Bible Commentaries

the third year of Cyrus. Called by his appellative "Darius" (= the Restrainer, or Maintainer, in Daniel 9:1; Daniel 9:424BC.) Two years later than Dan 9. This is Daniel's latest date; which continues to the end of this book, seventythree years since his deportation: he being now eighty-nine years old.

thing = word, or matter.

Belteshazzar. See Daniel 1:7.

but the time appointed was long = but [concerned] a long warfare.

time appointed. Hebrew. tzaba. Generally rendered "host" or "army" (Daniel 8:10, Daniel 8:11, Daniel 8:12). Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for warfare.

long: or, great.

three full weeks = three sevens of days. See next verse and Daniel 10:13, in contrast with Daniel 9:24, Daniel 9:25. Compare this humiliation with that of Daniel 9:3-19, and see the Structure ("Daniel 9:3-19" and "Daniel 10:2, Daniel 10:3", p. 1196).

pleasant bread = bread of desires: i.e. pleasant food.

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27.

three whole weeks = three sevens of days, as in verses: Daniel 10:2, Daniel 10:13.

confronting me three sevens of days: but, lo,

the four and twentieth, &c.: i.e. the twenty-fourth of Nisan (i.e. Abib).

Hiddekel: i.e. the Tigris. See Genesis 2:14.

man. Hebrew "ish. App-14.

clothed, &c. Compare the description in Rev 1. Note the Divine and angelic appearances in this book: Daniel 3:25; Daniel 4:13, Daniel 4:17, Daniel 4:23; Daniel 6:22; Daniel 7:16; Daniel 8:13, Daniel 8:14, Daniel 8:16-26; Daniel 9:21; Daniel 10:4-8, Daniel 10:10, Daniel 10:16, Daniel 10:18, Daniel 10:20; Daniel 12:1, Daniel 12:5, Daniel 12:6.

men. Hebrew, plural of "enosh. App-14. Compare Acts 9:7.

was I in a deep sleep, &c. Compare Daniel 8:18.

stand upright. Note the Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6), stand upon thy standing: i.e. stand up where thou art.

the first day. See Daniel 9:23.

chasten = humble. See note on Daniel 10:3.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

the prince = ruler. Hebrew. sar = a ruler (from sarar = to rule). Hence Caesar, Tzar or Czar. Generally rendered "prince" in this book. See Daniel 1:7, Daniel 1:8, Daniel 1:9, Daniel 1:10, Daniel 1:11, Daniel 1:18; Daniel 8:11, Daniel 8:25; Daniel 9:6, Daniel 9:8; Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:20, Daniel 10:21; Daniel 11:5; Daniel 12:1. The rulers may be good, angelic (good or evil), or the world-rulers of Ephesians 6:12.

withstood = was standing confronting me.

one and twenty days. See verses: Daniel 10:2, Daniel 10:3.

Michael = who is like GOD (Hebrew El)? The second angel named in this book. The special angelic ruler for Israel (Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1. Compare Jude 1:9, and Revelation 12:7).

princes. Hebrew. sar = chief. Not the same word as in Daniel 11:8, Daniel 11:18, Daniel 11:22.

I remained = I was superfluous: i.e. not needed. Hence we may render, "I left him there". Not the same word as in Daniel 10:17.

with = beside.

the latter days. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 49:1. Numbers 24:14. Deuteronomy 4:30; Deuteronomy 31:29). App-92. See note on Daniel 2:28. Note the bearing of this on the prophecy itself, given in Daniel 11:21, Daniel 12:3.

dumb. Compare Psalms 139:2, Psalms 139:9.

men. Hebrew. "adam. App-14.

remained = continued. Not the same word as in Daniel 10:13.

breath. Hebrew. neshamah. See App-16.

strengthened = strengthened (for endurance). Hebrew. hazak.