Daniel 10

Daniel Is Terrified by a Vision

1 In the third year of ¹Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to ²Daniel, who was named * Belteshazzar; and the ³message was true and one of great conflict, but he understood the message and had an ⁴understanding of the vision.

2 In those days, I, Daniel, had been ⁵mourning for three entire weeks.

3 I ⁶did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed.

4 On the twenty-fourth * day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the great ⁷river, that is, the Tigris,

5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a certain man ⁸dressed in linen, whose waist was ⁹girded with a belt of pure ¹⁰gold of Uphaz.

6 His body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, ¹¹his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a tumult.

7 Now I, Daniel, ¹²alone saw the vision, while the ¹³men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great ¹⁴dread fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves.

8 So I was ¹⁵left alone and saw this great vision; yet ¹⁶no strength was left in me, for my natural color turned to a deathly pallor, and I retained no strength.

9 But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I ¹⁷fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

Daniel Comforted

10 Then behold, a hand ¹⁸touched me and set me trembling on my hands * and knees.

11 He said to me, "O ¹⁹Daniel, man of high esteem, ²⁰understand the words that I am about to tell you and ²¹stand upright *, for I have now been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up ²²trembling.

12 Then he said to me, "²³Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on ²⁴humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response ²⁵to your words.

13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one * days; then behold, ²⁶Michael, 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 ²⁷give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the ²⁸latter days, for the vision pertains to ²⁹the days yet future."

15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and became ³⁰speechless.

16 And behold, ³¹one who resembled a human being * was ³²touching my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, "O my lord, as a result of the vision ³³anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength.

17 "For ³⁴how can such a servant of my lord talk with such as my lord? As for me, there remains just now ³⁵no strength in me, nor has any breath been left in me."

18 Then this one with human appearance touched me again and ³⁶strengthened me.

19 He said, "O man of high esteem, ³⁷do not be afraid. Peace be with you; take ³⁸courage and be courageous!" Now as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength and said, "May my lord speak, for you have ³⁹strengthened me."

20 Then he said, "Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am going forth, and behold, the ⁴⁰prince of Greece is about to come.

21 "However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of ⁴¹truth. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except * ⁴²Michael 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; Daniel 6:28
• 2. Daniel 1:7
• 3. Daniel 8:26
• 4. Daniel 1:17; Daniel 2:21
• 5. Ezra 9:4, 5; Nehemiah 1:4
• 6. Daniel 6:18
• 7. Ezekiel 1:3; Daniel 8:2
• 8. Ezekiel 9:2; Daniel 12:6, 7
• 9. Revelation 1:13; Revelation 15:6
• 10. Jeremiah 10:9
• 11. Revelation 1:14; Revelation 2:18; Revelation 19:12
• 12. 2 Kings 6:17-20
• 13. Acts 9:7
• 14. Ezekiel 12:18
• 15. Genesis 32:24
• 16. Daniel 7:28; Daniel 8:27; Habakkuk 3:16
• 17. Genesis 15:12; Job 4:13; Daniel 8:18
• 18. Jeremiah 1:9; Daniel 8:18
• 19. Daniel 10:19
• 20. Daniel 8:16, 17
• 21. Ezekiel 2:1
• 22. Job 4:14, 15
• 23. Isaiah 41:10, 14; Daniel 10:19
• 24. Daniel 9:20-23; Daniel 10:2, 3
• 25. Acts 10:30, 31
• 26. Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1; Jude 9; Revelation 12:7
• 27. Daniel 8:16; Daniel 9:22
• 28. Deuteronomy 31:29; Daniel 2:28
• 29. Daniel 8:26; Daniel 12:4, 9
• 30. Ezekiel 3:26; Ezekiel 24:27; Luke 1:20
• 31. Daniel 8:15
• 32. Isaiah 6:7; Jeremiah 1:9
• 33. Daniel 7:15, 28; Daniel 8:17, 27; Daniel 10:8, 9
• 34. Exodus 24:10, 11; Isaiah 6:1-5
• 35. Daniel 10:8
• 36. Isaiah 35:3, 4
• 37. Judges 6:23; Isaiah 43:1; Daniel 10:12
• 38. Josh 1:6, 7, 9; Isaiah 35:4
• 39. Psalms 138:3; 2 Corinthians 12:9
• 40. Daniel 8:21; Daniel 11:2
• 41. Daniel 12:4
• 42. Daniel 10:13; Revelation 12:7

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "word"
• [b]. Lit "word"
• [c]. Or "warfare"
• [d]. Lit "word"
• [e]. Lit "bread of desirability"
• [f]. Heb "Hiddekel"
• [g]. Or "yellow serpentine"
• [h]. Lit "like"
• [i]. Or "roaring"
• [j]. Lit "splendor"
• [k]. Lit "corruption"
• [l]. Lit "knees and the palms of my hands"
• [m]. Lit "desirability;" or "preciousness"
• [n]. Lit "upon your standing"
• [o]. Lit "standing opposite"
• [p]. Lit "end of the days"
• [q]. Lit "set"
• [r]. Lit "as a likeness of sons of man"
• [s]. Lit "my pains have"
• [t]. Lit "desirability;" or "preciousness"
• [u]. Lit "to you"
• [v]. Lit "know"
• [w]. I.e. Satanic angel
• [x]. I.e. Satanic angel
• [y]. Heb "Javan"
• [z]. Lit "shows himself strong"

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.