EXPOSITION THE ANGELS OF THE NATIONS . The three chapters (10, 11; and 12.) form a section apart from the rest of Daniel. One marked peculiarity is the long and very old interpolation which occupies nearly the whole of Daniel 11:1-45 . Not improbably something has dropped out, and. not a few things have been modified in consequence of this interpolation. read more
Variety of angelic service. It is quite legitimate for us to reason from God's conduct towards men in the past to his probable conduct towards men now. If in his wisdom he employed his angels to be ministers of good to Daniel and to Israel two thousand years ago, we may conclude that it is an exercise of wisdom to do the like to-day. Perfect wisdom will only change its plans, so far as new circumstances and needs arise. Hence there is instruction and consolation for us in this Scripture. ... read more
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. Both the LXX . and Theodotion insert Kepler before θεοῦ . This is the more remarkable as κύριος stands for "Jehovah" usually in the Greek versions—a title rarely occurring in Daniel in, and only in, the prayer of the preceding chapter. This addition does not occur in the Peshitta or... read more
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the ohief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. The rendering of the LXX . is, "And the general ( στρατηγὸς ) of the King of the Persians withstood me one and twenty days, and behold Michael, one of the first princes, came to help me, and I left him there with the general of the King of the Persians." The sense of Theedotion is nearly the same as the LXX... read more
Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. None of the versions call for remark. The Peshitta inserts lesooph , "at the end," before "days." The Massoretic Hebrew has a peculiarity unsupported by the curlier versions: it has "for the days." Of course, these versions may simply have neglected the article, as have our English versions, Authorized and Revised. In the latter drays. Kranichfeld holds... read more
Then said he unto me, Fear not - Be not alarmed at my presence; do not fear that your devotions are not accepted, and that your prayers are not heard.For from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand - That is, by a season of extraordinary devotion. Daniel had devoted three full weeks to such a service Daniel 10:2-3, and it would seem from this that one object which he had in view was to make inquiry about the future condition of his people, or to learn what was his own duty... read more
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia - In explaining this very difficult verse it may be proper(1) to consider the literal sense of the words;(2) to deduce the fair meaning of the passage as thus explained; and(3) to notice the practical truths taught.The word rendered “prince” - שׂר s'ar - means, properly, a leader, commander, chief, as of troops, Genesis 21:22; of a king’s body-guard, Genesis 37:36; of cup-bearers, Genesis 41:9; of a prison, Genesis 39:21-22; of a flock, Genesis 47:6. Then... read more
Now I am come to make thee understand ... - After these long delays, and after the arrangements have been made necessary to bring about the objects sought by your prayers.In the latter days - In future times - extending down to the last period of the world. See the notes at Isaiah 2:2.For yet the vision is for many days - Extends far into future time. It is probable that the prayer of Daniel referred more particularly to what he desired should soon occur - the restoration of the people to their... read more
Daniel 10:10-12. And behold, a hand touched me This was not the same angel, or personage, who is described Daniel 10:5, but some other of not so great brightness, probably the angel Gabriel in a human form, who had before been sent to Daniel on the like occasions. Whoever it was, his touch revived Daniel, and enabled him to stand upright. And when he had spoken, I stood trembling Though Daniel was not so greatly disturbed and terrified as at the appearance described Daniel 10:5, yet he... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 10:1-19
The vision of the Christ. "I was left alone, and saw this great vision" ( Daniel 10:8 ). It is well to begin by clearing up the context. We have now only one more prophecy in Daniel. This occupies the eleventh chapter. The tenth contains a prologue to the prophecy; the twelfth, an epilogue. In Daniel 10:1 the character of the prophecy is indicated: 1 . Its subject-matter is afflictive. " The conflict is great. " It covers a time of great calamities (see the Hebrew). 2 . The... read more