Daniel 10:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris)

NIV: On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris,

NASB: On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the great river, that is, the Tigris,

CSB: On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris,

NLT: On April 23, as I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River,

KJV: And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;

NKJV: Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris,

Daniel was standing near the Tigris River on the twenty-fourth day of the first month. There, he experienced an addition to his final recorded vision (Daniel 10:1). The month he specifies in this verse was April or the month of Abib, later called Nissan (Nehemiah 2:1). Exodus 23:15 places the Feast of Unleavened Bread in Abib. Likely, Daniel had kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of Abib and the Feast of Unleavened Bread that began the next day and continued to the twenty-first day.

The Tigris and the Euphrates were separated by about thirty-five miles—or fifty-six kilometers—and not far from Babylon. Daniel may have been traveling on government business when he reached the Tigris River. He was not dreaming or just seeing the Tigris in a vision, as some expositors suppose. He was physically present at the site.

Daniel was either already in mourning when he saw a vision or what he saw in his vision caused him to mourn (Daniel 10:1–3). Here, he begins to learn more about the future from an impressive source (Daniel 5:5–6).

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.

Accessed 5/17/2024 4:38:09 AM