Daniel 10

1 In the third [specific, appointed] year of Cyrus [the Persian king] king of Persia [a vast and powerful empire], a message [word, revelation, or prophecy] was revealed [uncovered, made known] to Daniel, who was called [identified, named] Belteshazzar [lord of the straitened’s treasure]. The message [word, prophecy] was true [faithful, trustworthy], and it concerned [involved, pertained to] a great [large, intense] conflict [warfare, battle]. And the understanding [discernment, insight] of the message [word, revelation] was given [granted, imparted] to him in a vision [supernatural sight, appearance]. word study 2 In those days [a period of time, a season] I, Daniel [a man from the tribe of Judah], was mourning [to lament, in grief] for three [a quantity of] full [complete, entire] weeks [a period of seven days]. word study 3 I ate no rich [pleasant, desirable] food, no meat [flesh] or wine [intoxicating drink] entered my mouth, and I did not anoint [smear with oil] myself with oil until the three [a period of three, thrice] weeks [a period of seven days] were completed [fulfilled, made full]. word study 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first [primary, initial] month, as I [the prophet Daniel] was standing on the bank [by the side] of the great [large, mighty] river, the Tigris [Hiddekel, a major river in Mesopotamia], word study 5 I lifted up my eyes [to gaze intently], and behold [look, see], there was a certain man [a specific individual, one] dressed in linen [wearing fine white clothes, bad], with a belt [a girdle] of fine gold [pure gold] from Uphaz [a region of gold, a place of desire] around his waist [his loins, the center of his being]. word study 6 His body [like a precious jewel, shining brightly] was like beryl [jasper, a precious gemstone], his face [radiant, shining intensely] like the brilliance of lightning [a thunder-flame, a flashing light], his eyes [burning with intensity] like flaming torches [lamps of fire, blazing with fervor], his arms and legs [strong, powerful] like the gleam of polished bronze [burnished brass, shining brightly], and his voice [a sound, a loud roar] like the sound of a multitude [a huge crowd, a tumultuous assembly]. word study 7 Only I, Daniel [the prophet, God’s messenger], saw the vision [a prophetic revelation, a divine appearance]; the men with me [my companions, fellow travelers] did not see it [perceive, comprehend], but a great [intense, overwhelming] terror [fear, trembling] fell upon them [came over, seized], and they ran [fled, took flight] and hid themselves [concealed, protected]. word study 8 So I was left alone [alone and isolated], gazing at this [wonderful, great and majestic] great vision. No [physical or spiritual] strength remained in me; my face grew [deathly pale, as white as a ghost] deathly pale, and I was [completely, utterly] powerless [without any ability to act]. word study 9 I heard [with attention and obedience] the sound [voice, voice of his words] of his words, and as I listened [to hear and obey], I fell [was in a deep sleep, lost consciousness] into a deep sleep [in a coma, unconscious], with my face [presence, before him] to the ground [the earth, land]. word study 10 Suddenly [behold, look], a hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share] touched [to reach or strike] me and set [causing me to shake, tremble] me trembling [with fear, to move back and forth] on my hands [the palms of my hands] and knees [a sign of respect]. word study 11 He said to me, “Daniel [a man greatly beloved, God is my judge], you are a man who is highly precious [a man greatly desired, cherished]. Consider carefully [understand, discern] the words that I am about to say to you [speak unto thee, communicate]. Stand up [stand upright, arise], for I have now [at this time, currently] been sent to you [unto thee, towards you].” And when he had said this to me, I stood up [stood trembling, arose shaking] trembling [with fear, in awe]. word study 12 “Do not be afraid [fear not, have no fear], Daniel,” he said, “for from the first day [the very beginning, the initial time] that you purposed [set your heart, determined] to understand [to discern, to know] and to humble [to chasten, to afflict] yourself before your God [Elohim, the supreme Creator], your words [prayers, requests] were heard [listened to, attended to], and I have come [arrived, appeared] in response to them [because of your words, for your sake]. word study 13 However, the prince [ruler, leader] of the kingdom [royalty, royal power] of Persia [the ancient country] opposed me for twenty-one [twenty and one] days. Then Michael [who is like God, an archangel], one [single, unique] of the chief princes [rulers, leaders], came to help [assist, aid] me, for I had been left [remained, stayed] there with the kings [royal persons, rulers] of Persia [the ancient country]. word study 14 Now I have come [to make you understand, to give knowledge] to explain [to make clear, to reveal] to you what will happen [befall, come to pass] to your people [nation, tribe] in the latter days [last days, end of time, future], for the vision [revelation, prophecy] concerns [is about, pertains to] those days [a future time, many days].” word study 15 While he was speaking [communicating, uttering] these words [things, matters] to me, I set [gave, turned] my face [presence, countenance] toward the ground [earth, land] and became [was] speechless [dumb, mute, unable to say anything]. word study 16 And suddenly [without warning, in an instant] one with the likeness [resemblance, similarity] of a man [human being, son of Adam] touched [struck, reached out to] my lips, and I opened [unlocked, spoke freely] my mouth and said to the one standing [positioned, placed] before me, “My lord [master, ruler], because of the vision [prophetic sight, revelation], I am overcome [overwhelmed, overcome with emotion] with anguish [sorrow, deep distress], and I have no [none, lack of] strength [power, ability]. word study 17 How can I, your servant [a humble bondservant], speak with you, my lord [the supreme Master, Adonai]? Now I have no strength [reptile, power, or might], nor is any breath [spirit, wind, or life-giving air] left in me [remaining, reserved, or spared].” word study 18 Again [one more time, once more] the one with the likeness [appearance, form] of a man [Adam, humanity] touched [reached out to, struck] me and strengthened [empowered, gave me courage] me. word study 19 “Do not be afraid [fear not, have no fear], you who are highly precious [greatly beloved, deeply loved],” he said. “Peace [shalom, completeness and wellness] be with you [unto thee]! Be strong [take courage, be courageous] now; be very strong [yes, be strong]!” As he spoke with me [communicated to me], I was strengthened [made strong, encouraged] and said, “Speak [talk, communicate], my lord [master, sovereign], for you have strengthened [enabled, empowered] me [given me courage].” word study 20 “Do you know [are you aware, have you understood] why I have come [approached, drawn near] to you?” he said. “I must return [turn back, go back] at once to fight [engage in battle, struggle] against the prince [ruler, leader] of Persia [the ancient kingdom of Persia], and when I have gone forth [come out, departed], behold [look, see], the prince [ruler, leader] of Greece [the land of the Greeks, Javan] will come [approach, arrive]. word study 21 But first [truly, indeed] I will tell [declare openly, reveal] you what is inscribed [recorded, written down] in the Book of Truth [faithfulness, stability]. Yet no one has the courage [strength, boldness] to support [hold with, stand alongside] me against these [forces, powers], except Michael [who is like God, an archangel] your prince [ruler, leader]. word study