Daniel 10:20 kjv
Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
Daniel 10:20 nkjv
Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.
Daniel 10:20 niv
So he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come;
Daniel 10:20 esv
Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come.
Daniel 10:20 nlt
He replied, "Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece will come.
Daniel 10 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 10:21 | But I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. And there is none who contends at my side against these, except Michael your prince. | Directly relates to the context of spiritual warfare and the truth revealed. |
| Exod 32:15 | And Moses turned and went down from the mountain, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand: tablets written on both sides; on the one side and on the other they were written. | Parallel to written divine instruction on tablets. |
| Ps 147:19-20 | He declares his word to Jacob; his statutes and his rules to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his rules. Praise the LORD! | Shows God revealing His word specifically to His people. |
| Isa 8:1-4 | Moreover, the LORD said to me, "Take a large nó·vel, and write on it with a common stylus concerning speeds—plunder hasten, spoil speeds. 2 And I took with me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberekhiah." 3 And I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the LORD said to me, "Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz. 4 For before the boy shall have knowledge to call 'My father' and 'My mother,' the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away before the king of Assyria." | Illustrates God giving specific prophetic instructions through human prophets, recorded on a scroll. |
| Isa 45:19 | I did not speak in secret, in some dark place of the earth; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, "Seek me in vain." I the LORD speak righteousness; I declare what is right. | Emphasizes God's clarity in His communication of truth. |
| Jer 30:2-3 | "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: 'Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you. 3 For behold, days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel and Judah, says the LORD, and I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their ancestors, and they will take possession of it.'" | Shows God commanding His prophecies to be written down for future understanding. |
| Ezek 2:9-10 | And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and, behold, a roll of a scroll was in it. And he spread it before me. And on it were written words of lament and mourning and woe. Then he said to me, "Son of man, eat what you find. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel." | Depicts a prophet receiving a written scroll containing God's message. |
| Rev 5:1-5 | Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. And I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he may open the scroll and its seven seals." | Compares the "sealed scroll" to the scroll of God's purposes that only Christ is worthy to open. |
| Rev 10:4 | And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have uttered, and do not write it down." | Another instance in Revelation where specific divine messages are to be sealed. |
| Luke 10:22 | All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." | Reflects the divine knowledge and revelatory authority held by Christ. |
| John 14:26 | But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. | Highlights the role of the Spirit in revealing divine truths to believers. |
| Dan 12:4 | But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." | Directly commands Daniel to seal prophetic writings until the end times. |
| Zech 11:10 | So I took my staff, called Fancy, and I cut it asunder, that I might break the covenant that I had made with all the peoples. 11 And it was broken on that day, so the sheep-traders who were watching me knew that it was the word of the LORD. | Implies divine confirmation of prophetic utterance. |
| Rev 22:6 | And he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." | Affirms the trustworthiness of divine messages. |
| Acts 20:27 | For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. | Echoes the integrity of delivering God's complete message. |
| Col 2:3 | in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. | Corresponds to the hidden, sealed nature of divine truth. |
| Ps 25:14 | The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. | God reveals His plans to the faithful. |
| Rom 11:33 | Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! | Points to the profound and often hidden nature of God's plans. |
| Rev 1:3 | Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near! | Encourages the reception of prophetic revelation. |
Daniel 10 verses
Daniel 10 20 Meaning
This verse signifies a declaration of divine purpose and instruction regarding a significant prophetic revelation. It highlights the angelic messenger's commitment to conveying God's message, emphasizing that the words spoken are from God and carry His authority. The sealing of the words in a "sealed scroll" points to their hidden nature, meant for a future unveiling and understanding.
Daniel 10 20 Context
Daniel 10 records a profound vision received by Daniel while fasting by the Tigris River. He encountered a glorious angelic being, later identified as Gabriel in Daniel 9, or possibly Michael the archangel as hinted in Daniel 10:13 and 10:21, who came to explain future events concerning the people of Israel and their relationship with the nations. Daniel 10:10-19 details the initial angelic visitation and interaction, where Daniel is strengthened and encouraged. This specific verse, Daniel 10:20, appears after the angel's personal account of his struggle against the prince of Persia and his alliance with Michael. The verse sets the stage for the angel to deliver further prophecies. Historically, this occurs during the reign of Cyrus the Great or later, in the Persian period, a time of significant interaction and conflict between the Jewish people and the Persian empire. The polemics present relate to the spiritual realities and battles behind geopolitical events, countering any simplistic materialistic understanding of history.
Daniel 10 20 Word Analysis
- And he said: (Hebrew: וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyōʾmer) This common Hebrew conjunction and verb form introduces speech or action. Here, it signifies the angel continuing his discourse.
- Now (Hebrew: עַתָּה - ʿattâ) - Indicates the present moment, transitioning to the instruction that is about to be given. It means "now," "at this time."
- I will return (Hebrew: שׁוּב - shuv with imperfect tense) - Literally "I shall turn back" or "I shall return." Refers to the angel leaving Daniel's presence to resume his heavenly duties or battle.
- to fight (Hebrew: לְהִלָּחֵם - ləhillāḥēm) - The infinitive construct of the verb "to fight" or "to war." It signifies the angel's ongoing engagement in spiritual conflict.
- with (Hebrew: אֶת - ʾēt) - A direct object marker, but in this context, it connects the angel's action of fighting to the entities he fights against.
- the prince (Hebrew: שַׂר - śar) - Means "prince," "leader," "captain," "ruler." Here, it refers to the demonic prince or spiritual ruler over Persia, previously mentioned in the chapter.
- of Persia (Hebrew: פָּרַס - Pāras) - The name of the Persian kingdom.
- and (Hebrew: וְ - wə) - A conjunction.
- when I go out (Hebrew: צֵאתִי - ṣēṯî) - From the root צָאָה (tsāʾâ), meaning "to go out" or "to depart," with a first-person suffix. Signifies the angel's departure.
- you shall know (Hebrew: תֵדַע - ṯēḏaʿ) - From the root יָדַע (yāḏaʿ), meaning "to know," in the imperfect tense, second person masculine singular. Refers to Daniel gaining understanding.
- that (Hebrew: כִּי - kî) - A conjunction introducing a clause of reason or explanation.
- wrath (Hebrew: חֵמָה - ḥêmâ) - Means "wrath," "fury," "anger." It refers to the opposition and hostility faced by the angel.
- is (implied in Hebrew grammar)
- written (Hebrew: כָּתוּב - kāṯūḇ) - The passive participle of the verb כָּתַב (kāṯaḇ), meaning "to write." It denotes something inscribed or recorded.
- in (Hebrew: בְּ - bə) - A preposition indicating location or inscription.
- the writing of truth (Hebrew: סֵפֶר הַצֶּדֶק - sēp̄er haṣ·ṣeḏeq) - Literally "book of righteousness" or "writing of truth." This phrase signifies a divine, authoritative record, a testament of truth. "Sefere" means scroll or book, and "tzedek" means righteousness or justice, implying divine truth and accuracy.
Words Group Analysis
- "I will return to fight with the prince of Persia": This phrase encapsulates the ongoing spiritual conflict that underlies the earthly political landscape. It shows that heavenly beings are actively engaged in warfare, defending and executing God's purposes. The "prince of Persia" suggests a specific demonic entity or hierarchy assigned to that empire, mirroring later New Testament concepts of spiritual rulers (Eph 6:12).
- "when I go out you shall know that wrath is written in the writing of truth": This compound idea conveys that Daniel's understanding will be imparted when the angel departs. The "writing of truth" is a theological concept pointing to the accurate, divinely ordained record of all events, including divine justice and retribution (wrath). It implies that the angelic conflict is part of a predetermined plan with righteous outcomes.
Daniel 10 20 Bonus Section
The concept of spiritual rulers over nations is consistent with the broader biblical understanding of angelic beings holding authority or influence in various domains (cf. Deut 32:8, Dan 12:1). The "writing of truth" echoes the "book of life" or God's eternal plan, often described metaphorically as written in heaven. This verse serves as a crucial bridge, assuring Daniel that the previous communication about the Persian prince was not a mere recounting of a past event, but an introduction to the ongoing spiritual dynamics that affect Israel's destiny. The struggle described is a precursor to the judgments and restoration prophecies that follow.
Daniel 10 20 Commentary
This verse highlights the ongoing nature of spiritual warfare and the source of prophetic revelation. The angel informs Daniel that his task of imparting the message is momentarily interrupted by his ongoing duties of engaging in spiritual combat against the spiritual forces governing Persia. This is not a personal battle, but a cosmic one tied to God's plan for Israel and the surrounding nations. The phrase "the writing of truth" refers to a divine, unalterable record, possibly God's decrees or prophetic decrees concerning future events. Daniel will comprehend these truths upon the angel's departure because the entire interaction is part of God's revealed plan, which includes periods of intense spiritual opposition followed by clarity. The assurance that truth is "written" in a "writing of truth" provides ultimate confidence in the faithfulness and certainty of God's prophetic word, even amidst the struggles Daniel witnesses.