Daniel 10

Daniel humbling himself by fasting and prayer before God, seeth a vision, vers. 1, &c. Being hereby sore affrighted, is strengthened and comforted by the angel, 10. And he is told what should befall the people of the Jews in afte-rtimes, 14. Hereat he is again sore affrighted and astonished, 15. But is strengthened again by the Angel, 19 who declareth unto him how that the Prince of Grecia, Alexander the Great, should come, 20.

1. In the third year of Cores [Heb. Coresch] King of Persia, [To wit, in the third year after that he had taken the kingdom of Babylon, as Isaiah had foretold, chap.45.1.] a thing [Or a word] was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belsazar: [See aboce chap.1. vers.7. in the Annotat.] and that thing is the truth; but (in) a set great time: [Or, but the appointed time was long. The meaning is, it will be long first before it be accomplished. See below vers.14. namely from the third year of Cyrus unto the day of judgement, as may be gathered from chap.12.2. Though some, applying this onely to the Jewish Nation,interpret this long time of the end of the persecution of Antiochus. Others, and there wasa great army; then the meaning would be, And Daniel saw in this vision a great army of Angels. Others, There shall be a great battel. See the Annotat. Job chap.7.7 vers.1. and 14.14. Isa.40.2.] and he understood that thing, and he had understanding of the vision. [Wherein this thing was revealed unto him. The meaning is, he understood very well that which was revealed to him in this vision]

2. In those dayes I Daniel was mourning [Others, I Daniel had been mourning; to wit, because the work of the building of the Temple already begun, was hindred by the enemies of the Jews. See Ezra 4:4.] three weeks of dayes. [That is, three full weeks. See Genes.19. the Annotat. on vers.14. These weeks are called weeks of dayes, to distinguish them from weeks of years, whereof see above chap.9.24]

3. I did not eat desirable meat, [That is, I eat no dainty meat, or I had not eaten dainty meat. Heb.meat, or bread of desires] neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint my self at all [Heb. Anointing I did not anoint my self: as this was a thing much in use among the Eastern people, especially when they were joyful. See Ruth chap.3. on ver.3. and Psal.23. on vers.5. and Psal.104. on vers.15.] till those three weeks of dayes were fulfilled.

4. And in the four and twentieth day of the first moneth, [Namely, of the said third year, ver.1. Which moneth was called Abib, or Nisan, and did agree partly with our March, and partly with our April, being among the Hebrews the first moneth of the Spring, at which time in the land of Juda, as also in Egypt, the barley began to have ears, wherefore it was also called the moneth of first fruits] I was by the bank [Heb. by the hand, or by the side] of the great River, which is Heddekel. [A river in Assyria, otherwise called Tygris. See Genes.2.14.]

5. And I lift up mine eyes, and looked, and behold, there was a man [To wit, Christ, as some do gather from chap.12.6,7. and Revel.1.13,14,15. and 10.5. who at the time appeared in the form of man] clothed with linen, [to wit, with costly linen, as Kings and Priest did use to wear. See Levit.6.10. and 16.4.] and his loins were grided about with fine gold of Uphaz. [See of Uphaz, Jerem.10. on vers.9. Some understand by this gold, the hiloness, purity, and glory of Christ, wherewith he is adorned, and as it were grided about]

6. And his body was likeurquois, [Heb. Tharsis. Others, Beryllus Thalassius, which (as some conceive) is of a skie-colour, signifying, (according to the opinion of some) that Christ is the Lord from heaven, I Cor.15.47.] and his face like the appearance of lightning [As the lightning shineth from one end to the world unto the other, so doth also Christ, who is every where present. Compare Matth.24. vers.27.] and his eyes like fiery torches, [there is nothing so secret or hidden, but the sharp-sighted and fiery eyes of Christ will pierce thorow it. Compare Revel.1.14. and 19.12.] and his arms and his feet [With his arms and hands breaking his enemies in pieces; and with his feet trampling upon them, as Revel.1.15.] like the colour of polished copper; [Heb. Like the eye of polished, or smoothed copper. Eye for colour is also found Levit.13.55. Numb.11. vers.7. See also Ezek. chap.1. on vers.4. By the polished or shining copper is signified the power of Christ, smiting and breaking his enemies in pieces like earthen vessels. Compare Psal.2.9. Revel.1.15.] and the voice of his words was like the voice of a multitude. [Or, the voice of a rushing, or roaring (of the sea, or of great waters,) for the Hebrew word signifieth as well a noise, or rushing, as a multitude. Rev.1.15. its said of Christ, that his voice was like the noise (or rushing) of many waters; it is heard far and near, and it converteth many men. Compare Ezek.1.24.]

7. And I Daniel alone saw that vision, [God opened the eyes of Daniel alone. The same likewise befell Paul, Acts 9:7.] but the men that were with them saw not that vision: but a great terror fell upon them, [No doubt when they heard that great voice]and they fled to hide themselves.

8. I then was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: and my comeliness [That is, the beauty of my countenance] was turned in me into corruption, so that I retained no strength. [The meaning is, that he through fear and terour became like a dead man, that hath no beauty nor strength, his visage and countenance being quite changed and corrupted]

9. And I heard she voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then fell I into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground. [As above chap.8. vers.18.]

10. And behold, an hand [To wit, the hand of the Angel Gabriel. See above chap.8.a8. and 9.21.] touched me, and made me to move my self upon my knees, and (upon) my palms of mine hands. [Intimating that he was so weak, that he could not stand upon his feet, but that he was sain to creep, or lean upon his hands and feet]

11. And he said unto me, Daniel, thou greatly desired man, [Or, thou most desired man. See above chap.9. on vers.23.] consider the words that I shall speak unto thee, and stand in thy standing-place, [That is, stand at, or in thy place where thou stoodest even now. See Nehem.chap.8. on ver.8.] for I am sent unto thee: and when he spake [Or, had spoken] that word unto me, I stood trembling.

12. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that thou dids give thine heart to understand, [Or, to consider,as vers.11. namely to understand or know what would become of the Church of God in after-times, sith the seventy weeks were not yet accomplished, and the Temple with the city of Jerusalem were not yet built up] and to humble thy self [Or, to afflict thy self, namely, by fasting and mourning. See Levit. chap.16. on vers.29.] before the face of thy God, thy words were heard, [that is, thy prayer was heard, whereby thou desiredst to understand the state and condition of thy people. Compare with vers.14.] and for thy words sake am I come. [To wit, to inform thee of the future state and condition of thy people, as thou didst desire]

13. But the Prince of the kingdom of Persia [That is, (according to the opinion of some) an evil Angel. Compare Eph. chap.6.12. But others understand by this Prince, Cambyses, who governed the kingdom in his fathers absence, while Cyrus his father waged war in other countreys] stood over against me [That is, he withstood me, or stood against me, and I withstood him, forasmuch a he intended wicked enterprises against thy people, namely to hinder the building of the city and Temple, which God suffered for a little while, to stir up his people the more to zeal and servency in prayer, and to true repentance] one and twenty dayes: [That is, for the space of three weeks. See above vers.2. and 3. The meaning is, that is the cause why I came not to thee before, as indeed I would have done, if I had not been hindred by this] and lo, Michael one of the first Princes came to help me, [Some understand by Michael, Christ himself, who assisteth his Ministries, and giveth them strength and ability. Others conceive that Michael is the name of an Arch-angel, signifying, who is like unto God? Therefore divers take Michael to be a created Angel, because it is said here, one of the first Princes, and expound it thus, one of the angels that were appointed to be Princes over the nations, which no way suiteth with Christ, who is the head of all Angels] and I was left there with the Kings of Persia.

14. Now am I come to cause thee to understand that which shall befall thy people [That is, thy countrymen the Jews] in the sequel of dayes, [Or, in the last of dayes, in future times. See above chap.2. on ver.28.] for the vision is yet for (many) dayes. [Others, for there is yet a vision (at hand) of the same dayes; yet one, to wit, besides those visions which thou hast seen before, chap.7. and chap.8.]

15. And whenhe spake these words [Heb. according to these words; that is, thus and thus] with me, I smote [Heb’ I gave] my face toward the ground, and I became dumb [Or, I was dumb]

16. And behold (one) like unto the children of men [Heb. after the likeness of thechildren of men. See further of this person, above vers.5, and 6.] touched my lips, then I opened my mouth, and I spake and said unto him that stood over against me, [Understand withal, and talked with me] My Lord, because of the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, [Or, my sorrows set upon me: The Hebrew word signifieth properly the sorrows, pangs, and pains of a woman in travel. See I Sam. chap.4. the Annotat. on vers.19. Others, my bowels are turned in me} so that I retain no strength.

17. And how can the servant of this my Lord [To wit, that is so excellent, glorious and honourable] talk with this my Lord? for as for me, from henceforth (there) consisteth no strength inme, [Heb. thus: And I, from now no strength standeth in me] neither is (there) breath left in me. [Compare Genes.7.22. and Isa.2.23. concerning the word breath]

18. Thentouched me again [Or, touched me yet more. Heb. and he added thereto, and touched me] one as (in) the form of a man: [That is, the same Angel that had taken upon him theform of a man, vers.16.] and he strengthened me.

19. And he said unto me, Fear not, thou greatly desired man, [See above chap.9. on vers.23.] peace be unto thee, be strong, yea be strong: [Or, play the man, yea play the man] and while he talked with me, I was strengthened, [Or, I took courage, I was cheerful] and said, Let my Lord speak, for thou hast strengthened me.

20. Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I am come unto thee? [To wit, to shew thee what shall befall thy people, as is foretold above vers.14.] but now will I return to fight against the Prince of Persia: [That is, to oppose his wicked design against the Church of God. See of the Prince of Persia above vers.13.] and when I shall be gone forth, [to wit, out of Persia] lo then shall the Prince of Grecia [that is, (according to the opinion of some) an evil angel. But others understand by this Prince, Alexander the Great] come.

21. But I will shew thee tha which is noted in the scripture of truth. [That is, that which is decreed in the unchangeable counsel of God] and there is not one [not a man] that strengtheneth himself with one [That is, that helpeth me] against these, [to wit, governourd of Persia. Or, in this (thing) but Michael your Prince. [See above on vers.13.]