Daniel 10:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.

NIV: Then he continued, 'Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.

NASB: Then he said to me, 'Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words.

CSB: "Don't be afraid, Daniel," he said to me, "for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers.

NLT: Then he said, 'Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.

KJV: Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

NKJV: Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.

Numerous encounters with angels include the celestial beings telling humans not to be afraid, or people reacting with overt fear (Numbers 22:31; Daniel 8:16–17; Luke 1:13, 30; 2:9–10; Acts 10:3–4). In their "natural" spiritual state, these beings are intimidating and otherworldly. This angel is most likely Gabriel (Daniel 8:15–16; 9:21–22; Luke 1:26), who has come with reassurance and instruction for Daniel.

The angel commends Daniel for consistently and humbly seeking to understand God's messages. It had been three weeks between Daniel's initial vision (Daniel 10:1–3) and this encounter (Daniel 10:5–11, 13). Yet God had heard Daniel's prayers from the moment they were spoken. Although Daniel was a modest and devoted prophet of the Lord, the answer to his prayers did not arrive immediately. The following verses give the reason for the delay (Daniel 10:13–14).

Similarly, a believer today may wonder if their prayers are not being heard, because they do not see immediate answers. We should not be discouraged, however, nor should we stop praying. God hears the prayers of a humble believer, and He answers at the right time. Hebrews 4:16 encourages believers to draw near to God's throne of grace to find mercy and grace "in time of need." Jesus encouraged His disciples to pray. He said, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7).

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.