Daniel 10

Daniel’s Vision of a Dazzling Heavenly Messenger

1 In the third year of Cyrus [the] king of [the] Persians, a word was revealed to Daniel, who was called [by] his name Belteshazzar, and the word [was] reliable and [it concerned] a great tribulation, and he understood the word and {he received understanding}.

2 In those days, I, Daniel, I [myself] was [in] mourning {for three whole weeks}.

3 I had not eaten [any] choice food, and meat and wine did not enter my mouth, and {I did not use any ointment} {until the end of three whole weeks}.

4 And [then] on [the] twenty-fourth day of the first month, I [myself] was on the bank of the great river; that is, [the] Tigris.

5 And I lifted up my eyes and I saw, and there was a man, [and] he was dressed [in] linen, and his waist was girded with [the] gold of Uphaz.

6 Now his body [was] like turquoise, and his face [was] like [the] appearance of lightning, and his eyes [were] like torches of fire, and his arms and his legs [were] like [the] gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words [was] like [the] sound of a multitude.

7 And I saw, I, Daniel {alone}, the vision; and the people who were with me {did not see} the vision; nevertheless, a great trembling fell upon them and they fled [in order] to hide themselves.

8 And I myself, Daniel, alone saw this great vision, and [as a result] {no strength was left in me} and {my complexion grew deathly pale}, and I did not retain any strength.

9 And I heard the sound of his words, and {when I heard} the sound of his words I myself [began] falling into a trance on my face, {with my face to the ground}.

10 And look, a hand touched me and it roused me to my knees and the palms of my hands.

11 And he said to me, "Daniel, [a] man beloved, pay attention to the words that I [am] speaking to you and {stand upright where you are}, for I have now been sent to you." And {while he was speaking} with me this word, I stood up trembling.

12 And he said to me, "You must not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself {before} your God, your words were heard, and I [myself] have come because of your words.

13 But [the] prince of [the] kingdom of Persia stood {before me} [for] twenty-one days. And look, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to assist me, and I left [him] there beside [the] king of [the] Persians.

14 And I have come to instruct you about what will happen to your people {in the future}, for [there is] a further vision [here] {for the future}.

15 And while he was speaking with me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and I was speechless.

16 Then look, there was {one in the form of a human}; he touched my lips and I opened my mouth and I spoke and I said to the [one] standing {before me}, "My lord, because of the vision my anxieties fell upon me and I [have] not retained [my] strength.

17 So {how am I, a servant of my lord} to speak with {you, my lord}, and I {just now} {have no strength in me}?"

18 And {he again touched} me, {the one in the form of a human}, and he strengthened me.

19 And he said, "You must not fear, [O] beloved man. {Peace be to you}; be strong and be courageous!" And {when he spoke} with me, I was strengthened and I said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me."

20 Then he asked, "Do you know why I have come to you? And now I return to fight against the prince of Persia and I [myself] [am] going, and look, [the] prince of Javan will come.

21 However, I will tell you {what is inscribed} in [the] book of truth, and there is not one [who] contends with me against these [beings] {except} Michael, 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "matter," or "message"
• [b]. Or "matter," or "message"
• [c]. Or "conflict"
• [d]. Or "matter," or "message"
• [e]. Literally "and understanding to him"
• [f]. This is an emphatic use of the first person personal pronoun
• [g]. Literally "three weeks [of] days"
• [h]. Literally "I have not anointed at all"
• [i]. Literally "until being full/complete three weeks [of] days"
• [j]. This is an emphatic use of the first person personal pronoun
• [k]. Or "looked"
• [l]. Or "yellow jasper" or other gold-colored stones; the exact identity of ancient precious stones is difficult
• [m]. Literally "to alone me"
• [n]. Literally "not they saw"
• [o]. Literally "not was left in me strength"
• [p]. Literally "and complexion my changed over me to destruction"
• [q]. Literally "at my hearing"
• [r]. Literally "and my face toward the ground"
• [s]. Hebrew "on my knees"
• [t]. Hebrew "palm"
• [u]. Literally "stand on your position"
• [v]. Literally "at his speaking"
• [w]. Or "matter," or "message"
• [x]. Literally "to the face of"
• [y]. This is an emphatic use of the first person personal pronoun
• [z]. Literally "to front of me"
• [aa]. Or "finally"
• [ab]. Hebrew "I came"
• [ac]. Hebrew "that"
• [ad]. Literally "at the end of the days"
• [ae]. Literally "for the days"
• [af]. Literally "as [the] likeness of [a] son of man"
• [ag]. Literally "to opposite me"
• [ah]. Literally "how is [he] able a servant [of] my lord this"
• [ai]. Literally "with my lord this"
• [aj]. Literally "from now"
• [ak]. Literally "not it remains in me strength"
• [al]. Literally "he added to and touched"
• [am]. Literally "like vision of a man"
• [an]. Literally "Peace to/for you"
• [ao]. Literally "at his speaking"
• [ap]. This is an emphatic use of the first person personal pronoun
• [aq]. Or "listen"
• [ar]. That is, Greece
• [as]. Literally "the being inscribed"
• [at]. Literally "but if"

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.