Daniel Chapter 10
Annotated Commentary with Links
| 1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, even a great warfare: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. | The third year of Cyrus would be 536 BC. This date is significant because according to the book of Ezra, two years earlier Cyrus had issued a proclamation allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and to begin rebuilding. |
| 2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three whole weeks. | |
| 3I ate not pleasant bread, neither came meat nor wine into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, until three whole weeks were fulfilled. | |
| 4In the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel, | The first month is Nissan, so the date of the vision would be 24 Nissan, 536 BC. |
| 5I lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, whose thighs were adorned with pure gold of Uphaz: | |
| 6his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches, and his arms and his feet like burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. | The description of the man in verses 5-6 is very similar to the descriptions of Christ in Revelation 1:12-17 and Acts. This similarity has led many scholars to propose the figure is an incarnation of the Christ before he took bodily form in Jesus of Nazareth. |
| 7I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the men who were with me didn’t see the vision; but a great quaking fell on them, and they fled to hide themselves. | |
| 8So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. | |
| 9Yet heard I the voice of his words; then was I fallen into a deep sleep on my face, with my face towed the ground. | |
| 10Behold, a hand touched me, which set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands. | Scholars have proposed that the figure in verse 10 is a different figure than the figure described in verses 5-6. This would mean the figure in verse 10 is a new angel, or messenger of God. |
| 11He said to me, Daniel, you man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright; for am I now sent to you. When he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling. | |
| 12Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel; for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come for your words’ sake. | |
| 13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but, behold, Michael, on of the chief princes, came to help me because I remained there with the kings of Persia. | The Hebrew word translated as “prince” is sar, which can mean “ruler”, “leader” or “high official.” Here the text seems to be referring to a supernatural being who opposes the will of God and does battle with an angel who is obedient to God. This supernatural being also seems to be affiliated with the nation of Persia. |
| 14Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days; for the vision is yet for many days.” | |
| 15When he had spoken to me according to these words, I set my face toward the ground, and was mute. | |
| 16Behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spoke and said to him who stood before me, “My lord, by reason of the vision my sorrows are turned on me, and I retain no strength. | |
| 17For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? For as for me, immediately there remained no strength in me, neither was there breath left in me.” | |
| 18Then one like the appearance of a man touched me again, and he strengthened me. | |
| 19He said, “Greatly beloved man, don’t be afraid: peace be to you, be strong, yes, be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak; for you have strengthened me.” | |
| 20Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia. When I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. | Historically, the Persian Empire was conquered by Alexander the Great, a Macedonian, in the 4th Century BC. The mention of a “prince of Greek” implies a spiritual battle between Greece and God would continue. |
| 21But I will tell you that which is inscribed in the writing of truth. There is no one who holds with me against these, but Michael your prince. |
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