Breakdown of Daniel 10:11

"And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling." — The angel calls Daniel "greatly loved," a term of deep affection and value from God, to encourage him. This intimate, reassuring address is given not just to comfort Daniel, but to empower him to sta…

Daniel 10:11 Meaning Explained

All verses

Daniel 10:11

And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The angel calls Daniel "greatly loved," a term of deep affection and value from God, to encourage him. This intimate, reassuring address is given not just to comfort Daniel, but to empower him to stand and receive a weighty message, highlighting that God's love is the foundation for understanding His deep truths.

What Daniel 10:11 means

Daniel has been overwhelmed by a vision of a glorious being and has fallen to the ground. An angelic messenger, who identifies Daniel as "greatly loved" and who was delayed by spiritual conflict, now speaks to him directly to encourage him to rise and pay attention to the message he has been sent to deliver. Despite the angelic reassurance and command to stand, Daniel still trembles as he obeys.

Understand the original words

Original language

greatly lovedחֲמוּדוֹת

chamudoth · Hebrew Noun/Adjective

Refers to one who is the object of divine favor or affection. In this context, it signifies a person chosen by God to receive divine revelation and favor.

tremblingרָעַד

ra'ad · Hebrew Verb

A state of agitation or shaking often caused by the presence of the divine or the overwhelming weight of a vision from God. It signifies the creature's reaction to the holiness and power of the supernatural.

Historical context

Written: Around the 6th century BC, during the reign of Cyrus the Great.
Author: Traditionally understood as the prophet Daniel, though scholarly consensus varies on the exact authorship and date.
Location: Likely written from Babylon during the Babylonian exile.
Genre: Apocalyptic literature, characterized by symbolic visions and prophetic messages, with narrative elements showing Daniel's personal experience.

Historical background

Daniel's vision and the angelic message occur during the Persian period, after the initial return from exile. The reference to being 'sent' and the specific timing imply a delay or a new phase in God's plan for His people, highlighting the ongoing development of His purposes even after the return to the land.

c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon captures Jerusalem and takes young nobles, including Daniel and his friends, into exile. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Further deportations occur after a rebellion, including notable figures like the prophet Ezekiel. The situation in Judah deteriorates.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, ending the kingdom of Judah and leading to a final, large-scale exile.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, ushering in a new empire and a new era for the exiles.

Key themes

01Divine reassurance in fear
02Prophetic calling and duty
03Fragility meets divine purpose
04Gradual spiritual restoration

Cross-references

Luke 1:19

The angel Gabriel identifies himself to Zechariah by stating he stands in the very presence of God and has been sent to bring good news, mirroring the declaration in Daniel about his divine commission.

John 1:14

The Word, who is God, became flesh and dwelt among us, revealing the divine nature. This passage speaks to the profound revelation Daniel is about to receive from a heavenly messenger, emphasizing the significance of God's communication.

Genesis 1:2

The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters before creation. This imagery of divine presence and power resonates with the overwhelming presence of the angel that causes Daniel to tremble, highlighting the awesome nature of God's agents.

Isaiah 6:5

When Isaiah saw the Lord in the temple, he cried out, 'Woe is me! For I am a man of unclean lips.' This echoes Daniel's trembling and awe in the presence of a divine messenger, showing a common human reaction to overwhelming holiness.

Scholarly commentary

Daniel 10:11: "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."

(11) Greatly beloved.— See Daniel 9:23 , Note. The assuring words thus addressed to the prophet enabled him to stand upright, but his alarm had not as yet subsided.
ellicott

Daniel 10:11: "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."

Verse 11. - 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 dew sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. The versions do not afford cause for remark. O Daniel,…
pulpit

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What Daniel 10:11 means

Original language

greatly lovedחֲמוּדוֹת

chamudoth · Hebrew Noun/Adjective

Refers to one who is the object of divine favor or affection. In this context, it signifies a person chosen by God to receive divine revelation and favor.

tremblingרָעַד

ra'ad · Hebrew Verb

Historical context

Written: Around the 6th century BC, during the reign of Cyrus the Great.
Author: Traditionally understood as the prophet Daniel, though scholarly consensus varies on the exact authorship and date.
Location: Likely written from Babylon during the Babylonian exile.
Genre: Apocalyptic literature, characterized by symbolic visions and prophetic messages, with narrative elements showing Daniel's personal experience.

Historical background

c. 605 BC

First Deportation to Babylon

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon captures Jerusalem and takes young nobles, including Daniel and his friends, into exile. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.

c. 597 BC

Second Deportation to Babylon

Further deportations occur after a rebellion, including notable figures like the prophet Ezekiel. The situation in Judah deteriorates.

586 BC

Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction

Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, ending the kingdom of Judah and leading to a final, large-scale exile.

c. 539 BC

Persian Conquest of Babylon

Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, ushering in a new empire and a new era for the exiles.