The Book of Daniel
Daniel 10
Chapter X · Vol. III, pp. 1402–1403
1 Daniel, having humbled himself, seeth a glorious vision. 10 Being troubled with fear, he is comforted by the angel.
1 In the third year of aCyrus king of Persia, a thing was brevealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was ctrue, but the time appointed was long:1 and dhe understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
3 Ig ate no pleasant bread,3 neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks4 were fulfilled.
4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, has I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;5
5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, ibehold, 6a certain man7 clothedj in linen, whose loins were kgirded with lfine gold of Uphaz.
6 Hisn body also was like the beryl, and ohis face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and phis arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and qthe voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
7 And I Daniel ralone 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 greats vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my tcomeliness8 was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
A.M. cir. 3470. B.C. cir. 534.
s Ex.3.3. Mat.17.1-5. Re.1.13-16.
t ch.7.28; 8.17,27. Re.1.17. 2 Co.12.2,3.
8 Or, vigour.
9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I uin a deep sleep on my face, and vmy face toward the ground.
u ch.8.18. Ca.5.2.
v Le.9.24. Nu.14.5; 16.22. Jos.5.14. 1 Ki.18.39. 1 Ch.21.16. Re.11.16. Is.6.5.
10 And, behold, xan hand touched me, which set9 me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands:
x ver.16,18; ch.8.18; 9.21. Re.1.17, i.e. Gabriel's, ver.11,14,19,21; ch.8.16; 9.22,23.
9 Heb. moved.
11 And he1 said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved,2 understandy the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright:3 for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
1 Gabriel.
2 Heb. of desires, Jn.13.15. ch.9.23.
y ch.8.16,17; 9.21-23.
3 Heb. stand upon thy standing.
12 Then said he unto me, zFear not, Daniel; for afrom the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were bheard, and I am come for thy words.4
13 But the prince5 of the kingdom of Persia6 withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael,c one7 of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
5 Cambyses, Ezr.4.5,6. ver.20. Ep.6.12.
6 A comparison of this passage with ver. 20, 21 shows that an angel is here referred to. Before the age of Daniel, angelic beings are often mentioned, but always either in connection with God, whom they serve, or with God's chosen people, whom they defend, and to whose wants they minister, Ge. 24. 7, 40. Ex.23.20-23. Nu.20.16. In this book another department of angelic work is indicated. Some of them are appointed to rule or preside over heathen nations. We read of the 'prince of the kingdom of Persia,' and 'the prince of Grecia.' The nature and character of these angels are not distinctly stated. Dr. Pusey believes they were 'good angels, since they desired the welfare of their people, and they contended with Gabriel and Michael before God, each, in submission to the divine will, desiring what seemed for the good of his people, which, since their apparent interests were diverse, seemed to be contrary.' This view is open to grave question. I cannot well see how any pure and holy spirit should oppose a true servant of God when engaged in God's own work. But be this as it may there can be no doubt that one of these angels was in some mysterious way appointed to watch over, succour, and defend each nation. We also know from the New Testament that each Christian is assigned to the care of a guardian angel.—P.
c Col.2.10. Mat.28.18. Pr.8.15. ver.21; ch.12.1. Jude 9. Re.12.7.
7 Or, the first.
14 Now I am come dto make thee understand what shall befall thy people ein the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, gI set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
g See ver.8,9,16.
16 And, behold, one hlike the similitude of the sons of men itouched my lips: then I opened my mouth and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, jby the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
17 Fork how can the servant of this my lord8 talk with this my lord? lfor as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
18 Then there came nagain and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
n See ver.18; ch.8.16; 9.22,23. Ps.103.13,14.
19 And said, oO man greatly beloved, pfear not; peace be unto thee; qbe strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for rthou hast strengthened me.9
9 This direct ascription of a strengthening power to his interpreter clearly intimates that Daniel was aware of his divine character.—C.
o ver.11; ch.9.23. Jn.13.1; 11.36; 15.9. De.33.12. Ro.8.38,39.
p See ver.12. Is.41.10; 43.1,2; 44.1. Re.1.17.
q Jos.1.6,7,9,18; 10.25. 1 Co.16.13. Ep.6.10. 2 Ti.2.1.
r Ps.94.18,19. 2 Co.12.9. Phi.4.13.
20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return sto 1fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, tthe prince of Grecia shall come.
Notes
Ver. 5, 6. Christ's clothing of fine linen denotes his righteousness as our Saviour, and his holy and righteous government. His golden girdle denotes his excellency, faithfulness, and readiness to fulfil his work. His body as the beryl denotes him as beautiful, the Lord from heaven. His countenance as lightning denotes his awful majesty. His eyes as lamps of fire denote his infinite knowledge, terrible to the wicked. His arms and feet as polished brass denote his almighty power to uphold his church, and tread down her enemies. His loud voice, his terrible judgments, and powerful spread of his gospel. 13, 20. The angel Gabriel had to baffle the attempts of Cambyses, Cyrus' son, or of some evil angel at the Persian court, who laboured to stir up mischief against the Jews, and had none to assist him herein but Jesus Christ, or some principal angel.
Ver. 1. True. No conjecture of his own, but a revelation from God; and, the time appointed long, the prophecy extending over a long period of future history. C.
Ver. 2. Mourning—because of the interruption to the building of the temple; the contentment of the rich Jews to remain among the Gentiles; and their niggardly aid to their returning brethren, and their sad insensibility and blindness. C.
Ver. 13. The prince of the kingdom of Persia. 'The accuser of the brethren,' Job 1. 9. The withstander of good men and good purposes, Zec. 3. 1, 3; Jude 9. 'The prince, yea, the god of this world,' Jn. 12. 31; 14. 30; 2 Co. 4. 4. 'The spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience,' Ep. 2. 2.—One and twenty days. The period of Daniel's mourning.—Michael. 'One like God'—even Christ, who alone was 'in the form of God;' he, in that form, joined with him who now appeared in 'fashion as a man,' ver. 5. The 'man' and 'Michael' being one and the same, in different characters.—I remained there. Christ is 'wherever two or three are met together in his name;' and with them, as men like-minded with Daniel, he remained with the king of Persia, to counteract, mediately by them, the evil influences of their enemies; but immediately, by his own presence, whereby he 'filleth all things,' and 'worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will.' C.
Ver. 21. None that holdeth with me. 'None that strengtheneth himself with me (appearing as man) but Michael' (the visible image of the invisible God). My personal strength, and your deliverance, is Godhead sustaining manhood. C.
Reflections.—The slow advances of God's work of deliverance in his church deeply affect the minds of his faithful saints. And let God turn back our captivity on earth as he will, this world will be still a valley of tears. But Jesus kindly manifests his glory to humble, importunate, and solemn supplicants. Oh, how unnumbered are his excellencies! And the faith and sense of his love ought to banish all slavish dread, which would indispose us for hearing his words. What insignificant and polluted nothings are the best of men before God, and in their own view, when they behold him! But graciously his power and promises support his people under their terrors and grievances. As the entrance of their prayers is pleasant to him, so the entrance of his word is quickening to them. And we ought to be patient under present trials, lest God should send heavier ones. Though kings on earth and devils from hell be against us, it is enough if Jehovah, if Jesus, and his angels, care for and protect us.