Daniel 10:1

1. For Cyrus see our Introduction to Daniel, III, 3, (6), and note Daniel 6:28; for Daniel… Belteshazzar see Introduction, II, 8; III, 1, and notes Daniel 1:7; Daniel 2:26. Bosanquet ( Messiah the Prince) thinks this verse is an interpolation, being opposed to Daniel 9:2; Zechariah 1:12; but this is not probable, as the versions differ no more here than in other passages.

Thing Or, word.

But the time appointed was long R.V., “even great warfare.” The obscurity of the text may be seen by the fact that Hebrew scholars of the greatest renown have variously rendered this phrase, “and the word is truth, and great distress; and he heeded the word and gave heed to the vision;” or, “and truth is the revelation and (the) distress is great; and understand thou the revelation, and understand it in the vision.” The R.V., however, is a good translation of the Hebrew text as it stands, and makes good sense. The “warfare” referred to is that between Gabriel and the guardian angel of Persia of which the prophet now hears for the first time. (See Daniel 10:13 and chap. 11.)

Third year Various reasons have been given, such as his great age and the need of his services in Babylon, why Daniel had not returned back to the Holy Land with his companions; but this question is not raised at all in the narrative. His “sorrow” seems as great as it had been in the reign of Darius, before the edict was given by Cyrus for the return of the Jews to their native land. (See notes Daniel 10:2-4; Daniel 9:1-4.) There is no necessary contradiction to history here. Such a return as was actually accomplished was very different from the triumphant victories which, according to Jeremiah’s prophecy, might have been expected by an exilic prophet. (See notes Daniel 9:2; Daniel 9:24.)