Daniel’s Vision by the Tigris

Daniel introduces the vision as a true message revealed in Cyrus's third year, one concerning a great conflict, and says that understanding came to him in the vision. He then explains that he had been mourning for three full weeks, abstaining from rich food, meat, wine, and anointing oil until the time was complete. The chapter begins by connecting revelation to prolonged grief, humility, and spiritual attentiveness rather than to ease or triumph.

I¹n the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, and it concerned a great conflict. And the understanding of the message was given to him in a vision. ²In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. ³I ate no rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I did not anoint myself with oil until the three weeks were completed.

On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, beside the Tigris, Daniel lifts his eyes and sees a man dressed in linen, girded with fine gold, with a body like beryl, a face flashing like lightning, eyes like flaming torches, limbs like polished bronze, and a voice like a multitude. Though the men with Daniel do not see the vision, terror falls on them and they flee, leaving Daniel alone and utterly drained of strength until he falls into a deep sleep with his face to the ground. The vision reveals overwhelming holiness and glory that the human body cannot withstand without divine help.

⁴On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, ⁵I lifted up my eyes, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. ⁶His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. ⁷Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but a great terror fell upon them, and they ran and hid themselves. ⁸So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless. ⁹I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.

A hand touches Daniel and sets him trembling on hands and knees, and the messenger tells him he is highly precious and has been sent to him. Daniel is instructed not to fear, because from the first day he set his heart to understand and humble himself before God, his words were heard; yet the prince of Persia opposed the messenger for twenty-one days until Michael came to help. The messenger now arrives to explain what will happen to Daniel's people in the latter days, revealing that prayer and revelation are bound up with hidden conflict in the heavenly realm.

¹⁰Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. ¹¹He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man who is highly precious. Consider carefully the words that I am about to say to you. Stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” ¹²“Do not be afraid, Daniel,” he said, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. ¹³However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. ¹⁴Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.”

As the messenger speaks, Daniel again turns his face to the ground and becomes speechless until one with human likeness touches his lips so that he can respond. Daniel confesses that the vision has left him anguished and without strength or breath, and once more the manlike figure touches and strengthens him, calling him highly precious and speaking peace to him. Daniel's repeated weakness and strengthening show that understanding God's revelation requires sustaining grace as well as courage.

¹⁵While he was speaking these words to me, I set my face toward the ground and became speechless. ¹⁶And suddenly one with the likeness of a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of the vision, I am overcome with anguish, and I have no strength. ¹⁷How can I, your servant, speak with you, my lord? Now I have no strength, nor is any breath left in me.” ¹⁸Again the one with the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. ¹⁹“Do not be afraid, you who are highly precious,” he said. “Peace be with you! Be strong now; be very strong!”

The messenger tells Daniel that he must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia and that the prince of Greece will come afterward. Before leaving, he says he will tell Daniel what is inscribed in the Book of Truth and notes that no one supports him against these powers except Michael, Daniel's prince. The chapter closes with revelation poised to continue, while the struggle behind earthly empires remains active and unresolved.

²⁰“Do you know why I have come to you?” he said. “I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I have gone forth, behold, the prince of Greece will come. ²¹But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth. Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael your prince.[’’]