Bible Commentaries
Daniel 10

Verse 1

the third year of Cyrus . Called by his appellative "Darius" (= the Restrainer, or Maintainer, in Daniel 9:1 ; Dan 9:42 4BC.) Two years later than Daniel 9:0 . This is Daniel's latest date; which continues to the end of this book, seventythree years since his deportation: he being now eighty-nine years old.

thing = word, or matter.

Belteshazzar . See Daniel 1:7 .

but the time appointed was long = but [concerned] a long warfare.

time appointed . Hebrew. tzaba. Generally rendered "host" or "army" (Daniel 8:10 , Daniel 8:11 , Daniel 8:12 ). Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for warfare.

long: or, great.

Verse 2

three full weeks = three sevens of days. See next verse and Daniel 10:13 , in contrast with Daniel 9:24 , Daniel 9:25 . Compare this humiliation with that of Daniel 9:3-19 , and see the Structure ("Daniel 9:3-19 " and "Daniel 10:2 , Daniel 10:3 ", p. 1196).

Verse 3

pleasant bread = bread of desires: i.e. pleasant food.

wine . Hebrew. yayin. App-27 .

three whole weeks = three sevens of days, as in verses: Daniel 10:2 , Daniel 10:13 .

confronting me three sevens of days : but, lo,

Verse 4

the four and twentieth, &c.: i.e. the twenty-fourth of Nisan (i.e. Abib).

Hiddekel: i.e. the Tigris. See Genesis 2:14 .

Verse 5

man . Hebrew ' ish . App-14 .

clothed, &c. Compare the description in Revelation 1:0 . Note the Divine and angelic appearances in this book: Daniel 3:25 ; Daniel 4:13 , Daniel 4:17 , Daniel 4:23 ; Daniel 6:22 ; Daniel 7:16 ; Daniel 8:13 , Daniel 8:14 , Daniel 8:16-26 ; Daniel 9:21 ; Daniel 10:4-8 , Daniel 10:10 , Daniel 10:16 , Daniel 10:18 , Daniel 10:20 ; Daniel 12:1 , Daniel 12:5 , Daniel 12:6 .

Verse 7

men . Hebrew, plural of 'enosh. App-14 . Compare Acts 9:7 .

Verse 9

was I in a deep sleep, &c. Compare Daniel 8:18 .

Verse 11

stand upright . Note the Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ), stand upon thy standing: i.e. stand up where thou art.

Verse 12

the first day . See Daniel 9:23 .

chasten = humble. See note on Daniel 10:3 .

God . Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 13

the prince = ruler. Hebrew. sar = a ruler (from sarar = to rule). Hence Caesar, Tzar or Czar . Generally rendered "prince" in this book. See Daniel 1:7 , Daniel 1:8 , Daniel 1:9 , Daniel 1:10 , Daniel 1:11 , Daniel 1:18 ; Daniel 8:11 , Daniel 8:25 ; Daniel 9:6 , Daniel 9:8 ; Daniel 10:13 , Daniel 10:20 , Daniel 10:21 ; Daniel 11:5 ; Daniel 12:1 . The rulers may be good, angelic (good or evil), or the world-rulers of Ephesians 6:12 .

withstood = was standing confronting me.

one and twenty days . See verses: Daniel 10:2 , Daniel 10:3 .

Michael = who is like GOD (Hebrew El)? The second angel named in this book. The special angelic ruler for Israel (Daniel 10:21 ; Daniel 12:1 . Compare Jude 1:9 , and Revelation 12:7 ).

princes . Hebrew. sar = chief. Not the same word as in Daniel 11:8 , Daniel 11:18 , Daniel 11:22 .

I remained = I was superfluous: i.e. not needed. Hence we may render, "I left him there". Not the same word as in Daniel 10:17 .

with = beside.

Verse 14

the latter days . Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 49:1 .Numbers 24:14 .Deuteronomy 4:30 ; Deuteronomy 31:29 ). App-92 . See note on Daniel 2:28 . Note the bearing of this on the prophecy itself, given in Daniel 11:21 Daniel 12:3 .

Verse 15

dumb . Compare Psalms 139:2 , Psalms 139:9 .

Verse 16

men . Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 17

remained = continued. Not the same word as in Daniel 10:13 .

breath . Hebrew. neshamah. See App-16 .

Verse 18

strengthened = strengthened (for endurance). Hebrew. hazak.