Daniel 10:5
I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What's easily missed is that the linen signifies priestly purity, but the gold girdle immediately elevates this figure beyond a mere human priest. This combination of simple linen and rich gold points to someone uniquely divine, ready for action and royal purpose, not just serving in a sanctuary.
Daniel has been fasting and mourning for three weeks, deep in contemplation by the great river. As he finally looks up, a stunning figure appears before him, described in radiant, priestly-like garments of linen and fine gold, setting him apart from ordinary humanity and signaling a divine encounter.
Daniel is mourning and distressed, and suddenly he sees a figure appear. But this isn't just any person—the description hints at something much more.
Daniel is on the Tigris River when he experiences a profound vision. He lifts his eyes from his distress to see a figure described as 'a certain man.' The commentators suggest this is no ordinary human.
Symbolic Attire
This combination of priestly linen and royal gold points to a celestial being, possibly an angel of high rank or even a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ Himself, making him distinct from common humanity.
The mention of 'fine gold from Uphaz' isn't just descriptive flair; it carries layers of meaning about value and origin.
The phrase 'fine gold from Uphaz' immediately draws our attention to the source and quality of this precious metal.
A Source of Pure Gold
Understand the original words
bad · Hebrew Noun
A plant-based fiber from the flax plant, often symbolizing purity, holiness, and priestly or heavenly office in the biblical narrative.
This passage describes a figure clothed in linen with a writer's inkhorn at his side, also representing a divine messenger in linen attire, carrying out God's judgment. The linen clothing consistently signifies purity and divine commission.
Revelation 1:13This verse describes Jesus in a similar, glorious appearance, clothed with a long robe and girded with a golden band, highlighting the divine majesty and priestly or kingly authority shared by heavenly beings.
Exodus 28:2The high priest's garments, particularly the linen attire and gold adornments, are described here, connecting the Daniel passage to the priestly function and sacredness associated with divine messengers.
Daniel 8:16This verse references Gabriel being sent to explain visions, showing that figures in similar majestic apparel appear throughout Daniel's prophetic experiences to communicate God's messages.
jfbDaniel 10:5: "Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:"
- lifted up mine eyes—from the ground on which they had been fixed in his mourning.certain man—literally, "one man." An angel of the highest order; for in Da 8:16 he commands Gabriel to make Daniel to understand the vision, and in Da 12:6 one of the two angels inquires of him how long it would be till the end predicted.linen—the raiment of priests,…
bensonDaniel 10:5: "Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:"
Daniel 10:5-6 . I lifted up mine eyes — Being by the river-side, in deep contemplation, I looked up, and saw a person appear before me, clothed in linen, &c. — “Who this certain person was we may be at no loss to determine, if we consider him as described in the attire of the high-priest, and compare the passage with Exodus 28:29 ., and the descripti…
What's easily missed is that the linen signifies priestly purity, but the gold girdle immediately elevates this figure beyond a mere human priest. This combination of simple linen and rich gold points to someone uniquely divine, ready for action and royal purpose, not just serving in a sanctuary.
Daniel has been fasting and mourning for three weeks, deep in contemplation by the great river. As he finally looks up, a stunning figure appears before him, described in radiant, priestly-like garments of linen and fine gold, setting him apart from ordinary humanity and signaling a divine encounter.
Daniel has been fasting and mourning for three weeks, deep in contemplation by the great river. As he finally looks up, a stunning figure appears before him, described in radiant, priestly-like garments of linen and fine gold, setting him apart from ordinary humanity and signaling a divine encounter.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Daniel 10:5 is available in the Sola app.
This detail emphasizes that the messenger is not of earthly origin but comes from a realm where such pure and valuable resources signify divine perfection.
"I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist." — What's easily missed is that the linen signifies priestly purity, but the gold girdle immediately elevates this figure beyond a mere human priest. This combination of simple linen and rich gold p…
