Daniel 10:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.

NIV: I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

NASB: I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed.

CSB: I didn’t eat any rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I didn’t put any oil on my body until the three weeks were over.

NLT: All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.

KJV: I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

NKJV: I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

This explains further details of Daniel's three weeks of mourning (Daniel 10:2), which seem to be in response to a vision he had seen (Daniel 10:1). He abstained from eating fine foods. Instead, he consumed only necessities. He also refrained from eating meat and drinking wine. Wine in the Bible is a symbol of joy and gladness of heart, but Daniel's heart was heavy with grief. Although he was free to enjoy special foods, meat, and wine, he refused that privilege to allow his heart to grieve. Furthermore, during those three weeks of mourning Daniel refused to refresh himself with anointing oils and salves.

Assuming this mourning was related to Daniel's concern for his people, which seems likely given other descriptions of Daniel throughout the book, it is remarkable. Few believers today mourn, especially in such a dramatic way, when fellow believers face great conflict.

Daniel was a man of self-discipline (Daniel 1:8; 6:5). In the New Testament, the apostle Paul reflects on the value of mastering one's impulses. He writes in 1 Corinthians 9:27: "I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

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.