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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 10:1-9

This vision is dated in the third year of Cyrus, that is, of his reign after the conquest of Babylon, his third year since Daniel became acquainted with him and a subject to him. Here is, I. A general idea of this prophecy (Dan. 10:1): The thing was true; every word of God is so; it was true that Daniel had such a vision, and that such and such things were said. This he solemnly attests upon the word of a prophet. Et hoc paratus est verificare?He was prepared to verify it; and, if it was a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 10:1

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia ,.... Not of his being king of Persia only, but of the Medopersian empire, after he had subdued the Babylonian empire, and annexed it to his dominions; and this is not to be reckoned from the time of his taking Babylon, and putting the government of it into the hands of his uncle Darius, with whom he jointly reigned; but from the time of his uncle's death, when he was sole monarch of the whole empire: he reigned thirty years, as Cicero F20 De... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 10:2

In those days I Daniel was mourning ,.... Either on account of what had been revealed to him in the last vision or prophecy of the seventy weeks; by which it appeared what wickedness the people of the Jews would be guilty of in cutting off the Messiah; and what desolations would come upon their land, city, and temple, for such usage of him: as also because of the present case of his people; many of them continuing in the country of Babylon, when they had liberty to return to their land: or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 10:3

I ate no pleasant bread ,.... Or, "bread of desires" F4 לחם חמדות "panem desideriorum", Pagninus, Montanus; "desiderabilium", Junius & Tremellius; "desiderabilem", V. L. Vatablus, Piscator. ; such as was made of the finest of the wheat, and was eaten in the courts of princes where Daniel was: according to some Jewish Rabbins in Ben Melech, hot bread is meant; but in general it means the best of bread, such as had good qualities to make it desirable; and this Daniel refrained... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 10:4

And in the four and twentieth day of the first month ,.... Of the third year of Cyrus, as Jacchiades; or rather of the Jewish year, the month Ab or Nisan, which answers to part of March and April; so that Daniel's fast began on the third day of the month, and lasted to the twenty fourth, in which time was the Jewish passover; and by this it seems it was not now kept; and perhaps in those times was not used to be observed by the Jews in a foreign land: as I was by the side of the great... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 10:5

Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked ,.... Being excited to it, by an object presented, of an unusual appearance, which engaged his attention, and caused him to look wistly at it: and, behold a certain man clothed in linen ; not Gabriel, but the Son of God, the Messiah; who, though not as yet incarnate, yet was so in the counsel and purpose of God; had agreed in covenant to be man, was promised and prophesied of as such; and now appeared in a human form, as he frequently did before his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 10:6

His body also was like the beryl ,.... That is, that part of it which was not covered with the linen garment, and was seen, was like such a precious stone, said to be of an azure and sky colour, signifying he was the Lord from heaven; though, according to its name, it should be of a sea colour, greenish; and so, according to some, the beryl is. Cocceius thinks the sardonyx is meant, which is of a flesh colour, and so more fit to express the comeliness of a human body; the beryl, being of a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 10:7

And I Daniel alone saw the vision ,.... The object or person described; though he was not alone when he saw it, yet he alone saw it; the eyes of his body and mind being quicker than the rest, the Lord strengthening and enlightening both; for this was a peculiar and distinguishing favour granted to him: for the men that were with me saw not the vision ; at least not so clearly and distinctly as Daniel did; they might have some confused sight of an object that appeared very terrible; but,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 10:1

In the third year of Cyrus - Which answers to the first year of Darius the Mede. The time appointed was long - גדול וצבא vetsaba gadol , but the warfare long; there will be many contentions and wars before these things can be accomplished. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 10:2

I - was mourning three full weeks - The weeks are most probably dated from the time of the termination of the last vision. Calmet proves this by several reasons. read more

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