Text -- Daniel 10:7-21 (NET)

10:7 Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men who were with me did not see it. On the contrary, they were overcome with fright and ran away to hide. 10:8 I alone was left to see this great vision. My strength drained from me, and my vigor disappeared; I was without energy. 10:9 I listened to his voice, and as I did so I fell into a trance-like sleep with my face to the ground. 10:10 Then a hand touched me and set me on my hands and knees. 10:11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are of great value. Understand the words that I am about to speak to you. So stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up shaking. 10:12 Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day you applied your mind to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words. 10:13 However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia was opposing me for twenty-one days. But Michael, one of the leading princes, came to help me, because I was left there with the kings of Persia. 10:14 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to future days.” 10:15 While he was saying this to me, I was flat on the ground and unable to speak. 10:16 Then one who appeared to be a human being was touching my lips. I opened my mouth and started to speak, saying to the one who was standing before me, “Sir, due to the vision, anxiety has gripped me and I have no strength. 10:17 How, sir, am I able to speak with you? My strength is gone, and I am breathless.” 10:18 Then the one who appeared to be a human being touched me again and strengthened me. 10:19 He said to me, “Don’t be afraid, you who are valued. Peace be to you! Be strong! Be really strong!” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened. I said, “Sir, you may speak now, for you have given me strength.” 10:20 He said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Now I am about to return to engage in battle with the prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece is coming. 10:21 However, I will first tell you what is written in a dependable book. (There is no one who strengthens me against these princes, except Michael your prince.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Dan 10:7

¹ tn Heb “the vision.”

² tn Heb “great trembling fell on them.”

NET Notes: Dan 10:8

¹ tn Heb “did not remain in.”

² tn Heb “was changed upon me for ruin.”

³ tn Heb “strength.”

NET Notes: Dan 10:9

¹ tc Heb “I heard the sound of his words.” These words are absent in the LXX and the Syriac.

² tn Heb “as I listened to the sound of his words.”

NET Notes: Dan 10:10

¹ tn Heb “Behold.”

² tc Theodotion lacks “and the palms of my hands.”

tn Heb “on my knees and the palms of my hands.”

NET Notes: Dan 10:11

¹ tn Or “a treasured person”; KJV “a man greatly beloved”; NASB “man of high esteem.”

² tn The Hebrew participle is often used, as here, to refer to the imminent future.

³ tn Heb “stand upon your standing.”

⁴ tn Heb “spoke this word.”

NET Notes: Dan 10:12

¹ tn Heb “gave your heart.”

NET Notes: Dan 10:13

¹ tn Heb “and behold.”

² tc The Greek version of Theodotion reads “I left him [i.e., Michael] there,” and this is followed by a number of English translations (cf. NAB, NRSV, NLT).

NET Notes: Dan 10:15

¹ tn Heb “speaking to me according to these words.”

² tn Heb “I placed my face toward.”

NET Notes: Dan 10:16

¹ tn Heb “Behold.”

² tc So most Hebrew MSS; one Hebrew MS along with the Dead Sea Scrolls and LXX read “something that looked like a man’s hand.”

³ tn Heb “my lord,” here a title of polite address. Cf. v. 19.

NET Notes: Dan 10:17

¹ tn Heb “How is the servant of this my lord able to speak with this my lord?”

² tn Heb “does not stand.”

NET Notes: Dan 10:18

¹ tn Heb “He added and touched me.” The construction is a verbal hendiadys.

NET Notes: Dan 10:19

¹ tn Heb “treasured man.”

² tn Heb “my lord may speak.”

NET Notes: Dan 10:20

¹ sn The question is rhetorical, intended to encourage reflection on Daniel’s part.

NET Notes: Dan 10:21

¹ tn Heb “a book of truth.” Several English versions treat this as a title of some sort (cf. NIV, NCV, TEV, CEV, NLT), although the NAB’s rendering “the truthful book” regards “truth” as an attributive adjective, as does the present translation.

² tn The word “princes” is supplied for clarity.

³ tn The pronoun is plural in Hebrew, suggesting that Michael is the angelic prince of Daniel and his people.