Daniel 10:4

And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which [is] Hiddekel;

And in the four {H702} and twentieth {H6242} day {H3117} of the first {H7223} month {H2320}, as I was by the side {H3027} of the great {H1419} river {H5104}, which is Hiddekel {H2313};

On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was on the bank of the great river, the Tigris,

On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris,

And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel,

Daniel 10:4 sets the precise historical and geographical stage for one of Daniel's most profound and challenging visions, detailing future conflicts and divine intervention.

Context of Daniel 10:4

This verse opens a new section of the book of Daniel, revealing a vision received in the "third year of Cyrus king of Persia". By this time, many Jewish exiles had already returned to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel, but Daniel, now an old man, remained in Babylon/Persia. The specific date, "the four and twentieth day of the first month," places this vision shortly after the Passover and Unleavened Bread festivals, which occur in the first month (Nisan). This timing is significant, following a three-week period of intense mourning and fasting described in Daniel 10:2-3, indicating Daniel's deep spiritual preparation and distress over the fate of his people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Appointment and Timing: The precise date highlights God's meticulous timing in revealing His plans, emphasizing that visions and revelations are not random but occur at divinely appointed moments.
  • Spiritual Preparation: Daniel's location by the river, coupled with his preceding fast, underscores the importance of spiritual discipline and readiness to receive divine messages. It suggests that deep spiritual encounters often follow periods of intense prayer and seeking God.
  • Geographical Significance: The mention of the "great river, which is Hiddekel," grounds the spiritual vision in a tangible, earthly location, reinforcing its reality. This specific setting, a major river, often serves as a place of encounter with the divine in prophetic literature, much like Ezekiel's visions by the Chebar Canal.

Linguistic Insights

The name Hiddekel (חִדֶּקֶל, Chiddeqel in Hebrew) is the ancient name for the Tigris River, one of the two great rivers (with the Euphrates) that defined Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization. Notably, Hiddekel is also mentioned in Genesis 2:14 as one of the four rivers flowing from the Garden of Eden. This connection subtly links Daniel's later vision to foundational biblical history and God's ancient purposes, highlighting the continuity of divine interaction with humanity across millennia.

Practical Application

Daniel 10:4 encourages believers today to cultivate a spirit of readiness and spiritual sensitivity. Just as Daniel positioned himself through prayer and fasting, we too can prepare our hearts to hear from God. The verse reminds us that God can reveal profound truths in seemingly ordinary places, by a river or in our daily surroundings, if we are attentive and spiritually prepared. It underscores that God's revelations are precise and purposeful, often following a period of seeking His face, offering comfort and insight into His overarching plan for history and for us personally.

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.

  • Genesis 2:14

    And the name of the third river [is] Hiddekel: that [is] it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river [is] Euphrates.

  • Daniel 8:2

    And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I [was] at Shushan [in] the palace, which [is] in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.

  • Ezekiel 1:3

    The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

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