Daniel 10

Daniel's Terrifying Vision of a Man

1 ¹In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, ²who was named Belteshazzar. And ³the word was true, and it was a great conflict.^[a] And ⁴he understood the word and ⁵had understanding of the vision.

2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for ⁶three weeks.

3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I ⁷anoint myself at all, for ⁸the full three weeks.

4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing ⁹on the bank of the great river (¹⁰that is, the Tigris)

5 ¹¹I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, ¹²a man clothed in linen, ¹³with a belt of fine ¹⁴gold from Uphaz around his waist.

6 His body was like ¹⁵beryl, his face ¹⁶like the appearance of lightning, ¹⁷his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and ¹⁸legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and ¹⁹the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.

7 ²⁰And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.

8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and ²¹no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed,^[b]22and I retained no strength.

9 Then I heard the sound of his words, ²³and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep ²⁴with my face to the ground.

10 And behold, ²⁵a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.

11 And he said to me, "O Daniel, ²⁶man greatly loved, ²⁷understand the words that I speak to you, and ²⁸stand upright, for ²⁹now I have been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.

12 Then he said to me, ³⁰"Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you ³¹set your heart to understand and ³²humbled yourself before your God, ³³your words have been heard, ³⁴and I have come because of your words.

13 ³⁵The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me ³⁶twenty-one days, but ³⁷Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,

14 ³⁸and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people ³⁹in the latter days. For ⁴⁰the vision is for days yet to come."

15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, ⁴¹I turned my face toward the ground ⁴²and was mute.

16 And behold, ⁴³one in the likeness of the children of man ⁴⁴touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, "O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and ⁴⁵I retain no strength.

17 How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me."

18 Again ⁴⁶one having the appearance of a man ⁴⁷touched me and strengthened me.

19 And he said, ⁴⁸"O man greatly loved, ⁴⁹fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage." And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me."

20 Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the ⁵⁰prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of ⁵¹Greece will come.

21 But I will tell you ⁵²what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except ⁵³Michael, your prince.

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.

Cross References

• 1. [Daniel 1:21]; See Daniel 6:28
• 2. See Daniel 1:7
• 3. [Daniel 8:26]
• 4. See Daniel 1:17
• 5. See Daniel 1:17
• 6. [ver. 13]
• 7. [Amos 6:6; Matthew 6:17]
• 8. [See ver. 2 above]
• 9. [Daniel 12:5]
• 10. Genesis 2:14
• 11. [Joshua 5:13]
• 12. Ezekiel 9:2
• 13. [Revelation 1:13; Revelation 15:6]
• 14. Jeremiah 10:9
• 15. [Ezekiel 1:16; Ezekiel 10:9]
• 16. Ezekiel 1:14; Matthew 28:3
• 17. Revelation 1:14
• 18. Revelation 1:15
• 19. Revelation 1:15
• 20. [Acts 9:7]
• 21. [Daniel 7:28]
• 22. ver. 16
• 23. Daniel 8:18
• 24. Daniel 8:18
• 25. See Ezekiel 2:9
• 26. ver. 19; Daniel 9:23
• 27. See Daniel 1:17
• 28. Ezekiel 2:1
• 29. [Hebrews 1:14]
• 30. ver. 19; [Judges 6:23; Revelation 1:17]
• 31. [Daniel 9:3]
• 32. [Daniel 9:3]
• 33. [Acts 10:4]
• 34. [Daniel 9:23]
• 35. ver. 20
• 36. [ver. 2, 3]
• 37. ver. 21; Daniel 12:1; Jude 9; Revelation 12:7
• 38. [See ver. 12 above]
• 39. Daniel 2:28
• 40. Daniel 8:26; [Habakkuk 2:3]
• 41. ver. 9; Daniel 8:18
• 42. Psalms 39:2, 9
• 43. See Daniel 8:15
• 44. Isaiah 6:7
• 45. ver. 8
• 46. [See ver. 16 above]
• 47. [See ver. 16 above]
• 48. ver. 11; Daniel 9:23
• 49. See ver. 12
• 50. ver. 13
• 51. Daniel 8:21
• 52. Daniel 12:1, 4; [Exodus 32:32]
• 53. See ver. 13

Footnotes

• [a]. Or and it was about a great conflict
• [b]. Hebrew My splendor was changed to ruin

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.