Daniel 12:7
And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The angel raises both hands, not just the customary one, indicating the immense gravity and certainty of his oath concerning the duration of these events. This isn't just about a period of hardship for God's people, but about the ultimate completion and end of that suffering when their "power" is fully broken.
An angel, standing above the river, answers Daniel's unspoken question about the duration of these coming troubles. He dramatically raises both hands to heaven and swears by God's eternal life that the events will unfold over "a time, times, and half a time," concluding when the power of God's people has been thoroughly broken. This solemn oath emphasizes the precise, yet extended, nature of the suffering before the final consummation.
Why would an angelic being resort to an oath? Daniel 12:7 reveals a profound commitment behind divine pronouncements, offering incredible assurance.
The angel's act of raising both hands toward heaven and swearing by the living God is an act of immense solemnity. This isn't just a casual statement; it's a divinely ordained oath, emphasizing the absolute certainty and unchangeable nature of God's promises.
What does this peculiar measurement of time signify? It's more than just a calendar date; it speaks to periods of trial and God's ultimate sovereignty.
The phrase 'a time, times, and half a time' is a symbolic representation of a specific, yet divinely appointed, duration of suffering and trial for God's people.
What does it mean for God's people to be 'scattered'? And how does the end of that scattering signal the completion of God's plan?
Understand the original words
iddan, moed · Aramaic/Hebrew Noun Phrase
Referring to the period of one year, two years, and half a year (3.5 years). Symbolically, it often represents a period of intense trial, testing, or tribulation for God's people before the final deliverance.
am qodesh · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A descriptive title for the people of God, chosen by Him to be set apart for His purposes and holiness. This relationship involves both a covenantal privilege and a call to consecrated living.
This prophecy in Daniel speaks to periods of intense suffering and scattering for God's people, culminating in their ultimate deliverance. While historically it found echoes in the Maccabean revolt and the Roman destruction of Jerusalem, its language of 'time, times, and a half' has also been understood by many to point to future, ultimate fulfillments for both Jewish and Christian communities.
c. 167 BC
Antiochus Epiphanes Desecrates Temple
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, ruler of the Seleucid Empire, desecrates the Second Temple in Jerusalem, installing an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs. This act sparks the Maccabean Revolt.
164 BC
Temple Rededicated
Judas Maccabeus and his forces recapture Jerusalem and rededicate the Temple. This event marks a significant, though temporary, victory for Jewish independence and religious freedom.
c. 63 BC
Roman Intervention in Judea
Rome intervenes in a dispute between two Hasmonean brothers, Pompey annexes Judea as a client state, marking the end of significant Hasmonean rule and increased foreign influence.
c. 4 BC - c. AD 30
Ministry of Jesus
The life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, whose teachings and death would profoundly shape the future of the 'holy people' – now understood by Christians to include Gentiles.
This passage describes a powerful angel with a similar posture, raising his hand and swearing by God, echoing the solemnity and divine authority of the oath in Daniel. It further reinforces the idea of a specific, divinely appointed time for God's actions.
Daniel 7:25This verse introduces the concept of 'a time, times, and half a time' in relation to a power that persecutes God's people, directly paralleling the duration mentioned in Daniel 12:7 and linking it to a period of tribulation.
Luke 21:24Jesus speaks of Jerusalem being trampled by Gentiles 'until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled,' which resonates with Daniel 12:7's focus on a specific end-time period and the culmination of suffering for God's people.
Ezekiel 4:6This passage also uses a specific prophetic duration ('a day for each year') for a period of punishment, showing a pattern in Scripture where God assigns a defined time for judgment and trial before a turning point.
ellicottDaniel 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."
(7) Held up his right hand . . .—In general, a person when swearing lifted up the right hand only (see Genesis 14:22 ; Deuteronomy 32:40 ). Both…
clarkeDaniel 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."
Which was upon the waters - By this description, he was standing on the water. This is very similar to the description of the angel, Revelation…
The angel raises both hands, not just the customary one, indicating the immense gravity and certainty of his oath concerning the duration of these events. This isn't just about a period of hardship for God's people, but about the ultimate completion and end of that suffering when their "power" is fully broken.
An angel, standing above the river, answers Daniel's unspoken question about the duration of these coming troubles. He dramatically raises both hands to heaven and swears by God's eternal life that the events will unfold over "a time, times, and half a time," concluding when the power of God's people has been thoroughly broken. This solemn oath emphasizes the precise, yet extended, nature of the suffering before the final consummation.
An angel, standing above the river, answers Daniel's unspoken question about the duration of these coming troubles. He dramatically raises both hands to heaven and swears by God's eternal life that the events will unfold over "a time, times, and half a time," concluding when the power of God's people has been thoroughly broken. This solemn oath emphasizes the precise, yet extended, nature of the suffering before the final consummation.
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The verse culminates in the promise that 'when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished.' This points to a crucial turning point.
c. AD 66 - AD 73— this verse
First Jewish-Roman War
A major revolt of the Jews against the Roman Empire. The war culminates in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple in AD 70, a catastrophic event for the Jewish people.
c. AD 95
Book of Revelation Written
The Book of Revelation, containing similar imagery and time prophecies (like 1260 days/42 months/time, times, and a half), is written during a period of persecution for early Christians.
"And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when th…" — The angel raises both hands, not just the customary one, indicating the immense gravity and certainty of his oath concerning the duration of these events. This isn't just about a period of hardship f…
