X. This and the two following Chapter s form the concluding section of the book of Daniel. The vision occurred two years after the departure of the exiles from Babylon, and at a time when those who were rebuilding the city were beginning to experience the “troublous” times spoken of in Daniel 9:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
A THING. — A revelation, as Daniel 9:25. The contents of the revelation are specified in the perplexing words, “the thing was true, and the time appointed (comp. Daniel 8:12) was long,” by which is meant apparently that truth and long tribulation were the subject of their vision. “Time appointed” is... [ Continue Reading ]
PLEASANT BREAD — _i.e.,_ delicate food. Abstaining from this as well as from the use of oil (comp. 2 Samuel 12:20; Amos 6:6) were the outward signs of Daniel’s grief.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FOUR AND TWENTIETH DAY. — After the end of his three weeks’ fast the prophet was upon the bank of the Tigris, where he saw the following vision. Hiddekel is the Accadian name of the river. (Comp. Genesis 2:14.) “Great river” is an epithet usually applied to the river Euphrates, as Genesis 15:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
A CERTAIN MAN. — The appearance of this person is minutely described, while that of the angels is not mentioned. The dress especially recalls to our minds the clothing of the high priest. (See Exodus 39:27, and comp. Revelation 1:13.) The person himself is carefully distinguished from Michael (Danie... [ Continue Reading ]
BERYL. — Heb., _Tarshish,_ a variety of the topaz. HIS FEET. — More correctly, _the place where his feet were,_ or the lower extremities of his limbs. We are not told in what position the man was when Daniel first saw him. Later on (Daniel 12:6) he is described as being upon or above the waters. In... [ Continue Reading ]
I... ALONE SAW THE VISION. — St. Jerome compares the account of St. Paul (Acts 22:9). It may be added that, as upon that occasion (comp. Acts 9:7), the companions of the prophet heard the voice but saw nothing. The words of the voice (Daniel 10:6) are unrecorded.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS GREAT VISION. — Daniel again distinguishes this from former visions: The glory of the man who appeared to him was far in excess of what he had witnessed previously (Daniel 8:17). The effects of the vision upon him are also mentioned. His “comeliness was turned,” or, he grew pale with terror at... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS WORDS. — He refers to the unrecorded words of Daniel 10:6. (Comp. Daniel 8:17.)... [ Continue Reading ]
AN HAND. — This hand was that of the person who appeared, but it is spoken of as “felt,” not as seen. But though supported by this hand, the prophet is unable to stand upright. He crouches in a terrified posture. It should be noticed that the equivalent of “set” is translated “scatter” (Psalms 59:11... [ Continue Reading ]
GREATLY BELOVED. — See Daniel 9:23, Note. The assuring words thus addressed to the prophet enabled him to stand upright, but his alarm had not as yet subsided.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THE FIRST DAY. — The meaning appears to be that this vision was vouchsafed to him in consequence of his prayer to understand what would befal his people in the future. The prayer was heard from the first day that he offered it, but it had been impossible for him to realise the answer before the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PRINCE OF THE KINGDOM. — Perhaps no single verse in the whole of the Scriptures speaks more clearly than this upon the invisible powers which rule and influence nations. If we were without a revelation, we should have thought it congruent that God Himself should direct all events in the world wi... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LATTER DAYS. — Comp. Daniel 2:28; Daniel 8:17. The time is here more narrowly defined as “those days,” that is, the period when the vision of Daniel 11 shall receive its complete fulfilment. The “vision” is identical with “the thing” (Daniel 10:1), or “the vision” (Daniel 10:16). It must be care... [ Continue Reading ]
I SET MY FACE. — The conduct of Daniel described in this verse is not to be ascribed to his fear, for that had been already driven away (Daniel 10:12), but to his reverence for the majestic person who was before him, and to the gratitude that he felt for the answer to his prayer. (Comp. Daniel 9:3.)... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE LIKE... — Comp. Daniel 8:15. However, there is no reason for supposing that the person is different from the one mentioned in Daniel 10:10; Daniel 10:18. By “sorrows” is meant the pain produced by terror.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HOW. — The whole verse must be regarded as addressed by Daniel to the angel. On the phrase “neither is there any breath in me” comp. 1 Kings 17:17. Here we may notice the same fear which possessed Isaiah at the time of his vision (Isaiah 6:5).... [ Continue Reading ]
BE STRONG. — Comp. 2 Samuel 10:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAID HE. — The meaning of this verse is obscure. Apparently the person who is speaking refers back to what he had said (Daniel 10:12); and from the question _“_Knowest thou?” &c., we are to infer that Daniel was perfectly aware of the reasons which caused him to come, viz., “to make thee unders... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT. — A further contrast is introduced by the adversative. This may be brought out by paraphrasing the verse as follows: “It is true that the prince of Javan will attack you, but do not despair at the thought of one persecuting empire succeeding another. It is all written in the Scripture of truth:... [ Continue Reading ]