1Daniel, having humbled himself, seeth a glorious vision, and is troubled with fear: 10an angel comforteth him, and telling him of the opposition of the prince of Persia, the assistance he had from Michael, and the coming in of the prince of Grecia, promiseth him further information.
1IN1 the third year of 2Cyrus king of Persia 3a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called 4Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, 5but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding 6of the vision.
1 Namely, in the third year after that he had taken the kingdom of Babylon, as Isaiah had foretold, Isa. 45:1.
2 Hebr. Coresch.
3 Or, a word.
4 See Dan. 1:7, in the annotation.
5 Or, but the appointed time was long. The meaning is: It will be long first before it is accomplished, see verse 14, namely, from the third year of Cyrus unto the day of judgment, as may be gathered from Dan. 12:2. Although some, applying this only to the Jewish nation, refer this long, appointed time to the end of the persecution of Antiochus. Other, and there was a great army. Then the meaning would be: and Daniel saw in this vision a great army of angels. Other, there shall be a great battle. See the annotations at Job 7:1; 14:14; Isa. 40:2.
6 Wherein this thing was revealed unto him. The meaning is, he understood very well that which was revealed to him in this vision.
2In those days I Daniel 7was mourning 8three full weeks.
7 Other, I Daniel had been mourning, namely, because the work of the building of the temple already begun, was hindered by the enemies of the Jews. See Ezra 4:4.
8 Or, three weeks of days. That is, three full weeks. See the annotation at Gen. 29 on verse 14. These weeks are here called weeks of days, to distinguish them from weeks of years, whereof see Dan. 9:24.
3I ate no 9pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I 10anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
9 That is, I ate no dainty food, or I had not eaten dainty food. Hebr. meat or bread of desires.
10 Hebr. anointing I did not anoint myself, as this was much in use among the people of the east, especially when they were joyful. See Ruth 3 on verse 3; Psalm 23 on verse 5; Psalm 104 on verse 15.
4And 11in the four and twentieth day 12of the first month, as I was 13by the side of the great river, which is 14Hiddekel;a
11 Namely, of the said third year, verse 1.
12 Called Abib or Nisan, and did partly agree with our March and partly with our April, being among the Hebrews the first month of Spring, at which time in the land of the Jews, as also in Egypt, the barley began to have ears, wherefore it was also called the month of the first fruits.
13 Hebr. by the hand, or, at the side.
14 A river in Assyria, otherwise called Tigris. See Gen. 2:14.
a Gen. 2:14.
5Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold 15a certain man 16clothed in linen, whose loins were girdedb with fine gold of 17Uphaz:
15 Namely, Christ, as some do gather from Dan. 12:6, 7; Rev. 1:13, 14, 15; 10:5; Who, at that time, appeared in the form of a man.
16 Namely, with costly linen, as kings and priests did use to wear. See Lev. 6:10; 16:4.
b Rev. 1:13, 14, 15.
17 See of Uphaz Jer. 10 on verse 9. Some understand by this gold the holiness, purity and glory of Christ, wherewith He is adorned and as girded about.
6His body also was like 18the beryl, and his face 19as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes 20as lamps of fire, and his 21arms and his 22feet 23like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words 24like the voice of a multitude.
18 Hebr. tarshish. Other, beryllus thalassius, which (as some suppose) is of a sky-blue color, signifying (according to the opinion of some) that Christ is the Lord from heaven, 1 Cor. 15:47.
19 As the lightning shines from one end of the world to the other, likewise also Christ the Lord, Who is everywhere present. Compare Mat. 24:27.
20 There is nothing so secret or hidden, but the sharp-sighted and fiery eyes of Christ will pierce through it. Compare Rev. 1:14; 19:12.
21 With His arms and hands breaking His enemies in pieces, and with His feet trampling upon them, as Rev. 1:15.
22 With His arms and hands breaking His enemies in pieces, and with His feet trampling upon them, as Rev. 1:15.
23 Hebr. like the eye of polished or smoothed copper. Eye for colour is also found Lev. 13:55; Num. 11:7. See also Ezek. 1 on verse 4. By the polished or shining copper is signified the power of Christ, smiting and breaking His enemies in pieces like earthen vessels. Compare Psalm 2:9; Rev. 1:15.
24 Or, the voice of a rushing or roaring (of the sea or a great water); for, the Hebrew word signifies as well a noise as a multitude. In Rev. 1:15 it is said of Christ that His voice was as the sound of many waters; it is heard far and near, and it converts many men. Compare Ezek. 1:24.
7And I Daniel 25alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; 26but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
25 God has opened alone the eyes of Daniel. Such occurred also with Paul, Acts 9:7.
26 No doubt when they heard that great voice.
8Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for 27myc comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
27 That is, the beauty of my countenance. The meaning is, that he through fear and terror became like a dead man, who has no beauty nor strength, his visage and countenance being quite changed and corrupted.
c Dan. 7:28.
9Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, 28then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
28 As Dan. 8:18.
10¶And, behold, 29an hand touched me, which set me 30upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
29 Namely, the hand of the angel Gabriel. See Dan. 8:18; 9:21.
30 Intimating that he was so weak, that he could not stand upon his feet, but that he had to creep or lean as on hands and feet.
11And he said unto me, O Daniel, 31a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and 32stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when 33he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
31 Or, thou most desired man. See Dan. 9 on verse 23.
32 That is, stand at or in thy place where thou hast stood just now. See Neh. 8 on verse 8.
33 Or, he spake.
12Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart 34to understand, and 35to chasten thyself before thy God, 36thy words were heard, and I am come 37for thy words.
34 Or, to consider, as verse 11, namely, to understand or know what would become of the church of God in future times, as to the seventy weeks were accomplished and the temple with the city of Jerusalem were not yet built up.
35 Or, to afflict, namely, by fasting and mourning. See Lev. 16 on verse 29.
36 That is, thy prayer is heard; whereby thou desiredst to understand the state of thy people. Compare with verse 14.
37 Namely, to inform thee of the future state of thy people, as thou didst desire.
13But 38the prince of the kingdom of Persia 39withstood me 40one and twenty days: but, lo, 41Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
38 That is, according to the opinion of some, an evil angel. Compare Eph. 6:12. But others understand by this prince Cambyses, who governed the kingdom in his father’s absence while his father Cyrus waged war in other countries.
39 That is, he withstood me or stood against me, and I withstood him, forasmuch as he intended wicked enterprises against thy people, namely, to hinder the building of the city and temple, which God permitted for a little while, to stir up His people the more to zeal and fervency in prayer, and to true repentance.
40 That is, for the space of three weeks. See verses 2 and 3. The sense is: This is the cause why I did not come to thee earlier, as indeed I would have done, if I had not been hindered by this.
41 Some understand by Michael the Lord Christ Himself, Who assists His servants, and gives them strength and ability. Others conceive that Michael is the name of an archangel, signifying who is like unto God? Therefore several take Michael to be a created angel, because it is said here: one of the chief princes, and expound it thus: one of the angels that were appointed to be princes over the nations, which in no way suits with Christ, Who is the head of all angels.
14Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall 42thy people 43in the latter days: 44for yet the vision is for many days.
42 That is, thy countrymen the Jews.
43 Or, in the last of days, in future days. See Dan. 2 on verse 28.
44 Other, for there is yet a vision at hand of the same days. Yet one, namely, besides those visions which thou hast seen before, Daniel 7; 8.
15And when he had spoken 45such words unto me, I 46set my face toward the ground, and 47I became dumb.
45 Hebr. according to these words, that is, thus and thus.
46 Hebr. I gave.
47 Or, I was dumb.
16And, behold, one 48like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him 49that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are 50turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
48 Hebr. after the likeness of the children of men. See further of this Person verses 5 and 6.
49 Understand additionally: and talked with me.
50 Or, my sorrows set upon me. The Hebrew word signifies properly those sorrows, pangs and pains of a woman in travail. See the annotation at 1 Sam. 4 on verse 19. Other, my bowels are turned in me.
17For how can the servant of 51this my lord talk with this my lord? for as 52for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there 53breath left in me.
51 Namely, who is so excellent, glorious and honorable
52 Hebr. thus: And I, from now standeth no strength in me.
53 Compare Gen. 7:22; Isa. 2:22, concerning the word breath.
18Then there came again and touched 54me 55one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
54 Or, touched me yet more. Hebr. and he added thereto, and touched me.
55 That is, the same Angel, Who had taken upon Him the form of a man, verse 16.
19And said, 56O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, 57be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I 58was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
56 See Dan. 9 on verse 23.
57 Or, be courageous, yea, be courageous.
58 Or, I took courage, I was encouraged.
20Then said he, 59Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return 60to fight with 61the prince of Persia: and when I am 62gone forth, lo, 63the prince of Grecia shall come.
59 Namely, to show thee what shall befall thy people, as is foretold in verse 14.
60 That is, to oppose his wicked design against the church of God.
61 See verse 13.
62 Namely, out of the land of Persia.
63 That is, according to the opinion of some, an evil angel. Yet others understand by this prince Alexander the Great.
21But I will shew thee 64that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is 65none 66that holdeth with me 67in these things, but 68Michael your prince.
64 That is, that which is decreed in the unchangeable counsel of God.
65 Not a human being.
66 That is, who helps me.
67 Namely, governors of Persia, or, against these.
68 See on verse 13.