Interpretation of Dan. 12:4: “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased”

Full Question

"Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased"


Answer

There is a saying that the easiest exegesis is usually the wrong one. I was reminded of this when reading the ” Reflections” by A.H.T. in the November Testimony.

The remarkable development of trans­portation, and the equally remarkable increase of human knowledge, are matters of common knowledge, and cannot be disputed, but it is open to question whether they are fulfilments of the pro­phetic words of Dan. 12:4.

My reading of this verse convinces me that the “running to and fro” and the increased knowledge are cause and effect, but if we follow A.H.T.’s interpretation, we should have to interpret the running to and fro as the effect of the new know­ledge, a reversal of the prophetic order.

Daniel is told to “shut up the words, and seal the hook, to the time of the end “; then, as a consequence or de­velopment of this “sealing,” so it would appear, many would run to and fro, and (lit.) the knowledge would be increased. The whole tenor of the chanter suggests that it would he the knowledge of Divine things which would be increased by a “running to and fro” of “many” seekers after truth.

Ellicott’s Commentary, reviewing this verse, says :

“The verb to run’ is used in Jer. 5. 1 of searching after knowledge. In this sense it is used of the ‘eyes of the Lord ‘in Zech. 4. 10 (comp. Amos 8. 12). In the same sense, it is used in this verse. Many will anxiously search in this book for knowledge of the manner of God’s dealings with His people. . .”

Dr. Tregelles, in his book “Daniel” says :

“. many shall run to and fro (perhaps scrutinise the book from end to end) and THE knowledge (thereof) shall be increased.”

Dr. S. R. Driver, in notes to the book of Daniel (Cambridge Bible), says :

“The sense generally given to the passage is that many will run to and fro in the book, i.e., diligently explore and study it, and so the knowledge of God’s providential purposes, to be ob­tained from it will be increased.” I shall be glad if you can open the columns of the Testimony for others to express their views on this somewhat enigmatic verse.