Daniel 10:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.

NIV: His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

NASB: His body also was like topaz, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.

CSB: His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.

NLT: His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people.

KJV: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

NKJV: His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.

Daniel describes the figure who appeared to him (Daniel 10:4–5) as having a body like beryl. Names for minerals and gems are varied across cultures and languages, so it can be difficult to know precisely what is being depicted. The "beryl" noted here is called tarshiysh in Hebrew, possibly in reference to the city of Tarshish (1 Kings 10:22; Psalm 48:7; Jonah 1:3). Actual "beryl," as identified today, is usually blue, but it can come in many different colors. Interpreters suggest options such as yellow jasper or chrysolite, but the most likely option seems to be topaz. Daniel's emphasis here seems to be on something semi-transparent, brilliant, and striking.

The figure's face is compared to lightning and his eyes to torches. Both refer to radiance: something casting light. His legs and arms also shone. The Hebrew descriptive term used here can mean "burnished" or "polished." Since the emphasis seems to be on radiance, it's most likely that Daniel saw the figure's limbs shining with golden light like mirror-polished bronze. The entity's voice is also impressive. The original term is hāmon', which refers to the sound of a crowd, or a roar.

Several interpreters believe this is the angel Gabriel (Daniel 8:15–16; 9:21–22; Luke 1:26), though some suggest this is a preincarnate Jesus Christ, and separate from the person to whom Daniel speaks later in this encounter (Daniel 10:9–14).

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.