Daniel 12 · Verse 3

Daniel 12:3

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Daniel 12:3, King James Version

Daniel 12:3 in other translations

BSBThen the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.
WEBThose who are wise will shine as the brightness of the expanse. Those who turn many to righteousness will shine as the stars forever and ever.
ASVAnd they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
YLTAnd those teaching do shine as the brightness of the expanse, and those justifying the multitude as stars to the age and for ever.
DARBYAnd they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and they that turn the many to righteousness as the stars, for ever and ever.
BBEAnd those who are wise will be shining like the light of the outstretched sky; and those by whom numbers have been turned to righteousness will be like the stars for ever and ever.
WebsterAnd they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

What does Daniel 12:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. wise--(Pr 11:30). Answering to "they that understand" (Da 11:33, 35), the same Hebrew, Maskilim; Israelites who, though in Jerusalem when wickedness is coming to a head, are found intelligent witnesses against it. As then they appeared worn out with persecutions (typically, of Antiochus; antitypically, of Antichrist); so now in the resurrection they "shine as the brightness of the firmament." The design of past afflictions here appears "to make them white" (Mt 13:43; Re 7:9, 14). turn ... to righteousness--literally, "justify," that is, convert many to justification through Christ (Jas 5:20). stars--(1Co 15:41, 42).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 And they that be wise - Those who are thoroughly instructed in Christ's word and doctrine, shall shine - shall be eminently distinguished in the Christian Church by the holiness of their lives, and the purity of their creed. And they that turn many to righteousness - They who, by preaching Christ crucified among their brethren, shall be the means of converting them to the Christian faith; shall be as the stars - bright luminaries in the Gospel kingdom of Jesus Christ. This also may be applied to the case of holy and useful men, particularly the faithful ministers of the Gospel, in the day of judgment. See Jam 5:20 (note), 1Cor 15:41-42 (note).

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Daniel 12:1-4

The conclusion of the vision of the Scriptures of truth. (Dn 12:1-4) The times of the continuance of these events. (Dn 12:5-13) Verses 1-4 . Michael signifies, "Who is like God," and his name, with the title of "the great Prince," points out the Divine Saviour. Christ stood for the children of our people in their stead as a sacrifice, bore the curse for them, to bear it from them. He stands for them in pleading for…

Read the full comment on Daniel 12:1-4 →

Daniel 12:3 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וְהַ֨מַּשְׂכִּלִ֔יםve.Ha.mas.ki.Limand those [who] have insightH7919
יַזְהִ֖רוּyaz.Hi.ruthey will shineH2094
כְּזֹ֣הַרke.Zo.harlike [the] shining ofH2096
הָרָקִ֑יעַha.ra.Ki.a'the firmamentH7549
וּמַצְדִּיקֵי֙u.matz.di.Keiand [those who] turn to righteousnessH6663
הָֽרַבִּ֔יםha.ra.Bim<of> the many [people]H7227
כַּכּוֹכָבִ֖יםka.ko.kha.Vimlike the starsH3556
לְעוֹלָ֥םle.'o.Lamfor everH5769
וָעֶֽד\׃\ \פva.'Edand everH5703

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Daniel 12:3

  • Matthew 13:43

    Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

  • Proverbs 4:18

    But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

  • James 5:19-20

    Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

  • Daniel 11:33

    And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.

  • Daniel 11:35

    And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

  • Proverbs 11:30

    The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

  • Jeremiah 23:22

    But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.

  • Hebrews 5:12

    For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

  • Luke 1:16-17

    And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

  • John 4:36

    And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

  • Philippians 2:16-17

    Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:40-42

    There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
they that be.
11:33,35; Pr 11:30; Mt 24:45; 1Co 3:10; 2Pe 3:15
wise. or, teachers.
Ac 13:1; Eph 4:11; Heb 5:12
shine.
Pr 4:18; Mt 13:43; 19:28; 1Co 15:40-42; 1Th 2:19,20; Re 1:20
turn.
Jer 23:22; Lu 1:16,17; Joh 4:36; Php 2:16,17; Jas 5:19,20

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Daniel 12:2

    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 12:3

    And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

  • Daniel 12:4

    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.

Read all of Daniel 12

Daniel 12:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y los entendidos resplandecerán como el resplandor del firmamento; y los que enseñan á justicia la multitud, como las estrellas á perpetua eternidad.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et les sages brilleront comme la splendeur de l’étendue, et ceux qui ont enseigné la justice à la multitude, comme les étoiles, à toujours et à perpétuité.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und die Verständigen werden leuchten wie der Glanz der Himmelsfeste, und die, welche die Vielen zur Gerechtigkeit weisen, wie die Sterne, immer und ewiglich.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui autem docti fuerint, fulgebunt quasi splendor firmamenti: et qui ad justitiam erudiunt multos, quasi stellæ in perpetuas æternitates.