Daniel 10:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute.

NIV: While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless.

NASB: When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.

CSB: While he was saying these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless.

NLT: While he was speaking to me, I looked down at the ground, unable to say a word.

KJV: And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.

NKJV: When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.

In the third year of Cyrus' rule, Daniel experienced a vision (Daniel 10:1). The images of conflict apparently sent Daniel into mourning (Daniel 10:2). Three weeks later, he was visited by one or more spiritual beings (Daniel 10:4–6, 13, 16). Daniel may have seen the preincarnate Christ and then primarily interacted with an angel, likely Gabriel (Daniel 8:15–16; 9:21–22; Luke 1:26). Here, he is communicating with the angel. The initial encounter overwhelmed Daniel (Daniel 10:9), but he was soon refreshed (Daniel 10:10). The angel then explained that he'd been delayed by an entity referred to as "the prince of the kingdom of Persia" (Daniel 10:12–14).

This revelation seems to shock Daniel once again. He takes a posture of astonishment: silent, with his head down. A being appearing like a man, possibly the same angel spoken of in verse 15, will further encourage him, and Daniel will explain how he has been staggered by his recent visions (Daniel 10:16–17).

Daniel 10:15—11:1 records Daniel's response to the angel's report about demonic opposition. Daniel is still weak and speechless, but a humanlike figure refreshes him. The angel says he will tell Daniel what is written in the book of truth. This leads to the prophecies contained in chapter 11.

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.

Accessed 5/18/2024 11:55:14 PM