Daniel 10

Vision of a Glorious One

1 In the third year of King Cyrus of Persia,  * 10:1 Dn 1:21; 6:28 a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar.  * 10:1 Dn 1:7 The message was true and was about a great conflict. He understood the message and had understanding of the vision.  * 10:1 Dn 1:17; 2:21

2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks.  * 10:2 Ezr 9:4–5; Neh 1:43 I didn’t eat any rich food,  * 10:3 Dn 6:18; Am 6:6; Mt 6:17 no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I didn’t put any oil on my body until the three weeks were over. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month,  * 10:4 = Nisan (March–April) as I was standing on the bank of the great river,  * 10:4 Ezk 1:3; Dn 8:2 the Tigris, 5 I looked up, and there was a man dressed in linen,  * 10:5 Ezk 9:2; Dn 12:6–7 with a belt of gold  * 10:5 Rv 1:13; 15:6 from Uphaz  * 10:5 Some Hb mss read Ophir,* 10:5 Jr 10:9 around his waist. 6 His body was like beryl,  * 10:6 The identity of this stone is uncertain. his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches,  * 10:6 Rv 1:14; 2:18; 19:12 his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.  * 10:6 Rv 19:6

7 Only I, Daniel, saw the vision.  * 10:7 2Kg 6:17–20 The men who were with me did not see it,  * 10:7 Ac 9:7 but a great terror fell on them,  * 10:7 Ezk 12:18 and they ran and hid. 8 I was left alone, looking at this great vision.  * 10:8 Gn 32:24 No strength was left in me; my face grew deathly pale,  * 10:8 Lit my splendor was turned on me to ruin,* 10:8 Dn 7:28; 8:27; Hab 3:16 and I was powerless. 9 I heard the words he said, and when I heard them I fell into a deep sleep,  * 10:9 Lit a sleep on my face,* 10:9 Gn 15:12; Jb 4:13; Dn 8:18 with my face to the ground.

Angelic Conflict

10 Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me shaking on my hands and knees. 11 He said to me, "Daniel, you are a man treasured by God.  * 10:11 by God added for clarity, also in v. 19,* 10:11 Dn 9:23; 10:19 Understand the words that I’m saying to you. Stand on your feet,  * 10:11 Ezk 2:2; Dn 8:18 for I have now been sent to you."  * 10:11 Heb 11:14 After he said this to me, I stood trembling.

12 "Don’t be afraid,  * 10:12 Is 41:10,14; Dn 10:19 Daniel," he said to me, "for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God,  * 10:12 Dn 9:2–23; 10:2–3 your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers.  * 10:12 Ac 10:30–3113 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael,  * 10:13 Dn 10:21; 12:1; Jd 9; Rv 12:7 one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia.  * 10:13 Dn 7:17; 8:2114 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days,  * 10:14 Dt 31:29; Dn 2:28 for the vision refers to those days."  * 10:14 Dn 8:26; 12:4,9

15 While he was saying these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless.  * 10:15 Ezk 3:26; 24:27; Lk 1:2016 Suddenly one with human likeness  * 10:16 Dn 8:15 touched my lips.  * 10:16 Is 6:7; Jr 1:9 I opened my mouth and said to the one standing in front of me, "My lord, because of the vision, anguish overwhelms me and I am powerless.  * 10:16 Dn 7:15,28; 8:17,27; 10:8–917 How can someone like me,  * 10:17 Ex 24:10–11; Is 6:1–5 your servant,  * 10:17 Lit Can I, a servant of my lord speak with someone like you, my lord? Now I have no strength, and there is no breath in me."

18 Then the one with a human appearance touched me again and strengthened me.  * 10:18 Is 35:3–419 He said, "Don’t be afraid,  * 10:19 Jdg 6:23; Is 43:1; Dn 10:12 you who are  * 10:19 Lit afraid, man treasured by God.  * 10:19 Dn 9:23; 10:11 Peace to you; be very strong! "  * 10:19 Jos 1:6–7,9; Is 35:4

As he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me."  * 10:19 Ps 138:2; 2Co 12:9

20 He said, "Do you know why I’ve come to you? I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I leave, the prince of Greece will come.  * 10:20 Dn 8:21; 11:221 However, I will tell you what is recorded in the book of truth. (No one has the courage to support me against those princes except Michael,  * 10:21 Dn 10:13; Rv 12:7 your prince.