Daniel chapter 10
Daniel is given his final vision. Daniel fasts for three weeks. Gabriel arrives to interpret the vision.
DANIEL IS GIVEN HIS FINAL VISION
VERSE 1. In 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. He understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
the third year of Cyrus king of Persia. That was 536 BC.
By that time, the Jewish exiles had returned from Babylon and had begun rebuilding the temple.
DANIEL FASTS FOR THREE WEEKS
VERSE 2. In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three whole weeks.
By 536 BC, the exiles had returned to Israel. God revealed to Daniel that a great war was coming. Daniel fasted three weeks, waiting on God in prayer. This is his second major fasting. Read more »
mourning three whole weeks. Daniel set aside a period of time to fast and pray.
Why? Perhaps because the revelation in the previous chapter was so ominous.
To fast is to abstain from eating. And possibly drinking. It is a wonderful companion during special times in our lives. Read more »
VERSE 3. I ate no pleasant bread. No meat or wine came into my mouth. I didn’t anoint myself at all, until three whole weeks were fulfilled.
By 536 BC, the exiles had returned to Israel. God revealed to Daniel that a great war was coming. Daniel fasted three weeks, waiting on God in prayer. This is his second major fasting. Read more »
no pleasant bread. Daniel voluntarily restrained himself from eating “rich” food such as bread or meat or wine.
I didn’t anoint myself at all. Daniel voluntarily restrained himself from using cologne or skin moisturizer.
three full weeks. Daniel voluntarily restrained himself for three full weeks.
To fast is to abstain from eating. And possibly drinking. Or to follow a restricted diet. It is a wonderful companion during special times in our lives. Read more »
GABRIEL ARRIVES TO INTERPRET THE VISION
VERSE 4. In the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel,
twenty-fourth day of the first month. This is April 23, 536 BC. Daniel had fasted for three weeks.
Now the LORD God blesses him with a mystical vision.
Our fasting and praying does indeed make a difference. This is true whether we can sense any tangible benefits from it or not.
VERSE 5. I lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold, there was a man clothed in linen, whose thighs were adorned with pure gold of Uphaz.
there was a man clothed in linen. In a vision, Daniel sees an angel. It is probably Gabriel.
This chapter mentions angels and demons:
Angels:
- Gabriel
- Michael
- Prince of Greece
Demons:
- Prince of Persia
- Kings of Persia
VERSE 6. His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches. His arms and his feet were like burnished bronze. The voice of his words was like the voice of a multitude.
His body also was like the beryl. The angel is vibrantly adorned.
his face as the appearance of lightning. The angel blazes bright, manifesting some fraction of its heavenly splendor.
His arms and his feet were like burnished bronze. We are getting a very detailed description of this angel.
VERSE 7. I, 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.
a great quaking fell on them. Christian artists often portray angels as obese caucasian babies with blond hair. However, angels are powerful spirit entities with immense power and authority. Read more »
VERSE 8. So I was left alone, and saw this great vision. No strength remained in me; for my face grew deathly pale, and I retained no strength.
No strength remained in me. The presence of the angel takes away all of Daniel’s strength.
VERSE 9. Yet I heard the voice of his words. When I heard the voice of his words, then I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.
VERSE 10. Behold, a hand touched me, which set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
VERSE 11. He said to me, “Daniel, you greatly beloved man, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright; for I have been sent to you, now.” When he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling.
I have been sent to you. God the Father had sent the great angel Gabriel to Daniel.
VERSE 12. Then 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.
VERSE 13. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but, behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me because I remained there with the kings of Persia.
the prince of the kingdom. The demons are territorial. Each has authority over a specific region.
the kingdom of Persia. This demon commands the forces of darkness throughout the nation of Persia.
withstood me. Gabriel was locked in battle with the commanding demon of Persia.
twenty-one days. The battle lasted 21 days.
behold, Michael. The Bible alludes to seven archangels. Of those, three are named. Who are they? Read more »
one of the chief princes. Among the angels, Gabriel and Michael have great authority.
came to help me. Michael takes over the battle with the demon of Persia. That way, Gabriel can go to Daniel and reveal the answer to his prayer.
The Bible speaks of the Armies of Heaven. They are mighty warrior angels led by Michael the Archangel. They battle against evil. Read more »
VERSE 14. Now 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.”
to make you understand. Gabriel will help Daniel understand what God has in store.
in the latter days. Biblical authors use the phrase “in the latter days.” In some cases it means “the present day.” But in other cases, it means “the future” or “The End of Days.” Read more »
VERSE 15. When he had spoken these words to me, I set my face toward the ground, and was mute.
VERSE 16. Behold, 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 have overtaken me, and I retain no strength.
VERSE 17. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? For as for me, immediately there remained no strength in me. There was no breath left in me.”
how can the servant of this my lord talk. Daniel is baffled that he would be given such a great favor from God.
There was no breath left in me. Christian artists often portray angels as obese caucasian babies with blond hair. However, angels are powerful spirit entities with immense power and authority. Read more »
VERSE 18. Then one like the appearance of a man touched me again, and he strengthened me.
VERSE 19. He 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.”
Greatly beloved man. Daniel was very precious to the LORD God.
I was strengthened. Daniel feels strengthened.
VERSE 20. Then 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.
Now I will return to fight. Gabriel is about to return to his battle with the commanding demon of Persia.
the prince of Greece shall come. The head angel of all of Greece will soon arrive.
VERSE 21. But 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.
I will tell you. Gabriel will tell Daniel the key events of the future.
Michael your prince. Michael the great angel is in charge of the heavenly forces assigned to Israel.
The Bible alludes to seven archangels. Of those, three are named. Who are they? Read more »
your prince. They believed in personal angels. That is, angels who are assigned to individuals.
Angels are powerful spirit-entities. They carry out the will of God. Some are assigned to minister to individual humans. We call then Guardian Angels. Read more »
Michael the Archangel leads the God-fearing angels into combat against Satan and his minions. They throw Satan and his minions out of heaven and to the earth. Read more »
The Bible speaks of the Armies of Heaven. They are mighty warrior angels led by Michael the Archangel. They battle against evil. Read more »
DANIEL
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12
Deuterocanonical chapters: Song of the Three Children, 13, 14
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, First Fast, Second Fast
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.