Daniel · Chapter 12 · Wisdom
Daniel 12:3 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever."
KJV · King James Version
"And they that be wise7919 shall shine2094 as the brightness2096 of the firmament7549; and they that turn many7227 to righteousness6663 as the stars3556 for ever5769 and ever5703. wise: or, teachers"
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses they, that, firmament, for, while the WEB renders these as those, who, are, expanse. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Daniel 12:3 in Daniel 12
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Daniel 12:3 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Daniel 12. Read the full chapter →
- v.1 “At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book.
- v.2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
- v.3 Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.
- v.4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run back and forth, and knowledge shall be increased.”
- v.5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on the river bank on this side, and the other on the river bank on that side.
Book background
About the Book of Daniel
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Genre
- Apocalyptic prophecy
- Author
- Daniel
- Date written
- c. 605–530 BC
- Audience
- Jews under foreign empires
- Chapters
- 12
Daniel served as an exile in the highest courts of Babylon and Persia for nearly 70 years. The first half tells stories of faithful courage — the fiery furnace, the writing on the wall, the lions' den. The second half contains visions of successive world empires culminating in the everlasting kingdom of "one like a son of man" (7:13-14), language Jesus applied to himself.
Setting: The Babylonian and Persian courts, where Daniel served 70 years.
Key themes: faithfulness · sovereignty · kingdoms · prayer · end times
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Daniel 12:3
Daniel 12:3 contains 25 words in 2 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse
TWAWSS
- 2
and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.
ATWTMT
Frequently asked
FAQ about Daniel 12:3
What does Daniel 12:3 say?
Daniel 12:3 reads: "Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever." — from the Old Testament, Daniel (Apocalyptic prophecy). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Daniel 12:3 in?
Daniel 12:3 is in the book of Daniel, traditionally attributed to Daniel and written around c. 605–530 BC. Daniel is apocalyptic prophecy in the Old Testament, originally addressed to Jews under foreign empires. Best known for the lions' den and the fiery furnace.
What is Daniel 12:3 about?
Daniel 12:3 is primarily a Bible verse about Wisdom. Within Daniel, Daniel served as an exile in the highest courts of Babylon and Persia for nearly 70 years. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between Daniel 12:3 in WEB and KJV?
Daniel 12:3 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "And they that be wise7919 shall shine2094 as the brightness2096 of the firmament7549; and they that turn many7227 to righteousness6663 as the stars3556 for ever5769 and ever5703. wise: or, teachers". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Daniel 12:3?
Daniel 12:3 is 25 words in the WEB translation (136 characters), broken into 2 clauses. It is a longer verse, often broken into smaller phrases for memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 8 seconds.
How can I memorise Daniel 12:3?
To memorise Daniel 12:3, split it into its 2 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Daniel 12:3 matter in Daniel?
Daniel served as an exile in the highest courts of Babylon and Persia for nearly 70 years. The first half tells stories of faithful courage — the fiery furnace, the writing on the wall, the lions' den. The second half contains visions of successive world empires culminating in the everlasting kingdom of "one like a son of man" (7:13-14), language Jesus applied to himself. Daniel 12:3 sits within this larger story — Daniel as a whole emphasises faithfulness, sovereignty, kingdoms.
How can I apply Daniel 12:3 today?
Many readers use Daniel 12:3 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Daniel 12:3 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
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Psalms 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.”
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-
Ecclesiastes 3:1
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:”
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-
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
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-
1 Samuel 16:7
“But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man look…”
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-
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
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-
Romans 12:2
“Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will…”
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-
James 1:5
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.”
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-
Psalms 1:1
“Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;”
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-
Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.”
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-
Proverbs 4:23
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.”
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More featured verses in Daniel
Browse Daniel → Daniel 3:17
“If it happens, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.”
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Daniel 2:22
“he reveals the deep and secret things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.”
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Daniel 9:9
“To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness; for we have rebelled against him;”
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