Daniel10

In the third year of Cyrus, Daniel observed a three-week period of mourning and fasting, after which he beheld a glorious vision of a celestial being by the river Hiddekel. This awe-inspiring encounter left Daniel without strength, but an angelic messenger touched and strengthened him, revealing that his arrival was delayed by a spiritual conflict with the "prince of Persia." The angel came to impart understanding of future events concerning Daniel's people and stated he would return to continue the battle against the princes of Persia and Grecia, with Michael's sole assistance.
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Daniel's Preparation and Vision Setting

1
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, and it concerned a great conflict. And the understanding of the message was given to him in a vision. ​
2
In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. ​
3
I ate no rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I did not anoint myself with oil until the three weeks were completed.
4
On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, ​

The Appearance of the Divine Messenger

5
I lifted up my eyes, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. ​
6
His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.
7
Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but a great terror fell upon them, and they ran and hid themselves. ​
8
So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless. ​
9
I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.

The Explanation of the Delay

10
Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. ​
11
He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man who is highly precious. Consider carefully the words that I am about to say to you. Stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had said this to me, I stood up trembling. ​
12
“Do not be afraid, Daniel,” he said, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. ​
13
However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. ​
14
Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.” ​
15
While he was speaking these words to me, I set my face toward the ground and became speechless.

Daniel Strengthened to Receive the Message

16
And suddenly one with the likeness of a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of the vision, I am overcome with anguish, and I have no strength. ​
17
How can I, your servant, speak with you, my lord? Now I have no strength, nor is any breath left in me.”
18
Again the one with the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me.
19
“Do not be afraid, you who are highly precious,” he said. “Peace be with you! Be strong now; be very strong!” As he spoke with me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.” ​

The Purpose of the Revelation and Future Conflict

20
“Do you know why I have come to you?” he said. “I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I have gone forth, behold, the prince of Greece will come. ​
21
But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth. Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael your prince. ​

Study Notes for Daniel 10

Verse 1

This vision occurs around 536 BC, two years after the first return of the exiles to Jerusalem. The phrase 'the time appointed was long' emphasizes that the prophecy covers a vast sweep of history, culminating in the end times.

Verse 2

Daniel was observing a period of intense mourning and spiritual discipline, referred to as a partial fast, lasting 21 days (three full weeks). This discipline was likely prompted by the difficulties and opposition faced by the returning Jewish community in rebuilding the Temple.

Verse 4

The Hiddekel is the Hebrew name for the Tigris River. Daniel was likely near the Persian capital of Susa or traveling through the region, positioning him geographically near the center of the political powers that would dominate the coming age.

Verse 5

The glorious description of this 'certain man clothed in linen' strongly parallels descriptions of divine or high-ranking angelic figures (cf. Ezek. 1:26-28; Rev. 1:13-16). The linen and gold suggest holiness, purity, and high authority.

Verse 7

Similar to the experience of Paul (Acts 9:7), only Daniel perceived the vision directly, though the presence of divine power was so overwhelming that his companions were terrified and fled.

Verse 8

Daniel’s physical collapse and loss of strength demonstrate the vast gulf between mortal humanity and the glory of the heavenly realm. His 'comeliness' (beauty or vigor) was turned to 'corruption' (weakness or pallor).

Verse 10

The divine touch was necessary to revive Daniel and prepare him physically and spiritually to receive the profound prophetic message that followed.

Verse 11

Daniel is affirmed as 'a man greatly beloved' (*ish hamudot*), a title repeated throughout the chapter, emphasizing God's intimate favor toward him despite his weakness.

Verse 12

This verse affirms the immediate efficacy of prayer; God heard Daniel's supplication the moment he began his fast. The delay in the answer was not due to God’s inaction but to spiritual opposition.

Verse 13

This is a key passage revealing the reality of spiritual warfare, where territorial angelic beings ('prince of the kingdom of Persia') actively oppose God's messengers. Michael, the archangel, is identified as Israel's special angelic protector.

Verse 14

The prophecy concerns the fate of Israel ('thy people') in the 'latter days,' focusing specifically on the period leading up to the end of the age, which Daniel 11 will detail.

Verse 16

Daniel’s inability to speak highlights that prophetic utterance is a supernaturally enabled gift, requiring divine intervention to overcome human frailty.

Verse 19

The instruction to 'be strong, yea, be strong' offers both encouragement and empowerment. Daniel’s immediate response ('Let my lord speak') shows his renewed readiness to receive the difficult prophecy.

Verse 20

The messenger must return to the battle against the spirit assigned to Persia. The prophetic mention of 'the prince of Grecia' sets the stage for the shift in world power from Persia to Greece (Alexander the Great) described in the next chapter.

Verse 21

The 'scripture of truth' refers to the fixed, predetermined plan of God. The messenger emphasizes that only Michael, Israel's national guardian, assists him in this ongoing cosmic battle against the forces of evil.

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