Daniel 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.

11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.

13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.

14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”

15 While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless.

16 Then one who looked like a man^[b] touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak.

17 How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”

18 Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength.

19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”

20 So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come;

21 but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, 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. 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
• 24. S Genesis 6:9; Daniel 9:23
• 25. S Ezekiel 2:1
• 26. S Matthew 14:27
• 27. S Leviticus 16:31; S Daniel 9:3
• 28. S Isaiah 65:24
• 29. Daniel 9:20
• 30. Isaiah 24:21
• 31. ver 21; Daniel 12:1; S Jude 1:9
• 32. S Daniel 9:22
• 33. S Ezekiel 12:27
• 34. S Daniel 2:28; Daniel 8:26; Habakkuk 2:3
• 35. Ezekiel 24:27; Luke 1:20
• 36. S Isaiah 6:7; Jeremiah 1:9; Daniel 8:15-18
• 37. S Isaiah 21:3
• 38. S Daniel 4:19
• 39. ver 16
• 40. S Daniel 8:18
• 41. S Daniel 9:23
• 42. Judges 6:23; S Isaiah 35:4
• 43. Joshua 1:9
• 44. Isaiah 6:1-8
• 45. Daniel 8:21; Daniel 11:2
• 46. Daniel 11:2
• 47. S ver 13; S Jude 1:9

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "true and burdensome"
• [b]. Most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text; one manuscript of the Masoretic Text, Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint "Then something that looked like a human hand"

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.