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.

DANIEL 12:4KJV
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Daniel 12:4 (KJV)

What does Daniel 12:4 mean?

Daniel 12:4 describes God instructing Daniel to close up and seal the words of his prophecy until a future time called “the time of the end,” when many people will search for understanding and knowledge will grow. The verse points to a period when the meaning of Daniel’s message will become more relevant and people will actively seek wisdom.

In this scene, an angel speaks directly to Daniel, telling him to preserve the message he has received. The command to “shut up the words, and seal the book” means to keep the prophecy safe and not to reveal everything immediately. The verse also hints that, as history moves forward, people will become more eager to understand these mysteries, and knowledge—especially about God’s plans—will increase.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 12:4

  • “Shut up” (סָתַם, satam) means to close or keep something hidden. Here, it emphasizes that Daniel’s message is not for immediate use, but for a later time when it will be needed.
  • “Seal” (חָתַם, chatam) means to officially close or secure, often with a stamp or mark. Sealing the book shows that its contents are protected and meant for a specific future audience.
  • “To and fro” (שׁוּט, shut) often describes movement or searching. In this context, it suggests people will be actively seeking answers or understanding, not just physically traveling.
  • “Knowledge” (דַּעַת, da‘at) and “increased” (רָבָה, ravah) together highlight that understanding—especially spiritual or prophetic knowledge—will grow as people search for it.

Why Daniel 12:4 matters

  • Daniel 12:4 clarifies that not all prophecy is meant to be understood right away; some messages are preserved for future generations who will need them most.
  • The verse shows that God anticipates a time when people will earnestly seek truth and understanding, suggesting a growing hunger for spiritual insight as history unfolds.
  • This instruction to Daniel connects the end of his visions with the future, reminding readers that God’s plans unfold over time and that some answers come only as events draw closer.

Where else these words appear

“fro” Hebrew H7751 · used in 13 verses

  • Numbers 11:8 And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.
  • Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
  • Ezekiel 27:8 The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots.

“up” Hebrew H5640 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 26:15 For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:3 He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him.
  • Psalms 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

“seal” Hebrew H2856 · used in 24 verses

  • Leviticus 15:3 And this shall be his uncleanness in his issue: whether his flesh run with his issue, or his flesh be stopped from his issue, it is his uncleanness.
  • Esther 8:10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:
  • Isaiah 29:11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:

“Daniel” Hebrew H1840 · used in 28 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 3:1 Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess:
  • Daniel 1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
  • Daniel 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.