10:1ffI This is Daniel's final vision (536 B.C.). In it, he was given further insight into the great spiritual battle between God's people and those who want to destroy them. There is also more detailed information on the future, specifically the struggles between the Ptolemies (kings of the south) and the Seleucids (kings of the north).
Life Application Study BibleDanielChapter 10
Daniel 10
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1396, 1397, 1398
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
10Daniel 10
Daniel’s Vision of a Messenger
1In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia,* Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision. He understood that the vision concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great hardship. 2When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. 3All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed. 4On April 23,* as was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River, 5I looked up and saw aman dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people. 7Only], Daniel, saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide. 8So I was left there all alone to see this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak. Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground. 10fust then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. 1tAnd the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling. 12Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 'SBut for twenty-one days the spirit prince* of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels,* came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.* Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.” ‘8While he was speaking to me, I looked down at the ground, unable to say a word. '®Then the one who looked like a man* touched my lips,and I opened my mouth and began to speak. Isaid to the one standing in front of me, “I am filled with anguish because of the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak. 17How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe.” 18Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning. 19“Don't be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.” 20He replied, 6Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece* will come. 21 Meanwhile, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one helps me against these spirit princes except Michael, your spirit prince.* 11:1I have been standing beside Michael* to support and strengthen him since the first year of the reign of
Darius the Mede.)
Kings of the South and North
1 1 7“Now then, I will reveal the truth to you. Three more Persian kings will reign, to be succeeded by a fourth, far richer than the others. He will use his wealth to stir up everyone to fight against the kingdom of Greece.* 10:13a Hebrew the prince; also in 10:13c, 20. 10:13b Hebrew the chief princes. 10:13¢ As in one Greek version; Hebrew reads and I was left there with the kings of Persia. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain. 10:16 As in most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text; one manuscript of the Masoretic Text and one Greek version read Then something that looked like a human hand. 10:20 Hebrew of Javan. 10:21 Hebrew against these except Michael, your prince. 11:1 Hebrew him. 11:2 Hebrew of Javan. 8“Then a mighty king will rise to power who will rule with great authority and accomplish everything he sets out to do. 10
Textual footnotes
- the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain. 9:27¢ Hebrew an abomination of desolation.
- Cyrus's reign was 536 B.c.
- calendar. This date in the book of Daniel can be cross-checked with dates in surviving Persian records and can be
- related accurately to our modern calendar. This event occurred on April 23, 536 B.c.
- 10:1 The third year of
- 10:4 Hebrew On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, of the ancient Hebrew lunar
Life Application Notes 7 notes
10:1ffPrior to this vision, Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem, but Daniel stayed in Babylon. Why didn’t Daniel return to Jerusalem? He may have been too old to make the long, hazardous journey (he was over 80); his government duties could have prevented him; or God may have told him to stay behind ta complete the work he was called to do.
10:3Daniel refrained from eating certain foods and using fragrant lotions because these were signs of feasting and rejoicing.
10:5,6The man seen by Daniel was a heavenly being. Some commentators believe that this was an appearance of Christ (see Revelation 1:13-15), while others think it was an angel (because he required Michael's help—t0:13). In either case, Daniel caught a glimpse of the battle between good and evil supernatural powers.
10:10-18Daniel was frightened by this vision, but the messenger reassured him. Daniel lost his speech, but the messenger’s touch restored it. Daniel felt weak and helpless, but the messenger’s words strengthened him. God can bring us healing when we are hurt, peace when we are troubled, and strength when we are weak. Trust God to minister to you as he did to Daniel.
10:12,13Although God sent a messenger to Daniel, a powerful Spiritual being (“the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia”) detained the messenger for three weeks. Daniel faithfully continued praying and fasting, and God’s messenger eventually arrived, assisted by Michael, the archangel. Answers to our prayers may be hindered by unseen obstacles. Don't expect God’s answers to come too easily or too quickly. Prayer may be challenged by evil forces, so pray fervently and pray earnestly. Then expect God to answer at the right time.
10:20,21The heavenly warfare was to be directed against Persia and then Greece. Each of these nations was to have power over God’s people. Both Persia and Greece were represented by evil “spirit princes,” or demons. But God is in control of the past, present, and future, and he has all events recorded in his “Book of Truth.”