Daniel 10:1-10

Daniel’s Vision of a Man

1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war.^[a] The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.

2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks.

3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris,

5 I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.

6 His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves.

8 So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless.

9 Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.

10 A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.

Daniel 10:1-10 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.

Cross References

• 1. S Daniel 1:21
• 2. S Daniel 1:7
• 3. Daniel 8:26
• 4. S Ezra 9:4
• 5. S Daniel 6:18
• 6. Daniel 12:5
• 7. S Genesis 2:14
• 8. Daniel 8:3
• 9. S Ezekiel 9:2; Revelation 15:6
• 10. Jeremiah 10:9
• 11. S Exodus 28:20
• 12. Matthew 17:2; S Matthew 28:3
• 13. Job 41:19; Revelation 19:12
• 14. S Ezekiel 1:7; S Revelation 1:15
• 15. S Ezekiel 1:24
• 16. 2 Kings 6:17-20; Acts 9:7
• 17. Genesis 32:24
• 18. S Job 4:14; Daniel 8:27
• 19. S Job 4:15
• 20. Habakkuk 3:16
• 21. Daniel 8:18; Matthew 17:6
• 22. Jeremiah 1:9
• 23. Revelation 1:17

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "true and burdensome"