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In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
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 now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

New Defender's Study Bible Notes

10:1 third year of Cyrus. According to Daniel 1:21, the prophet Daniel “continued” to the first year of Cyrus. This was the end of Jeremiah’s prophesied seventy years, and Cyrus at that time gave the first decree for Jews to return to Jerusalem (II Chronicles 36:22-23). Presumably Daniel, being an aged man by this time, “retired” from his court position at this time. However, he continued to live at least another two years, receiving the vision (Daniel 10:7) of this chapter “in the third year of Cyrus.”


10:4 river, which is Hiddekel. See Genesis 2:14. This is another name for the Tigris River.


10:6 appearance of lightning. The description of this “certain man” (Daniel 10:5) is essentially identical with the description of the glorified Christ in Revelation 1:13-16, and identified by John as “one like unto the Son of man” (Revelation 1:13). We must conclude that this vision of Daniel was in some sense a manifestation of the pre-incarnate Christ, sent to answer Daniel’s persistent prayer (Daniel 10:12). Note also that, because of his consistent godliness and prayers, Daniel is thrice called “a man greatly beloved” (Daniel 9:23; 10:11,19).


10:13 prince of the kingdom of Persia. This verse provides a remarkable insight into the reality and might of the principalities and powers under the rule of Satan, “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). Although Satan is not omnipresent, he has a highly organized host of evil angels at his command. Here, even the “angel of the LORD” enlisted the help of the archangel Michael to penetrate the demonic hosts of the evil angel assigned by Satan to oversee the kingdom of Persia, the nation dominant in the world at that time (see also Jude 9; Revelation 12:7-9). The “prince of Grecia” is also mentioned (Daniel 10:20) as another powerful principality in Satan’s hierarchy. On the other hand, Michael is called “your prince” (Daniel 10:21), implying that God also has high angels assigned to nations, Michael being associated with Israel.


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