Will the resurrection described in Daniel 12:2 be partial or universal?
2 And many of those who d sleep in the dust of the earth shall e awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. But the problem is that some scriptures leave the impression that only some will be raised from the dead. Daniel says “many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake” (Dan. 12:2). The NT often refers to resurrection “out from among” (Gk., ek) the dead, implying that not all will be raised (e.g., Luke 20:35; Acts 4:2; Rom. 1:4; 1 Cor. 15:12).
Daniel 12:2
NIV - 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
Clarify
•
Share
•
Report
•
Asked November 02 2019
•
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Jeremy Volland
I realize that this question was asked some time ago, but I find myself stuck on this same verse with no satisfactory answer. The Hebrew word "min" (translated as the "of" in "of them that sleep" in the KJV) means "a part of" according to Strong's. This would seem to exclude this as a universal resurrection as the "many" is only a part of "them that sleep". On the other hand, out of this many are those destined for eternal life and those destined for everlasting contempt. This seems to be a general reference to resurrection, including both the resurrection of the just and the resurrection of the unjust (as well as the gap of time in between). I suppose it is possible this is referring to a different event altogether, but I can't thing of what could possibly be. Is there an interpretation that I am missing? Am I wrong somewhere? Any other thoughts would be appreciated.
For the record, I am by far no expert on Hebrew and any correction in that direction would be very appreciated.