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Daniel 10

21 verses

TL;DR

Daniel 10 recounts a dramatic, divine vision in which an angel explains future political upheavals and affirms Daniel’s faith.

Summary

In Daniel’s third year of mourning, he experiences a vivid vision by the river Hiddekel. An angel clothed in linen appears, described with luminous, almost celestial attributes, and speaks only to Daniel, who is left shaken and physically weakened. The angel urges Daniel to remain steadfast, assuring him that his prayers have been heard. He mentions a conflict between the "prince of Persia" and the archangel Michael, and foretells a future clash involving the "prince of Greece." Daniel is then strengthened by the angel’s words, prepared to hear the full revelation. The chapter concludes with the angel’s promise that the forthcoming vision will concern many days and that Michael will aid Daniel in understanding the impending events.

Outline
  1. Daniel’s mourning and the vision at Hiddekel
  2. The angel’s description and dialogue with Daniel
  3. The prophetic message concerning Persia, Greece, and Michael
Themes
Divine revelation to the faithfulPolitical prophecy and divine interventionThe struggle between angelic forces and earthly powers
Keywords
visionangelprince of PersiaMichaelprince of Greecestrengthprophecy
People
DanielCyrusThe prince of PersiaMichaelThe prince of Greece
Places
PersiaRiver Hiddekel (Tigris)
Things
the angelic visionfine gold girdleberyl bodyeyes of firepolished brass limbs
Key Verses
  • Daniel 10:5: Describes the angel’s supernatural appearance
  • Daniel 10:11: Angel’s first spoken greeting to Daniel
  • Daniel 10:13: Reveals the conflict between the prince of Persia and Michael
  • Daniel 10:14: Signals the future involvement of the prince of Greece
Questions
  • What does Daniel’s physical weakness signify about the nature of prophetic experience?
  • How does the angel’s depiction of the prince of Persia inform our understanding of the Persian empire’s political state?
  • In what ways does Michael’s role as a ‘chief prince’ influence the unfolding of the events described?
  • What can we learn from Daniel’s steadfastness in the face of divine communication?
  • How might the mention of Greece presage the eventual conquests of Alexander the Great?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter balances awe at divine revelation with fear of the impending geopolitical upheaval.