Daniel 10 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Daniel 10

Daniel’s Terrifying Vision of a Man

10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict.¹ And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.

2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. 3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) 5 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. 7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed,² and I retained no strength. 9 Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.

10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”

15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. 16 And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. 17 How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”

18 Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.

Footnotes

[1] 10:1 Or and it was about a great conflict
[2] 10:8 Hebrew My splendor was changed to ruin

Commentary

v1: Like Ezekiel (Ezek 1.1), Daniel is with others (v7), but the word is revealed only to him.

v2-3: Daniel is again troubled by what God reveals. The Word of God makes a difference in his life, and he is concerned about what is to happen. The prophet was sometimes called to bear a heavy and painful burden.

v4-6: Rev 1.13-16; God the Son, rather than God the Father; wearing linen (Ezek 44.18) which doesn't cause sweat; our Lord works, but He does not tire or sweat.

v7-9: Daniel is with other Jews, praying by the Tigris. He is picked out as the holy man, to receive the vision (2 Pet 1.21), he is "highly esteemed" (v11,19; 9.23), favoured by God to receive such visions.

v10-11: Daniel is very concerned, even trembling.

v12: The first word is for Daniel, to remove his fears. The Lord does not treat His messengers in an uncaring way, but with compassion.

v13: Spiritual warfare in the heavenly places, affecting events on the earth. The gap of 21 days matches with v2, the period for which Daniel fasted.

Michael (referred to in Jude 9 and Rev 12.7 as well as in Daniel) is a chief angel. Daniel does not pray to him, but only to God.

We are cautious not to draw unwarranted conclusions here. Daniel prayed earnestly and fasted. There is no explicit reference to Daniel joining in some 'spiritual warfare' against an evil territorial spirit, as some have suggested. The lesson is clear - pray and keep praying. An answer may be delayed.

v14: The message concerning the people of God in the future.

v15-17: Daniel, speechless, trembling before the vision of Christ. The angel touches his lips, giving him strength simply to describe his own struggles, and to ask for strength.

Any vision of God is likely to be something amazing, and hard to comprehend. Even in Christ we are weak creatures. In the NT, Paul and John both faced visions of Christ (Acts 9; Rev 1), which had a mighty impact upon them.

v18: Answered prayer, as strength is given.

v19: By word and touch, Daniel is strengthened and encouraged. This "man" speaks powerfully into his life. Here is the Lord Jesus, with the word of power and the touch of healing; as He showed during His earthly ministry.

v20: Future developments in relation to Persia and Greece.

v21: Although the forces of men and angels are arrayed against the Lord of Glory, He has no fear or doubt about the outcome. His concern here is to deliver the message to Daniel.