Daniel 10:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come.

NIV: So he said, 'Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come;

NASB: Then he said, 'Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am leaving, and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come.

CSB: He said, "Do you know why I've come to you? I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I leave, the prince of Greece will come.

NLT: He replied, 'Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece will come.

KJV: Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

NKJV: Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.

Apparently reacting to his troubling vision, Daniel had been in mourning for three weeks (Daniel 10:1–3). He was then visited by one or more celestial beings in response to his prayers (Daniel 10:4–6, 12–13). The delay was attributed to a conflict with an entity referred to as "the prince of the kingdom of Persia" (Daniel 10:13–14); that reference is echoed here. The flow of this section suggests that the human-like being (Daniel 10:16, 18) is the same as the impressive figure Daniel first saw (Daniel 10:4–6). The angel, likely Gabriel (Daniel 8:15–16; 9:21–22; Luke 1:26), plans to return to his battle against a spiritual enemy. First, the angel will explain Daniel's recent visions (Daniel 10:21; 11:2).

Part of the angel's comments mention what seem to be other spiritual beings. The "prince of Persia" seems to be some type of demon working on the Persian kingdom; the "prince of Greece" would presumably be a demon working on the Greek kingdom. Michael the archangel (Jude 1:9) is also labeled a "prince" in this section (Daniel 10:21). It appears he has taken Gabriel's place in battle so Gabriel can bring this message to Daniel. The exact meaning of this statement is not clear, but the nations of Persia and Greece both factor heavily into the prophecies in chapter 11.

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.