And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The angel's repeated command "be strong, be strong" isn't just for Daniel's courage, but highlights the immense effort it takes to receive divine revelations, requiring both God's power and Daniel's own revived will to process it. Daniel's response, "for you have strengthened me," underscores that this restored ability to listen and comprehend is a direct gift, enabling him to bear the weight of the message.
And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Daniel has just been overwhelmed by a divine vision, leaving him weak and speechless. An angelic messenger, recognizing Daniel's profound distress and his beloved status before God, gently reassures him. The angel's words, "fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage," are meant to restore Daniel's strength and prepare him to receive further, weighty revelations about the future of God's people.
When faced with awe-inspiring heavenly visions, fear is a natural response. Yet, the first words from the divine messenger are not a command, but a declaration.
The angel addresses Daniel with an incredible affirmation: "O man greatly loved." This isn't just a casual compliment; it speaks to a profound divine affection. The Hebrew phrase used, "man of delights" or "man of desires," suggests someone highly prized and cherished.
This "greatly loved" status isn't earned by Daniel's strength or wisdom, but is a gift from God. It's a reminder that even when we feel weak, overwhelmed, or afraid in God's presence, we are fundamentally seen and cherished by Him. This love is the foundation for all further communication and empowerment from God.
Overwhelmed by a heavenly encounter, Daniel's first reaction is fear. The angel's response immediately combats this with both peace and a powerful command for strength.
The angel says, "fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage." These are not separate commands, but interconnected actions.
Peace as the Foundation
First, "peace be with you" signifies more than just the absence of conflict; it's a divine enablement, a wholeness and well-being that comes from God. This peace is the antidote to fear. When God declares peace, He makes it so.
Strength for the Task
Then comes the repeated command, "be strong, yea, be strong." This isn't a call to muster up our own courage, but to strength from the one who has just declared peace. The repetition emphasizes the magnitude of the task and the deep need for divine empowerment. God doesn't just calm our fears; He equips us to face what's next.
Ask a follow-up
After receiving the angel's words of peace and strength, Daniel isn't just passively revived; he actively engages. What does this transition tell us about our own walk with God?
Daniel's response, "And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, ‘Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me’" reveals a crucial dynamic.
Divine Impartation
The angel's words weren't mere suggestions; they carried divine power. Daniel was strengthened. This highlights that spiritual vitality and the ability to endure God's presence or His messages come from God Himself.
Human Response to Divine Power
Once strengthened, Daniel doesn't retreat. Instead, he issues an invitation: "Let my lord speak." His newfound strength enables him not only to withstand the revelation but to actively desire it. This demonstrates that when God empowers us, our natural response should be engagement and readiness to hear and obey.
Understand the original words
ḥămûdôt · Hebrew Adjective
A term of endearment and divine validation, indicating that the individual is highly esteemed in the sight of God. It signifies a status of being chosen, favored, and precious to the Creator.
yārēʾ · Hebrew Verb
A command to release anxiety or terror in the presence of God or His messengers. It is frequently paired with divine reassurance, reminding the believer that they are under God’s protection.
šālôm · Hebrew Noun
Refers to wholeness, well-being, and harmony, often used as a greeting or blessing. In a theological sense, it signifies the state of being at rest or in right relationship with God.
ḥăzaq weʾĕmaṣ · Hebrew Verb phrase
A call to steadfastness and moral resolve. It implies relying on God’s power to face difficult circumstances or spiritual opposition with confidence.
Daniel's vision and encounter occur during the latter part of the Babylonian exile and into the early Persian period, a time when the hopes of return and rebuilding were beginning to stir, yet the full restoration was still unfolding.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invades Judah and deports a group of Israelite nobles, including Daniel and his friends, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and the First Temple, sending more Judeans into exile. This event signifies a profound spiritual crisis for the Jewish people.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, ushering in the Persian Empire. This political shift will eventually lead to the decree allowing the exiles to return to Judah.
c. 538 BC
Decree of Cyrus
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This marks a turning point for the exiles.
c. 516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, the Second Temple in Jerusalem is completed and dedicated. This fulfills part of the prophetic promise of return.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Reforms
The priest and scribe Ezra leads a group of exiles back to Jerusalem and institutes significant religious and social reforms to uphold the Law of Moses.
c. 445-433 BC
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem and rallies the people to rebuild the city walls, facing opposition from surrounding nations. This strengthens the physical and political security of the community.
This passage shows a similar angelic encounter where Manoah's father also fears he will die after seeing the angel, but the angel reassures him with words of peace and strength before a divine message.
2 Samuel 10:12The repeated command 'Be strong' echoes David's encouragement to his soldiers to 'be courageous,' highlighting the need for inner fortitude in the face of daunting challenges.
Psalm 27:14This verse directly parallels the sentiment of gaining strength through waiting on the Lord, emphasizing that true courage comes from reliance on divine power, not self-sufficiency.
Isaiah 41:10This prophecy offers a powerful assurance that God Himself strengthens the fearful, mirroring the angel's message to Daniel to 'be strong' because God is with him.
Luke 22:43This passage describes an angel strengthening Jesus in his moment of greatest distress, illustrating how divine beings can be instruments of God's strengthening power to those who are beloved by Him.
ellicottDaniel 10:19: "And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me."
(19) Be strong.— Comp. 2Samuel 10:12 .
clarkeDaniel 10:19: "And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me."
O man, greatly beloved - איש חמדות ish chamudoth, man of delights; the most amiable of men. Let my lord speak - I am now so strengthened and encouraged, that I shall be able to bear any revelation that thou mayest make.
The angel's repeated command "be strong, be strong" isn't just for Daniel's courage, but highlights the immense effort it takes to receive divine revelations, requiring both God's power and Daniel's own revived will to process it. Daniel's response, "for you have strengthened me," underscores that this restored ability to listen and comprehend is a direct gift, enabling him to bear the weight of the message.
Daniel has just been overwhelmed by a divine vision, leaving him weak and speechless. An angelic messenger, recognizing Daniel's profound distress and his beloved status before God, gently reassures him. The angel's words, "fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage," are meant to restore Daniel's strength and prepare him to receive further, weighty revelations about the future of God's people.
Daniel has just been overwhelmed by a divine vision, leaving him weak and speechless. An angelic messenger, recognizing Daniel's profound distress and his beloved status before God, gently reassures him. The angel's words, "fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage," are meant to restore Daniel's strength and prepare him to receive further, weighty revelations about the future of God's people.
"And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”" — The angel's repeated command "be strong, be strong" isn't just for Daniel's courage, but highlights the immense effort it takes to receive divine revelations, requiring both God's power and Daniel's…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026