Daniel 10 11

Daniel 10:11 kjv

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.

Daniel 10:11 nkjv

And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.

Daniel 10:11 niv

He said, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you." And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

Daniel 10:11 esv

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.

Daniel 10:11 nlt

And the man said to me, "Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you." When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.

Daniel 10 verses

Daniel 10 11 meaning

Daniel 10:11 describes the initial comforting words spoken to Daniel by a powerful angelic messenger, who has been sent by God. The messenger assures Daniel of his unique position as "a man greatly beloved" by God, then commands him to comprehend the coming divine words and to take a posture of readiness. Daniel's immediate response is one of fear and physical trembling, indicating the overwhelming nature of the divine encounter even with words of comfort.

Daniel 10 11 Context

Daniel 10 describes Daniel's prolonged mourning and fasting for three weeks, during which he received a terrifying vision (10:1-3). The vision was of a glorious, divine figure (10:4-6) whose mere presence overwhelmed Daniel, stripping him of all strength and causing him to fall into a deep sleep (10:7-9). The angel's words in verse 11 are the first spoken directly to Daniel after this incapacitating vision. This interaction takes place during the third year of Cyrus, King of Persia (536/535 BC), an elderly Daniel, approximately 85 years old, by the Tigris River. He is preparing to receive a complex and lengthy prophecy about the future of Israel and various Gentile kingdoms, outlined in chapters 11 and 12. The divine messenger's opening words serve to revive and prepare the frail prophet for this significant revelation.

Daniel 10 11 Word analysis

• And he said to me: This refers to the glorious divine figure previously described in Daniel 10:5-6. This figure initiates direct communication, showing his intention to reveal profound truths.
• O Daniel, (דָּנִיֵּאל - Dāniyyēl): A direct address, signifying personal communication. Daniel's name means "God is my judge," a fitting identity for a prophet who repeatedly brings God's judgment and plans to light.
• you are a man (אִישׁ - ʾîš): Simple designation of humanity, setting up the contrast with the divine messenger's power.
• greatly beloved; (חֲמוּדוֹת - ḥămmûdôṯ): This key Hebrew term literally means "precious things" or "desirable things." When used to describe a person (as ʾîš ḥămmûdôṯ - "a man of desires"), it means "highly esteemed," "most cherished," or "greatly beloved." This powerful affirmation, used three times for Daniel (9:23, 10:11, 10:19), highlights God's unique favor, affection, and personal regard for Daniel, underscoring his spiritual stature despite his physical frailty.
• understand (הָבֵן - hābēn): An imperative verb, meaning to perceive, discern, or comprehend. It’s more than just hearing; it’s about grasping the deeper, spiritual significance of the message. This command signals that the upcoming revelation will be complex and require focused spiritual insight.
• the words (הַדְּבָרִים - haddəvārîm): Refers to the divine messages, prophecies, and disclosures the messenger is about to impart. These are God's chosen communications for Daniel.
• that I speak to you, (מְדַבֵּר אֵלֶיךָ - məḏabbēr ʾēleḵā): Emphasizes the direct, personal nature of the communication between the divine messenger and Daniel. The words originate from God, delivered by this specific emissary.
• and stand upright, (עֲמֹד עַל־עָמְדֶךָ - ʿămōḏ ʿal-ʿomədēḵā): Literally, "stand upon your standing" or "take your stance." This is an idiom calling Daniel to rise from his prostrate position and adopt a posture of physical and spiritual readiness, attentiveness, and courage. It means to be firm, stable, and ready to receive instruction.
• for I have been sent to you. (כִּי עַתָּה נִשְׁלַחְתִּי אֵלֶיךָ - kî ʿattâ nišlaḥtî ʾēleḵā): This phrase emphasizes the divine authority and purpose of the messenger. He is not there by chance but by a direct commission from God, highlighting the importance and gravity of the message he carries. The phrase also legitimizes his interaction with Daniel.
• And when he had spoken this word to me, (וּבְדַבְּרוֹ אֵלַי אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה - ûvədabbrō ʾēlay ʾeṯ-haddāvār hazzeh): Daniel recounts the immediate effect of the messenger's words, underscoring the powerful impact of the divine presence and communication.
• I stood trembling. (וָאֶעֱמוֹד נִרְעָד - wāʾeʿemōḏ nirʿāḏ): Despite the command to "stand upright" and the comforting words, Daniel's human frailty and awe before the divine persist. "Trembling" (nirʿāḏ) indicates shaking or quivering from fear or awe, a natural and reverent response to such a holy encounter, not necessarily a lack of faith, but rather the overwhelming holiness of the moment.

Daniel 10 11 Bonus section

The identity of the "he" in Daniel 10:11 is a subject of scholarly discussion. While often understood as a high-ranking angel, such as Gabriel, the detailed description of his appearance in Daniel 10:5-6 (clothed in linen, waist girded with gold, body like beryl, face like lightning, eyes like torches of fire, arms and legs like burnished bronze, voice like the roar of a multitude) strongly parallels descriptions of divine figures in Scripture, notably the pre-incarnate Christ or a very unique celestial being. For example, similar imagery is used for the Son of Man in Rev 1:13-16 and for an angelic figure in Eze 1:26-27 and Rev 10:1. The profound effect on Daniel and his companions, who could not endure the sight, further supports this view. If it were a pre-incarnate Christ, the phrase "man greatly beloved" takes on even deeper meaning as an expression of personal divine affection. Regardless of precise identity, the figure clearly represents the power and authority of God.

The threefold designation of Daniel as "greatly beloved" (Hebrew: ʾîš ḥămmûdôṯ) in Daniel 9:23, 10:11, and 10:19 is highly significant. This repetition acts as a literary and theological device to underscore Daniel's unique position and God's extraordinary favor towards him. It serves not only as a personal comfort but also as a divine credential, reassuring Daniel of his worthiness to receive profound revelation and reinforcing the authenticity of the prophecies he is given. This emphasis on divine favor is critical for Daniel's spiritual strength and receptivity, especially as he grapples with overwhelming visions and his own human frailty.

Daniel 10 11 Commentary

Daniel 10:11 marks a crucial turning point in Daniel's profound encounter with a celestial messenger. After being overwhelmed and prostrated by the messenger's appearance, Daniel is now revived by direct divine intervention. The messenger's words are a carefully structured blend of assurance, command, and rationale. The affirmation "O Daniel, you are a man greatly beloved" serves as an anchor, grounding Daniel in God's unchanging affection, a consistent theme throughout the book of Daniel whenever God prepares His prophet for significant revelation. This is not merely a compliment but an empowerment, reminding Daniel that his worth and ability to comprehend divine mysteries stem from God's chosen favor, not his own strength.

The dual command "understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright" signifies the prophet's required posture. "Understand" points to intellectual and spiritual discernment of the coming prophecies, implying the need for deep meditation and an open heart. "Stand upright" is both a physical restoration from his collapse and a spiritual injunction for readiness and unwavering attention. It suggests taking one's appointed place to receive and relay God's message, even amidst fear. The angel's self-proclamation, "for I have been sent to you," reinforces the divine authority behind the message, ensuring Daniel that this encounter is not arbitrary but part of God's sovereign plan. Despite this profound reassurance, Daniel's human reaction is still one of intense trembling, a stark reminder of the immeasurable gap between humanity and divine glory, even when addressed by God's beloved servant. This verse teaches us that God comforts and commands His servants not to remove their awe, but to enable them to receive and act upon His profound truths despite their natural human weakness.