דניאל, פרק ז׳, פסוק כ״ח

Following a complex vision of wild beasts rising from the sea, a heavenly court, and a promise of ultimate redemption, the prophetic experience comes to a close. The declaration that the vision has ended is understood by certain commentators as the final words of the angel speaking to Daniel [יוסף אבן יחיא, מלבי״ם]. The angel clarifies that God's ultimate purpose for His world will only be realized after long periods of exile and the rule of various earthly empires. Only then will an eternal kingdom of heaven be established [מלבי״ם].

The sheer magnitude of looking so far into the distant future strikes the prophet with overwhelming force [מלבי״ם]. He experiences a severe emotional and physical reaction to the awesome sights. His own thoughts fill him with intense terror, and the gripping fear causes his facial appearance to change completely, draining him of his usual brightness and vitality [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Ultimately, Daniel decides to keep the contents of the vision hidden deep within his heart [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Commentators offer different perspectives on why he conceals this knowledge. One approach suggests he simply decides not to share the full details with his generation, revealing only the very beginning of what he saw [מצודת דוד]. Another perspective views his silence as an act of deep compassion. Realizing that the Israelites are destined to endure a long and dark exile, he avoids making the vision public so as not to break the hearts of those desperately waiting for redemption [מלבי״ם]. Alternatively, another viewpoint suggests that he keeps the vision constantly in his thoughts in an ongoing attempt to understand its true meaning. However, this effort proves unsuccessful, as the exact time of the final redemption remains entirely hidden from him and from all future generations [יוסף אבן יחיא].