HolyStudy
Bible IndexRead BibleNotesChurchesMissionPrivacyTermsContact
© 2026 HolyStudy
HomeRead BibleBible NotesChurchesSign in
HolyStudy
HomeRead BibleBible NotesChurches
Sign in

Daniel 10

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.

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.

4

And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;

2
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.

7

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.

1
1
10

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.

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.

13

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.

15

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.

1
18

Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,

1
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.

1
20

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.

1
← Previous ChapterNext Chapter →

Daniel 10

Daniel's final vision begins with a season of deep mourning and fasting for three weeks, during which he receives a visit from a glorious angelic messenger by the Tigris River who reduces him to awe and physical weakness. The angel reveals the hidden reality of spiritual warfare, explaining that he had been detained for twenty-one days by the 'prince of Persia'—a demonic force opposing God's purposes—until Michael, the archangel and chief defender of Israel, came to his aid. This disclosure establishes a crucial theological framework: earthly events are contested on a heavenly plane where righteous angels battle dark spiritual powers for the accomplishment of God's will. The angel's mission is to provide Daniel with eschatological knowledge about the future trials and vindication of his people in the latter days, setting the stage for the most detailed prophetic revelation in Scripture. The chapter emphasizes both the reality and ultimate subordination of demonic opposition to God's sovereign purposes and demonstrates the intercessory role of angelic allies in the redemptive plan. This vision underscores that believers' prayers and faithfulness matter within God's cosmic struggle against evil, and that angelic support sustains the faithful during eschatological turbulence. Daniel's humility and intercession position him to receive unprecedented prophetic insight into the unfolding of redemptive history toward its consummation.

Daniel 10:1

In the third year of Cyrus of Persia, Daniel receives a word concerning a great conflict, and he understands the word through a vision—indicating a final major revelation coming in the Persian period when return to Jerusalem becomes possible, concerning struggles surrounding restoration and the ultimate divine victory. The dating to Cyrus emphasizes proximity to actual historical restoration (539 BCE). The "great conflict" signals escalated spiritual warfare underlying political events.

Daniel 10:2

Daniel mourned for three weeks, eating no pleasant food, and touching neither meat nor ointment—demonstrating extended preparatory fasting and mourning preceding the great vision, reflecting the weight and difficulty of the revelation to come. The three-week period (21 days) suggests serious preparation for receiving momentous disclosure. Physical deprivation emphasizes spiritual intensity and the solemn nature of the message.

Daniel 10:3

After three weeks, as Daniel stands by the great river Tigris, he looks up and sees a man clothed in linen with a belt of fine gold—introducing the heavenly visitor who will convey the final extended prophecy in chapters 10-12. The appearance of the figure in distinctive heavenly garments establishes his otherworldly nature. The Tigris setting, significant Mesopotamian river, grounds the vision in the geographic heart of empires.

Daniel 10:4

Daniel describes the man's appearance: eyes like flaming torches, arms and legs like burnished bronze, and voice like the sound of a multitude—utilizing apocalyptic imagery that emphasizes the overwhelming transcendence and power of the heavenly visitor. The specific physical details establish visual memory and emphasize the sensory totality of the encounter. The multitudinous voice suggests heavenly authority and cosmic significance.

Daniel 10:5

Only Daniel sees the vision; those with him see no vision but great trembling and fear, fleeing to hide—emphasizing that prophetic revelation remains inaccessible to the broader audience, creating isolation for the prophet while also establishing the vision's reality to Daniel personally. The terror of Daniel's companions demonstrates the objective impact of the heavenly presence even when invisible to their eyes. This selective revelation parallels other biblical visions affecting only the chosen recipient.

Daniel 10:6

Daniel falls in deep sleep and lies face to the ground; the heavenly visitor touches him and sets him upright—continuing the pattern of overwhelming reaction to heavenly encounter requiring angelic assistance and encouragement. Lying prostrate expresses appropriate response to overwhelming divine presence. Physical touch from the heavenly being bridges the gap between heavenly and earthly realities.

Daniel 10:7

The angel assures Daniel: "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words"—affirming that prayer initiates heavenly response and that Daniel's spiritual discipline has attracted divine attention. The reference to the first day indicates that response begins immediately upon genuine petition, even before the answer arrives. This assurance grounds confident expectation that faithful prayer receives divine response.

Daniel 10:8

The angel explains that he has come to make Daniel understand what will happen to his people in the latter days—establishing the vision's focus on future history affecting Israel and the ultimate eschatological resolution. "Latter days" indicates the prophecy concerns end-time events and their unfolding toward divine completion. This introduces the extended historical prophecy to follow in chapters 11-12.

Daniel 10:9

While the angel speaks, Daniel stands trembling; the angel touches him again and urges him to stand steadfast and listen—demonstrating continued supernatural challenge for human endurance and requiring repeated angelic strengthening. The trembling reflects ongoing psychological impact of heavenly encounter. Repetition of touch and encouragement emphasizes that maintaining capacity to receive revelation demands continuous supernatural support.

Daniel 10:10

The angel reveals that he is detained by the prince of Persia but Michael the archangel comes to help him—disclosing heavenly conflict and angelic rank structure behind earthly history, with named angelic powers contending for influence over empires. The "prince of Persia" represents either a demonic power or angelic guardian assigned to the Persian realm. This revelation demonstrates that political history unfolds amid heavenly spiritual warfare unseen by earthly observers.

Daniel 10:11

Michael is described as "your prince" (Israel's angelic protector), indicating that Israel's interests are championed by the highest-ranking angelic powers—establishing divine commitment to protect God's people despite appearances of foreign domination. Michael's specific assignment to Israel demonstrates that even exile occurs under divine protection through appointed celestial advocates. This heavenly patronage reassures readers that God's people never lack supernatural support.

Daniel 10:12

The angel prepares Daniel for a lengthy prophecy concerning the unfolding of events from the Persian period through eschatological consummation, explicitly connecting the vision to the complex historical situation of the Second Temple period. The prophecy functions as interpretation of history and theodicy, explaining why faithful believers experience oppression despite divine sovereignty. This extended prophecy demonstrates how God's knowledge encompasses and controls future events despite their appearance of chaos to human observers.

Daniel 10:13

The angel continues to prepare Daniel psychologically and spiritually for revelation concerning kingdoms, wars, and the ultimate divine vindication of the faithful—emphasizing the cosmic significance of unfolding history and its direction toward divine purposes. The enumeration of coming conflicts prepares Daniel for the challenging content ahead. The assurance of ultimate divine vindication provides hope amid prophecy of tribulation.

Daniel 10:14

The angel begins the prophecy "Now I have come to make you understand what will befall your people in the latter days; for the vision pertains to the days yet to come"—explicitly framing the following prophecy as concerning the future and the ultimate fulfillment of God's purposes toward his people. This introduction establishes interpretive expectations and emphasizes that the prophecy addresses future generations facing the events described. The focus on "your people" maintains the particular covenant concern for Israel.

Daniel 10:15

As the angel speaks these words, Daniel fixes his gaze downward and becomes mute—indicating the profound psychological and spiritual impact of receiving such weighty disclosure about future suffering and vindication. The loss of speech reflects the inadequacy of human language to express response to apocalyptic revelation. The downward gaze suggests intense internal focus and emotional processing.

Daniel 10:16

One resembling the son of man touches Daniel's lips, enabling him to speak and to address the angelic visitor—restoring capacity for communication and preparing Daniel to ask clarifying questions about the prophecy. The figure "like the son of man" may indicate a high angelic being or pre-incarnate Christ, emphasizing the supernatural nature of the enablement. The restoration of speech allows dialogue and clarification essential for understanding.

Daniel 10:17

Daniel confesses that his strength has left him and he can hardly breathe; he cannot speak until the one like the son of man touches him and strengthens him—admitting the physical and psychological toll of the revelation and his complete dependence on supernatural support for endurance. The description of breathlessness and inability to speak articulates the visceral impact of heavenly encounter. The repeated touch conveys God's compassionate attentiveness to the prophet's distress.

Daniel 10:18

The angelic being strengthens Daniel and assures him: "O man greatly beloved, fear not; peace be with you; be strong and of good courage"—affirming Daniel's standing before God, dispelling fear, and empowering him to receive the final extended prophecy. The repetition of encouragement across multiple verses emphasizes the psychological preparation required for receiving difficult revelation. The assurance of peace establishes that divine presence accompanies the message.

Daniel 10:19

As the angel speaks, Daniel recovers strength and becomes ready; he asks the angel to speak what has been revealed about the conflict ahead and the future of his people—expressing readiness to receive the prophecy despite its challenging content. Daniel's recovery and readiness demonstrate the effectiveness of repeated encouragement and divine strengthening. His question invites the detailed historical prophecy to follow.

Daniel 10:20

Then he said, 'Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come.—revealing that the angelic messenger must return to heavenly warfare against demonic/angelic powers opposing Israel's interests while the Greek empire (Alexander) will replace Persia as world power. The acknowledgment of ongoing conflict indicates that history unfolds amid heavenly spiritual warfare. The transition from Persian to Greek dominion connects political succession to celestial opposition.

Daniel 10:21

But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth; there is none who contends by my side against these princes except Michael, your prince.'—assuring Daniel that the heavenly messenger will reveal the truth recorded in God's eternal document, and that Michael the archangel serves as Israel's specific angelic protector against the cosmic powers opposing the people's interests. The reference to 'the book of truth' suggests divine foreknowledge and predestination of events. Michael's designation as 'your prince' confirms Israel's heavenly patronage despite earthly opposition.