Daniel 10:12

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.

Then said {H559} he unto me, Fear {H3372} not, Daniel {H1840}: for from the first {H7223} day {H3117} that thou didst set {H5414} thine heart {H3820} to understand {H995}, and to chasten {H6031} thyself before {H6440} thy God {H430}, thy words {H1697} were heard {H8085}, and I am come {H935} for thy words {H1697}.

Then he said to me, "Don't be afraid, Dani'el; because since the first day that you determined to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard; and I have come because of what you said.

“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.

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.

Daniel 10:12 marks a pivotal moment in Daniel's final prophetic vision, offering profound insights into the nature of prayer, spiritual warfare, and divine responsiveness. After a period of intense fasting and mourning, Daniel is visited by an angelic being who brings both comfort and revelation.

Context

This verse is part of the opening narrative of Daniel's third major vision, which begins in Daniel chapter 10. Daniel had been mourning and fasting for three full weeks, seeking understanding regarding a "great conflict" (Daniel 10:1). The angelic visitor, whose majestic appearance is described in Daniel 10:5-6, finds Daniel greatly weakened. This verse serves as the angel's initial reassuring message, explaining the reason for his appearance and the delay in his arrival, which is further elaborated in Daniel 10:13.

Key Themes

  • Divine Assurance and Comfort: The opening words, "Fear not, Daniel," echo similar divine reassurances given throughout Scripture to those called by God, such as to Isaiah 41:10. Despite Daniel's weakened state and the overwhelming presence of the angel, God's first message is one of peace and encouragement.
  • Immediate Hearing of Prayer: The angel reveals that Daniel's prayers were heard "from the first day" he began his period of seeking God. This highlights God's immediate attentiveness to the sincere cries of His people, regardless of any apparent delay in the answer's manifestation. It underscores the truth that God hears our prayers the moment they are uttered.
  • The Power of Humility and Seeking Understanding: Daniel's actions—setting his heart "to understand" and to "chasten thyself before thy God"—are presented as the catalysts for the divine response. His desire for spiritual insight combined with a posture of humility and self-denial (often involving fasting) made his prayers particularly potent. This aligns with principles found in James 4:10 regarding humbling oneself before the Lord.
  • Spiritual Realities and Divine Intervention: The angel explicitly states, "I am come for thy words." This powerful declaration confirms that the angelic messenger's presence is a direct consequence of Daniel's intercession. It implicitly introduces the concept of spiritual forces at work behind the scenes, where prayer in the earthly realm can trigger significant activity in the heavenly realms, as further revealed in the subsequent verses about the Prince of Persia.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "chasten thyself" translates the Hebrew verb 'anah (ענה), which means "to humble oneself," "to afflict oneself," or "to fast." This term often describes acts of self-denial and repentance, particularly in the context of seeking God earnestly. It implies a deliberate and disciplined effort to subdue the flesh and focus the spirit on divine matters, making one's heart more receptive to God's will and understanding.

Practical Application

Daniel 10:12 offers immense encouragement for believers today. It teaches us that:

  1. Our prayers are heard immediately: Even if answers are delayed or unseen, God is attentive from the moment we pray.
  2. Humility and earnest seeking are powerful: When we humble ourselves, prioritize understanding God's will, and persist in prayer (even with fasting), our words carry significant weight in the spiritual realm.
  3. Spiritual battles are real: The delay in the angel's arrival hints at the unseen spiritual conflict that can influence earthly events and divine responses. Our prayers play a role in this ongoing struggle.
  4. God responds to sincere desire: Daniel's heart to understand and his self-chastening were recognized and rewarded with direct divine intervention and revelation. This encourages us to cultivate a similar earnestness in our spiritual walk.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the efficacy of persistent, humble prayer and God's faithfulness to respond to those who genuinely seek Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 10:30

    And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

  • Acts 10:31

    And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

  • Isaiah 58:9

    Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I [am]. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

  • Daniel 10:19

    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.

  • Daniel 9:20

    ¶ And whiles I [was] speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;

  • Daniel 9:23

    At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew [thee]; for thou [art] greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

  • Acts 18:9

    Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

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