Question 1

What does Daniel 12:11 mean?

Accepted Answer

Daniel 12:11 says that from the time the daily sacrifice is stopped and an “abomination that maketh desolate” is set up, there will be 1,290 days. This verse marks a specific period tied to the removal of regular worship and the appearance of something deeply offensive to God. The angel is speaking to Daniel near the end of his visions, explaining what will happen in the future concerning God’s people. The “daily sacrifice” refers to regular offerings at the temple, and the “abomination” points to something set up in its place that defiles or desecrates it. The mention of 1,290 days gives a precise timeframe for these troubling events, connecting to the larger themes of endurance and hope in Daniel’s final chapter.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Daniel 12:11

Accepted Answer

“Daily” (תָּמִיד, tamid): This word means something continual or regular, here referring to the ongoing sacrifices at the temple. The stopping of the “tamid” signals a major disruption in Israel’s worship life. “Abomination” (שִׁקּוּץ, shiqquts): This word means something detestable or disgusting, especially in a religious sense. In Daniel, it often points to an object or act that desecrates what is holy. “Desolate” (שָׁמֵם, shamem): This verb means to lay waste or make desolate. It emphasizes the destructive impact of the “abomination” on the sacred place. “Days” (י֥וֹם, yom): The use of “days” here (1,290 days) stresses a literal period, rather than a symbolic one, highlighting the specificity of the prophecy.

Question 3

Why Daniel 12:11 matters

Accepted Answer

Daniel 12:11 clarifies that the prophecy is not just about a vague future hardship, but about a concrete event tied to worship and a set period of time. The verse connects to earlier parts of Daniel (like Daniel 8 and 9), where similar language about sacrifices and abominations is used, helping readers see the continuity in Daniel’s visions. By naming a precise number of days, Daniel 12:11 invites careful attention to the timing and sequence of these events, which has led to much discussion about their historical and future fulfillment.

Daniel 12:11 (KJV)