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.

And said {H559}, O man {H376} greatly beloved {H2532}, fear {H3372} not: peace {H7965} be unto thee, be strong {H2388}, yea, be strong {H2388}. And when he had spoken {H1696} unto me, I was strengthened {H2388}, and said {H559}, Let my lord {H113} speak {H1696}; for thou hast strengthened {H2388} me.

He said, "You man so greatly loved, don't be afraid. Shalom to you; and be strong, yes, truly strong." His speaking to me strengthened me, and I said, "My lord, keep speaking; because you've given me strength."

“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.”

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.

Daniel 10:19 captures a pivotal moment in Daniel's profound vision, where an angelic messenger provides divine comfort and strength to the overwhelmed prophet. This verse highlights God's tender care for His servants and the supernatural empowerment He provides to fulfill His purposes.

Context

This verse is part of Daniel's final and most extensive prophetic vision, which occurred in the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia (around 536 BC). Daniel had been deeply distressed and fasting for three weeks, mourning over the future of his people and the spiritual battles unfolding in the heavenly realms. Overwhelmed by the appearance of a glorious angelic being, Daniel was left weak and prostrate. The preceding verses describe an angelic hand touching him, helping him to his knees, and beginning to speak words of reassurance before this particular verse.

Key Themes

  • Divine Favor and Affection: The angel addresses Daniel as "O man greatly beloved" (Hebrew: ish chamudot), a powerful affirmation of God's profound love and esteem for Daniel. This title emphasizes Daniel's preciousness in God's sight, providing immediate comfort and reassurance amidst his distress. This specific phrase is also used in Daniel 9:23.
  • Comfort and Peace Amidst Fear: The command "fear not: peace [be] unto thee" directly addresses Daniel's terror and weakness. The angelic presence brings a calming presence, dispelling fear and imparting a sense of wholeness and well-being (shalom). This echoes the divine assurance often given to those encountering the supernatural, reminding us that God's presence brings peace, not panic.
  • Supernatural Impartation of Strength: The repeated exhortation, "be strong, yea, be strong," is not merely a psychological encouragement but an actual infusion of divine power. Daniel's immediate response, "I was strengthened," confirms that the words carried a transformative spiritual energy, enabling him to regain his physical and mental fortitude. This demonstrates God's willingness to empower His servants for the tasks ahead.
  • Readiness to Receive Revelation: Once strengthened, Daniel declares, "Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me." This shows that divine empowerment is often necessary to receive and comprehend God's deeper truths, especially when they concern challenging or complex prophecies. His renewed strength enabled him to re-engage with the angelic messenger and the weighty message to come.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "man greatly beloved" is ish chamudot (אִישׁ חֲמֻדוֹת). While often translated as "greatly beloved," it literally means "man of desires," "precious man," or "man of excellencies." It conveys Daniel's unique value and favor in God's eyes, highlighting his desirable qualities from a divine perspective. The word "peace" is shalom (שָׁלוֹם), which signifies more than just the absence of conflict; it encompasses comprehensive well-being, wholeness, prosperity, and tranquility in every aspect of life. The repetition of "be strong" (חֲזַק, חֲזַק) emphasizes the urgency and certainty of the divine impartation of strength, ensuring Daniel truly grasped the command and received the power.

Practical Application

Daniel 10:19 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that even in our moments of weakness, fear, or overwhelming circumstances, God sees us, values us as His "greatly beloved," and is ready to impart His supernatural peace and strength. When facing challenges, discouragement, or spiritual fatigue, we can look to God for renewed power. Just as Daniel was strengthened to receive further revelation, we too are empowered by God's word and Spirit to understand His will and fulfill our purpose. This verse encourages us to trust in God's comforting presence, knowing that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.

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.

  • Isaiah 35:4

    Say to them [that are] of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come [with] vengeance, [even] God [with] a recompence; he will come and save you.

  • Joshua 1:9

    Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.

  • Judges 6:23

    And the LORD said unto him, Peace [be] unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.

  • Daniel 10:11

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Isaiah 43:1

    ¶ But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called [thee] by thy name; thou [art] mine.
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