KING JAMES VERSION

DANIEL, CHAPTER 1

1 Jehoiakim's captivity. 3 Ashpenaz takes Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 8 They, refusing the King's portion, prosper with pulse and water. 17 Their excellence in wisdom.

Dan 1:1 IN the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

Dan 1:2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.*

[*Note: ‘Shinar’ (Sinear): Another name for Babylon, a place mentioned in Genesis 10:10 and Genesis 11:2]

Dan 1:3 ¶ And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;

Dan 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.*

[*Note: This verse describes the criteria for selecting the young Israelite men who would serve in Nebuchadnezzar's court. – ‘Blemish’. Refers to physically and morally impeccable persons, free from defects or flaws.]

Dan 1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

Dan 1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

Dan 1:7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel thename of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.

Dan 1:8 ¶ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.*

[*Note: Kosher laws: Leviticus 11 describes the rules for what foods are clean or unclean according to Jewish law - Idolatry through food: Exodus 34:15 warns against partaking in meals associated with idolatry.]

Dan 1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

Dan 1:10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

Dan 1:11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

Dan 1:12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.*

[*Note: The word in the KJV, ‘pulse’ is used both for vegetables in general and specifically for edible seeds of legumes, such as beans, peas and lentils. See Genesis 25:34: 2 Samuel 23:11 and 2 Samuel 17:28, in these Bible texts ‘lentiles’ (lentils) and ‘pulse’ (legumes or seeds) are used in similar contexts, highlighting their importance as staple foods in the Biblical context. Lentils are specifically mentioned in Genesis 25:34 as part of a lentil stew Jacob gives to Esau, and in 2 Samuel 23:11 as a crop growing in a field. In 2 Samuel 17:28 both lentils and roasted ‘pulse’ (legumes) are listed, showing their use as part of the diet. The link between ‘pulse’ and ‘lentiles’ lies in the fact that both refer to the seeds of legumes, such as beans and peas, reinforcing the definition of ‘pulse’ in Webster's Dictionary 1828 as ‘seeds of legumes.’ These foods have a common use as nutritious food and appear in several Biblical stories as symbols of simplicity, endurance and nourishment.]

Dan 1:13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

Dan 1:14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

Dan 1:15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.

Dan 1:16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

Dan 1:17 ¶ As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Dan 1:18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

Dan 1:19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

Dan 1:20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

Dan 1:21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.*

[*Note: ‘First year of King Cyrus’. Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Persian Empire who conquered Babylon in 539 BC. His first year marks the end of the Babylonian Empire's dominance. King Cyrus issued an edict allowing the Jewish captives to return to their land and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-4).]

KING JAMES VERSION

DANIEL, CHAPTER 2

1 Nebuchadnezzar, forgetting his dream, requires it of the Chaldeans, by promises and threatenings. 10 They, acknowledging their inability, are judged to die. 14 Daniel, obtaining some respite, finds the dream. 19 He blesses God. 24 He, staying the decree, is brought to the King. 31 The dream. 36 The interpretation. 46 Daniel's advancement.

Dan 2:1 AND in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.

Dan 2:2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.*

[*Note: ‘Chaldeans’. A specific group of scholars in Babylon, often specialising in astronomy, astrology and dream interpretation.]

Dan 2:3 And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.

Dan 2:4 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.

Dan 2:5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.

Dan 2:6 But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.

Dan 2:7 They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.

Dan 2:8 The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.

Dan 2:9 But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.

Dan 2:10 ¶ The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.

Dan 2:11 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.

Dan 2:12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

Dan 2:13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.

Dan 2:14 ¶ Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:

Dan 2:15 He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.

Dan 2:16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.

Dan 2:17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

Dan 2:18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

Dan 2:19 ¶ Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

Dan 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:

Dan 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

Dan 2:22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

Dan 2:23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.

Dan 2:24 ¶ Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.

Dan 2:25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.

Dan 2:26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?

Dan 2:27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;*

[*Note: The word‘Soothsayers’ is composed of two parts from Old English: (1) ‘sooth’ and (2) ‘sayer’. 1. The word sōþ means truth, reality or that which is true and the word comes from the Germanic root santh-, which is also the basis of Swedish words such as “sann” and “sanning”. 2. It is a noun form from the verb secgan (to say). This word has roots in the Germanic language group, related to Swedish säga and German sagen. - In Old English and Middle English times, ‘soothsayer’ was used literally to mean a truth-teller - someone who spoke truth or imparted wisdom. - The word later evolved to mean ‘soothsayer’ or ‘seer,’ especially in the context of predicting the future (see Isaiah 2:6; Daniel 4:7; 5:7; 5:11; Micah 5:1; ‘Soothsayer’ Joshua 13:22; ‘Soothsaying’ Acts 16:16).]

Dan 2:28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

Dan 2:29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came in to thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.

Dan 2:30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.

Dan 2:31 ¶ Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.

Dan 2:32 This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,

Dan 2:33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.

Dan 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet thatwere of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.

Dan 2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

Dan 2:36 ¶ This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.

Dan 2:37 Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.

Dan 2:38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.

Dan 2:39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.

Dan 2:40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.

Dan 2:41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.

Dan 2:42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.

Dan 2:43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.

Dan 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Dan 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Dan 2:46 ¶ Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.

Dan 2:47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

Dan 2:48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.

Dan 2:49 Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

KING JAMES VERSION

DANIEL, CHAPTER 3

1 Nebuchadnezzar dedicates a golden image in Dura. 8 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are accused of not worshipping the image. 13 They, being threatened, make a good confession. 19 God delivers them out of the furnace. 26 Nebuchadnezzar, seeing the miracle, blesses God.

Dan 3:1 NEBUCHADNEZZAR the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.*

[*Note: KJV, ‘Threescore cubits’ (sixty cubits): A cubit is approximately 18 inches (45 cm), which makes the statue about 90 feet (27 meters) tall. In the KJV, "Breadth thereof six cubits" means the statue was about 9 feet (2.7 meters) wide, giving it a very narrow and tall form.]

Dan 3:2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellers, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Dan 3:3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellers, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Dan 3:4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,

Dan 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:*

[*Note: KJV, ‘Sackbut’, (sv. transl. ‘Trombone’) is a wind instrument with a telescopic tube that allows it to change pitch. It was used in both religious and secular contexts during the Middle Ages and Renaissance and had a warm, expressive tone. The instrument played an important role in Biblical ceremonies and is a precursor to the modern trombone. - ‘Psaltery’ The word ‘psaltery’ comes from the Latin psalterium, which in turn derives from the Greek psaltērion (ψαλτήριον), meaning ‘instrument for playing psalms’. The root is psallein, which means ‘to play stringed instruments by plucking strings’. In older (Swedish) texts, ‘psaltare’ referred to the instrument, but the term is also associated with ‘Psaltaren’ (the Book of Psalms), reflecting its use to accompany songs from the Psalms in the Bible. - ‘Dulcimer’. There is no direct Swedish word that exactly corresponds to ‘dulcimer.’, so the word ‘Dulcimer’ is a loanword to retain the English term (possible Swedish translation ‘Hammarcittra’). is a versatile stringed instrument used in many cultures and musical traditions, from the ancient Middle East to modern folk music genres. Its distinctive sound, either by hammering or plucking, has made it popular in both ceremonial and folk contexts. The instrument has a rich history and a characteristic sound that contributes to its unique place in music history. The word ‘dulcimer’ derives from the Latin dulcis (sweet) and the Greek melos (song or melody), suggesting an instrument that produces a ‘sweet melody’.]

Dan 3:6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

Dan 3:7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Dan 3:8 ¶ Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

Dan 3:9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.

Dan 3:10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:

Dan 3:11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

Dan 3:12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Dan 3:13 ¶ Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king.

Dan 3:14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

Dan 3:15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

Dan 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

Dan 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

Dan 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Dan 3:19 ¶ Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

Dan 3:20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

Dan 3:21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

Dan 3:22 Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

Dan 3:23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

Dan 3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellers, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

Dan 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

Dan 3:26 ¶ Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

Dan 3:27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellers, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

Dan 3:28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

Dan 3:29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.

Dan 3:30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon.

KING JAMES VERSION

DANIEL, CHAPTER 4

1 Nebuchadnezzar confesses God's kingdom, 4 makes a relation of his dreams, which the Magicians could not interpret. Daniel hears the dream. 19 He interprets it. 28 The story of the event.

Dan 4:1 NEBUCHADNEZZAR the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

Dan 4:2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.

Dan 4:3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

Dan 4:4 ¶ I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:

Dan 4:5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

Dan 4:6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.

Dan 4:7 Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.*

[*Note: The word‘Soothsayers’ is composed of two parts from Old English: (1) ‘sooth’ and (2) ‘sayer’. 1. The word sōþ means truth, reality or that which is true and the word comes from the Germanic root santh-, which is also the basis of Swedish words such as “sann” and “sanning”. 2. It is a noun form from the verb secgan (to say). This word has roots in the Germanic language group, related to Swedish “säga” and German “sagen”. - In Old English and Middle English times, ‘soothsayer’ was used literally to mean a truth-teller - someone who spoke truth or imparted wisdom. - The word later evolved to mean ‘soothsayer’ or ‘seer,’ especially in the context of predicting the future (see Isaiah 2:6; Daniel 4:7; 5:7; 5:11; Micah 5:1; ‘Soothsayer’ Joshua 13:22; ‘Soothsaying’ Acts 16:16).]

Dan 4:8 ¶ But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,

Dan 4:9 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.

Dan 4:10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.

Dan 4:11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:

Dan 4:12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.

Dan 4:13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;

Dan 4:14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:

Dan 4:15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:

Dan 4:16 Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.

Dan 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

Dan 4:18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.

Dan 4:19 ¶ Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.

Dan 4:20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;

Dan 4:21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:

Dan 4:22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

Dan 4:23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;

Dan 4:24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:

Dan 4:25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

Dan 4:26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.

Dan 4:27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.

Dan 4:28 ¶ All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.

Dan 4:29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.

Dan 4:30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?

Dan 4:31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

Dan 4:32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

Dan 4:33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.

Dan 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Dan 4:36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellers and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.

Dan 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

KING JAMES VERSION

DANIEL, CHAPTER 5

1 Belshazzar's impious feast. 5 A hand writing, unknown to the Magicians, troubles the king. 10 At the commendation of the Queen, Daniel is brought. 17 He, reproving the king for pride and idolatry, reads and interprets the writing. 30 The monarchy is translated to the Medes.

Dan 5:1 BELSHAZZAR the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.

Dan 5:2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.

Dan 5:3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.

Dan 5:4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

Dan 5:5 ¶ In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.

Dan 5:6 Then the king’s countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.

Dan 5:7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.*

[*Note: The word‘Soothsayers’ is composed of two parts from Old English: (1) ‘sooth’ and (2) ‘sayer’. 1. The word sōþ means truth, reality or that which is true and the word comes from the Germanic root santh-, which is also the basis of Swedish words such as “sann” and “sanning”. 2. It is a noun form from the verb secgan (to say). This word has roots in the Germanic language group, related to Swedish “säga” and German “sagen”. - In Old English and Middle English times, ‘soothsayer’ was used literally to mean a truth-teller - someone who spoke truth or imparted wisdom. - The word later evolved to mean ‘soothsayer’ or ‘seer,’ especially in the context of predicting the future (see Isaiah 2:6; Daniel 4:7; 5:7; 5:11; Micah 5:1; ‘Soothsayer’ Joshua 13:22; ‘Soothsaying’ Acts 16:16).]

Dan 5:8 Then came in all the king’s wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.

Dan 5:9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.

Dan 5:10 ¶ Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:

Dan 5:11 There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, Isay, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;*

[*Note: The word‘Soothsayers’ is composed of two parts from Old English: (1) ‘sooth’ and (2) ‘sayer’. 1. The word sōþ means truth, reality or that which is true and the word comes from the Germanic root santh-, which is also the basis of Swedish words such as “sann” and “sanning”. 2. It is a noun form from the verb secgan (to say). This word has roots in the Germanic language group, related to Swedish “säga” and German “sagen”. - In Old English and Middle English times, ‘soothsayer’ was used literally to mean a truth-teller - someone who spoke truth or imparted wisdom. - The word later evolved to mean ‘soothsayer’ or ‘seer,’ especially in the context of predicting the future (see Isaiah 2:6; Daniel 4:7; 5:7; 5:11; Micah 5:1; ‘Soothsayer’ Joshua 13:22; ‘Soothsaying’ Acts 16:16).]

Dan 5:12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.

Dan 5:13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?*

[*Note: The word ‘Jewry’ in the KJV is an old English word referring to the land, people or communities of the Jews. In Biblical and historical contexts it is often used to refer to the kingdom of Judah, the southern part of divided Israel after the splitting of the kingdom. The word is also used more generally to describe Jewish communities or areas where Jews live. The word Jewry is derived from Middle English Juerie, which in turn comes from Old French Juierie (land or community of the Jews). The root is in Latin Judaea, which refers to the geographical area of Judah.]

Dan 5:14 I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.

Dan 5:15 And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:

Dan 5:16 And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Dan 5:17 ¶ Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

Dan 5:18 O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:

Dan 5:19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.

Dan 5:20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:

Dan 5:21 And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

Dan 5:22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;

Dan 5:23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:

Dan 5:24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.

Dan 5:25 ¶ And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

Dan 5:26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.

Dan 5:27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

Dan 5:28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

Dan 5:29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Dan 5:30 ¶ In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.

Dan 5:31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.

KING JAMES VERSION

DANIEL, CHAPTER 6

1 Daniel is made chief of the presidents. 4 They, conspiring against him, obtain an idolatrous decree. 10 Daniel, accused of breaking it, is cast into the Lions' den. 18 Daniel is saved. 24 His adversaries are devoured, 25 and God is magnified by a decree.

Dan 6:1 IT pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

Dan 6:2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.*

[*Note: In the KJV, the word ‘Presidents’ is used to describe higher administrators or leaders. ‘Presidents’ is used in the KJV to describe senior administrators or leaders who were in charge of the princes (the hundred and twenty “princes”). It does not refer to ‘presidents’ in the modern sense of heads of state, but rather to persons of high administrative rank in the Medo-Persian Empire. Today we usually associate ‘president’ with an elected head of state, but in Daniel's book it refers to a person of high administrative authority, appointed by the king. The word ‘president’ is derived from the Latin praesidens, meaning ‘to sit before’ or ‘to oversee’. It is used to describe a person who has leading or supervisory authority. – “And the king should have no damage”. The structure aimed to prevent corruption and inefficiency, so that the kingdom's resources were protected and the administration ran smoothly]

Dan 6:3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

Dan 6:4 ¶ Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

Dan 6:5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

Dan 6:6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

Dan 6:7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellers, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

Dan 6:8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

Dan 6:9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

Dan 6:10 ¶ Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Dan 6:11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

Dan 6:12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

Dan 6:13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

Dan 6:14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

Dan 6:15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

Dan 6:16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

Dan 6:17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

Dan 6:18 ¶ Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

Dan 6:19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

Dan 6:20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

Dan 6:21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

Dan 6:22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

Dan 6:23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

Dan 6:24 ¶ And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

Dan 6:25 ¶ Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

Dan 6:26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

Dan 6:27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

Dan 6:28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

KING JAMES VERSION

DANIEL, CHAPTER 7

1 Daniel's vision of four beasts. 9 Of God's kingdom. 15 The interpretation thereof.

Dan 7:1 IN the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.

Dan 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

Dan 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

Dan 7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.

Dan 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

Dan 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

Dan 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Dan 7:9 ¶ I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

Dan 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.*

[*Note: In this verse two groups are mentioned; 1. ‘A thousand times a thousand served him, = 1,000,000 (one million), these are saved Christians who together with their Saviour judge the world (1 Corinthians. 6:2); and 2. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him’. = 100,000,000 (one hundred million), these are those who died in their sins without Christ (John 3:18, 36) and now they face their final judgement and sentence. - Before the white throne judgment, the heavens and the earth will be burned up (‘Day of the Lord’ 2 Peter 3:10-12; Revelation 20:11; Joel 1:15, 2:1, 11, 31, 3:14). The ‘flaming stream’ burns up creation. Yes, this heaven and earth will pass away, but not because of ‘human climate influence or war’ but through God, but God has also given the promise of a new heaven and a new earth in his word. See Revelation 21:1]

Dan 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

Dan 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.

Dan 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

Dan 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Dan 7:15 ¶ I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.

Dan 7:16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.

Dan 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.

Dan 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

Dan 7:19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth wereof iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

Dan 7:20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

Dan 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

Dan 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

Dan 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.*

[*Note: The phrase ‘a time and times and the dividing of time’ in the KJV Bible is a prophetic time concept meaning: ‘A time’. A ‘time’ represents a year. ‘Times’. Plural, meaning two years. ‘The dividing of time’. Meaning half a year. In total, this is three and a half years (1 + 2 + 0.5 = 3.5 years). This is a final trial with the Antichrist as leader over all the earth before the millennial kingdom of God is established (Revelation 13:7, 12-15).]

Dan 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

Dan 7:28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

KING JAMES VERSION

DANIEL, CHAPTER 8

1 Daniel's vision of the Ram and the he Goat. 13 The 2300 days of sacrifice. 15 Gabriel comforts Daniel and interprets the vision.

Dan 8:1 IN the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.*

[*Note: ‘Third year of the reign of King Belshazzar’ - This corresponds to approximately 553 BC.]

Dan 8:2 And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.*

[*Note: ‘Shushan’. An ancient city in present-day Iran, which was an important administrative centre of the Persian Empire; – ‘Province of Elam’. An area in ancient Persia, east of Babylon. – ‘River of Ulai’. A river located near the city of Susna, identified with one of the tributaries of the river Karkheh in present-day Iran.]

Dan 8:3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.

Dan 8:4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.

Dan 8:5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.

Dan 8:6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.

Dan 8:7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.

Dan 8:8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.*

[*Note: ”The four winds of heaven”. Indicates the division of the kingdom into four directions (north, south, east, west).]

Dan 8:9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.

Dan 8:10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.

Dan 8:11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.

Dan 8:12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.

Dan 8:13 ¶ Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

Dan 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

Dan 8:15 ¶ And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.

Dan 8:16 And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

Dan 8:17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.

Dan 8:18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.

Dan 8:19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.

Dan 8:20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.

Dan 8:21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

Dan 8:22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.

Dan 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

Dan 8:24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

Dan 8:25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.*

[*Note: This verse describes how the Antichrist will use strategy and manipulation to use religious and economic control to deceive the world. He will exalt himself and destroy many under the guise of peace. However, his final fall will be by God's direct intervention, not by human power. The word ‘Policy’) in Gr. πολιτική (politikē) in Daniel 8:25 occurs only once in the King James Bible and refers to his strategic means of manipulation and control through economic, religious and social means (Daniel 2:34-35, Revelation 19:19-21)]

Dan 8:26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.*

[*Note: ‘For it shall be for many days’. The prophecy will be fulfilled in the distant future.]

Dan 8:27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

KING JAMES VERSION

DANIEL, CHAPTER 9

1 Daniel, considering the time of the captivity, 3 makes confession of sins, 16 and prays for the restoration of Jerusalem. 20 Gabriel informs him of the seventy weeks.

Dan 9:1 IN the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;

Dan 9:2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

Dan 9:3 ¶ And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

Dan 9:4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

Dan 9:5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:

Dan 9:6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

Dan 9:7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.

Dan 9:8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.

Dan 9:9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;

Dan 9:10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.

Dan 9:11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

Dan 9:12 And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.

Dan 9:13 As itis written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.

Dan 9:14 Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.

Dan 9:15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

Dan 9:16 ¶ O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.

Dan 9:17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.

Dan 9:18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.*

[*Note: "The city which is called by thy name.’ Refers to Jerusalem, which represents God's presence and covenant with his people. Daniel appeals to God to listen and see the suffering of the people and the desolation of Jerusalem. He recognises that the people have no righteousness of their own to invoke and relies entirely on God's great mercy (2 Chronicles 6:6; Isaiah 62:6-7).]

Dan 9:19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

Dan 9:20 ¶ And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;

Dan 9:21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.*

[*Note: ‘The time of the evening oblation’. The time of day when the sacrificial prayer and the evening oblation were traditionally offered in the Temple, approximately at sunset (around 15:00 according to Jewish tradition).]

Dan 9:22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

Dan 9:23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.*

[*Note: The seventy weeks of Daniel 9 represent 490 prophetic years, where one day equals one year (Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6). These weeks are determined over the people of Israel and Jerusalem and have six purposes that are fulfilled at Christ's second coming: 1.To finish the transgression: Israel's rebellion and unfaithfulness to God will cease, especially at the tribulation, when the abominable image of Antichrist is destroyed at Christ's return (Romans 11:25-26; Zechariah 12:10; Daniel 9:27). 2.Make an end to sin: the power and presence of sin is eliminated at Christ's reign in the millennial kingdom and consummated in the new creation (Isaiah 60:21; Revelation 21:1-4). 3.Reconciliation for iniquity: A national atonement for Israel takes place during the Tribulation and is completed when the whole nation repents at Christ's return (Romans 11:25; Hosea 2:2, 14-23; Isaiah 66:8). 4.To bring in eternal righteousness: An eternal righteousness is established under Christ's kingdom and perfected in the new heavens and earth, linked to the new covenant in which God writes his law in the hearts of Israel (Revelation 21:1-2; Isaiah 45:17-25; Jeremiah 31:31-33). 5. Sealing up the vision and prophecy: All prophecies and visions in Scripture are fulfilled and sealed as completed at the second coming of Christ (Daniel 12:4, 9; Revelation 22:10). 6.To anoint the most Holy: Refers either to Christ as anointed King at His return or to the sanctification of the millennial temple in Jerusalem (Luke 4:18; Ezekiel 43:12). The purposes of the seventy weeks point to the restoration of Israel, the end of sin, and the completed kingdom of God, all realised at Christ's return (Romans 11:25-26; Zechariah 12:10).]

Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.*

[*Note: Division of the seventy weeks: Seven weeks (49 years): The time of the rebuilding of Jerusalem, including its walls (Nehemiah 2:1-8); – Sixty-two weeks (434 years): The time until the Anointed One, the Prince (Messiah), ending at the first coming of Christ; – The injunction: Four possible injunctions may refer to the start of the prophecy: 1. The injunction of Cyrus (536 BC, Ezra 1:1-4); 2. Darius‘ decree (519 BC, Ezra 6:7-12); 3. Artaxerxes’ decree for the sacrifices (458 BC, Ezra 7:11-26); 4. Artaxerxes' decree for the walls of Jerusalem (445 BC, Neh 2:1-8)].

Dan 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.*

[*Note: Death of the Messiah: ‘The Anointed One shall be destroyed’ refers to Christ's crucifixion - Destruction of Jerusalem: After the death of the Messiah, Jerusalem and the Temple are destroyed by ‘the people of a prince,’ which was fulfilled in 70 AD when the Romans, under Titus, destroyed the city – There is a prophetic pause between the sixty-ninth week and the final, seventieth week. This pause corresponds to the Church Age].

Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.*

[*Note: The seventieth week: The final week (seven years) is divided into two halves: First half (3.5 years): A covenant is established with ‘the many.’ – Second half (3.5 years): The covenant is broken, and the Antichrist abolishes sacrifices and places an abominable image in the Temple (Daniel 12:11; Matthew 24:15; Revelation 13:14-15). The Great Tribulation: The second half of the seventieth week is called ‘the great tribulation’ (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 7:14); – The consummation: The week ends at Christ's return, when he defeats the Antichrist and establishes his kingdom (Revelation 19:11-21); – The overspreading of abominations. Refers to abominable acts or objects (idols) particularly repugnant to God, connected with idolatry (Daniel 8:25).]

KING JAMES VERSION

DANIEL, CHAPTER 10

1 Daniel, having humbled himself, sees a vision. 10 Being troubled with fear, he is comforted by the Angel.

Dan 10:1 IN the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.*

[*Note: Cyrus king of Persia - Cyrus was the Persian king who defeated Babylon and allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1:1-4). The third year of his reign would be about 536 BC.]

Dan 10:2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.

Dan 10:3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

Dan 10:4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;*

[*Note: The four and twentieth day of the first month - The first month of the Jewish calendar is Nisan, which corresponds to March/April in the Gregorian calendar. This is just after the Jewish Passover (Pesach), which begins on the 14th day of Nisan. - The great river Hiddekel - Hiddekel is the Hebrew name for the Tigris River, one of the four rivers mentioned in Genesis 2:14 and an important river in Mesopotamia.]

Dan 10:5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:

Dan 10:6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.*

[*Note: Beryl (beryl) - A gemstone that can be green, blue or yellowish. In this context it is used to describe a radiant, shimmering body. - The voice of a multitude - The voice was powerful and overwhelming, like the sound of many people or great bodies of water (compare Ezek 43:2).]

Dan 10:7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

Dan 10:8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.*

[*Note: ‘My comeliness’ - Refers to Daniel's health, vitality or appearance. The vision was so intense that his physical condition deteriorated. See also Isaiah 6:5 (Isaiah feels unclean and weak before the holiness of God), Revelation 1:17 (John falls as dead before Christ).]

Dan 10:9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

Dan 10:10 ¶ And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

Dan 10:11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

Dan 10:12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

Dan 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.*

[*Note: Michael is an archangel and a protector of the people of Israel (Daniel 12:1). Here he helps the angel in the battle against the spiritual prince of Persia – Notice also the phrase ‘Michael, one of the chief princes’. Michael is here described as ONE of the chief princes, not the Prince. So Michael cannot be Jesus Christ, (denominations that teach this doctrine include the Seventh-day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses). That Jesus cannot be an angel is confirmed in Hebrews 1:5, 13. Verse 5: ‘For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?’ Verse 13: ‘But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?’ Compare also Jude 1:9: ‘Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation...’, while Jesus rebuked the devil on several occasions (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10, 16:23; Mark 1:25, 8:31-33).]

Dan 10:14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.

Dan 10:15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.

Dan 10:16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.

Dan 10:17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.

Dan 10:18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,

Dan 10:19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

Dan 10:20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

Dan 10:21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

KING JAMES VERSION

DANIEL, CHAPTER 11

1 The overthrow of Persia by the king of Greece. 5 Leagues and conflicts between the kings of the South and the North. 30 The invasion and tyranny of the Romans.

Dan 11:1 ALSO I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.

Dan 11:2 And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.

Dan 11:3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.

Dan 11:4 And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

Dan 11:5 ¶ And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.

Dan 11:6 And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king’s daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.*

[*Note: The verse describes a political marriage between the rulers of Egypt and the Seleucid Empire to secure peace. But the alliance fails and ends in tragedy when Berenice and her companions are abandoned and killed. The prophecy highlights the ephemeral and unreliable nature of human power structures, emphasising that God is the one in control of the course of history.]

Dan 11:7 But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail:*

[*Note: After the murder of Berenice and her son by Laodice, the former queen of the Seleucid Empire, her brother Ptolemy III Euergetes took revenge. He launched a campaign against the Seleucid Empire, invading their territory and sacking the capital. He won several victories and established his dominance in the region for some time.]

Dan 11:8 And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.

Dan 11:9 So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.

Dan 11:10 But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.

Dan 11:11 And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.*

[*Note: The word ‘choler’ in the KJV Bible literally means ‘bile’ and is an older expression for intense anger]

Dan 11:12 And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.

Dan 11:13 For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.

Dan 11:14 And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.

Dan 11:15 So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand.*

[*Note: The phrase ‘cast up a mount’: A military expression describing how siege walls were built at cities to facilitate conquest. Antiochus III used siege tactics to capture fortified Egyptian cities. – The arms of the south shall not withstand: ‘Arms’ symbolises military forces].

Dan 11:16 But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.

Dan 11:17 He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.

Dan 11:18 After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.

Dan 11:19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.

Dan 11:20 Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.*

[*Note: ‘A raiser of taxes’. Refers to Seleucus IV Philopator, son and successor of Antiochus III the Great. After his father lost the Battle of Magnesia (190 BC), Seleucus IV had to pay large war reparations to Rome. To collect this money, he imposed high taxes, especially in Judea, which made him unpopular - ‘but within few days he shall be destroyed “ (KJV, ”but within few days he shall be destroyed’): Seleucus IV reigned for 12 years (187-175 BC), but his reign ended abruptly when he was assassinated. - ‘Not in anger, nor in battle “ (KJV, ”neither in anger, nor in battle’): Seleucus IV did not die in battle or by revolt, but by conspiracy and assassination. He was poisoned by his minister Heliodorus, who then tried to seize power but failed].

Dan 11:21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

Dan 11:22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.*

[*Note: With the arms of a flood: A metaphor for a great and irresistible military power that clears away all obstacles in front of it. This describes how Antiochus IV Epiphanes used military and intrigue to defeat his enemies and consolidate his power. - Flood as a symbol of military attack: Isa. 8:7-8 (Assyria will come like a river flooding the land).]

Dan 11:23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.

Dan 11:24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.

Dan 11:25 And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.

Dan 11:26 Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.

Dan 11:27 And both these kings’ hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.

Dan 11:28 Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.*

[*Note: KJV, ‘He shall do exploits’. The word ‘exploits’ can refer to both positive and negative actions, but in light of his hostility to the holy covenant, it is likely that it is about actions that are harmful to the Jews and here the word ‘exploits’ refers to Antiochus IV's brutality and attack on Jerusalem. He sacked the temple, set up a pagan idol (Zeus) and sacrificed a pig on the altar, which was a great blasphemy against the Jewish faith. – After oppressing the Jews and plundering the Temple, he returned to his kingdom (the Seleucid Empire).]

Dan 11:29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.

Dan 11:30 ¶ For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.

Dan 11:31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.*

[*Note: ‘They shall profane the stronghold of the sanctuary’ refers to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, where the Second Temple stood. Antiochus desecrated the temple by ending Jewish sacrifices and introducing pagan rites. He dedicated the temple to the Greek god Zeus and sacrificed a pig on the altar, which was an extreme blasphemy for the Jews. - ‘Establish the abomination of desolation’ is a pagan idol placed in the temple and desecrating it. - The concept of the ‘abomination of desolation’ reappears in Jesus' prophecy in Matthew 24:15, where he links it to future events in the end times, with the Beast or Antichrist.]

Dan 11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.*

[*Note: The word ‘Exploits’ is used here in a positive way. These faithful Jews resisted and fought for their faith. ‘And perform exploits’. This phrase refers specifically to the Maccabean Revolt (167-160 BC), in which Judas Maccabeus and his followers fought against the tyranny of Antiochus IV. They liberated the Temple, restored Jewish worship, and established Hanukkah as a celebration of their victory.]

Dan 11:33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.

Dan 11:34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.

Dan 11:35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

Dan 11:36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.*

[*Note: ‘He shall exalt himself and glorify himself above every god’ Antiochus IV claimed to be a divine ruler. He set up a statue of Zeus in the Jerusalem Temple and banned all Jewish worship. The Antichrist of the future will do the same thing, as Paul describes in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, where he will sit in the temple of God and proclaim himself as God. - ‘He shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods’. ntiochos IV blasphemed the God of Israel by forbidding Jewish worship and by desecrating the temple. In the future, the Antichrist will openly blaspheme God and persecute believers (cf. Rev 13:5-6 where the beast speaks blasphemous words) - ‘He shall prosper until the wrath is accomplished’. Prophetically, the Antichrist will gain power for a limited time, but God will put an end to him (cf. Dan 7:26 where his kingdom is destroyed). – The verse shows that no evil power can stand against God's plan, and that even the most powerful ruler has a set time when his rule will end.]

Dan 11:37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.

Dan 11:38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.

Dan 11:39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.

Dan 11:40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

Dan 11:41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.*

[*Note: Antichrist's invasion of Israel in the last days: Zech 14:2 (All the Gentiles will be gathered against Jerusalem). God's protection of his people: Isa 16:1-4 (Moab will be a refuge for those fleeing oppression). Warning to Jews to flee Jerusalem during the tribulation: Matt 24:15-16 (When you see the abomination of desolation... flee to the mountains)].

Dan 11:42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.

Dan 11:43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.

Dan 11:44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.

Dan 11:45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.*

[*Note: ‘Tabernacles’ (tents) refers to temporary military camps or headquarters. “Between the seas“ Refers to the area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea, meaning Jerusalem and its surroundings. Jerusalem is strategically located between these two seas and has always been a key site in historical and prophetic conflicts. – ”The glorious holy mountain”. This verse describes how Antiochus IV Epiphanes and later the Antichrist establish their headquarters in Jerusalem, but their time is limited and they eventually perish without any help. Antichrist's presence in the temple: 2 Thess 2:4 (He shall sit in the temple of God, saying that he is God). The final defeat of the Antichrist: Rev 19:20 (The beast was seized and thrown alive into the lake of fire). God's judgement on the rulers of the world: Dan 7:26 (But the judgement shall be executed, and his dominion shall be taken from him).]

KING JAMES VERSION

DANIEL, CHAPTER 12

1 Michael shall deliver Israel from their troubles. 5 Daniel is informed of the times.

Dan 12:1 AND at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which 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.

Dan 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.*

[*Note: The term ‘sleep’ is a metaphor for death (cf. John 11:11-13, 1 Thessalonians 4:14); - ‘the dust of the earth’ refers to the rest of the grave (cf. Genesis 3:19: ‘...for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.’); – ‘Shall awake.’ This is one of the clearest verses in the Old Testament about a literal, physical resurrection – ‘Some to eternal life’. The righteous shall be raised to eternal life in the presence of God – ‘And some to shame and everlasting contempt’. This corresponds to the second resurrection in Rev. 20:11-15, where those not written in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire.]

Dan 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.*

[*Note: ‘Those who are wise’. Refers to those who have insight into God's plan and live in fear of the Lord (cf. Prov. 9:10: ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’). ‘Shine as the brightness of the firmament’. Shining symbolises glory, honour and reward from God. Compare with Jesus‘ words in Matthew 13:43: ’Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.‘ - ’Those who turn many to righteousness’. Compare with Prov 11:30: ‘He who wins souls is wise.’ - Historically, it refers to faithful Jewish leaders and martyrs during the persecution of Antiochus IV. Prophetically, it points to the eternal reward of the faithful in the Kingdom of God, especially those who bring others to salvation. The verse shows that those who live for God and spread His truth will receive eternal glory and honour in His presence.]

Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Dan 12:5 ¶ Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.

Dan 12:6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?

Dan 12:7 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.*

[*Note: ‘It shall be for a time, times, and half a time’. The expression means 3.5 years (cf. Dan. 7:25, Rev. 12:14). ‘Time’ = 1 year, “times” = 2 years, “half a time” = 0.5 years, giving 3.5 years. This refers to the second half of the great tribulation, the time when the Antichrist reigns and persecutes the saints (Matt. 24:21, Rev. 13:5-7). - ‘The holy people’ refers to Israel, who will go through a time of great trial (Jer. 30:7, Zech. 13:8-9). ‘Crush their power’ means that they will be totally dependent on God's intervention and salvation. When this time of trial is over, God's plan will be fulfilled and the Messiah will return (Rev. 19:11-16).]

Dan 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?

Dan 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

Dan 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

Dan 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.*

[*Note: ‘Daily sacrifice’. Refers to the daily burnt offerings in the temple in Jerusalem, which were performed morning and evening according to the Law of Moses (Ex 29:38-42, Deut 28:3-4). - ‘One thousand two hundred and ninety days’ (1,290 days) 1,290 days corresponds to about 3.5 years + 1 extra month. This is a little longer than the 1,260 days (42 months) often mentioned in prophetic texts (Dan 7:25, Rev 11:2-3, Rev 12:6, 14). The difference of 30 days may imply a transition period after the end of the tribulation, possibly for judgement or restoration of the kingdom.]

Dan 12:12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.*

[*Note: ‘Blessed’ means happy, blessed or spiritually rewarded. - To ‘wait’ means to remain faithful and persevere through the time of trial. See also Jesus‘ words in Matthew 24:13: ’He who endures to the end will be saved." - 1335 days is 45 days longer than the 1290 days mentioned in the previous verse (Dan 12:11). This verse describes that he who endures and survives to the 1335th day is blessed.]

Dan 12:13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.*

[*Note: The Hebrew word gôrāl (גורל) means lot, inheritance or portion and was often used in the Old Testament when the land was divided among the tribes of Israel (Josh. 14:1-2. See also Matt. 25:34; Rev 14:13). This verse is God's final word to Daniel, telling him to live his life in peace, rest in death and receive his reward at the end of time.]