Daniel 10
10
The Man in White Linen Appears to Daniel
1 # 10:1 Chapters 10–12 may be considered the final vision of Daniel and the fascinating conclusion to his book. These chapters should be viewed as a unit. Chapter 10 gives us Daniel’s trance-like vision; chs. 11–12 give us heaven’s interpretation of his vision of the future. It is best to read these three chapters (seventy-nine verses) in one sitting, many times over, just to begin to understand the depth of the vision and its interpretation. In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, I, Daniel, known as Belteshazzar, received a profound word—a true revelation, # 10:1 Or “received a word, and the word was sealed.” but I struggled to understand it. # 10:1 The Hebrew is obscure and uncertain. It is literally “a true revelation—and a great army [host]” or possibly “a true revelation—a great service [hardship].” The two Hebrew words, wesabaʾ gadol, are unclear. Some have taken them as a description of the war waged by the angels in vv. 13–21. The words have been interpreted as a “great war” or “conflict.” However, it is more plausible that the two words refer to the struggle Daniel experienced in understanding the meaning of the message. Finally, its interpretation was disclosed to me in a vision, and I began to understand the word. # 10:1 Or literally “and understanding was to him in the revelation.”
2At that time, # 10:2 Jewish scholars believe this was during the time when Samaritans were trying to halt the rebuilding of the temple (see Ezra 4:4–5) or that Daniel was in mourning over the delay of the Jews remaining in their captivity. I was in a period of mourning # 10:2 Mourning rituals were practiced by the Jews, not only at the death of a relative, but also during times of national crisis. The purpose was to demonstrate the severity of a national crisis, the need for repentance over the nation’s sins (see Dan. 9:3), and spiritual preparation to receive guidance and revelation from God (see Ex. 34:28). for three weeks. # 10:2 Or literally “three weeks of days.” 3During the entire three weeks, I ate no delicacies # 10:3 Or literally “bread of delightfulness.” —no meat and no sweets. I drank no wine, nor did I groom myself. 4On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I had a vision while I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River. 5I opened my eyes to look about me, and I saw a man approaching # 10:5 This “man” was hovering or flying above the Tigris River (see 12:6). Ezekiel saw Yahweh in his chariot-throne at the Kebar River; Daniel saw the true High Priest in his sacred garments (see Ex. 28:39–43) over the waters of the Tigris. The disciples saw Jesus walking (hovering) over the waters of Galilee. who was robed in white linen # 10:5 Linen was the prescribed garment of priests (see Lev. 6:10; Ezek. 9:2). and wearing a belt of pure # 10:5 The Hebrew word is uncertain. Some translations have “gold from Uphaz.” Some scholars suggest that Uphaz could be a scribal error, misspelling the Hebrew word for “refine,” which is muphaz. See 1 Kings 10:18; Song. 5:11. gold. 6His body was like a glowing gemstone, # 10:6 Or “beryl” or “topaz” or “turquoise.” See Ex. 28:20; Rev. 21:20. his face shining as bright as lightning. His eyes were blazing like fiery torches; his arms and legs were gleaming like polished bronze; and the sound of his voice was thunderous, like the roar of a multitude. # 10:6 In comparing vv. 5–6 with Rev. 1:12–16, the one robed in white linen who appeared to Daniel could be the same person who appeared to John—the Lord Jesus (the angel of Yahweh). However, there are differences between Daniel’s vision and John’s. Jesus’ robe went to his feet, but the man in linen had his arms, legs, and torso visible; he also had a belt of gold, but Jesus wore a “sash” of gold over his chest. For this reason, many believe that it was Gabriel or an unnamed angel that appeared to Daniel.
7Although others were present, I was the only one who experienced this open vision. Yet, it was so real that it terrified # 10:7 Or “a great trembling fell upon them.” those who were with me, and they ran away to hide. # 10:7 Compare Acts 9:5–7. 8I found myself alone, gazing on this astounding vision; I was left stunned and powerless. # 10:8 Or “I had nothing left in me.” My appearance was altered beyond recognition, # 10:8 Or literally “my splendor was changed to ruin [disfigured].” Some translate this as “my face turned as pale as death.” Indeed, the Hebrew expression implies the idea of passing from life to death. It was as though Daniel slipped into a coma. The Hebrew here is identical to that used for Adam going into a deep sleep for Eve to be formed. What profound effect this encounter with the man in white linen had upon him! and what little strength I had deserted me.
Daniel’s Dialogue with an Angel
9As soon as the angel began to speak to me, I fell unconscious with my face to the ground, as in a coma. 10Then I felt a powerful hand grip me and help me to my hands and knees. I was trembling with fear!
11He said, “Daniel, you are greatly loved and a precious treasure to God. # 10:11 Or literally “a man of preciousness.” See 9:23. Now, stand up and understand the words that I am about to say, for God has sent me to you.”
So, I rose to my feet, still shaking like a leaf. 12He reassured me by saying, “Daniel, don’t be afraid, for I have come to bring to you the answer to your prayer. # 10:12 Or “I have come because of your words.” From the first day you sought to understand the revelation and humbled yourself # 10:12 Or “afflicted yourself,” a reference to his fasting (see v. 3). before God, your words were heard in heaven. 13However, for the past twenty-one days, the principality over the kingdom of Persia stood to oppose and resist me. # 10:13 One of the reasons for a delayed response to our prayers can be demonic interference in obtaining the answer. This is why we should never stop praying or lose hope (see Luke 18:1). Then Michael, # 10:13 Michael the archangel is recognized in both Judaism and Christianity as the prince of the heavenly host who has the special charge of watching God’s people. In the New Testament he is mentioned twice, as a leader of the armies of heaven (see Rev. 12:1–7) and as the one who disputed with the devil over the body of Moses (see Judah [Jude] 9), which could be a metaphor for the people of Moses (the Jews), much like believers today are the body of Christ. one of the chief princes # 10:13 That is, one of the archangels. of heaven, came to my assistance. I was left there, # 10:13 As translated from the Septuagint and Theodotion’s translation, which has amended the Hebrew, which reads, “and I was left.” The meaning is uncertain. confronting the king of Persia. 14Now I have come to help you comprehend what will happen to your people in the final days, for the vision pertains to a time still to come.” # 10:14 Or “for it is a new vision about those days.” See Hab. 2:3.
15Upon hearing these words, I bowed facedown and was left speechless. 16Then suddenly, one who looked like a man # 10:16 We are not sure if this is the same angel (man robed in white linen) or perhaps another heavenly being. At least one Hebrew manuscript, the Septuagint, and the Dead Sea Scrolls read “something that looked like a man’s hand.” touched my lips, # 10:16 See Isa. 6:7; Jer. 1:9. and I was finally able to speak. So, I said to the one standing in front of me, “My lord, this vision has left me overcome, undone, and overwhelmed. # 10:16 Or literally “my pangs [as those of a woman in childbirth] have overpowered me.” I feel totally weak and helpless. 17My lord, how can I, your servant, even talk to you? I have no strength, and I can barely catch my breath!” # 10:17 Or as an idiom “I am as good as dead.” The Hebrew word nephesh can be translated “breath,” “life,” or “soul.”
18Once again, the one who looked like a man gripped me and imparted strength to me. 19He said to me, “Be strong! Be very, very strong! Do not be afraid, for you are greatly loved and a precious treasure to God. God’s peace is yours.” As he spoke those words, I felt strength pour into me, and I said, “Now, I’m ready to listen to you, my lord, for you have given me strength.”
20aHe then said, “Don’t you know why I have come to you? 20bNow, I am about to go back and fight the principality with him. Once we have defeated him, the principality over Greece # 10:20b Or “the prince of Javan,” another term for Greece. will come next.”21I will unveil to you what is written in the Book of Truth: # 10:21 It is staggering to know that one of the books in heaven is a “Book [writing] of Truth.” The angel who appeared to Daniel could read that book and its specific details about the coming kings and rulers and their descendants hundreds, and even thousands, of years before events would even happen! According to an ancient Jewish tradition, God wrote in advance about the destiny of individuals and of nations. With stunning accuracy Gabriel tells Daniel in 533 BC of “three more kings” who would reign over Persia during the next one hundred years and that a fourth is coming who will exceed them all. Truly, God is all-knowing, he is sovereign, and he does what he pleases with the earth and everyone who has ever lived. See Pss. 115:3; 139:1–18; Dan. 4:35; 9:2; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11. but first, I want you to know that there is none who fights alongside me against these forces of darkness except Michael, your people’s # 10:21 The Hebrew pronoun is plural, thus “your people’s prince.” prince.
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Daniel 10: TPT
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