Daniel 10

Vision of a Glorious One

1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. The message was true and was about a great conflict. He understood the message and had understanding of the vision.

2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks.

3 I didn't eat any rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I didn't put any oil [on my body] until the three weeks were over.

4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month,^[a] as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris,

5 I looked up, and there was a man dressed in linen,^[b] with a belt of gold^[c] from Uphaz^[d][e] around his waist.

6 His body was like topaz,^[f] his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.^[g]

7 Only I, Daniel, saw the vision. The men who were with me did not see it, but a great terror fell on them, and they ran and hid.

8 I was left alone, looking at this great vision. No strength was left in me; my face grew deathly pale,^[h][i]and I was powerless.

9 I heard the words he said, and when I heard them I fell into a deep sleep,^[j] with my face to the ground.

Angelic Conflict

10 Suddenly, a hand touched me and raised me to my hands and knees.

11 He said to me, "Daniel, you are a man treasured [by God].^[k] Understand the words that I'm saying to you. Stand on your feet,^[l] for I have now been sent to you." After he said this to me, I stood trembling.

12 "Don't be afraid, Daniel," he said to me, "for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers.^[m]

13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then Michael,^[n] one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia.^[o]

14 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days,^[p] for the vision refers to those days."

15 While he was saying these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless.

16 Suddenly one with human likeness touched my lips. I opened my mouth and said to the one standing in front of me, "My lord, because of the vision, I am overwhelmed and powerless.

17 How can someone like me, your servant,^[q] speak with someone like you, my lord? Now I have no strength, and there is no breath in me."

18 Then the one with human likeness touched me again and strengthened me.

19 He said, "Don't be afraid, you who are^[r] treasured [by God].^[s] Peace to you; be very strong!" As he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me."

20 He said, "Do you know why I've come to you? I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I leave, the prince of Greece will come.

21 No one has the courage to support me against them except Michael,^[t] your prince. However, I will tell you what is recorded in the book of truth.

Daniel 10 Commentary

Chapter 10

Daniel's vision near the river Hiddekel. (1-9) He is to expect a discovery of future events. (10-21)

1-9. This chapter relates the beginning of Daniel's last vision, which is continued to the end of the book. The time would be long before all would be accomplished; and much of it is not yet fulfilled. Christ appeared to Daniel in a glorious form, and it should engage us to think highly and honourably of him. Let us admire his condescension for us and our salvation. There remained no strength in Daniel. The greatest and best of men cannot bear the full discoveries of the Divine glory; for no man can see it, and live; but glorified saints see Christ as he is, and can bear the sight. How dreadful soever Christ may appear to those under convictions of sin, there is enough in his word to quiet their spirits.

Verses 10-21 Whenever we enter into communion with God, it becomes us to have a due sense of the infinite distance between us and the holy God. How shall we, that are dust and ashes, speak to the Lord of glory? 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. From the very first day we begin to look toward God in a way of duty, he is ready to meet us in the way of mercy. Thus ready is God to hear prayer. When the angel had told the prophet of the things to come, he was to return, and oppose the decrees of the Persian kings against the Jews. The angels are employed as God's ministering servants, ( Hebrews 1:14 ) . Though much was done against the Jews by the kings of Persia, God permitting it, much more mischief would have been done if God had not prevented it. He would now more fully show what were God's purposes, of which the prophecies form an outline; and we are concerned to study what is written in these Scriptures of truth, for they belong to our everlasting peace. While Satan and his angels, and evil counsellors, excite princes to mischief against the church, we may rejoice that Christ our Prince, and all his mighty angels, act against our enemies; but we ought not to expect many to favour us in this evil world. Yet the whole counsel of God shall be established; and let each one pray, Lord Jesus, be our righteousness now, and thou wilt be our everlasting confidence, through life, in death, at the day of judgment, and for evermore.

Footnotes

• [a]. Nisan (March-April)
• [b]. Dn 12:6-7
• [c]. Rv 1:13
• [d]. Some Hb mss read Ophir
• [e]. Jr 10:9
• [f]. The identity of this stone is uncertain.
• [g]. Rv 1:14-15
• [h]. Lit my splendor was turned on me to ruin
• [i]. Dn 7:28
• [j]. Lit a sleep on my face
• [k]. Dn 9:23; 10:19
• [l]. Dn 8:18
• [m]. Dn 9:23
• [n]. Dn 12:1; Jd 9; Rv 12:7
• [o]. Dn 7:17; 8:21
• [p]. Dn 2:28
• [q]. Lit Can I, a servant of my lord
• [r]. Lit afraid, man
• [s]. Dn 10:11
• [t]. Dn 10:13; Jd 9; Rv 12:7

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO DANIEL 10

This chapter is an introduction to the prophecies contained in the two following chapters; and begins with an account of Daniel's mourning and fasting, preparatory to the vision he had, Da 10:1-3, and of the appearance of Christ to him, with the time and place of it; who is described by his clothing, and the several parts of his body, which were very glorious, he appearing in a human form, Da 10:4-6, then follows an account of the effects it had upon him, Da 10:7-9, and of what encouragement and strength he received from him, by words and touches, to listen to what he said; and to expect a discovery and an understanding of things of moment and importance, which should be in future times, Da 10:10-21.