The Book of Daniel: Chapter 10

Chapter 10:1-4
{1} In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. {2} In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. {3} I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. {4} And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;

"In the third year of Cyrus." There is no conflict between the date given here and the date given in Daniel 1:21 where we are told that Daniel continued even unto the first year of the king Cyrus. In chapter 1:21 we are not to conclude from this statement that Daniel died in the first year of king Cyrus. It only states that he continued at least that long without indicating how much longer he lived. "A thing was revealed." This means a word was revealed. This is word in the sense of a divine revelation. Here we see Daniel giving his Babylonian name of Belteshazzar. This indicates that this is the same individual mentioned in the first part of the book. This is the same individual who was carried into captivity over seventy years before. The thing (revelation) was true. The word true is placed first and therefore is emphasized. "But the time appointed was long." This indicated that the revelation covered a period of some great duration. But Daniel understood this revelation which came from God. Daniel was mourning for three full weeks. The statement concerning the length of his mourning is "three weeks, days." This seems to have been given in this manner to indicate that these are regular weeks consisting of days. The reason for his mourning is not given; however it has been suggested that the reason might have been: That Daniel had heard that the rebuilding of the temple was not going too well. Or else he may have been thinking of the sins of the Jews. Others have suggested that Daniel was questioning the future of the Jews, for the messenger told Daniel in verse 14 that he had come to make known to Daniel what would befall the Jews. Daniel omitted pleasant foods as well as the common foods during his fasting. He also omitted the anointing of himself with oil, which was a sign of joy. "And in the four and twentieth day of the first month." This was the twenty fourth day of Nisan or three days after the feast of unleavened bread. Daniel was beside "the great river, which is Hiddekel." The river mentioned here is the Tigris.

Chapter 10:5-8
{5} Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: {6} His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. {7} And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. {8} Therefore 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.

"A certain man clothed in linen." The question is asked concerning the identity of this visitor. He is dressed in linen. It is stated that this is the linen of the priest’s garment. This would indicate that the one observed functioned in some priestly fashion. It is therefore very possible that this could be an appearance of the Lord to Daniel. The description of this visitor is given. His loins were girded with fine gold. The location of a place called Uphaz has not been established. Some have suggested that this refers to a fine quality of gold. His body was like beryl. (Tarshish stone, chrysolith). It is a transparent stone brought from Tarshish. "The rest of His appearance is one of brightness. "And the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude." This indicates that the voice was impressive but somewhat inarticulate as the comparison suggests.
"And Daniel alone saw the vision." Daniel was the only person who saw the vision of this person that appeared to Daniel. There were other men with Daniel, but they did not see the vision. These verses do not state however that the men did not hear the voice of this celestial visitor. When one notices the reaction of the men with Daniel it is obvious that they were aware of the vision in some sense. A great quaking fell upon the men and they hid themselves. Daniel explained how the men, who were with him, undoubtedly these were servants who cared for him, fled so that he can state that he was left alone. "There remained no strength in me." This would be a normal reaction as a result of the great age of Daniel, the three weeks of fasting, and the sight of the vision. "For my comeliness was turned in me into corruption." This indicated that Daniel looked like a dead man instead of a live person.

Chapter 10:9-14
{9} Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. {10} And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. {11} And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. {12} Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. {13} But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. {14} Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.

Even though Daniel looked like he was dead, he was still able to hear the voice. Daniel then fell into a deep swoon. A hand touched Daniel so that he was awakened and set upon his knees and the palms of his hands. Daniel is instructed to stand upright. Daniel stood trembling. "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days." The speaker of this verse is an angel who first appeared in verse ten. This angel was sent, but the prince of Persia withstood him. This is a difficult passage. It does not seem likely that this could refer to the king of Persia for, he is called a prince. We have no indication the kings of Persia are ever referred to as princes. Also it would be questioned how a physical ruler could restrain an angel. It would seem to require that this prince of Persia would be equal to the angel who was sent; therefore it has been suggested that this prince is also an angel. He is thought to be the angel who functions as the guardian and advocate of that nation before God. It was necessary for Michael to come in order for the angel to be able to pass on his way to Daniel. The context does not state that the prince who withstood was an evil or wicked being. "In the latter days." This means the end days. Seventy weeks were set for the Jewish history. If this was to be the end times, then Gaebelein suggests that this refers to the last 3 1/2 years of the seventy weeks.

Chapter 10:15-21
{15} And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb. {16} And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. {17} For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. {18} Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, {19} And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me. {20} Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. {21} But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

After Daniel received these words from the angel, Daniel fixed his gaze upon the ground and became dumb. Then one who appeared like the sons of men, that is he looked like a man, touched Daniel’s lips and Daniel could speak again. The visions that Daniel had seen brought sorrows upon him. His strength was gone. Daniel relates to the celestial being that he is unable to speak with him because he, Daniel is too weak. Then one came who had the appearance of a man. He touched Daniel and strengthened him. This one who strengthened Daniel spoke words of strengthening to Daniel. The angel speaks of his return to fight in some way with the prince of Persia. It is difficult to interpret what is meant here by the struggle with the prince of Persia and the coming of the prince of Grecia. In verse twenty one, the angel states that there are powerful forces opposing the plans for the Jews.

Introductory Comments

Bibliography