Daniel 10

1 Anno tertio Cyri regis Persarum, verbum revelatum est Danieli cognomento Baltassar, et verbum verum, et fortitudo magna: intellexitque sermonem: intelligentia enim est opus in visione.

2 In diebus illis ego Daniel lugebam trium hebdomadarum diebus,

3 panem desiderabilem non comedi, et caro et vinum non introierunt in os meum, sed neque unguento unctus sum: donec complerentur trium hebdomadarum dies.

4 Die autem vigesima et quarta mensis primi eram iuxta fluvium magnum, qui est Tigris.

5 Et levavi oculos meos, et vidi: et ecce vir unus vestitus lineis, et renes eius accincti auro obrizo:

6 et corpus eius quasi chrysolithus, et facies eius velut species fulguris, et oculi eius ut lampas ardens: et brachia eius, et quae deorsum sunt usque ad pedes, quasi species aeris candentis: et vox sermonum eius ut vox multitudinis.

7 Vidi autem ego Daniel solus visionem: porro viri, qui erant mecum, non viderunt: sed terror nimus irruit super eos, et fugerunt in absconditum.

8 Ego autem relictus solus vidi visionem grandem hanc: et non remansit in me fortitudo, sed et species mea immutata est in me, et emarcui, nec habui quidquam virium.

9 Et audivi vocem sermonum eius: et audiens iacebam consternatus super faciem meam, et vultus meus haerebat terrae.

10 Et ecce manus tetigit me, et erexit me super genua mea, et super articulos manuum mearum.

11 Et dixit ad me: Daniel vir desideriorum, intellige verba, quae ego loquor ad te, et sta in gradu tuo: nunc enim sum missus ad te. Cumque dixisset mihi sermonem istum, steti tremens.

12 Et ait ad me: Noli metuere Daniel: quia ex die primo, quo posuisti cor tuum ad intelligendum ut te affligeres in conspectu Dei tui, exaudita sunt verba tua: et ego veni propter sermones tuos.

13 Princeps autem regni Persarum restitit mihi viginti et uno diebus: et ecce Michael unus de principibus primis venit in adiutorium meum, et ego remansi ibi iuxta regem Persarum.

14 Veni autem ut docerem te quae ventura sunt populo tuo in novissimis diebus, quoniam adhuc, visio in dies.

15 Cumque loqueretur mihi huiuscemodi verbis, deieci vultum meum ad terram, et tacui.

16 Et ecce quasi similitudo filii hominis tetigit labia mea: et aperiens os meum locutus sum, et dixi ad eum, qui stabat contra me: Domine mi, in visione tua dissolutae sunt compages meae, et nihil in me remansit virium.

17 Et quomodo poterit servus Domini mei loqui cum Domino meo? nihil enim in me remansit virium, sed et halitus meus intercluditur.

18 Rursum ergo tetigit me quasi visio hominis, et confortavit me,

19 et dixit: Noli timere vir desideriorum: pax tibi: confortare, et esto robustus. Cumque loqueretur mecum, convalui, et dixi: Loquere Domine mi, quia confortasti me.

20 Et ait: Numquid scis quare venerim ad te? et nunc revertar ut praelier adversum principem Persarum. cum ego egrederer, apparuit princeps Graecorum veniens.

21 Verumtamen annunciabo tibi quod expressum est in scriptura veritatis: et nemo est adiutor meus in omnibus his, nisi Michael princeps vester.

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.

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.