒，也不是因为战争。 21 必另有一个卑鄙的人兴起来代替他；虽然人未曾把王国的尊荣给这人，这人却乘人不备的时候来到，用奉承的话夺得了王国。 22 必有无数的军兵在他面前像洪水冲没，并且溃败；立约的君也必这样。 23 他结盟以后，就必行诡诈；他虽然只有少数的国民，却渐渐强盛起来。 24 他必乘人不备的时候，侵入省内最富庶的地区，行他列祖和他列祖的祖先所未曾行过的；他把掳掠之物和财物分给自己的部属；又必设下计谋攻打堡垒，只是这都是暂时的。 25 他必竭尽己力，鼓起勇气，率领大军攻击南方王；南方王也必带领极强大的军队奋起还击，却抵挡不住，因为有人设下计谋陷害南方王。 26 那些吃王膳的必毁灭他；他的军队必被冲没，受重伤而倒毙的很多。 27 至于那两个王，他们都存心不良；他们同桌吃饭，也彼此说谎；他们的阴谋却不成功，因为要到了指定的时候，结局才会来到。

北方王废弃圣约

28 “北方王必带着大批财物返回自己的国土去；他的心既然反对圣约，必任意而行，然后返回自己的国土去。

29 “到了指定的时候，他必回来，再侵入南方的王国，不过这次的情况却不像前一次。 30 因为基提的战船必来攻击他，他就丧胆而回；他又恼恨圣约，任意而行；他必回来，听取那些背弃圣约的人的建议。 31 他的军队必起来，亵渎圣殿，就是那堡垒，废除常献祭，又在殿里设立了那使地荒凉的可憎的像。 32 那些作恶违背圣约的人，他必用奉承的话败坏他们；但认识　神的人民，必刚强行事。 33 民中的智慧人必使许多人明白是非；但他们必有很多日子倒在刀剑之下，或被火烧，或被掳去，或被抢掠。 34 他们仆倒的时候，必得到一些援助，必有许多人用奉承的话要和他们联盟。 35 智慧人中有些仆倒的，为要锻炼他们，洁净他们，使他们成为雪白，直到末了，因为要到了指定的时候，结局才会来到。

36 “那王必任意而行，自高自大，超过所有的神，又说一些怪诞的话攻击万神之　神。他必行事顺利，直到　神的忿怒完毕；因为所定的事必会实现。 37 他必不尊重他列祖所拜的神，也不尊重妇女所爱慕的神，无论甚么神他都不尊重，因为他必自大，高过一切。 38 他倒要敬拜堡垒的神，用金银宝石和各样珍宝去敬拜他列祖所不认识的神。 39 他必得着外族神的帮助，攻破坚固的堡垒；凡承认他的，他必使他们大得尊荣，又使他们管辖许多人，并且把土地分给他们作赏赐。

40 “到了末期，南方王要和他交战；北方王必带着战车、骑兵和大批战船，像暴风一般来到他那里；他必侵入列国，如洪水泛滥，横扫而过。 41 他也必侵入那荣美之地；必有许多国倾覆；但那些以东人、摩押人和亚扪人的首领，必被拯救脱离他的手。 42 他必伸手攻击列国，埃及地也不能逃脱。 43 他必掌管埃及的金银宝藏和一切珍宝；吕彼亚人和古实人都必追随他。 44 但从东方和北方必有消息传来，使他惊惶，他就在烈怒之下出兵，要把许多人杀尽灭绝。 45 他必在海和荣美的圣山之间支搭如宫殿一般的帐幕；然而他们的结局来到，必没有人能帮助他。”

册上有名的必蒙拯救

12 “那时保护你同胞的伟大护卫天使米迦勒必站起来；并且必有患难的时期，是立国以来直到那时未曾有过的。那时你的同胞中名字记录在册上的，都必得拯救。 2 必有许多睡在尘土中的人醒过来，有的要得永生，有的要受羞辱，永远被憎恶。 3 那些有智慧的必发光，好象穹苍的光体；那些使许多人归义的必发光，如同星星，直到永永远远。 4 但以理啊！你要隐藏这些话，把这书密封，直到末期，必有许多人来往奔跑，知识增多。”

下令封闭预言直到末期

5 我但以理观看，看见另有两个天使，一个站在河岸的这边，一个站在河岸的那边。 6 有一个问那身穿细麻衣、站在河水以上的人，说：“这些奇异的事的结局几时才到呢？” 7 我听见那身穿细麻衣、站在河水以上的人，向天举起左右手，指着活到永远的主起誓，说：“要经过一载、二载、半载（“一载、二载、半载”或译：“一个时期、多个时期、半个时期”）；在他们完全粉碎圣民的势力的时候，这一切事就都要完成。” 8 我听见，却不明白，我就问：“我主啊，这些事的结局是怎样呢？” 9 他回答：“但以理啊！你只管去吧，因为这些话已经隐藏密封，直到末期。 10 许多人必洁净自己，使自己洁白，并且被熬炼。可是恶人仍然作恶。所有恶人都不明白，只有那些使人有智慧的才能明白。 11 从废除常献祭，并设立那使地荒凉的可憎的像的时候起，必有一千二百九十天。 12 等候到一千三百三十五日的，那人是有福的。 13 你应去等待结局！你必安歇；到了末日，你必起来，承受你的分。”

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