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Daniel 10

Daniel receives strength to hear a revelation about his people’s future amid conflict that extends beyond earthly kingdoms.

Daniel has been mourning for three weeks when he sees a radiant figure beside the Hiddekel River, in the third year of Cyrus king of Persia. His companions flee in fear, and Daniel loses his strength. A messenger touches him, helps him stand, and explains that his words were heard from the first day. Conflict involving the princes of Persia and Greece forms the backdrop to a revelation about the future of Daniel’s people.

waitingfear for the futurewanting a steady prayer habit
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1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the message was true, even a great warfare. He understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.
2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three whole weeks.
3I ate no pleasant food. No meat or wine came into my mouth. I didn’t anoint myself at all, until three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4In the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel,
5I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man clothed in linen, whose waist was adorned with pure gold of Uphaz.
6His body also was like beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches. His arms and his feet were like burnished bronze. The voice of his words was like the voice of a multitude.
7I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me didn’t see the vision, but a great quaking fell on them, and they fled to hide themselves.
8So I was left alone and saw this great vision. No strength remained in me; for my face grew deathly pale, and I retained no strength.
9Yet I heard the voice of his words. When I heard the voice of his words, then I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.
10Behold, a hand touched me, which set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
11He said to me, “Daniel, you greatly beloved man, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have been sent to you, now.” When he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling.
12Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel; for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come for your words’ sake.
13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but, behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me because I remained there with the kings of Persia.
14Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision is yet for many days.”
15When he had spoken these words to me, I set my face toward the ground and was mute.
16Behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth, and spoke and said to him who stood before me, “My lord, by reason of the vision my sorrows have overtaken me, and I retain no strength.
17For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? For as for me, immediately there remained no strength in me. There was no breath left in me.”
18Then one like the appearance of a man touched me again, and he strengthened me.
19He said, “Greatly beloved man, don’t be afraid. Peace be to you. Be strong. Yes, be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
20Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia. When I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come.
21But I will tell you that which is inscribed in the writing of truth. There is no one who holds with me against these but Michael your prince.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
Daniel 10:19The messenger’s assurance of love and peace strengthens Daniel enough to listen after the vision has left him weak and speechless.
Daniel 10:12Daniel learns that his words were heard from the first day, before the messenger explains the delay.
Daniel 10:14The messenger identifies the revelation’s subject as the future of Daniel’s people, with fulfillment extending far beyond this encounter.
Where this chapter reaches

Revelation shares Daniel’s imagery of a radiant figure with fiery eyes and bronze-like limbs, while Ezekiel also describes overwhelming visions that bring a prophet to the ground. Joshua shares the command to be strong as God’s servant faces what lies ahead.

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Notice

After reading the whole chapter

What do you notice about how Daniel is helped when he cannot stand or speak?

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How does the distinction between being heard and receiving an answer shape your prayers while waiting?

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Questions people ask about Daniel 10

Who is the man in linen in Daniel 10?

Daniel describes a radiant man clothed in linen, with a gold belt, fiery eyes, and a voice like a multitude. The chapter does not name him. Some readers identify him as Christ; others understand him as an angel. Whether the later speaking messenger is the same figure is also debated.

Who is the prince of Persia in Daniel 10?

The prince of Persia opposes the messenger for twenty-one days, until Michael, one of the chief princes, comes to help. This conflict points to a spiritual power associated with Persia. The chapter leaves the figure unnamed and does not explain the full relationship between these spiritual princes and earthly rulers.

Why was Daniel’s answer delayed for twenty-one days?

The messenger says Daniel’s words were heard from the first day he sought understanding and humbled himself before God. He attributes his delayed arrival to opposition from the prince of Persia, with Michael coming to help. The account explains this delay without supplying a rule for every unanswered prayer.

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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).