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Commentary on Daniel 10 verses 10–21
Much ado here is to bring Daniel to be able to bear what Christ has to say to him. Still we have him in a fright, hardly and very slowly recovering himself; but he is still answered and supported with good words and comfortable words. Let us see how Daniel is by degrees brought to himself, and gather up the several passages that are to the same purport.
I. Daniel is in a great consternation and finds it very difficult to get clear of it. The hand that touched him set him at first upon his knees and the palms of his hands, Dan 10:10. Note, Strength and comfort commonly come by degrees to those that have been long cast down and disquieted; they are first helped up a little, and then more. After two days he will revive us, and then the third day he will raise us up. And we must not despise the day of small things, but be thankful for the beginnings of mercy. Afterwards he is helped up, but he stands trembling (Dan 10:11), for fear lest he fall again. Note, Before God gives strength and power unto his people he makes them sensible of their own weakness. I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble, Hab 3:16. But when, afterwards, Daniel recovered so much strength in his limbs that he could stand steadily, yet he tells us (Dan 10:15) that he set his face towards the ground and became dumb; he was as a man astonished, who knew not what to say, struck dumb with admiration and fear, and was loth to enter into discourse with one so far above him; he kept silence, yea, even from good, till he had recollected himself a little. Well, at length he recovered, not only the use of his feet, but the use of his tongue; and, when he opened his mouth (Dan 10:16), that which he had to say was to excuse his having been so long silent, for really he durst not speak, he could not speak: "O my lord" (so, in great humility, this prophet calls the angel, though the angels, in great humility, called themselves fellow-servants to the prophets, Rev 22:9), "by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me; they break in upon me with violence; the sense of my sinful sorrowful state turns upon me when I see thy purity and brightness." Note, Man, who has lost his integrity, has reason to blush, and be ashamed of himself, when he sees or considers the glory of the blessed angels that keep their integrity. "My sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength to resist them or bear up a head against them." And again (Dan 10:17), like one half dead with the fright, he complains, "As for me, straightway there remained no strength in me to receive these displays of the divine glory and these discoveries of the divine will; nay, there is no breath left in me." Such a deliquium did he suffer that he could not draw one breath after another, but panted and languished, and was in a manner breathless. See how well it is for us that the treasure of divine revelation is put into earthen vessels, that God speaks to us by men like ourselves and not by angels. Whatever we may wish, in a peevish dislike of the method God takes in dealing with us, it is certain that if we were tried we should all be of Israel's mind at Mt. Sinai, when they said to Moses, Speak thou to us, and we will hear, but let not God speak to us lest we die, Exo 20:19. If Daniel could not bear it, how could we? Now this he insists upon as an excuse for his irreverent silence, which otherwise would have been blame-worthy: How can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? Dan 10:17. Note, Whenever we enter into communion with God it becomes us to have a due sense of the vast distance and disproportion that there are between us and the holy angels, and of the infinite distance, and no proportion at all, between us and the holy God, and to acknowledge that we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. How shall we that are dust and ashes speak to the Lord of glory?
II. The blessed angel that was employed by Christ to converse with him gave him all the encouragement and comfort that could be. It should seem, it was not he whose glory he saw in vision (Dan 10:5, Dan 10:6) that here touched him, and talked with him; that was Christ, but this seems to have been the angel Gabriel, whom Christ had once before ordered to instruct Daniel, Dan 8:16. That glorious appearance (as that of the God of glory to Abraham, Act 7:2) was to give authority and to gain attention to what the angel should say. Christ himself comforted John when he in a like case fell at his feet as dead (Rev 1:17); but here he did it by the angel, whom Daniel saw in a glory much inferior to that of the vision in the verses before; for he was like the similitude of the sons of men (Dan 10:16), one like the appearance of a man, Dan 10:18. When he only appeared, as he had done before (Dan 9:21), we do not find that Daniel was put into any disorder by it, as he was by this vision; and therefore he is here employed a third time with Daniel.
1.He lent him his hand to help him, touched him, and set him upon his hands and knees (Dan 10:10), else he would still have lain grovelling, touched his lips (Dan 10:16), else he would have been still dumb; again he touched him (Dan 10:18), and put strength into him, else he would still have been staggering and trembling. Note, The hand of God's power going along with the word of his grace is alone effectual to redress all our grievances, and to rectify whatever is amiss in us. One touch from heaven brings us to our knees, sets us on our feet, opens our lips, and strengthens us; for it is God that works on us, and works in us, both to will and to do that which is good.
2.He assured him of the great favour that God had for him: Thou art a man greatly beloved (Dan 10:11); and again (Dan 10:19), O man greatly beloved! Note, Nothing is more likely, nothing more effectual, to revive the drooping spirits of the saints than to be assured of God's love to them. Those are greatly beloved indeed whom God loves; and it is comfort enough to know it.
3.He silenced his fears, and encouraged his hopes, with good words and comfortable words. He said unto him, Fear not, Daniel (Dan 10:12); and again (Dan 10:19), O man greatly beloved! fear not; peace be unto thee; be strong, yea, be strong. Never did any tender mother quiet her child, when any thing had grieved or frightened it, with more compassion and affection than the angel here quieted Daniel. Those that are beloved of God have no reason to be afraid of any evil; peace is to them; God himself speaks peace to them; and they ought, upon the warrant of that, to speak peace to themselves; and that peace, that joy of the Lord, will be their strength. Will God plead against us with his great power? will he take advantage against us of our being overcome by his terror? No, but he will put strength into us, Job 23:6. So he did into Daniel here, when, by reason of the lustre of the vision, no strength of his own remained in him; and he acknowledges it (Dan 10:19): When he had spoken to me I was strengthened. Note, God by his word puts life, and strength, and spirit into his people; for if he says, Be strong, power goes along with the word. And, now that Daniel has experienced the efficacy of God's strengthening word and grace, he is ready for any thing: "Now, Let my lord speak, and I can hear it, I can bear it, and am ready to do according to it, for thou hast strengthened me." Note, To those that (like Daniel here) have no might God increases strength, Isa 40:29. And we cannot keep up our communion with God but by strength derived from him; but, when he is pleased to put strength into us, we must make a good use of it, and say, Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears. Let God enable us to comply with his will, and them, whatever it is, we will stand complete in it. Da quod jubes, et jube quod vis - Give what thou commandest, and then command what thou wilt.
4.He assured him that his fastings and prayers had come up for a memorial before God, as the angel told Cornelius (Act 10:4): Fear not, Daniel, Dan 10:12. It is natural to fallen man to be afraid of an extraordinary messenger from heaven, as dreading to hear evil tidings thence; but Daniel need not fear, for he has by his three weeks' humiliation and supplication sent extraordinary messengers to heaven, which he may expect to return with an olive-branch of peace: "From the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand the word of God, which is to be the rule of thy prayers, and to chasten thyself before thy God, that thou mightest put an edge upon thy prayers, thy words were heard," as, before, at the beginning of thy supplication, Dan 9:23. Note, As the entrance of God's word is enlightening to the upright, so the entrance of their prayers is pleasing to God, Psa 119:130. From the first day that we begin to look towards God in a way of duty he is ready to meet us in a way of mercy. Thus ready is God to hear prayer. I said, I will confess, and thou forgavest. 5. He informed him that he was sent to him on purpose to bring him a prediction of the future state of the church, as a token of God's accepting his prayers for the church: "Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? If thou knewest on what errand I come, thou wouldst not be put into such a consternation by it." Note, If we rightly understood the meaning of God's dealings with us, and the methods of his providence and grace concerning us, we should be better reconciled to them. "I have come for thy words (Dan 10:12), to bring thee a gracious answer to thy prayers." Thus, when God's praying people call to him, he says, Here I am (Isa 58:9); what would you have with me? See the power of prayer, what glorious things it has, in its time, fetched from heaven, what strange discoveries! On what errand did this angel come to Daniel? He tells him (Dan 10:14): I have come to make thee understand what shall befal thy people in the latter days. Daniel was a curious inquisitive man, that had all his days been searching into secret things, and it would be a great gratification to him to be let into the knowledge of things to come. Daniel had always been concerned for the church; its interests lay much upon his heart, and it would be a particular satisfaction to him to know what its state should be, and he would know the better what to pray for as long as he lived. He was now lamenting the difficulties which his people met with in the present day; but, that he might not be offended in those, the angel must tell him what greater difficulties are yet before them; and, if they be wearied now that they only run with the footmen, how will they contend with horses? Note, It would abate our resentment of present troubles to consider that we know not but much greater are before us, which we are concerned to provide for. Daniel must be made to know what shall befal his people in the latter days of the church, after the cessation of prophecy, and when the time drew nigh for the Messiah to appear, for yet the vision is for many days; the principal things that this vision was intended to give the church the foresight of would come to pass in the days of Antiochus, nearly 300 years after this. Now that which the angel is entrusted to communicate to Daniel, and which Daniel is encouraged to expect from him, is not any curious speculations, moral prognostications, nor rational prospects of his own, though he is an angel, but what he has received from the Lord. It was the revelation of Jesus Christ that the angel gave to St. John to be delivered to the churches, Rev 1:1. So here (Dan 10:21): I will show thee what is written in the scriptures of truth, that is, what is fixed in the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God. The decree of God is a thing written, it is a scripture which remains and cannot be altered. What I have written I have written. As there are scriptures for the revealed will of God, the letters-patent, which are published to the world, so there are scriptures for the secret will of God, the close rolls, which are sealed among his treasures, the book of his decrees. Both are scriptures of truth; nothing shall be added to nor taken from either of them. The secret things belong not to us, only now and then some few paragraphs have been copied out from the book of God's counsels, and delivered to the prophets for the use of the church, as here to Daniel; but they are the things revealed, even the words of this law, which belong to us and to our children; and we are concerned to study what is written in these scriptures of truth, for they are things which belong to our everlasting peace.
6.He gave him a general account of the adversaries of the church's cause, from whom it might be expected that troubles would arise, and of its patrons, under whose protection it might be assured of safety and victory at last. (1.) The kings of the earth are and will be its adversaries; for they set themselves against the Lord, and against his Anointed, Psa 2:2. The angel told Daniel that he was to have come to him with a gracious answer to his prayers, but that the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood him one and twenty days, just the three weeks that Daniel had been fasting and praying. Cambyses king of Persia had been very busy to embarrass the affairs of the Jews, and to do them all the mischief he could, and the angel had been all that time employed to counter-work him; so that he had been constrained to defer his visit to Daniel till now, for angels can be but in one place at a time. Or, as Dr. Lightfoot says, This new king of Persia, by hindering the temple, had hindered those good tidings which otherwise he should have brought him. The kings and kingdoms of the world were indeed sometimes helpful to the church, but more often they were injurious to it. "When I have gone forth from the kings of Persia, when their monarchy is brought down for their unkindness to the Jews, then the prince of Grecia shall come," Dan 10:20. The Grecian monarchy, though favourable to the Jews at first, as the Persian was, will yet come to be vexatious to them. Such is the state of the church-militant; when it has got clear of one enemy it has another to encounter: and such a hydra's head is that of the old serpent; when one storm has blown over it is not long before another rises. (2.) The God of heaven is, and will be, its protector, and, under him, the angels of heaven are its patrons and guardians. [1.] Here is the angel Gabriel busy in the service of the church, making his part good in defence of it twenty-one days, against the prince of Persia, and remaining there with the kings of Persia, as consul, or liege-ambassador, to take care of the affairs of the Jews in that court, and to do them service, Dan 10:13. And, though much was done against them by the kings of Persia (God permitting it), it is probably that much more mischief would have been done them, and they would have been quite ruined (witness Haman's plot) if God had not prevented it by the ministration of angels. Gabriel resolves, when he has despatched this errand to Daniel, that he will return to fight with the prince of Persia, will continue to oppose him, and will at length humble and bring down that proud monarchy (v. 20), though he knows that another as mischievous, even that of Grecia, will rise instead of it. [2.] Here is Michael our prince, the great protector of the church, and the patron of its just but injured cause: The first of the chief princes, Dan 10:13. Some understand it of a created angel, but an archangel of the highest order, Th1 4:16; Jde 1:9. Others think that Michael the archangel is no other than Christ himself, the angel of the covenant, and the Lord of the angels, he whom Daniel saw in vision, Dan 10:5. He came to help me (Dan 10:13); and there is none but he that holds with me in these things, Dan 10:21. Christ is the church's prince; angels are not, Heb 2:5. He presides in the affairs of the church and effectually provides for its good. He is said to hold with the angels, for it is he that makes them serviceable to the heirs of salvation; and, if he were not on the church's side, its case were bad. But, says David, and so says the church, The Lord takes my part with those that help me, Psa 118:7. The Lord is with those that uphold my soul, Psa 54:4.
“Daniel, pay attention,” … that is, learn and weigh carefully the mysteries of those things whose results you asked with constant prayer and with three weeks of mourning and fast.
I indeed maintain that even Gabriel in no other way foretells events to come than by the foreknowledge of the Spirit, by reason of the fact that one of the boons distributed by the Spirit is prophecy. And whence did he who was ordained to announce the mysteries of the vision to the man of desires derive the wisdom whereby he was enabled to teach hidden things, if not from the Holy Spirit? The revelation of mysteries is indeed the peculiar function of the Spirit, as it is written, “God has revealed them to us by his Spirit.”
Verse 11. "And he said to me, 'Daniel, thou man of desires...'" It was fitting that he be addressed as a man of desires, for by dint of urgent prayer and affliction of body and the discipline of severe fasting he desired to learn of the future and to be informed of the secret counsels of God. Instead of "man of desires," Symmachus rendered it as "desirable man." The term is apt, for every saint possesses a beauty of soul and is beloved by the Lord.
Daniel was called by the angel “a man of desires.” What were those desires of his, but ardent longings for the beauty of wisdom? Because in his youth he had trampled on lust, as a prisoner he had crushed the pride of kings, when shut in close he had shut the mouths of lions.
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SUMMARY
Daniel 10:11 records a pivotal moment in the prophet's final vision, as a glorious divine messenger addresses the prostrate and overwhelmed Daniel, affirming him as "a man greatly beloved." The messenger commands Daniel to rise and actively comprehend the profound words about to be spoken, emphasizing the divine origin and specific purpose of his mission. Daniel's immediate reaction of trembling, even as he obeys, powerfully highlights the overwhelming awe and deep humility experienced in the presence of such immense divine glory.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse immediately follows Daniel's overwhelming encounter with a glorious divine being by the Hiddekel River. Daniel 10:4-6 vividly describes the messenger's awe-inspiring appearance, which caused Daniel's companions to flee and left Daniel himself utterly drained of strength, prostrate, and isolated. Daniel 10:7-9 further details his physical and emotional collapse, rendering him speechless and helpless. Verse 11, therefore, represents the crucial transition from Daniel's physical and emotional reaction to the divine presence to the commencement of direct, verbal communication from the heavenly messenger. It initiates the profound prophetic revelation that will unfold in the subsequent chapters of Daniel 10-12, setting the stage for understanding future events concerning Israel and the nations.
Historical & Cultural Context: The vision occurs in the "third year of Cyrus king of Persia" (Daniel 10:1), placing it around 536 BC. This period was significant as it followed the initial return of Jewish exiles to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel, but also saw significant opposition to the rebuilding of the temple and city (as documented in Ezra 4). Daniel, though an elderly statesman serving in the Persian court, remained deeply concerned for his people's future and the fulfillment of God's promises. His three weeks of mourning and fasting (Daniel 10:2-3) reflect this earnest intercession and spiritual preparation, indicating a profound longing for divine insight. Culturally, encounters with divine or angelic beings were often depicted as overwhelming, leading to physical weakness, fear, and prostration, as mortals could not fully withstand the glory of heavenly beings without being profoundly affected.
Key Themes: Daniel 10:11 introduces and reinforces several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Daniel and biblical prophecy. Firstly, the theme of divine favor and election is prominently highlighted by the repeated address of Daniel as "a man greatly beloved" (Daniel 9:23 and Daniel 10:19). This underscores God's personal relationship with and special regard for His faithful servants, even in their vulnerability. Secondly, the theme of divine revelation and understanding is central, as the messenger explicitly commands Daniel to "understand the words." This emphasizes the necessity of divine illumination and active engagement to grasp God's intricate plans, particularly concerning complex eschatological prophecies. Thirdly, the theme of human weakness and divine strength is powerfully portrayed in Daniel's trembling response and the messenger's subsequent encouragement to "stand upright," illustrating that God graciously empowers His chosen instruments even in their most vulnerable moments to receive and deliver His truth.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. Direct Address is prominently used as the heavenly messenger speaks personally to Daniel, creating an intimate and urgent tone that underscores the importance of the forthcoming revelation. The repeated epithet, "a man greatly beloved," functions as a powerful form of Divine Affirmation and Epithet, not only identifying Daniel but also conveying God's profound affection and favor, serving to reassure the prophet in his overwhelmed state. The commands "understand the words" and "stand upright" utilize the Imperative Mood, emphasizing the urgency and authority of the divine instruction and the necessity of Daniel's active participation and receptive posture. Daniel's immediate reaction, "I stood trembling," is a vivid example of Pathos and Verisimilitude, effectively evoking the emotional and physical impact of a genuine divine encounter and lending credibility to the narrative by portraying a realistic human response to the supernatural. Finally, the phrase "for unto thee am I now sent" serves as a clear Statement of Purpose and Divine Commission, clarifying the messenger's role and the specific, authoritative nature of his mission to Daniel.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 10:11 powerfully illustrates the nature of divine revelation and the posture required to receive it. God initiates communication with His chosen servants, often in moments of deep spiritual seeking and vulnerability. The affirmation "a man greatly beloved" underscores God's personal affection and sovereign choice, reminding us that divine communication flows from a relationship of grace, not human merit. The command to "understand" and "stand upright" emphasizes that receiving God's word is an active, not passive, process, requiring spiritual discernment, readiness, and a humble yet attentive posture. Daniel's trembling response highlights the profound awe and reverence appropriate in the presence of God's glory, a reminder that even the most faithful individuals are overwhelmed by His majesty, yet God graciously condescends to reveal His truth.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 10:11 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, inviting us to consider our own posture before God. Just as Daniel was affirmed as "a man greatly beloved," we too, through Christ, are declared beloved children of God, chosen and cherished not for our perfection but by His boundless grace. This truth should anchor us in moments of spiritual struggle or confusion, reminding us of God's unwavering affection and commitment to us. The command to "understand the words" calls us to diligent engagement with Scripture, recognizing that God's Word is not merely information but a living, active revelation intended for our transformation and guidance. We are to approach it with a receptive heart and a mind eager to discern its truths, praying for the Holy Spirit's illumination. Furthermore, the instruction to "stand upright" challenges us to maintain a posture of spiritual readiness and attentiveness in our walk with God. This means being prepared to listen, obey, and respond to His voice, even when it calls us out of our comfort zones or into difficult truths. Daniel's trembling, though a sign of weakness, also signifies profound reverence; it teaches us that humility and awe are appropriate responses to God's majesty, and that even in our vulnerability, God meets us with His strengthening presence to enable us to receive His message and fulfill His purposes.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who was the "he" who spoke to Daniel in Daniel 10:11?
Answer: The "he" in Daniel 10:11 refers to the glorious, awe-inspiring divine messenger described in Daniel 10:5-6. While his identity is not explicitly named as an archangel like Gabriel (who appears in earlier chapters), the description of his appearance (clothed in linen, waist girded with gold, body like beryl, face like lightning, eyes like torches of fire, arms and feet like polished bronze, voice like a multitude) strongly suggests a high-ranking angelic being. Some scholars even propose a Christophany (a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ), given the striking parallels with the description of the glorified Christ in Revelation 1:13-16. Regardless of the precise identification, he is clearly a powerful emissary sent directly from God to deliver a crucial and authoritative revelation to Daniel.
Why was Daniel called "a man greatly beloved"?
Answer: Daniel is called "a man greatly beloved" (אִישׁ חֲמוּדֹת, 'ish chamudot) in Daniel 10:11, as well as in Daniel 9:23 and Daniel 10:19. This phrase signifies God's deep affection, high esteem, and special favor for Daniel. It reflects Daniel's unwavering faithfulness, his consistent prayer life, his integrity in a pagan court, and his earnest desire to understand God's will for his people. It's a divine affirmation of his character and relationship with God, assuring him of God's personal care and the profound importance of the message he was about to receive. It highlights that God chooses and cherishes those who walk faithfully with Him, not because of their perfection, but because of His gracious covenant.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Daniel 10:11 describes an encounter between a prophet and a divine messenger, its profound themes resonate deeply with Christ-centered fulfillment. The designation of Daniel as "a man greatly beloved" foreshadows the ultimate Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, in whom God's love finds its perfect and complete expression, as affirmed by the Father at His baptism (Matthew 3:17). Just as Daniel was called to "understand the words" of divine revelation, Jesus is the ultimate Word of God (John 1:1), the one who perfectly understood and perfectly revealed the Father's will and truth to humanity (John 1:18). The messenger's declaration, "for unto thee am I now sent," powerfully points to Christ as the one supremely "sent" by the Father to accomplish salvation and reconcile humanity to God (John 3:17). Daniel's trembling yet obedient response to divine glory finds its ultimate parallel in humanity's encounter with the incarnate Christ, who, though divine, took on human flesh to meet us in our weakness and bring us into a relationship with God. Through Christ, believers are not merely called "beloved" but are adopted as children of God (Romans 8:15), given the Holy Spirit to understand God's words and discern His will (1 Corinthians 2:10-16), and empowered to "stand upright" in His presence, no longer trembling in fear of judgment but standing in the confidence of His grace and righteousness (Ephesians 3:12). The encounter in Daniel thus anticipates the greater revelation and intimate access to God made possible through Jesus Christ, our beloved Savior.