19th March, 2023 – Daniel 10:12-21
Daniel 10:12 – 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.
Fear not – Don’t be afraid; Don’t stand in awe (of me). Because Daniel has fainted from the extreme shock due to the appearance of the heavenly being (possibly Christ) and then a great angel now speaking to him, the angel now explains that his presence is not to impress or to inflict harm upon him in any way, but to give Daniel a response to his prayers.
“Do not be afraid, Daniel, for I have come to respond to your prayers.” It is possible that Daniel may have wondered when his prayers would get heard, especially after 21 days, noting that his prayers were actually answered “from the first day”. Also note that a high-ranking demon (“the prince of the kingdom of Persia” – Vs 13 below) had been withstanding (delaying; holding up) the angel for 21 days.
Prayer and fasting were required for really serious petitioning before God. Jesus spoke of the need for prayer and fasting for extreme spiritual issues, such as casting out demons.
Matthew 17:21 – Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
didst set thine heart – fully applied one’s self to a task
to chasten thyself – to afflict one’s self; to humble one’s self. The attitude of mourning or lamenting; note sackcloth and ashes in Daniel 9:3 (And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:).
from the first day – From the start of Daniel’s 3 full weeks of mourning, during which Daniel has obviously abstained from pleasurable foods and lamented and humbled (or afflicted) himself (“to chasten thyself before God”) and prayed for understanding (“thou didst set thine heart to understand”).
thy words were heard – Clearly Daniel has not just
been extremely anxious for the 21 days, but he has prayed words which have been
heard for 21 days (by God who has sent this angel who may have been Gabriel,
noting Daniel
9:21 and
also noting that the angel talking to Daniel in this passage would have
been that angel in Daniel 11:1 who seemed to be identifying with Gabriel who was the angel in Daniel Ch.9).
Daniel 10:13 – 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.
the prince of the kingdom of Persia – There seems a great reluctance in most commentaries to call this being out as a high-ranking and powerful demon, an angel of satan. But just as God’s angels are ranked according to their power and authority (Eg Michael and Gabriel are high-ranking angels), satan’s angels (called demons) are likewise ranked according to their power and authority. Note Ephesians 6:12.
one of – or “first of” (that is, in rank)
Michael – He is “one (or ‘first’) of the chief princes”. He is God’s archangel (chief or ruling angel), while Gabriel appears to be a high-ranking angel who acts directly as God’s messenger. Michael is one of (or the first of) the chief princes of God’s angels. Also mentioned in Daniel 10:21, Daniel 12:1, Jude 1:9 and Revelation 12:7. He is declared the archangel in Jude 1:9. Verse 21 below says he is “Michael your prince”; tis must assume that he is then the angel-prince of Israel.
He is also recorded as leading a force of angels against satan (“the dragon”) in Revelation 12:7-9 – 7And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
In Jude 1:9 Michael, as the archangel of God, did not, in his own authority, challenge satan, but instead his challenge was through the name of the Lord.
Jude 1:9 – Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
In The Book of Enoch, Michael is listed as one of 7 archangels (including Gabriel), but the Bible does not support this anywhere.
“The Book of Enoch (also 1 Enoch) is an ancient Hebrew apocalyptic religious text, ascribed by tradition to the patriarch Enoch who was the great-grandfather of Noah. The Book of Enoch contains unique material on the origins of demons and Nephilim, why some angels fell from heaven, an explanation of why the Genesis flood was morally necessary, and prophetic exposition of the thousand-year reign of the Messiah. Three books are traditionally attributed to Enoch, including the distinct works 2 Enoch and 3 Enoch. None of the three books is considered to be canonical scripture by the majority of Jewish or Christian church bodies.” (Wikipedia)
Both SDAs and JWs believe Michael to be Christ or Jesus, but there is no biblical support at all for this unscriptural belief.
Mormons believe that Michael is Adam (whom they declare to be the ancient of days as per Daniel 7:9). “The name by which Adam was known in the premortal life. He is called the Archangel. In Hebrew the name means “Who is like God.”” (churchofjesuschrist.org) It’s easy to see how far off the rails the Mormons are!
On the other hand, a demon prince would have to be considered one of satan’s higher-ranking angels. Note Ephesians 6:12 – For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].
The angel speaking to Daniel is clearly a powerful angel in his own right, yet he is helped by Michael to overcome the demon-prince of Persia. The victory takes 21 days to achieve. However, while it takes 21 days to overcome the opposition, it is also clear that God could have enabled an on-the-spot victory, for with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27). Therefore there must have been a purpose, a reason for it taking so long. It could have been in order for Daniel to appreciate the effect of sustained prayer for that length of time; that if he hadn’t prayed consistently for that time, then he may not have received the angel’s answer. What might have happened if Daniel had given up before the 21 days were completed? Of course he could not have known when the answer, if any, would come, but only found out it took 21 days once the 21 days had been completed.
I think that while God could answer all our prayers on the spot every time, He may hold off at times to test our endurance in prayer, our desire to see the answers, and the level of our perseverance to seek first God and His kingdom (Matthew 6:33). And we can never know just how long God has required for us to pray before he deigns to give us His answer.
I remained there with the kings of Persia – It is uncertain what this actually means. And who are the kings of Persia? A logical answer is that they are demons associated with the demon-prince. Or the human rulers of Persia. And, how could the angel come to Daniel if he remained with the kings (whether rulers or demons?) of Persia? Otherwise, are the kings actually people? Then how can there be more than one king of Persia at one time? If “kings” = those who rule or reign, then there could be more than one king at one time. Eg Cyrus must have ruled over Persia while Darius ruled over Babylon. But who “kings” refers to is unclear.
The LXX says “And I left him (to wit, Michael) there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia.” That is, Michael stayed with the prince of the kingdom of Persia to probably keep him from interfering with the angel who had come to speak to Daniel.
Or, it could mean “I was superfluous to the needs of the battle with the kings of Persia.” (because Michael had it all under control) and therefore I was freed to come.
Or even perhaps “I remained there to fight; I stayed there with Michael (until I was able to come to you.” (This does sound a bit awkward though.)
Daniel 10:14 – 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.
the latter days – the last days; the end of the days.
Now I have come (to you, Daniel) to make you understand (assist you to understand) what will happen to your people (Israel) in the last or final days. Certainly, from Daniel 11:36 onward, the prophecy does appear to apply to the end times yet ahead of us, the great tribulation. It is Israel who will go through the great tribulation, not the church, and from Daniel 11:36 the prophecy does morph from BC times to the end times ahead of us.
for (many) days – Either for a long time in the future, or will occur for many days. This phrase is uncertain. A number of events in Ch.11 actually have already occurred, up to and including Daniel 11:35 where the end times begin to take over the prophecy.
Daniel 10:15 – And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
Daniel already had some understanding of the vision he had seen in the first place (“and the thing [was] true, but the time appointed [was] long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.” – Daniel 10:1b) It is clear though that what the angel had now added to his understanding (that such things would befall Israel in the end-times) overwhelmed Daniel again. Or that he, Daniel, should be the recipient of such awesome information of great magnitude.
I set my face – Daniel seems to have steadfastly looked downward as a mark of respect for the great angel now talking to him. It was considered disrespectful at the very least to look up and have eye contact with someone with great authority, such as a king or emperor, or, as in this case, a high-ranking angel of God.
I became dumb – or became silent. It is possible that this dumbness or silence was motivated by his respect for this great angel. Having your eyes cast down and being silent were required by custom when approaching great people of authority. Note Esther 5:1-3 where Esther waits until she is given permission to speak before she dares ask a favour of the king. Both these actions are in the Perfect tense.
It is clear that Daniel has great respect for the angel and particularly for the words he speaks.
Daniel 10:16 – 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.
(one) like the similitude – in the likeness of. This angel looked like a man.
He touches Daniel’s mouth, either indicating that Daniel is permitted to speak, or that he takes away Daniel’s dumbness. (Daniel may have been struck dumb, that is, speechless, by the greatness of this angel who was in the likeness of a man.) Also note Isaiah 6:6-7 where the angel (seraphim) touches a coal to Isaiah’s lips.
sorrows – Twisting or writhing pain. Often associated with the pangs of childbirth. It is used for “pangs” twice in the following: Isaiah 21:3 – Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing [of it]; I was dismayed at the seeing [of it].
Daniel then opens his mouth to speak, saying, “O my Lord (or master or one with authority), the vision has caused me to be like one in pangs or throes of childbirth (that is incapacitated), leaving me with no strength at all.”
Daniel 10:17 – 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.
neither is there any breath left in me – Daniel may have had trouble finding breath to speak after the vision; possibly it might refer to hyperventilating, something that can happen after a severe shock or anger. Daniel has come face to face with firstly what appears to have been an appearance of Christ, followed by the appearance of one of God’s mighty angels, or else it is such an angel all the time here. No wonder Daniel is overcome with speechlessness.
“For how can I, a servant of you my lord talk (speak) to you my lord; how may I be able to speak with you? For immediately (after that vision) I was left with no strength at all left in me, nor could I catch my breath easily.”
my lord – a term of respect for one who is mighty such as one of God’s mighty angels.
Daniel 10:18 – Then there came again and touched me [one] like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
(one) like the appearance of a man – While “similitude” (Vs 16 above) had the idea of being in the likeness or sameness of, this simply means to appear like a man. Two different terms, yet with very similar meanings.
Then the great angel (one who looked like a man) touched Daniel again, and (by doing so) he strengthened me (he gave me strength).
Then there came again – clearly the same angel touching Daniel again.
the appearance – mar’eh (sight; appearance; vision) It is the same word used for “the vision” in a number of places in Daniel, including Daniel 10:1. It is also translated “the appearance” in Daniel 10:6.
like the appearance of a man – This does seem to me like it could refer to the angel touching Daniel as a man would touch another to reassure or to encourage him.
strengthened – chazaq (make strong; restore to strength; sustain; encourage; make firm; make rigid) Here it would have the idea of restoring Daniel back to his normal strength, to assist him to recover from his shock. It can also mean to make something rigid, to reinforce something so that it cannot bend. It is translated “hardened” in Exodus 10:20 – But the Lord hardened (chazak) Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go. It is the equivalent of the NT word skleruno (to be hardened; to be unable to change, such as sclerosis of arteries etc) as used in Romans 9:18.
chazak is used 4 more times in Vs 19 below, for “strong” x2 and “strengthened” x2. It is also translated “holdeth” in Vs 21 below.
Daniel 10:19 – 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.
greatly beloved – greatly precious or greatly desired.
be strong, yea, be strong – This appears to be repeated for special emphasis on being strong, after which Daniel says he was strengthened, and that the Lord strengthened him (apparently a repetition of the consequences of being told twice to be strong). It is clear that being strong and being strengthened are very important points in this verse and the passage overall.
Isaiah 41:10 – Fear thou
not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I
will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the
right hand of my righteousness.
“Thus, O man who is greatly desired (or precious), do not be
afraid. Peace (shalom) be to you. Be strong, yes indeed, be
strong!” And after he (the angel) had spoken this, Daniel was (Perfect
tense) strengthened, and said (to the angel), “Let my lord speak (I am now able
to take in what you will say), for you have strengthened (Perfect tense) me.”
(Perfect tense indicates an action fully completed in the past up until this
point.)
Daniel is not necessarily made stronger, but his
normal strength is reinforced in the sense that it is now restored to normal
usage.
Daniel 10:20 – 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.
Knowest thou – yada‘
(to know) but in the Perfect tense,
indicating that the angel is asking Daniel if he already knows where the angel
has come from. But, more likely, the angel is telling Daniel that he already
knows. It is more of a statement of fact that Daniel should already know this.
to fight – to wage war; engage in battle
the prince of Persia – see Vs 13 above.
Grecia – Javan
(Ionia; Greece)
the prince of Grecia
– May be assumed to be another high-ranking demon, this time of Greece. Demon
princes would be tied to specific nations in the spiritual realm as human
princes are in the physical realm.
This verse has various interpretations but it is
likely that the angel is about to return to the battle from whence he had come,
and that when he engages the prince of Persia in battle again, the demon-prince
of Greece also joins in the battle.
Or else this marks the point in the spiritual realm when the Persian empire is defeated by the Greek empire under Alexander the Great as per Daniel 8:5-7. Some commentaries say that the prince of Grecia could be Alexander the Great. Or that the prince of Greece is a demon attached to Greece and being called into action to bring forth the next stage of God’s prophecy when Persia falls to Greece. However, this is most likely referring to the demon-prince of Greece.
Daniel 10:21 – 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.
that which is noted – that which is recorded or inscribed according to God’s prophecies; that which will come to be because God has proclaimed it.
holdeth – Here again is that word chazak (make strong; restore to strength; sustain; encourage; make firm; make rigid) It has the idea of backing up this person, reinforcing his ability to fight this battle, making him better able to stand and not fall.
these things – or possibly “these persons or beings” Thus it may refer to the battle or warfare where Michael has already assisted the angel and where Michael will once again assist the angel, and the two of them fighting the battle against the enemy with none other able to add to their strength in battle.
“But I (the angel) will declare (announce; make known; expound; proclaim; report) to you that which is already determined to happen as recorded in the scripture of truth. There is not one who stands with me (holds strongly with me; is my strong ally) in all these things but Michael your prince.”
Michael your prince – It is probable that Michael may be seen, not only as the archangel, but as the protecting angel-prince of the nation of Israel, in the same sense that angels are declared to be sent forth to minister to (serve) those who are heirs of salvation, that is, Christians today. Thus, while there might be a demonic prince of Persia (and also Greece), Michael would be God’s angel-prince of Israel.
Hebrews 1:14 – Are they
not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs
of salvation?
To Messages and Teachings page
List of all my posts on this site