Daniel's Terrifying Vision of a Man

Daniel 10

1 b In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, c who was named Belteshazzar. And d the word was true, and it was a great conflict. 1 And e he understood the word and e had understanding of the vision.

2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for f three weeks. 3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I g anoint myself at all, for f the full three weeks. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing h on the bank of the great river ( i that is, the Tigris) 5 j I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, k a man clothed in linen, l with a belt of fine m gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like n beryl, his face o like the appearance of lightning, p his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and q legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and q the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. 7 r And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and s no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, 2 t and I retained no strength. 9 Then I heard the sound of his words, u and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep u with my face to the ground.

10 And behold, v a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, "O Daniel, w man greatly loved, x understand the words that I speak to you, and y stand upright, for z now I have been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, a "Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you b set your heart to understand and b humbled yourself before your God, c your words have been heard, d and I have come because of your words. 13 e The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me f twenty-one days, but g Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 d and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people h in the latter days. For i the vision is for days yet to come."

15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, j I turned my face toward the ground k and was mute. 16 And behold, l one in the likeness of the children of man m touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, "O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and n I retain no strength. 17 How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me."

18 Again l one having the appearance of a man m touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, o "O man greatly loved, p fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage." And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me." 20 Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the q prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of r Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you s what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except t Michael, your prince.

  1. Cross References
    Daniel 1:21
    And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.
    Daniel 6:28
    So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
  2. Cross References
    Daniel 1:7
    And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.
  3. Cross References
    Daniel 8:26
    The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now.
  4. Cross References
    Daniel 1:17
    As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
  5. Cross References
    Daniel 1:17
    As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
  6. Cross References
    Daniel 10:13
    The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia.
  7. Cross References
    Amos 6:6
    Who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!
    Matthew 6:17
    But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face.
  8. Cross References
    Daniel 10:2
    In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks.
  9. Cross References
    Daniel 12:5
    Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream.
  10. Cross References
    Genesis 2:14
    And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
  11. Cross References
    Joshua 5:13
    When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us, or for our adversaries?
  12. Cross References
    Ezekiel 9:2
    And behold, six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with his weapon for slaughter in his hand, and with them was a man clothed in linen, with a writing case at his waist. And they went in and stood beside the bronze altar.
  13. Cross References
    Revelation 1:13
    And in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
    Revelation 15:6
    And out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests.
  14. Cross References
    Jeremiah 10:9
    Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz. They are the work of the craftsman and of the hands of the goldsmith; their clothing is violet and purple; they are all the work of skilled men.
  15. Cross References
    Ezekiel 1:16
    As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of beryl. And the four had the same likeness, their appearance and construction being as it were a wheel within a wheel.
    Ezekiel 10:9
    And I looked, and behold, there were four wheels beside the cherubim, one beside each cherub, and the appearance of the wheels was like sparkling beryl.
  16. Cross References
    Ezekiel 1:14
    And the living creatures darted to and fro, like the appearance of a flash of lightning.
    Matthew 28:3
    His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
  17. Cross References
    Revelation 1:14
    The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire.
  18. Cross References
    Revelation 1:15
    His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.
  19. Cross References
    Revelation 1:15
    His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.
  20. Cross References
    Acts 9:7
    The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
  21. Cross References
    Daniel 7:28
    "Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart."
  22. Cross References
    Daniel 10:16
    And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, "O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength.
  23. Cross References
    Daniel 8:18
    And when he had spoken to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But he touched me and made me stand up.
  24. Cross References
    Daniel 8:18
    And when he had spoken to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But he touched me and made me stand up.
  25. Cross References
    Ezekiel 2:9
    And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it.
  26. Cross References
    Daniel 10:19
    And he said, "O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage." And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.
    Daniel 9:23
    At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.
  27. Cross References
    Daniel 1:17
    As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
  28. Cross References
    Ezekiel 2:1
    And he said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.
  29. Cross References
    Hebrews 1:14
    Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
  30. Cross References
    Daniel 10:19
    And he said, "O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage." And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.
    Judges 6:23
    But the Lord said to him, "Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.
    Revelation 1:17
    When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last.
  31. Cross References
    Daniel 9:3
    Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
  32. Cross References
    Daniel 9:3
    Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
  33. Cross References
    Acts 10:4
    And he stared at him in terror and said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.
  34. Cross References
    Daniel 9:23
    At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.
  35. Cross References
    Daniel 10:20
    Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come.
  36. Cross References
    Daniel 10:2 - 3
    In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks.
  37. Cross References
    Daniel 10:21
    But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.
    Daniel 12:1
    At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.
    Jude 1:9
    But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you.
    Revelation 12:7
    Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back.
  38. Cross References
    Daniel 10:12
    Then he said to me, "Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.
  39. Cross References
    Daniel 2:28
    But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these:
  40. Cross References
    Daniel 8:26
    The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now.
    Habakkuk 2:3
    For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end - it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.
  41. Cross References
    Daniel 10:9
    Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.
    Daniel 8:18
    And when he had spoken to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But he touched me and made me stand up.
  42. Cross References
    Psalms 39:2
    I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse.
    Psalms 39:9
    I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it.
  43. Cross References
    Daniel 8:15
    When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it. And behold, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man.
  44. Cross References
    Isaiah 6:7
    And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.
  45. Cross References
    Daniel 10:8
    So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength.
  46. Cross References
    Daniel 10:16
    And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, "O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength.
  47. Cross References
    Daniel 10:16
    And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, "O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength.
  48. Cross References
    Daniel 10:11
    And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.
    Daniel 9:23
    At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.
  49. Cross References
    Daniel 10:12
    Then he said to me, "Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.
  50. Cross References
    Daniel 10:13
    The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia.
  51. Cross References
    Daniel 8:21
    And the goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king.
  52. Cross References
    Daniel 12:1
    At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.
    Daniel 12:4
    But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
    Exodus 32:32
    But now, if you will forgive their sin - but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.
  53. Cross References
    Daniel 10:13
    The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Next Book Next Book