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Daniel 10:13
Verse
Context
Daniel’s Vision by the Tigris
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.”
Sermons
Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me - I think it would go far to make a legend or a precarious tale of this important place to endeavor to maintain that either a good or evil Angel Is intended here. Cyrus alone was the prince of Persia, and God had destined him to be the deliverer of his people; but there were some matters, of which we are not informed, that caused him to hesitate for some time. Fearing, probably, the greatness of the work, and not being fully satisfied of his ability to execute it, he therefore for a time resisted the secret inspirations which God had sent him. The opposition might be in reference to the building of the temple. But lo, Michael - Gabriel, who speaks, did not leave Cyrus till Michael came to take his place. Michael, he who is like God, sometimes appears to signify the Messiah, at other times the highest or chief archangel. Indeed there is no archangel mentioned in the whole Scripture but this one. See Jde 1:9; Rev 12:7.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
prince of . . . Persia--the angel of darkness that represented the Persian world power, to which Israel was then subject. This verse gives the reason why, though Daniel's "words were heard from the first day" (Dan 10:12), the good angel did not come to him until more than three weeks had elapsed (Dan 10:4). one and twenty days--answering to the three weeks of Daniel's mourning (Dan 10:2). Michael--that is, "Who is like God?" Though an archangel, "one of the chief princes," Michael was not to be compared to God. help me--Michael, as patron of Israel before God (Dan 10:21; Dan 12:1), "helped" to influence the Persian king to permit the Jews' return to Jerusalem. I remained--I was detained there with the kings of Persia, that is, with the angel of the Persian rulers, with whom I had to contend, and from whom I should not have got free, but for the help of Michael. GESENIUS translates, "I obtained the ascendency," that is, I gained my point against the adverse angel of Persia, so as to influence the Persian authorities to favor Israel's restoration.
John Gill Bible Commentary
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days,.... Which was just the time Daniel had been mourning and fasting, Dan 10:2, and the angel had had his instructions to acquaint him with the Lord's answer to his prayers: by "the prince of the kingdom of Persia" is not to be understood the then reigning king of Persia, Cyrus, or his son Cambyses; who either of them would have been called rather king of Persia; nor were they able to withstand an angel, and such an one as Gabriel; nor is a good angel meant, the tutelar one of this kingdom; for it cannot be reasonably thought that good angels should militate against one another; but an evil angel, either Satan, the prince and god of this world, or one of his principal angels under him, employed by him to do what mischief he could in the court of Persia, against the people of God, the Jews; and with this sense agree the contests ascribed to Satan and the Angel of the Lord concerning Joshua, Zac 3:1 and to Michael and the devil disputing about the body of Moses, Jde 1:9 and to Michael and his angels, and the devil and his angels, warring in heaven, Rev 12:7, now Gabriel's business in the court of Persia was to work upon the minds of the king of Persia and his nobles, and to influence their counsels, and put them on such measures as would be in favour of the Jews, and be encouraging to them to go on in the rebuilding of their city and temple: in this he was withstood and opposed by an evil spirit that counterworked him; by exasperating the spirit of Cambyses against them; by stirring up the Samaritans to corrupt the Persian courtiers with gifts, to take their part against the Jews; and by influencing them to accept of their gifts, and act in their favour; and this business on the angel's hands, to oppose these measures, detained him at the Persian court for the three weeks Daniel had been fasting and praying: but, lo, Michael one of the chief Princes, came to help me; called in the New Testament an Archangel, the Prince of angels, the Head of all principality and power; and is no other than Christ the Son of God, an uncreated Angel; who is "one", or "the first of the chief Princes" (x), superior to angels, in nature, name, and office; he came to "help" Gabriel, not as a fellow creature, but as the Lord of hosts; not as a fellow soldier, but as General of the armies in heaven and earth, as superior to him in wisdom and strength; and he helped him by giving him fresh counsels, orders, and instructions, which he following succeeded: and I remained there with the kings of Persia; with the king of Persia and his nobles, putting into execution the orders Michael had given him, and so baffled the designs of the evil spirit; and this retarded him from being with the prophet one and twenty days. The Septuagint and Arabic versions very wrongly render the words, "and I left him there with the kings of Persia"; as if Michael was left there by Gabriel, whereas it was just the reverse. (x) "primus", Junius & Tremellius.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
10:13 the spirit prince: The spiritual forces behind the various nations, such as the spirit prince of Persia or the spirit prince of Greece, blocked the way of God’s messenger who responded to the prayers of God’s people (see 10:20–11:1). • one of the archangels: An archangel was a chief among God’s heavenly messengers. • Daniel’s world, and ours, is populated by more than meets the human eye. Daniel is shown the great events of history enacted against the background of a real spiritual world where spiritual beings support or hinder God’s people, where the conflicts of the ages are also carried out. Behind all of this, the Ancient One sovereignly guides all things and sits in judgment upon the process and its conclusion. God’s covenant with his people, and their relationship with him through prayer, are central to this process—the world is not ultimately governed by angels and spirit princes, but by the Ancient One, who hears the prayers of his people.
Daniel 10:13
Daniel’s Vision by the Tigris
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.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Hebrews - Part 5): Ministry of Angels
By A.W. Tozer5.6K42:56ExpositionalDAN 10:13HEB 1:1HEB 2:5In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the similarity between the Bible and the world, suggesting that both reflect the work of God. He mentions various biblical stories where angels played a significant role, such as the angel baking cakes for the prophet of God and the angel visiting Samson's parents. The preacher also highlights the importance of viewing the world with childlike wonder, rather than through the lens of scientific and philosophical thinking. He concludes by mentioning the practicality of angels and how they are often overlooked by those who prioritize practicality over spiritual matters.
Why Prayer Was Not Answered for Three Weeks
By Denis Lyle0DAN 10:13MAT 11:28EPH 6:121JN 5:14REV 12:7Denis Lyle delves into the reasons why prayers may not be answered for weeks, exploring the spiritual warfare behind the scenes as depicted in Daniel 10. He highlights the presence of evil angels working through human leaders and the organized nature of evil originating from Satan. The chapter reveals the intense battle between heavenly and evil forces, with Daniel experiencing a divine encounter with a majestic man, possibly a preincarnate appearance of Jesus. The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's purity, sovereignty, glory, radiancy, and scrutiny as seen in the vision, urging believers to focus on the Lord amidst dark times.
The Kingdom of Greece
By John F. Walvoord0DAN 2:39DAN 8:21DAN 10:13DAN 11:33DAN 11:36MAT 24:15REV 13:1John F. Walvoord delves into the prophecy of Daniel, focusing on the rise and conquests of the Grecian Empire under Alexander the Great. The accuracy of Daniel's prophecies regarding the empire, its characteristics, and the division of Alexander's conquests among his four generals is highlighted, showcasing the foreknowledge of Biblical prophecy. The sermon also explores the significance of Antiochus Epiphanes in history and prophecy, as a foreshadowing of a future world ruler during the great tribulation. The Grecian Empire's role as a preparation for the Roman Empire, which played a crucial part in the birth of Christ and the unfolding of prophetic events, is emphasized.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me - I think it would go far to make a legend or a precarious tale of this important place to endeavor to maintain that either a good or evil Angel Is intended here. Cyrus alone was the prince of Persia, and God had destined him to be the deliverer of his people; but there were some matters, of which we are not informed, that caused him to hesitate for some time. Fearing, probably, the greatness of the work, and not being fully satisfied of his ability to execute it, he therefore for a time resisted the secret inspirations which God had sent him. The opposition might be in reference to the building of the temple. But lo, Michael - Gabriel, who speaks, did not leave Cyrus till Michael came to take his place. Michael, he who is like God, sometimes appears to signify the Messiah, at other times the highest or chief archangel. Indeed there is no archangel mentioned in the whole Scripture but this one. See Jde 1:9; Rev 12:7.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
prince of . . . Persia--the angel of darkness that represented the Persian world power, to which Israel was then subject. This verse gives the reason why, though Daniel's "words were heard from the first day" (Dan 10:12), the good angel did not come to him until more than three weeks had elapsed (Dan 10:4). one and twenty days--answering to the three weeks of Daniel's mourning (Dan 10:2). Michael--that is, "Who is like God?" Though an archangel, "one of the chief princes," Michael was not to be compared to God. help me--Michael, as patron of Israel before God (Dan 10:21; Dan 12:1), "helped" to influence the Persian king to permit the Jews' return to Jerusalem. I remained--I was detained there with the kings of Persia, that is, with the angel of the Persian rulers, with whom I had to contend, and from whom I should not have got free, but for the help of Michael. GESENIUS translates, "I obtained the ascendency," that is, I gained my point against the adverse angel of Persia, so as to influence the Persian authorities to favor Israel's restoration.
John Gill Bible Commentary
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days,.... Which was just the time Daniel had been mourning and fasting, Dan 10:2, and the angel had had his instructions to acquaint him with the Lord's answer to his prayers: by "the prince of the kingdom of Persia" is not to be understood the then reigning king of Persia, Cyrus, or his son Cambyses; who either of them would have been called rather king of Persia; nor were they able to withstand an angel, and such an one as Gabriel; nor is a good angel meant, the tutelar one of this kingdom; for it cannot be reasonably thought that good angels should militate against one another; but an evil angel, either Satan, the prince and god of this world, or one of his principal angels under him, employed by him to do what mischief he could in the court of Persia, against the people of God, the Jews; and with this sense agree the contests ascribed to Satan and the Angel of the Lord concerning Joshua, Zac 3:1 and to Michael and the devil disputing about the body of Moses, Jde 1:9 and to Michael and his angels, and the devil and his angels, warring in heaven, Rev 12:7, now Gabriel's business in the court of Persia was to work upon the minds of the king of Persia and his nobles, and to influence their counsels, and put them on such measures as would be in favour of the Jews, and be encouraging to them to go on in the rebuilding of their city and temple: in this he was withstood and opposed by an evil spirit that counterworked him; by exasperating the spirit of Cambyses against them; by stirring up the Samaritans to corrupt the Persian courtiers with gifts, to take their part against the Jews; and by influencing them to accept of their gifts, and act in their favour; and this business on the angel's hands, to oppose these measures, detained him at the Persian court for the three weeks Daniel had been fasting and praying: but, lo, Michael one of the chief Princes, came to help me; called in the New Testament an Archangel, the Prince of angels, the Head of all principality and power; and is no other than Christ the Son of God, an uncreated Angel; who is "one", or "the first of the chief Princes" (x), superior to angels, in nature, name, and office; he came to "help" Gabriel, not as a fellow creature, but as the Lord of hosts; not as a fellow soldier, but as General of the armies in heaven and earth, as superior to him in wisdom and strength; and he helped him by giving him fresh counsels, orders, and instructions, which he following succeeded: and I remained there with the kings of Persia; with the king of Persia and his nobles, putting into execution the orders Michael had given him, and so baffled the designs of the evil spirit; and this retarded him from being with the prophet one and twenty days. The Septuagint and Arabic versions very wrongly render the words, "and I left him there with the kings of Persia"; as if Michael was left there by Gabriel, whereas it was just the reverse. (x) "primus", Junius & Tremellius.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
10:13 the spirit prince: The spiritual forces behind the various nations, such as the spirit prince of Persia or the spirit prince of Greece, blocked the way of God’s messenger who responded to the prayers of God’s people (see 10:20–11:1). • one of the archangels: An archangel was a chief among God’s heavenly messengers. • Daniel’s world, and ours, is populated by more than meets the human eye. Daniel is shown the great events of history enacted against the background of a real spiritual world where spiritual beings support or hinder God’s people, where the conflicts of the ages are also carried out. Behind all of this, the Ancient One sovereignly guides all things and sits in judgment upon the process and its conclusion. God’s covenant with his people, and their relationship with him through prayer, are central to this process—the world is not ultimately governed by angels and spirit princes, but by the Ancient One, who hears the prayers of his people.