Daniel 10:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.

NIV: I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves.

NASB: Now I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, while the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great fear fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves.

CSB: Only I, Daniel, saw the vision. The men who were with me did not see it, but a great terror fell on them, and they ran and hid.

NLT: Only I, Daniel, saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide.

KJV: And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

NKJV: And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

Daniel had been in mourning for three weeks, seemingly in response to a vision he had seen (Daniel 10:1–3). He was confronted by a celestial being near the banks of the Tigris River (Daniel 10:4–6). Apparently, the appearance of this figure created great fear in those who were with Daniel. And yet, only Daniel sees the entity. That other men reacted reinforces the idea that Daniel was awake for this revelation: that it was not a dream.

Of course, Daniel was affected, as well. He will feel his strength drain away just from what he sees. When the being speaks, Daniel appears to faint (Daniel 10:8–9). Fear is not an unusual response for humans confronted by angels (Daniel 8:18; Matthew 28:5; Luke 1:12–13; 2:9–10; Acts 10:3–4). It was also the response of John when he saw a vision of Jesus in Revelation (Revelation 1:12–17).

There are some parallels between this event and Paul's encounter with Jesus in the New Testament. Paul, then called Saul, was travelling when a light shone from heaven. Paul heard a voice, but only he seemed to have understood it. The other men with him perceived less than Paul did but were still unsettled (Acts 9:1–9).

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.