Daniel 10:12

12 Then he said to me, "¹Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on ²humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response ³to your words.

Daniel 10:12 Meaning and Commentary

Daniel 10:12

Then said he unto me, fear not, Daniel
Perceiving him to shake and tremble, and to be intimidated at his presence, he speaks comfortably to him, and encourages him to lay aside his fears, that he might be more capable of attending to what he was about to say to him; and which had a tendency of themselves to remove his fears, and increase his confidence in the Lord: for from the first day thou didst set thine heart to understand;
not so much the former visions which he had an understanding of, as the future state of his people; or rather, the reason of their present distressed condition, being hindered by their enemies in rebuilding their city and temple: and to chasten thyself before thy God;
to humble himself in prayer, and to afflict himself by fasting: thy words were heard;
his prayers were heard, and an answer ordered to be given, the very first day he began to pray, and fast, and mourn, though it was now full three weeks since; just as, at the beginning of his former supplications, Gabriel had a commandment to go and show him that they were heard, ( Daniel 9:23 ) : and I am come forth for thy words;
on account of his prayers, to bring an answer to them; the reason why he came no sooner, when it was three weeks since he received his order, is as follows:

Daniel 10:12 In-Context

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

11 He said to me, "O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright , for I have now been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.

12 Then he said to me, "Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words.

13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.

14 "Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future."

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 41:10, 14; Daniel 10:19
• 2. Daniel 9:20-23; Daniel 10:2, 3
• 3. Acts 10:30, 31