Daniel 10:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.

NIV: In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.

NASB: In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the message was true and it concerned great conflict, but he understood the message and had an understanding of the vision.

CSB: In the third year of King Cyrus of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. The message was true and was about a great conflict. He understood the message and had understanding of the vision.

NLT: In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision. He understood that the vision concerned events certain to happen in the future — times of war and great hardship.

KJV: In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.

NKJV: In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.

Because of the timeline Daniel offers, readers can align these events in the flow of history. The third year of Cyrus' reign would be around 536 BC. Two years earlier, Cyrus had allowed Jewish captives—and their descendants—to begin rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple (Ezra 1:2–3).

Daniel was captured at a young age and assimilated into Babylonian culture (Daniel 1:1–7). Part of that included being given a new name: Beltasha'tstsar, or "Belteshazzar." This probably referred to the deity Bel, while Daniel's birth name, Daniye'l, means "God is my judge." At the time of this vision, Daniel would have been some seventy years older. Other details about his life are not offered. We're not sure if Daniel was too old to return to Israel, or if he was still in an important position, or if he remained in Babylon for some other reason. Perhaps Daniel chose to remain where he was to influence kings such as Cyrus on his people's behalf (Daniel 1:19–21; 5:11–12; 6:3).

The "word" is a message which Daniel is given. As a divine communication, it was sure to be perfect and true. The exact nature of that vision is not stated, nor are many details given. The fact that Daniel understood it, and possibly went into mourning because of it (Daniel 10:2), suggests that it was about a war to come on the people of Israel (Daniel 10:14). His vision and grief also align with struggles experienced by the Jewish people as they began their rebuilding efforts (Ezra 3:8; 4:4–6).

Daniel 10:1–9 sets the date of Daniel's final vision as the third year of the reign of Cyrus of Persia. Daniel sees a vision of a tremendous war or battle. Seemingly in response to that vision, Daniel mourns for weeks, until he is confronted by a celestial being. Daniel appears to faint, at first, but will be quickly roused (Daniel 10:10–11) so the being, or perhaps a different being, can explain what is happening.

Daniel sees a vision of great conflict, which apparently sends him into mourning. Three weeks later, he is stunned by the appearance of a celestial being, most likely the angel Gabriel. Daniel had prayed earlier, and an angel was sent in response. But he was delayed due to a spiritual conflict, which the archangel Michael helped him overcome. Though Daniel is deeply shaken, his visitor provides strength and encouragement so that Daniel can endure the explanations which are about to be given.

The event recorded here occurred in the third year of the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia, around 536 BC. The chapter supplies background to the prophecies detailed in chapters 11 and 12. Daniel received a heavenly visitor, sent to make Daniel understand what Israel will experience in the latter days. Along with chapter 12, this covers the final prophetic vision of Daniel's book.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.