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Daniel 12:4
ESV But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
NIV But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.'
NASB But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.'
CSB "But you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam about, and knowledge will increase."
NLT But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.'
KJV 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.

What does Daniel 12:4 mean?

This marks the end of a long proclamation (Daniel 11:2—12:4) given as prophecy to Daniel (Daniel 10:1). The angelic figure who speaks (Daniel 10:18–21) directly addresses Daniel and gives him instructions. These resemble prior commands (Daniel 8:26) and are reinforced later (Daniel 12:9).

Daniel's charge here is to "shut up" and "seal" the words which he has been given. Some translators present this as a measure of secrecy: that Daniel is to tell no one about what he has seen and written. Others believe this refers to security, suggesting that Daniel is meant to carefully preserve what he has seen. The apostle John seems to receive the opposite instruction (Revelation 22:10). Most likely, the intent was for Daniel to carefully preserve these prophecies, but to be discreet about those with whom he shared the visions. This restriction was to expire at "the time of the end," either meaning they would no longer need safeguards, or that they would last until then.

The reference to people roaming, rushing, or running might refer to travel during the end times. The predicted increase of knowledge may foreshadow the profound leaps in communication and information seen in the modern world. Some end-times predictions suggest a lack of access to Scripture, or an obscuring of truthful understanding (Amos 8:12).

It is also possible that the two phrases may be intertwined: this would imply that people will comb through books such as Daniel's record and gradually learn more about what it means. The modern world certainly offers easier travel and easier communication. Study of these texts is more accessible to the common person than any other time in human history. If that is the gist of this prophecy, it has certainly been fulfilled.
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