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Daniel 10

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Daniel's Preparation and Vision Setting 1–4

1
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, even a great warfare: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. ​
2
In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three whole weeks. ​
3
I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4
And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel, ​

The Appearance of the Divine Messenger 5–9

5
I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz: ​
6
his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches, and his arms and his feet like unto burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
7
And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. ​
8
So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. ​
9
Yet heard I the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I fallen into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.

The Explanation of the Delay 10–15

10
And, behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. ​
11
And he said unto me, O Daniel, thou man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright; for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. ​
12
Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, and to humble thyself before thy God, thy words were heard: and I am come for thy words’ sake. ​
13
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me: and I remained there with the kings of Persia. ​
14
Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days; for the vision is yet for many days. ​
15
And when he had spoken unto me according to these words, I set my face toward the ground, and was dumb.

Daniel Strengthened to Receive the Message 16–19

16
And, behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by reason of the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I retain no strength. ​
17
For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither was there breath left in me.
18
Then there touched me again one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me.
19
And he said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he spake unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me. ​

The Purpose of the Revelation and Future Conflict 20–21

20
Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I am come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I go forth, lo, the prince of Greece shall come. ​
21
But I will tell thee that which is inscribed in the writing of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me against these, but Michael your prince. ​

Bible text: American Standard Version (1901) · Public domain

Study Notes for Daniel 10

Verse 1

the time appointed was long — Tsava, usually 'host' or 'warfare', here means a term of service, as in 'an appointed time to man upon earth' (Job 7:1). The date is the third year of Cyrus, two years after 1:21 said Daniel 'continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus'. He is still called by his Babylonian name, given in 1:7.

Verse 2

three full weeks — Literally 'three weeks of days', the same word for 'weeks' as in the seventy weeks of 9:24, with 'days' added; v.3 repeats it as 'three whole weeks'. 'Mourning' (abal) is Nehemiah's verb for his mourning over Jerusalem 'certain days' with fasting (Neh 1:4). The twenty-one days match the 'one and twenty days' of v.13.

Verse 4

the first month — This is the month of Passover and unleavened bread, 'the first month of the year' (Ex 12:2), when bread is eaten 'until the one and twentieth day' (Ex 12:18). Daniel stands 'by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel', named in Gen 2:14 as the third river of Eden, 'which goeth toward the east of Assyria'.

Verse 5

a certain man clothed in linen — Ish, 'man', is the word used of Gabriel, 'the man Gabriel' (9:21). Linen (bad) is the dress of holy service, as in the priest's 'holy linen coat' (Lev 16:4), and the 'man clothed in linen' returns in 12:6. Gold of Uphaz is named in Jer 10:9, and Rev 1:13 sees the Son of man 'girt about the paps with a golden girdle'.

Verse 7

I Daniel alone saw the vision — The men with him saw nothing, yet 'a great quaking' (charadah) fell on them and they fled. Paul's companions likewise 'stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man' (Acts 9:7) and 'saw indeed the light, and were afraid' (Acts 22:9). The sight belongs to the one to whom the message is sent: 'unto thee am I now sent' (v.11).

Verse 8

my comeliness was turned in me into corruption — Hod, 'comeliness', is the word for 'majesty' in Ps 104:1, 'clothed with honour and majesty'. Mashchit, 'corruption', means ruin and occurs only here in Daniel. 'No strength' is said again in vv.16–17. John's response to a like vision was to fall 'at his feet as dead' (Rev 1:17).

Verse 10

an hand touched me — The verb naga returns for the touch on his lips in v.16 and the touch that 'strengthened me' in v.18. Each touch brings a further step: knees and palms here, then speech, then strength. A coal 'touched' Isaiah's lips (Isa 6:7), and John, fallen as dead, was raised when a right hand was laid on him (Rev 1:17).

Verse 11

a man greatly beloved — Chamudot, 'desirable things', is the word rendered 'pleasant' in 'no pleasant bread' (v.3). The same title is given in 9:23 and v.19. 'Stand upright' is literally 'stand upon thy standing', as Ezekiel is told 'stand upon thy feet' (Ezek 2:1). Gabriel, 'caused to fly swiftly', had likewise come to him (9:21–23).

Verse 12

thy words were heard — The answer dates from 'the first day' Daniel set his heart 'to understand' (bin) and 'to chasten' himself (anah, the verb of 'afflict your souls', Lev 16:29). 9:23 said the same: 'At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth'. Cornelius is told in like terms, 'thy prayer is heard' (Acts 10:31).

Verse 13

the prince of the kingdom of Persia — This sar, 'prince', 'withstood' the messenger 'one and twenty days', as long as Daniel mourned (v.2), and is distinct from 'the kings of Persia'. Paul speaks of 'principalities… powers… the rulers of the darkness of this world' (Eph 6:12). Michael is 'one of the chief princes', 'the great prince' of 12:1, 'the archangel' of Jude 9.

Verse 14

the latter days — Acharit, 'latter', is the word of Jacob's 'in the last days' (Gen 49:1). The vision 'is for many days', as 8:26 said of the earlier one: 'it shall be for many days'. 'Make thee understand' uses bin again, as in vv.1, 11 and 12; chapters 11 and 12 then give what the messenger promises in 11:2, 'now will I shew thee the truth'.

Verse 16

one like the similitude of the sons of men — Demut, 'likeness'. A touch on the lips comes before speech here as in Isa 6:7 and Jer 1:9, 'the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth'. 'Sorrows' (tsir) are pangs, like those of 'a woman that travaileth' (Isa 21:3). 'My lord' (adoni) is the address to the messenger again in vv.17 and 19.

Verse 19

be strong, yea, be strong — Chazaq, 'to be strong', stands four times in this verse and again in v.18, 'he strengthened me', and v.21, 'holdeth with me'. 'Peace be unto thee; fear not' is what the LORD said to Gideon (Judg 6:23), and 'Be strong and of a good courage' what Joshua heard (Josh 1:9).

Verse 20

the prince of Grecia — Yavan, the name of Javan, a son of Japheth (Gen 10:2). The rough goat of 8:21 is 'the king of Grecia', and 11:2 says the fourth Persian king 'shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia'. The messenger goes back 'to fight' (lacham) the prince of Persia, and when he has gone forth the prince of Grecia comes.

Verse 21

the scripture of truth — Ketav emet, a writing of truth; 'noted' (rasham, to inscribe) occurs only here. Chapter 11 follows with 'now will I shew thee the truth' (11:2), and 12:1 speaks of those 'found written in the book'. 'Holdeth' is chazaq, as in v.19; the messenger says in 11:1 that he 'stood to confirm and to strengthen' Darius the Mede.