Daniel 10:1
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The revelation isn't just about future events; it signifies a "great conflict" or "long warfare," indicating that truth and hardship are inextricably linked before God's promises are fully realized. Daniel understood this, not just the details, but the profound struggle inherent in God's unfolding plan.
This chapter marks a significant point in Daniel's prophetic journey, occurring when he was quite advanced in age, two years after Cyrus issued his decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem. The revelation Daniel receives here is not a new vision, but a more detailed explanation of a previous one concerning future conflicts and tribulations for God's people. This context sets the stage for the detailed prophecy that unfolds in the following chapters, emphasizing the spiritual battles behind historical events.
The text mentions 'a great conflict' or 'long warfare.' What does this reveal about the nature of God's promises?
Daniel receives a significant revelation in the third year of Cyrus. The ancient Hebrew word used here, often translated as 'warfare' or 'conflict,' points to a prolonged period of struggle and tribulation, not just for individuals but for God's people as a whole. This isn't a promise of immediate ease, but a truth that endures through hardship. It teaches us that God's plan unfolds over extended periods, often involving significant challenges. The truth of the revelation doesn't lie in a lack of struggle, but in God's ultimate faithfulness through it.
Daniel 'understood the thing and had understanding of the vision.' But later, he admits he didn't fully grasp it. How can both be true?
The verse states Daniel 'understood the thing and had understanding of the vision.' This indicates a profound grasp of the core message and the historical narrative unfolding. However, other parts of Daniel's writings reveal he didn't understand everything, particularly the exact timing and final outcome (Daniel 12:8). This duality teaches us that understanding in faith isn't always about having all the answers. We can have clear insight into God's faithfulness and His plan's general direction, even while certain details remain mysterious or long-term. It's a mature understanding that embraces both clarity and humility.
Understand the original words
dabar · Hebrew Noun
A divine communication or message from God to a prophet, often carrying authoritative weight and truth. It represents God's self-disclosure to humanity.
mar’eh · Hebrew Noun
A supernatural or divinely granted sight or experience in which God reveals His will, glory, or future events to an individual. It serves as a medium of prophetic insight.
This vision comes at a critical juncture for the returning exiles. While Cyrus's decree offered hope, the reality on the ground was fraught with opposition, making Daniel's prayer for his people and the subsequent divine reassurance and prophecy deeply relevant to their immediate struggles and long-term future.
c. 538 BC
Cyrus's Decree for Jewish Return
Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, issues a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, marking a pivotal moment in their history.
c. 537 BC— this verse
First Return of Exiles
A significant number of Jewish exiles, led by Zerubbabel, return to Jerusalem to begin the rebuilding process. This event is the backdrop against which Daniel's prayer and subsequent vision occur.
c. 537-535 BC
Opposition to Rebuilding
The Samaritans and other local peoples begin to actively oppose the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem, causing delays and discouragement.
c. 535 BC
Daniel's Prayer and Vision
In the third year of Cyrus's reign, Daniel, deeply troubled by the ongoing struggles of his people, offers a lengthy prayer. Following this prayer, he receives a significant prophetic vision.
This passage highlights Daniel's prior confusion and distress after a vision, mirroring the 'great conflict' mentioned in Daniel 10:1 and showing his later, albeit incomplete, understanding. It sets the stage for the deeper comprehension he receives in chapter 10.
Daniel 12:8This verse directly addresses Daniel's lack of full understanding of the visions, specifically concerning the end times, which resonates with the complex 'long conflict' revealed in Daniel 10:1. It clarifies that even with divine revelation, complete comprehension might be withheld.
Isaiah 40:2This verse uses the Hebrew word that can be translated as 'warfare' or 'conflict,' linking directly to the interpretation of the 'great conflict' in Daniel 10:1. It underscores the idea of a period of intense trial and tribulation.
Daniel 9:23This verse speaks of God giving 'understanding' to Daniel regarding divine matters, which parallels the theme in Daniel 10:1 where Daniel 'understood the thing and had understanding of the vision.' It shows a pattern of God granting insight to His prophet.
Ezra 4:4-5This passage describes the opposition and discouragement faced by the returning exiles as they tried to rebuild the temple, reflecting the kind of 'great conflict' and 'long warfare' that Daniel's vision likely addressed. It provides historical context for the struggles Daniel might have been mourning.
ellicottDaniel 10:1: "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."
(1) A thing.— A revelation, as Daniel 9:25 . The contents of the revelation are specified in the perplexing words, “the thing was true, and the time appointed (comp. Daniel 8:12 ) was long,” by which is meant apparently that truth and long tribulati…
jfbDaniel 10:1: "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."
CHAPTER 10Da 10:1-21. Daniel Comforted by an Angelic Vision.The tenth through twelfth chapters more fully describe the vision in the eighth chapter by a second vision on the same subject, just as the vision in the seventh chapter explains more fully…
The revelation isn't just about future events; it signifies a "great conflict" or "long warfare," indicating that truth and hardship are inextricably linked before God's promises are fully realized. Daniel understood this, not just the details, but the profound struggle inherent in God's unfolding plan.
This chapter marks a significant point in Daniel's prophetic journey, occurring when he was quite advanced in age, two years after Cyrus issued his decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem. The revelation Daniel receives here is not a new vision, but a more detailed explanation of a previous one concerning future conflicts and tribulations for God's people. This context sets the stage for the detailed prophecy that unfolds in the following chapters, emphasizing the spiritual battles behind historical events.
This chapter marks a significant point in Daniel's prophetic journey, occurring when he was quite advanced in age, two years after Cyrus issued his decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem. The revelation Daniel receives here is not a new vision, but a more detailed explanation of a previous one concerning future conflicts and tribulations for God's people. This context sets the stage for the detailed prophecy that unfolds in the following chapters, emphasizing the spiritual battles behind historical events.
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"In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision." — The revelation isn't just about future events; it signifies a "great conflict" or "long warfare," indicating that truth and hardship are inextricably linked before God's promises are fully realized.…
