Daniel 10:11

And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I dew sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. The versions do not afford cause for remark. O Daniel , a man greatly beloved. This is the same term as that applied to Daniel ( Daniel 9:23 ), "man of desires" (which see). Understand the words that I speak unto thee ; "have understanding in the words," or better , "matters, which I am speaking or telling to thee." As the language used was one intelligible to Daniel, it was needless to command him to understand the words, but the "matters" communicated by the words might require a special effort of attention to comprehend. Debareem means "matters" as well as "words." And stand upright ; "'stand upon thy standing." Gesenius would render this word when it occurs before ( Daniel 8:18 ), "place;" but both here and there the contrast is in the attitude. From being absolutely prone, as in the eighth chapter, or on hands and knees as here, he is to be upright, and, taking his previous attitude into account, this is not merely to stand where he is, and neither approach nor depart. The LXX . renders, τόπου ; Theodotion, στάσει ; the Vulgate has gradu. For unto thee am I now sent. This assigns a reason for the command to stand upon his feet. In the Assyrian marbles, however lowly the obeisance made to the monarch by any one admitted to his presence, he stands when he receives the monarch's commands. Standing implies attention. And when he had spoken this word unto me , I stood trembling. He obeyed the command, but still trembling took hold of him in the angelic presence.