Daniel 10:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

I ate {H398} no pleasant {H2532} bread {H3899}, neither came {H935} flesh {H1320} nor wine {H3196} in my mouth {H6310}, neither did I anoint {H5480} myself at all {H5480}, till three {H7969} whole {H3117} weeks {H7620} were fulfilled {H4390}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I hadn't eaten any food that satisfied me - neither meat nor wine had entered my mouth, and I didn't anoint myself once, until three full weeks had passed.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 10:3 vividly portrays the prophet Daniel's profound spiritual discipline during a three-week period of intense mourning and intercession. He intentionally abstained from rich foods ("pleasant bread," "flesh," "wine") and personal grooming ("anoint myself"), signifying deep humility and focused devotion as he earnestly sought divine understanding regarding a weighty prophetic vision concerning the future of his people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the very beginning of Daniel's final and most extensive vision, spanning chapters 10-12. Daniel 10:1 introduces the vision as a "great conflict" revealed to Daniel in the third year of Cyrus, King of Persia. Daniel 10:2 immediately precedes our verse, stating that Daniel "was mourning three full weeks." This sets the stage for Daniel's physical and spiritual posture, explaining the rigorous self-denial described in Daniel 10:3. The subsequent verses (Daniel 10:4ff) detail the appearance of a glorious angelic being, who then explains the profound prophecy that unfolds in the remainder of the book. Daniel's fasting and mourning are presented as a direct preparation and prerequisite for receiving such a weighty and detailed divine revelation, underscoring the spiritual intensity required for such an encounter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Daniel's vision occurs in the third year of Cyrus's reign, placing it around 536 BC. This was a pivotal time for the Jewish exiles; though Cyrus had issued a decree allowing them to return to Jerusalem (as recorded in [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1-4 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree")), the reality on the ground was challenging. The rebuilding of the temple had begun but faced significant opposition (see [Ezra 4](/ezra/4 "Ezra 4 - Opposition to Rebuilding the Temple")), and the political landscape was fraught with uncertainty. Daniel, likely in his late 80s or early 90s, would have been deeply burdened by the precarious state of his people and the unfolding geopolitical events. Culturally, abstaining from rich foods and anointing oneself was a widely recognized symbol of mourning, humility, and earnest supplication in the ancient Near East, reflecting a complete focus on spiritual matters over physical comfort or social appearance.
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 10:3 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Daniel and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Spiritual Discipline and Intercession**, demonstrating Daniel's unwavering commitment to seeking God through prayer and fasting, even in old age. His actions exemplify a deep, personal piety that transcends mere ritual. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Divine Revelation and Preparation**, illustrating that profound spiritual insights and encounters with God often follow periods of intense seeking and self-humiliation. The angel's words in [Daniel 10:12](/daniel/10-12 "Daniel 10:12 - Angelic Response to Daniel's Prayer") confirm that Daniel's prayer was heard from the very first day of his fast, emphasizing God's responsiveness to earnest seeking. Finally, Daniel's mourning connects to the broader theme of **God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Conflict**, as the subsequent vision reveals the spiritual battles influencing earthly kingdoms and the ultimate triumph of God's plan, providing comfort and understanding to Daniel in the face of the "great conflict" mentioned in [Daniel 10:1](/daniel/10-1 "Daniel 10:1 - Daniel's Final Vision").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **pleasant (Hebrew, _chemdâh'_):** From H2532, meaning "delight; desire, goodly, pleasant, precious." This word indicates that Daniel was not merely abstaining from food, but specifically from desirable, luxurious, or rich foods. It implies a deliberate choice to deny himself comforts and delicacies, focusing his physical and spiritual energy on his petition to God. This was a fast of quality, not necessarily quantity, though the overall practice was one of significant self-denial.
* **flesh (Hebrew, _bâsâr'_):** From H1320, meaning "flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person." In this context, it refers to meat, a common and often prized component of meals, especially for those of Daniel's status. Abstaining from meat, along with wine and pleasant bread, underscores the comprehensive nature of his dietary restrictions, moving beyond basic sustenance to a more austere regimen.
* **anoint (Hebrew, _çûwk'_):** From H5480, meaning "to smear over (with oil), i.e. anoint." Anointing with oil was a daily practice for hygiene, moisturizing the skin, and often a sign of joy, comfort, or prosperity (e.g., [Psalm 23:5](/psalm/23-5 "Psalm 23:5 - Anointing for Joy")). Daniel's refusal to anoint himself signifies a state of deep mourning, humility, and complete detachment from personal comfort and appearance, aligning with the traditional biblical signs of distress or penitence (e.g., [2 Samuel 14:2](/2_samuel/14-2 "2 Samuel 14:2 - The Woman of Tekoa's Mourning")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I ate no pleasant bread":** Daniel deliberately refrained from consuming desirable or luxurious foods. This was not a complete fast from all food, but a specific denial of rich, palatable, or comforting sustenance, indicating a focused spiritual discipline rather than starvation.
* **"neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth":** This clause further specifies the nature of Daniel's dietary restrictions. He abstained from meat and wine, which were common elements of a normal, comfortable diet. This reinforces the idea of a disciplined, austere diet chosen for spiritual purposes, emphasizing self-denial over indulgence.
* **"neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled":** Daniel also abstained from the cultural practice of anointing himself with oil. This act, typically associated with personal hygiene, comfort, and well-being, was foregone for the entire duration of his mourning period. The "three whole weeks" (21 days) highlights the sustained and consistent nature of his spiritual discipline, emphasizing the depth of his commitment and the intensity of his seeking God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey Daniel's profound spiritual state. **Emphasis** is achieved through the repeated use of negation ("no pleasant bread," "neither came flesh nor wine," "neither did I anoint myself"), underscoring the comprehensive nature of his self-denial. This creates a powerful image of complete devotion. **Symbolism** is also prominent; "pleasant bread," "flesh," and "wine" symbolize worldly comforts and normal daily pleasures, while the act of anointing symbolizes well-being and joy. Daniel's abstinence from these elements **symbolizes** his deep mourning, humility, and singular focus on God. The specific duration, "three whole weeks," adds a sense of **verisimilitude** and highlights the sustained, disciplined effort Daniel exerted, rather than a fleeting moment of piety. This detailed description serves to impress upon the reader the gravity of Daniel's spiritual pursuit and the depth of his intercession.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel's rigorous self-denial in Daniel 10:3 is a powerful testament to the biblical principle that spiritual breakthrough often accompanies earnest, disciplined seeking of God. His actions demonstrate a profound understanding that some spiritual insights or battles require a level of personal sacrifice and focused attention that transcends ordinary prayer. This period of fasting and mourning was not about earning God's favor, but about aligning Daniel's heart and mind with God's will, humbling himself to receive divine revelation concerning the intense spiritual conflict affecting his people and the future. It underscores God's attentiveness to the fervent prayers of His saints and the spiritual preparation necessary to grasp the magnitude of His plans.

* [Matthew 6:16-18](/matthew/6-16-18 "Matthew 6:16-18 - Jesus' Teaching on Fasting")
* [Isaiah 58:6-7](/isaiah/58-6-7 "Isaiah 58:6-7 - The True Fast")
* [Nehemiah 1:4](/nehemiah/1-4 "Nehemiah 1:4 - Nehemiah's Prayer and Fasting")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel's example in this verse offers a timeless blueprint for believers seeking deeper communion with God and clearer understanding of His purposes, especially in times of personal or collective distress. His deliberate choice to set aside comfort and pleasure for the sake of spiritual focus teaches us the value of intentional self-denial, not as a legalistic requirement, but as a means to cultivate greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading. In a world saturated with distractions and immediate gratification, Daniel's twenty-one-day commitment challenges us to consider what we might willingly lay aside to create space for God to speak and work more profoundly in our lives. It reminds us that true spiritual growth often involves humble surrender and a willingness to prioritize heavenly realities over earthly comforts, positioning us to receive divine insight and participate in God's unfolding plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "pleasant bread," "flesh," or "wine" (i.e., comforts, distractions, or indulgences) might I need to set aside to cultivate deeper spiritual focus and humility in my own life?**
* **How does Daniel's sustained commitment of three weeks challenge my own approach to prayer and spiritual discipline?**
* **In what areas of my life am I seeking divine understanding or breakthrough, and how might a period of intentional self-denial help prepare me to receive it?**
* **How can I practice humility and a posture of seeking God in my daily life, even without a formal fast?**

### FAQ

**What is "Daniel's Fast" and is it commanded for Christians today?**

Answer: "Daniel's Fast," inspired by Daniel 10:3 and Daniel 1:8-16, refers to a period of partial fasting where one abstains from rich foods, meat, and wine, often focusing on vegetables, fruits, and water. While Daniel's specific dietary choices and duration are descriptive of his personal spiritual discipline, they are not prescriptive commands for all Christians today. The Bible encourages fasting (e.g., [Matthew 6:16-18](/matthew/6-16-18 "Matthew 6:16-18 - Jesus on Fasting")), but the form and frequency are left to individual conviction and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Daniel's example serves as an inspiration for intentional self-denial and focused prayer, emphasizing the spiritual principles of humility, seeking God's will, and preparing for divine encounter, rather than a rigid dietary rule.

**Why did Daniel abstain from anointing himself?**

Answer: In ancient cultures, anointing oneself with oil was a common daily practice for hygiene, skin care, and as a symbol of joy, comfort, and well-being. To refrain from anointing oneself was a widely recognized sign of mourning, distress, or deep humility before God. It indicated a deliberate neglect of personal comfort and appearance, signifying a complete focus on spiritual sorrow and earnest supplication. Daniel's refusal to anoint himself, along with his dietary restrictions, underscored the depth of his spiritual anguish and his commitment to humbling himself before God during this intense period of intercession and seeking revelation. This practice is seen in other biblical contexts as well, such as [2 Samuel 14:2](/2_samuel/14-2 "2 Samuel 14:2 - Absalom's Mourning").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Daniel's fast is a powerful example of human devotion, its ultimate significance points beyond itself to the perfect self-denial and spiritual preparation of Jesus Christ. Daniel's temporary abstinence from earthly comforts foreshadows Christ's profound and complete detachment from worldly allurements for the sake of God's will and humanity's redemption. Jesus Himself underwent a forty-day fast in the wilderness (as recounted in [Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "Matthew 4:1-11 - Jesus' Temptation and Fast")), not to receive revelation for Himself, but to perfectly fulfill all righteousness and prepare for His public ministry, ultimately triumphing over temptation where Adam and Israel failed. Daniel's intercessory prayer and self-humiliation for his people's future find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is the perfect Intercessor, continually pleading for His people before the Father (as seen in [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession") and [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood")). Daniel sought understanding of a "great conflict" (Daniel 10:1), but Christ entered and won the ultimate spiritual conflict on the cross, securing victory over sin and death (as described in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Thus, Daniel's spiritual discipline serves as a shadow, pointing to the One who perfectly embodied complete obedience and self-sacrifice to reveal God's ultimate plan of salvation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 6:17

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

Amos 5:11

Forasmuch therefore as your treading [is] upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.

Daniel 11:8

And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, [and] with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue [more] years than the king of the north.

Daniel 6:18

¶ Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

Isaiah 24:6

Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

Isaiah 24:11

[There is] a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.

1 Corinthians 9:27

But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.