Daniel 10:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.

NIV: A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.

NASB: Then behold, a hand touched me and shook me on my hands and knees.

CSB: Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me shaking on my hands and knees.

NLT: Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees.

KJV: And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

NKJV: Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.

Upon seeing and hearing a radiant celestial being (Daniel 10:5–6), Daniel felt weak and ultimately seems to have passed out (Daniel 10:8–9). This is hardly unusual when mortal men are faced with immortal angels (Matthew 28:5; Luke 1:12–13; 2:9–10; Acts 10:3–4). The other men in the group didn't even see the being; they ran away simply from feeling its presence (Daniel 10:7).

In a gesture of reassurance, a hand —probably that of the same angel—lifts Daniel off his face and onto his hands and knees. He is still shaking. The use of the phrase "a hand" rather than "his hand" is one reason some commentators believe the first being Daniel saw was a preincarnate Jesus, while the being now interacting with Daniel is an angel, likely Gabriel. Almost all interpreters agree that the being who now speaks is not a preincarnate Jesus. In part, this is because the being has been "sent" (Daniel 10:11), but mostly because he was delayed by some other entity until being helped by the angel Michael (Daniel 10:13). Neither idea would seem to apply to God the Son, Jesus Christ.

Gabriel is often shown delivering messages from God (Daniel 8:15–16; 9:21–22; Luke 1:26).

Daniel 10:10–14 explains why the angel appears three weeks after Daniel's initial vision (Daniel 10:1–9). This angel, probably Gabriel (Daniel 8:15–16), had been sent as soon as Daniel prayed. Yet he was delayed and relates the circumstances surrounding his flight. The passage also introduces another angel, Michael, and reveals that the first message concerned what would happen to the Israelites in the latter days.

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.