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

¶ 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, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.

In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.

I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

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

Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:

His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

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, so that they fled to hide themselves.

Therefore 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.

Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

The Explanation of the Delay

¶ And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

And he said unto me, O Daniel, a 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.

Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

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.

Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.

And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.

Daniel Strengthened to Receive the Message

And, behold, one like the similitude 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 the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.

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 is there breath left in me.

Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,

And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

The Purpose of the Revelation and Future Conflict

Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but 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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Daniel10

Daniel's Preparation and Vision Setting

The Appearance of the Divine Messenger

The Explanation of the Delay

Daniel Strengthened to Receive the Message

The Purpose of the Revelation and Future Conflict

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