1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision 2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. 3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.
1.What issue is causing Daniel’s conflict and stress.
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia (536 b.c.). Two years earlier, the first party of Jewish exiles had returned to Jerusalem in response to Cyrus’s decree, but they faced severe opposition and by this point had ceased their rebuilding work. During this time of discouragement, Daniel received his vision of a great conflict, which exposed the ongoing spiritual warfare in the heavenly realm. ESVN
The cause of Daniel’s mourning is not told us, but we can speculate. Remember that it was the third year of Cyrus’ reign, and in his first year he had made the decree which permitted Israel to return to her land (see Ezra 1:1–4). Two full years had passed and only a paltry few had returned to the land of Israel under Zerubbabel. This is before the group under Ezra and the group under Nehemiah had returned. This was a rigorous time for Daniel. It brought grief to the heart of this aged prophet of God, now past ninety, to see that his people did not want to return to their homeland. Probably retired now from active participation in office, evidently having served through the first year of Cyrus, he gave himself entirely to the service of God. He fasted for three weeks because he did not get an immediate answer to his prayer. JVM
The date must be 537 B.C. The first wave of Jewish captives would thus have already made their way back to Jerusalem. From what we are told in verse 1, we know that unlike the vision of chapter 8 (see verse 27), Daniel did understand this vision received in chapter 10. The essence of the vision con- densed into one word would be “conflict.”
Daniel’s vision was preceded by three weeks of mourning during which time he did not enjoy the fine foods were available to him.Over what was Daniel mourning? We are not given the answer. Perhaps he was mourning over Israel’s sin or over the difficulties the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem were having. It could have been the new temple would not have the same glory as the old (see Ezra 3) or the enemies of the Jews were hindering the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple (Ezra 4). In the final analysis, we only know that Daniel was mourning and that he had set his heart to gain understanding. Daniel’s vision was a belated answer to his prayer. RD
2. What was Daniel doing here?
Daniel had gone to the Tigris River perhaps to pray for the exiles who had returned, and he had probably gone there with other godly Jews. Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread fell on the fourteenth through the twenty-first days of the first month. The Jews did not observe these festivals in captivity as they had formerly in their own land. Three days after these important memorial days God gave Daniel a vision that he alone saw. CN
3. Who is this “man”?
Those are the kind of friends you want–something goes a little wrong and they flee. And so Daniel is left alone. But as he describes this man in linen, girded with gold, the appearance is extremely similar to John’s vision of Christ in Revelation, chapter 1, and if you put those two passages side by side it would appear that they are describing the same person indeed. John said he turned to see the one who was walking in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. And he was clothed with a garment down to his foot. And around the chest he had a golden girdle. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like flames of fire. His feet like unto fine brass and his voice like the sound of many waters. And so you find parallel descriptions. And because of the parallel descriptions, many Bible scholars affirm that who Daniel actually saw here was none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. This also is confirmed in their minds by the reaction that the appearance of this man had on Daniel. CSTTB
Revelation 1:12-16 (ESV) Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
The man whom Daniel saw in this vision was probably the Son of God. Keil, p. 409; Young, p. 225; Walvoord, Daniel . . ., p. 243; Feinberg, p. 141; Whitcomb, p. 138; Campbell, p. 118; Merrill, “A Theology . . .,” p. 388; Wiersbe, p. 297; Culver, “Daniel,” p. 796.
The Jewish interpreters and some modern Christian scholars preferred the view that he was an angel.E.g., Leupold, pp. 447-48; Archer, “Daniel,” p. 123; Pentecost, “Daniel,” pp. 1365-66; Baldwin, p. 180; and Ironside, p. 174.
The similarities between this man and the one Ezekiel and the Apostle John saw argue for his being divine (cf. Ezek. 1:26-28; Rev. 1:13-16; 2:18). However what this man proceeded to say (esp. v. 13) as led some to prefer the view that he was an angel.
Ezekiel 1:26-28 (ESV) 26 And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. 27 And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. 28 Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around.
Expensive linen dress is what the priests in Israel wore, and it set them off as God’s special servants. Likewise the sash around this angel’s waist, evidently embroidered with or made completely of the best gold, would have identified Him as a special person. The meaning of “Uphaz” is uncertain. It may be the same as Ophir since the translators of the Syriac version of Jeremiah substituted Ophir for Uphaz in Jeremiah 10:9. The location of Ophir is also uncertain. It may have been in southwestern or southeastern Arabia, on the northeast African coast, or in India.The New Bible Dictionary, 1962 ed., s.v. “Ophir,” by D. J. Wiseman.
Alternatively “Uphaz” may be a technical term for “refined gold.”Ibid., s.v. “Uphaz,” by D. J. Wiseman.
The personal descriptions of this man resemble what John saw on the island of Patmos, namely, the Son of God (Rev. 1:13-16; cf. Ezek. 1:13-14). All these features picture a person of great glory and splendor.
“The impression given to Daniel was that the entire body of the man in the vision was like a gigantic transparent jewel reflecting the glory of the rest of the vision.”Walvoord, Daniel . . ., p. 243. CN
I think that Daniel saw the transfiguration of Christ before either Moses or Elijah saw it. You see, there have always been three representatives: Moses represented the Law, Elijah represented the prophets, but Daniel represented a very particular group of those who had been in exile, and now he is given this vision of the glorified Christ ahead of time for his encouragement.
This is a new method of revelation. No longer does Daniel see an image or visions of beasts or weeks. He sees a certain man. Who is that certain man? Some very excellent expositors hesitate to identify him, and they dodge the dilemma by saying he was a heavenly visitor. Well, that is really generalizing, and you can’t be very wrong if you call him a heavenly visitor. But that is not an exegesis of the passage. I believe this Person is Christ.
When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He gave many parables, and some of them concerned the activity of “a certain man.” That “certain man” was either God the Father or God the Son. In the verse before us the “certain man” is identified even further by His person and His dress. What a striking similarity there is to the vision of Christ after His ascension into glory as it was seen by John in the Revelation! Now that is a vision of Christ, and I believe Daniel saw Christ—not in His preincarnation, but he saw Him as the postincarnate Christ, in His office as priestly Intercessor and Judge and the great Shepherd of the sheep. After all, both Israel and the church are called His sheep. It is interesting to recall that Moses and Elijah were present at the transfiguration of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel records, but Daniel was not present. Why? Well, I think it may be because he had already witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus, and this is the record of it. JVM
Dan_10:4-6 Rev_1:12-16
Clothed in linen Clothed with a garment
Waist girded with gold Girded about the chest with a golden band
Body was like beryl
Face like . . . lightning Head and hair were white like wool
Eyes like torches of fire Eyes like a flame of fire
Feet like burnished bronze Feet were like fine brass
Sound…voice of a multitude Voice sound of many waters
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7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength.9 Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground. 10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.
4. Why such fear?
Daniel was accompanied by others beside the Tigris river as the vision of the Lord was revealed to him. The others did not see the vision. There may well have been some unusual manifestations these men witnessed, like those who were with Paul on the road to Damascus:
And it came about that as he journeyed, he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who art Thou, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but rise, and enter the city, and it shall be told you what you must do.” 7 And the men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one (Acts 9:3-7).
The one thing the men with Daniel certainly observed was his response to the vision. Daniel’s face lost all its color, and he fell to the ground without strength. He feel into a deep sleep, which may have made him appear to be unconscious or in a coma. Those with him felt a deep sense of dread. Wanting no part of this, they ran, leaving Daniel alone to see the vision. RD
He was completely overcome. A similar effect was produced on John when he was in Patmos: Rev_1:17. That he should be overcome, and his strength taken away, was not an unnatural effect; and what occurred to Daniel and John may demonstrate that there may be such views of the Divine character and glory now as to prostrate our physical powers. It is certain that such visions as those which appeared to Daniel and John would have this effect; and, though we are not to expect that they will now be vouchsafed to men, no one can doubt that there may be such views of God, and heaven, and eternal realities presented to the eye of faith and hope; such joy in the evidence of pardoned sin; such a change from a sense of condemnation to the peace resulting from forgiveness, that the powers of the body may be prostrated, and sink from exhaustion. Indeed, it is not much of the revelation of the Divine character that in our present state we can bear.
For my comeliness -Margin, “vigour.” Hebrew, hôd. The word means, properly, majesty or splendor; then beauty or brightness, as of the complexion. The meaning here is, that his “bright complexion” (Gesenius, Lexicon) was changed upon him; that is, that he turned pale. Into corruption -The phrase used here means literally “into destruction.” The sense is, that by the change that came over him. his beauty – his bright or florid complexion was completely “destroyed.” He became deadly pale. BN
Revelation 1:17 (NKJV) And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
12 Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days.
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5. What happened here?
The angel now seeks to encourage Daniel, telling him not to be afraid. From Daniel’s first request for understanding, his prayer was heard, and the angel was commissioned to visit him in answer to that prayer. The delay in the angel’s visit was a part of the sovereign plan and purpose of God. Nevertheless, there was a delay from the time the angel was commissioned to the time he arrived. The angel explains his delayed visitation in response to Daniel’s prayer.
The moment Daniel’s prayer reached heaven, the angel was dispatched to earth to visit Daniel in answer to his prayer. The “prince of the kingdom of Persia” opposed the angel, resulting in his three-week delay. With the help of Michael, this angel was finally able to complete his mission and visit Daniel. Michael is the second angel to be named in the Bible. He is referred to as “one of the chief princes” (verse 13) and later as “your prince (verse 21). The inference suggests that this angel would never have made it apart from help from such a powerful ally.
Who are these “princes,” and what role do they play in the events which take place on earth? It seems safe to say that the “princes” referred to in chapter 10 are not human rulers but angelic powers. Michael, who is Israel’s “prince,” is a faithful servant of God. It would appear that the princes of Persia (verse 13) and Greece (verse 20) are fallen angels, whose dominion is restricted to a particular geographical and political nation. RD
Someone had delayed the arrival of God’s answer to Daniel’s prayer. He was the “prince of Persia,” evidently a fallen angel who, under Satan’s authority, had a special responsibility for Persia (cf. v. 20; Eph. 2:2). Clearly “prince” here refers to an angel since Michael was also a “prince” (vv. 13, 21).See Zöckler, 7:2:228, in Lange’s commentary, for further support.
“The prince of Persia” must have been an evil angel since he opposed God’s purpose. Angelic hostility in the unseen world had resulted in the 21-day delay of this good angel’s arrival with God’s message (cf. v. 2).
“The powers of evil apparently have the capacity to bring about hindrances and delays, even of the delivery of the answers to believers whose requests God is minded to answer. . . .
It seems unlikely to me that the prince of Persia could have resisted the Son of God this way if He was the person addressing Daniel. Moreover God’s messenger had received help from Michael, one of the chief princes (angels), so it seems unlikely that he was God Himself. Some angels have more authority and power than others do (Eph. 1:21).
“Although the entire subject of the unseen struggle between the holy angels and the fallen angels is not clearly revealed in the Scriptures, from the rare glimpses which are afforded, as in this instance, it is plain that behind the political and social conditions of the world there is angelic influence—good on the part of the holy angels, evil on the part of the angels under satanic control. This is the struggle to which Paul referred in Ephesians 6:10-18.”Walvoord, Daniel . . ., p. 247.
“Bad angels, called demons in the New Testament, are, without a doubt, referred to here. In the course of time, these demonic powers gained a very strong influence over certain nations and the government of these nations. They became the controlling power. They used whatever resources they could muster to hamper God’s work and to thwart His purposes.”Leupold, pp. 457-58.
Evidently the good angel who spoke to Daniel had performed some duty in Persia that involved the kings or rulers of that land. However, having received a commission from God to visit Daniel, he was not able to break away to deliver it because of the influence of the bad angel who exercised strong influence over Persia. Michael visited the good angel and helped him break away from this wicked angel’s power so he could visit Daniel.
“The plural [kings of Persia] denotes, that by the subjugation of the demon of the Persian kingdom, his influence not merely over Cyrus, but over all the following kings of Persia, was brought to an end, so that the whole of the Persian kings became accessible to the influence of the spirit proceeding from God and in advancing the welfare of Israel.”Keil, p. 419.
6. Is there another time in the bible where we get a glimpse at the behind the scenes spiritual warfare going on between God’s angelic forces and the forces of evil?
2 Kings 6:15-17 (ESV)
15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
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7. But if God is all powerful, why does he allow evil and spiritual warfare to exist? Is God the source of evil?
The moment Daniel’s prayer reached heaven, the angel was dispatched to earth to visit Daniel in answer to his prayer. The “prince of the kingdom of Persia” opposed the angel, resulting in his three-week delay. With the help of Michael, this angel was finally able to complete his mission and visit Daniel. Michael is the second angel to be named in the Bible. He is referred to as “one of the chief princes” (verse 13) and later as “your prince (verse 21). The inference suggests that this angel would never have made it apart from help from such a powerful ally.
“While God can, of course, override the united resistance of all the forces of hell if he chooses to do so, he accords to demons certain limited powers of obstruction and rebellion somewhat like those he allows humans. In both cases the exercise of free will in opposition to the Lord of heaven is permitted by him when he sees fit. But as Job 1:12 and 2:6 indicate, the malignity of Satan is never allowed to go beyond the due limit set by God, who will not allow the believer to be tested beyond his limit (1 Cor10:13).”Archer, “Daniel,” pp. 124, 125.
8. How does Daniel react to the recent events?
On hearing of the magnitude and power of the spiritual forces ranged against God’s people in Jerusalem, Daniel was overtaken again by such an overwhelming sense of weakness that he was bowed to the ground, unable even to speak until the angel touched him on the lips. ESV Study bible Notes
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. Hamlet Act 1, scene 5,
For the vision is for days yet to come.” 15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. 16 And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. 17 How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.” 18 Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.
9. What has all this to do with us?
We know that God has His angels organized, and apparently Satan also has his demons organized like an army. There are the generals and the colonels, the lieutenants and second lieutenants, sergeants and corporals, and so on. Apparently this angel was outranked by the satanic angel who was the prince of the kingdom of Persia, and so he couldn’t get through and had to send back for reinforcements. In fact, Michael, the archangel, had to come to open up the way for him.
Why would the way be blocked? Daniel is going to be given information about the kingdom of Persia and about the kingdom of Greece—we will see that when we get to the next chapter. Satan didn’t want that kind of information to get out. It was secret information that he didn’t want released to the human family. But God wanted the information to be gotten through to Daniel.
“Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.” Apparently there was a conflict going on involving the kings of Persia (remember that Daniel was in Persia), and there needed to be some heavenly forces to help. JVM
“This vision [in 11:2—12:4] contains the most detailed prophetic revelation in the Book of Daniel.”
“Now I am come to make thee understand.” In the latter days -In future times – extending down to the last period of the world. For yet the vision is for many days -
“But I shall now return to fight” This is a difficult verse to interpret. This angelic being has been attacked, rescued and now goes back into the spiritual fray. The spiritual conflict continues. The conflict involves world powers, historical empires, but also spiritual beings. God’s will is sure, but not without opposition. Daniel’s prayer for understanding interrupts the conflict, but does not alter it! God’s sovereignty controls history (cf. v. 21), but there is still tension in this period of fallenness, both in the physical and spiritual realms. Dr. Bob Utley East Texas Baptist University
This is the key which opens the door to the understanding of the remainder of the Book of Daniel. There are three features which characterize this closing vision.
- The vision concerns “thy people.” I think we can dogmatically and categorically identify the prophecy as having Israel as its subject. If anyone tries to interpret this in any other way, then semantics and syntax are meaningless. “Thy people” means Israel.
- It will be accomplished “in the latter days.” This places the final fulfillment in the period of the Seventieth Week, which is the time of the Great Tribulation period. The “latter days” places it at the end of that period.
- “Yet the vision is for many days.” This emphasizes the fact that a long period of time is involved—not only in fulfillment—but before the vision will be finalized.
We will come to the two parts of the vision: the historical (it was prophetic when it was given, but now has been fulfilled) and the prophecy yet to be fulfilled. J. Vernon McGee
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ESVN……………..….ESV Study Bible NotesMSBN……………….MacArthur NASB Study NotesNIVSN……………….NIV Study Notes.JVM ………………….J Vernon McGee’s CommentaryBN ……………………Barnes NotesWBC………….…….Wycliffe Bible CommentaryCN ……….…………..Constables NotesIC……………….…….Ironside CommentaryNET…………….…….Net Bible Study Notes.JFB……………………Jamieson Fausset Brown CommentaryVWS………………….Vincent Word StudiesCMM………………..Commentary on Matthew and MarkBDB……………..….Barclay’s Daily Study Bible (NT)Darby……………….John Darby’s Synopsis of the OT and NTJohnson……………Johnson’s Notes on the New TestamentNTCMM…………..The New Testament Commentary: Matthew and Mark.EHS………………….Expositions of the Holy ScripturesCPP…………………The Complete Pulpit CommentarySBC…………………..Sermon Bible CommentaryK&D…………………Keil and Deilitzsch Commentary on the OTEBC……………….…Expositors Bible CommentaryCBSC……………….Cambridge Bible for Schools and CollegeGC……………………Guzik CommentaryRD…………………..Robert DeffinbaughNSB …………………The Nelson Study BibleMHC…………………Matthew Henry CommentaryCSTTB………Chuck Smith Through The Bible
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