Albert Barnes Commentary Daniel 12:3

"And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." — Daniel 12:3 (ASV)

And they that be wise — This is the language which, in the Scriptures, is employed to denote the pious, or those who serve God and keep His commandments. See the book of Proverbs, throughout. True religion is wisdom, and sin is folly, and those who live for God and for heaven are the truly wise. The meaning is that they have chosen the path which true wisdom suggests as the one people should walk, while all the ways of sin are ways of folly. The language used here expresses a general truth, applicable in itself to all the righteous at all times, and nothing can be inferred from the term employed as to what was intended by the angel.

Shall shine as the brightness of the firmament — As the sky above us. The image is that of the sky at night, studded with bright and beautiful stars. No comparison could be more striking.

The meaning appears to be that each one of the righteous will be like a bright and beautiful star, and that, in their numbers, order, and harmony, they will resemble the heavenly constellations at night. Nothing can be more sublime than to look on the heavens on a clear night and to think of the number and order of the stars above us as an emblem of the righteous in the heavenly world. The word translated 'firmament' properly means expanse, or what is spread out, and it is applied to the sky as it appears to be spread out above us.

And they that turn many to righteousness — This refers to those who would be instrumental in converting people to the worship of the true God and to the ways of religion. This is very general language and could be applied to any persons who have been instrumental in bringing sinners to the knowledge of the truth. It would apply in an eminent degree to ministers of the gospel who are successful in their work, and to missionaries among the pagan. From the language alone, however, nothing certain can be argued regarding the original reference as used by the angel, and it seems to have been his intention to use language so general that it could be applied to all, of all ages and countries, who would be instrumental in turning people to God.

As the stars — This refers to the stars that are distinguished by their size and luster in the firmament. In the former part of the verse, when speaking of those who were “wise,” the design seems to be to compare them to the sky as it appears, adorned with innumerable stars, whose numbers and groupings constitute great beauty. In this clause, however, the design seems to be to compare those who are eminent in converting people to the particularly beautiful and bright stars that strike us as we look at the heavens—those more distinguished in size and splendor, and that seem to lead the others. The meaning is that amidst the hosts of the saved, they will be conspicuous; they will be honored in proportion to their toils, their sacrifices, and their success.

Forever and ever — To all eternity. This refers to those who will turn many to righteousness; and the meaning is that they will continue thus to be distinguished and honored to all eternity.