Daniel 12:7

The answer to the inquiry, given with solemn emphasis, and overheard by Daniel.

upon above, as Daniel 12:6.

and he lifted up, &c. The lifting up of the (right) hand implied an appeal to heaven, and is frequently mentioned as a gesture accompanying an oath: Genesis 14:22; and (with another Heb. word for lift up) Exodus 6:8; Deuteronomy 32:40; Ezekiel 20:5 al. Of an angel, as here, Revelation 10:5.

and his left hand bothhands, as the more complete guarantee of the truth of what is about to be affirmed.

by him that liveth for ever cf. Revelation 10:6. The usual form of oath in the O.T. is -(As) Jehovah liveth" (e.g. Judges 8:19), or (in God's mouth) -(As) I live," once (Deuteronomy 32:40) -(As) I live for ever." The formula here used seems to be based upon the last-cited passage: comp. also -him that liveth for ever" in Daniel 4:34.

for a time, times, and a half i.e. 3½ years, to be reckoned, probably, as was explained on Daniel 7:25 (where the same expression occurs), from the mission of Apollonius in the middle of b.c. 168 to the re-dedication of the Temple in Dec. 165.

and as they finish shattering (Psalms 2:9; Jeremiah 51:20-23 [A.V. -dash orbreak in pieces"]) the power of the holy people alluding to the persecution of Antiochus.

-Power" is lit. hand, figurative of power to act, strength: cf. Deuteronomy 32:36, -for he saw that power(lit. hand) was gone"; Isaiah 37:27, -their inhabitants were of small power" (lit. short of hand), &c. To shatter the handis an obvious figure for reducing to helplessness.

all thesethings shall be finished The end of what has been foretold (Isaiah 37:31-36) will coincide with the end of the persecution.

The Heb. of the last clause but one is however unusual: and the definition given of the end of the persecution seems almost tautologous. Hence Bevan and Marti, transposing two words, and changing the punctuation, read, -and as the power of the shatterer of the holy people cometh to an end [or, -as the hand (cf. Daniel 7:25) … faileth (Psalms 71:9)"], all these things shall be finished," i.e. Antiochus is to be the last oppressor of all, when hispower has ceased, the sufferings of the holy people will be ended for ever.