Daniel 10:1-3

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}.

Daniel 10:1-3 Meaning and Commentary

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.

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"