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.

DANIEL 12:2KJV
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Daniel 12:2 (KJV)

What does Daniel 12:2 mean?

Daniel 12:2 describes a future time when many people who have died ("sleep in the dust of the earth") will be raised to life again, with some receiving everlasting life and others facing shame and everlasting contempt. This verse points to a resurrection where destinies are divided based on God's judgment.

The book of Daniel records visions given to Daniel, a Jewish exile in Babylon, about future events affecting his people. In this chapter, an angel is speaking to Daniel about the end times and what will happen after a period of great trouble. Daniel 12:2 is one of the clearest Old Testament references to a resurrection of the dead, showing both reward and punishment as lasting outcomes.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 12:2

  • "sleep" (יָשֵׁן, yashen): This word is often used as a gentle way to refer to death, suggesting that those who have died are not gone forever but will one day "awake."
  • "dust" (עָפָר, afar): This word means the soil or earth, emphasizing the physical reality of burial and returning to the ground.
  • "everlasting" (עוֹלָם, olam): Used twice in this verse, this word means something enduring or without end, highlighting that both the life and the contempt described are not temporary but permanent.
  • "contempt" (דֵּרָאוֹן, deraon): This rare word means deep disgrace or abhorrence, stressing the seriousness of the negative outcome for some after resurrection.

Why Daniel 12:2 matters

  • Daniel 12:2 clarifies that the Hebrew Scriptures do contain the idea of a future resurrection, not just a vague hope but a specific event involving both reward and judgment.
  • The verse shows that the outcomes after resurrection are lasting, not temporary, using strong words for both life and contempt.
  • Daniel 12:2 connects to the wider message of Daniel 12, where the angel explains that God will ultimately set things right after a time of great distress, offering hope and warning to Daniel’s people.

Where else these words appear

“contempt” Hebrew H1860 · used in 2 verses

  • Isaiah 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

“sleep” Hebrew H3463 · used in 9 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
  • 1 Kings 3:20 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.
  • Song of Solomon 5:2 I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

“awake” Hebrew H6974 · used in 21 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:12 So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.
  • Psalms 44:23 Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.
  • Isaiah 29:8 It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

“shame” Hebrew H2781 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 30:23 And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:
  • Psalms 71:13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.
  • Jeremiah 31:19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.