Daniel 12:1

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Daniel 12:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Daniel 12:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Daniel 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, etc.] The Archangel, who has all the angels of heaven under him, and at his command, the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ; who is as God, as the name signifies, truly and really God, and equal in nature, power, and glory, to his divine Father: “he shall stand up”; which is not to be understood of his incarnation, or manifestation in the flesh, for this refers to times long after that; yet neither of his personal appearance in the clouds of heaven, and standing upon the earth in the latter day; but of his spiritual presence among his people, and protection of them, and continuance with them: this respects the spiritual reigns of Christ, the Lamb’s…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“CONCLUSION OF THE VISION (TENTH THROUGH TWELFTH CHAPTERS) AND EPILOGUE TO THE BOOK. (Dan 12:1-13) at that time--typically, towards the close of Antiochus' reign; antitypically, the time when Antichrist is to be destroyed at Christ's coming. Michael--the guardian angel of Israel ("thy people"), (Dan 10:13). The transactions on earth affecting God's people have their correspondences in heaven, in the conflict between good and bad angels; so at the last great contest on earth which shall decide the ascendency of Christianity (Rev 12:7-10). An archangel, not the Lord Jesus; for he is distinguished from "the Lord" in Jde 1:9. there shall be--rather, "it shall be." time of trouble, such as never…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And at that time - At the period referred to in the preceding chapter. The fair construction of the passage demands this interpretation, and if that refers to Antiochus Epiphanes, then what is here said must also; and we are to look for the direct and immediate fulfillment of this prediction in something that occurred under him, however, it may be supposed to have an ultimate reference to other and more remote events. The phrase “at that time,” however, does not limit what is here said to any one part of his life, or to his death, but to the general period referred to in the time of his reign. That reign was but eleven years, and the fulfillment must be found somewhere during that period.…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“For the children - The meaning seems to be, as after the death of Antiochus the Jews had some deliverance, so there will be yet a greater deliverance to the people of God, when Michael your prince, the Messiah shall appear for your salvation. A time of trouble - A the siege of Jerusalem, before the final judgment. The phrase at that time, probably includes all the time of Christ, from his first, to his last coming. Daniel 12:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:1-7 At that time, the time of the end, God will rescue his people and defeat every enemy—even death. 12:1 Michael was Israel’s patron angel (cp. 10:13, 21; Rev 2:1, 8, 12). • the book: This is possibly the Book of Truth (Dan 10:21; cp. 7:10). • will be rescued: All previous rescues of God’s people in Daniel (e.g., 3:28; 6:27) had foreshadowed, and now culminated in, the resurrection from the dead (12:2-3).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“at that: Dan 11:45 Michael: Dan 10:13; Jde 1:9; Rev 12:7 the great: Dan 9:25, Dan 10:21; Isa 9:7; Eze 34:24, Eze 37:24; Eph 1:21; Rev 1:5, Rev 17:14; Rev 19:11-16 there shall: Dan 9:12, Dan 9:26; Isa 26:20, Isa 26:21; Jer 30:7; Mat 24:21; Mar 13:19; Luk 21:23, Luk 21:24; Rev 16:17-21 thy people: Isa 11:11-16, Isa 27:12, Isa 27:13; Jer 30:7; Eze 37:21-28, Eze 39:25-29; Hos 3:4, Hos 3:5; Joe 3:16-21; Amo 9:11-15; Oba 1:17-21; Zac 12:3-10; Rom 11:5, Rom 11:6, Rom 11:15, Rom 11:26 written: Exo 32:32, Exo 32:33; Psa 56:8, Psa 69:28; Isa 4:3; Eze 13:9; Luk 10:20; Phi 4:3; Rev 3:5, Rev 13:8, Rev 20:12, Rev 20:15 Daniel 12:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“ההיא וּבעת points back to קץ בּעת ( Dan 11:4). At the time of the end, in which the hostile persecutor rises up to subdue the whole world, and sets up his camp in the Holy Land to destroy many in great anger and to strike them with the ban (החרים, Dan 11:44), i.e., totally to outroot them ( Dan 11:40-45), the great angel-prince Michael shall come forth and fight for the people of God against their oppressor. Regarding Michael, see under Dan 10:13, p. 771. "Who stands over the sons of thy people," i.e., stands near, protecting them (cf. for על עמד in the sense of coming to protect, Est 8:11; Est 9:16), describes Michael, who carries on his work as Israel's שׂר ( Dan 10:21). That Michael,…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification