From time to time we have received earnest protest from different well-versed workers against the prevalent application of Daniel 12:4 to modern inventions and discoveries, when the obvious meaning of the text is to increased knowledge of the prophetic word and to running to and fro in the inspired Book. Here is a typical example:
"Those who understand other languages realize that the English translation is very unfortunate, and that the meaning of running to and fro is running with the fingers and not with the feet, and that the increase of knowledge is a knowledge of the prophecies, and not scientific knowledge. In other words, after reading it in other languages, for example in French, one realizes that no American would dare deliver such a sermon to a French audience for the simple reason that it is not in their Bible; nor, for that matter, to any other nationality excepting the English-speaking races. Even in our own country a very large number of our citizens are foreign-born, and use their foreign Bible, with or without the English translation.
"While it is, of course, a fact that the inventions of the last fifty years expedite the spreading of the gospel, that is no excuse for tying that up with what Daniel was told in chapter 12, as it does not say that the knowledge of the prophecies will be increased by modern inventions, but by studying the prophecies, which were to be sealed up for the time being. When I consider how my grandfather and father, both officers in the Dutch Reformed Church in Holland, were completely ignorant of the Daniel and Revelation prophecies, and how we in this day have the privilege of understanding them, I delight in my contemplation of how this is one more confirmation of the inspiration which dictated what was to happen. It is always an enigma why some carry armfuls of our inspired books to confirm their statements, and ignore them if they do not fit their pet opinions, for even if they knew no language but English, ' The Great Controversy' teaches the meaning of the text in question."
On the basis of such suggestions we asked a number of competent editors, teachers, and ministers who read ancient and modern languages to give us literal English translations of Daniel 12:4 in various modern languages. These are here submitted alphabetically, without comment, together with the names of the translators to whom we are indebted. The testimony of the Spirit of prophecy is next given. Following these citations, Daniel 12:4 is presented under " Illuminated Texts " in twelve English versions for the convenience of the worker.
L. E. F.
" 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."— Am. Standard.
" But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall rush to and fro, and many shall be the calamities."— Am. Bapt. Improved.
" And thou, Daniel, close the words, and seal the book, till the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."—Darby.
" But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time appointed: many shall pass over, and knowledge shall be manifold."—Donay.
" ' So you, Daniel, conceal the events, and seal the record, until the fixed period, when many will travel and knowledge will be increased.' "Fenton.
" 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."— Moulton.
" ' 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' "— Newberry.
" But thou Daniel close up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end,— many will run to and fro, and knowledge shall abound."— Rotherham.
" ' And thou, O Daniel, hide the things, and seal the book till the time of the end, many do go to and fro, and knowledge is multiplied.' "— Young.
" And thou, Daniel, close the words, and seal the book to the time of the end; until many are taught, and knowledge is increased."— Septuagint.
" But thou, O Daniel, close up the words, and seal the book, until the time of the end: many will roam about, yet shall knowledge be increased."— Leeser.
" And thou, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, till [the] time of [the] end: many shall run through (marginal notation, shall row, run up and to, to read through or over, peruse) it eagerly, and knowledge shall multiply."— rulers Interlinear.
