Verse 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.
This chapter is an introduction to Daniel chapter 11 which is a very lengthy chapter and which contains a lot of history. Because it would take a long time for the “thing” revealed to the prophet Daniel to come to pass, Daniel wrote that the “time appointed was long”.
Daniel’s given Babylonian name was Belteshazzar and it means “lord of the straitened’s treasure”.
Verse 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.
Remember that in Daniel chapter 9 he was pouring his heart out to God, confessing his sins and the sins of the nations Israel and Judah, and interceding for the people who were in foreign captivity because of their sins and rebellion against God. And as a result of his fasting and prayers, Daniel had experienced divine revelation from God through the angel Gabriel and he was given the understanding that there would be 490 years of time to the end of natural Israel. This would have been very disconcerting and very troubling to Daniel as he loved his people and his nation. Now he was mourning for three full weeks or 21 days. He was not eating properly and he was not even properly caring for his body (anointing). It is not known for sure why Daniel was mourning, but it is possible that his state of mind was a result of the knowledge he had acquired some time previously regarding the fate of the nation, Israel. He was not depressed or suicidal, but mourning. He had seen in visions the rise and fall of Babylon, the rise of Medo-Persia, and the rise of the Grecian and Roman empires. These things would be forever in Daniel’s mind and he would most likely think about the visions regularly.
Verses 4-6 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; 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.
Hiddekel means rapid, and it is another name for the Tigris River which is located near the Euphrates River in modern day Iraq. Uphaz was a place famous for its gold and the name means “desire of fine gold”. Beryl refers to a yellow colored stone. Linen is always white in color unless it is referred to as dyed linen.
Who did the prophet Daniel see? The description of this man is similar to that of the description of Jesus in Revelation 1:13-15, but there are differences. So this writer believes Daniel was seeing an angel of God manifesting as a man.
Verses 7-9 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. 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.
The events surrounding this vision are similar to or parallel those experienced by the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. See Acts chapter 9. The men accompanying Paul heard a voice but did not see anyone. Here the men that were with Daniel also did not see anyone. Instead, these men experienced such anxiety and fear that they ran away and hid. The Hebrew word translated as “quaking” is “charadah” and it means exceeding fear, trembling and anxiety. Daniel had been limiting his food intake for three weeks and he was probably already feeling physically weak as a result of his state of mourning. But the added stress and excitement of this vision caused him to feel weaker and to end up on his face on the ground. He was physically weak and frail at that moment.
Verses 10-11 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.
This angel, with just one touch, gave the prophet Daniel his strength and vigor back so that he was able to stand up. Who sent this angel? God sent him. Why did God send him? Because Daniel was greatly beloved and because Daniel was faithful in his handling of God’s Word.
Verse 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.
The Hebrew word translated as “fear” is “yare” and it can mean to be afraid or it can mean to stand in awe of, or be awed, or reverence, honor and respect. It may be that part of the prophet Daniel’s physical weakness was because of his being afraid. It could also just mean that Daniel was in awe of what he was seeing and experiencing. Or maybe it was a little of both. The point to understand here is that Daniel’s prayers started the event leading up to the vision and the angelic visitation. Daniel’s words from the first day of his three week mourning period were heard and acted upon by God. Why did it take three weeks for this angel to get to Daniel?
Verses 13-14 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.
The angel was involved in an unseen spiritual battle that delayed him from reaching the prophet Daniel. The prince of the kingdom of Persia was/is a fallen angel. Satan has a hierarchy of fallen angels or demons that he assigns to various nations and people, and since the angel of God was being sent to Daniel in Persia, the fallen angel assigned to the nation Persia wanted to stop the visitation. But when the archangel Michael arrived, the battle changed and the sent angel was able to go to Daniel. Daniel was feeling the effects of this battle as he was crying out to God for three weeks and as he was in a state of mourning. Notice that the angel made it clear that he was going to reveal to Daniel what was going to happen to Daniel’s people, not to all the people of the world. Again let it be stated that most Bible prophecy involves Jesus and His people, not all the people of the world. Because His people live in the world, what happens to them can affect people that are not God’s. So to apply Bible prophecy to other nations and tongues can lead to a misinterpretation of the Scripture.
Application: Often the Christian believer becomes discouraged when praying for someone or for something that is in the will of God but nothing tangible happens in response to those prayers. Questions may be asked such as, “Where is God when I need Him?” and “Doesn’t God care about me?”. The prophet Daniel’s experience demonstrates that the believer’s prayers are heard, but that the answer to those prayers may be slow to come because there is a spiritual battle going on in the Heavens. There will always be a spiritual battle going on in the Heavens until the LORD Jesus Christ returns and ushers in judgement and eternity. Please note: Jesus conquered demonic spirits when on the cross and they now operate chiefly by inhabiting people. They use people to fight their battles against the people of God and against His creation. Basically, these evil spirits can engage in nonsense and even provide supernatural phenomena to frighten people, but they only have the power people give to them. They are defeated by Jesus. They can have no power over the Christian believer as the LORD has all the power. So do not give glory to the devil or his evil spirits by having fear of them, etc. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 As a believer, you have the power and authority to defeat any plan of any evil spirit.
Verses 15-17 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.
The Hebrew word translated as “dumb” is “alam” and it means put to silence. For a time, the prophet Daniel was unable to speak. Apparently even his breathing was labored. Daniel was so tired he couldn’t function. In Luke chapter one the angel Gabriel was sent to Zacharias to report to him that he would have a son in his old age, John the Baptist. Zacharias had difficulty believing this news. So Gabriel stated, “And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.” Luke 1:20 So this Levitical priest was unable to speak until after his son was born. But Daniel’s lack of speech was not because of disbelief as was Zacharias’. However, they were both conditions of having seen a vision from God.
Verses 18-19 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.
The angel from God manifesting as a man just touched Daniel and his body was renewed to full strength.
Application: God will always strengthen His people in order for them to hear His Word and to pray. Believers need to be persistent and not give in and give up.
Verses 20-21 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 shew 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. (Daniel 10)
To paraphrase the angel, he was saying, ‘I took time out from the battle to get the message to you, and now I am going back to fight some more’. Notice that he was going back to fight the prince of Persian and that he wanted Daniel to know that the prince of Greece was going to come next. The Hebrew word translated as “holdeth” is “chazaq” and it means to prevail, to strengthen, to be courageous, or to be resolute. So only Michael the archangel was standing with this angel in the battle.