Daniel 12:7

Authorized King James Version

And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וָאֶשְׁמַ֞ע

H8085

And I heard

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאִ֣ישׁ׀

H376

the man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לְב֣וּשׁ

H3847

clothed

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

הַבַּדִּ֗ים

H906

in linen

flaxen thread or yarn; hence, a linen garment

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

מִמַּעַל֮

H4605

which was upon

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

לְמֵימֵ֣י

H4325

the waters

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

הַיְאֹר֒

H2975

of the river

a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m

#10

וַיָּ֨רֶם

H7311

when he held up

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

#11

יְמִינ֤וֹ

H3225

his right hand

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

#12

וּשְׂמֹאלוֹ֙

H8040

and his left hand

properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e., the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand

#13

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#14

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם

H8064

unto heaven

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

#15

וַיִּשָּׁבַ֖ע

H7650

and sware

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

#16

בְּחֵ֣י

H2416

by him that liveth

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

#17

הָעוֹלָ֑ם

H5769

for ever

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

#18

כִּי֩

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#19

מֽוֹעֲדִ֜ים

H4150

that it shall be for a time

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

#20

מֽוֹעֲדִ֜ים

H4150

that it shall be for a time

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

#21

וָחֵ֗צִי

H2677

and an half

the half or middle

#22

תִּכְלֶ֥ינָה

H3615

all these things shall be finished

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

#23

נַפֵּ֥ץ

H5310

to scatter

to dash to pieces, or scatter

#24

יַד

H3027

the power

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#25

עַם

H5971

people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#26

קֹ֖דֶשׁ

H6944

of the holy

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

#27

תִּכְלֶ֥ינָה

H3615

all these things shall be finished

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

#28

כָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#29

אֵֽלֶּה׃

H428

these or those

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing covenant community contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Daniel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on covenant community address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within Daniel chapter 12 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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