Daniel 10 3

Daniel 10:3 kjv

I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

Daniel 10:3 nkjv

I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

Daniel 10:3 niv

I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

Daniel 10:3 esv

I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.

Daniel 10:3 nlt

All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.

Daniel 10 verses

Daniel 10 3 Meaning

Daniel's personal grief was profound, stemming from a significant period of mourning that had deeply affected him physically and emotionally. He had refrained from luxurious foods and pleasantries for three weeks, indicating a solemn dedication to his spiritual pursuit and intercession. This extended period of purification and fasting highlights the seriousness of the message he was about to receive and the intense spiritual battle associated with it.

Daniel 10 3 Context

Chapter 10 of Daniel begins with a prophetic vision given to Daniel, a prince among the exiles in Babylon, during the third year of Cyrus's reign. Daniel is distressed by a vision he has seen, a vision so overwhelming that it leads him to a period of intense mourning and fasting. The specific verse, Daniel 10:3, details the personal rigor of Daniel's fasting: abstaining from rich foods, meat, wine, and even preventing himself from being anointed (a practice of cleansing and refreshment), for a significant duration of twenty-one days. This fasting and mourning were not for personal sin but an act of intercession and seeking divine understanding regarding a perplexing prophecy, likely related to the future of his people and the covenant, as revealed in earlier chapters. The context of the chapter underscores Daniel’s deep concern for God’s people and His purposes.

Daniel 10 3 Word Analysis

• "I" (אֲנִי - ani)
  • Emphasizes Daniel's personal involvement and responsibility in the prayer and fasting.
• "ate" (אָכַל - akhal)
  • A common verb for eating, here used to denote abstaining from sustenance.
• "no" (לֹא - lo)
  • A direct negation, clearly stating his abstinence.
• "choice food" (מֶתֶק - meteq)
  • Literally "sweetness" or "pleasantness." Refers to delicacies or desirable food, highlighting the self-denial.
• "meat" (בָּשָׂר - basar)
  • Means flesh, referring to meat specifically as a part of the diet abstained from, alongside the choice food.
• "nor" (וְלֹא - wəlo)
  • Connects the abstention from meat with the next prohibition, further emphasizing the totality of his self-denial.
• "wine" (יַיִן - yayin)
  • Refers to fermented grape juice, a common beverage, especially in Mesopotamian culture, also set aside.
• "entered my mouth" (בָּא בְּפִי - ba bəfi)
  • A straightforward statement of non-consumption.
• "nor" (וְלֹא - wəlo)
  • Another conjunction, extending the abstinence to personal grooming and comfort.
• "did I anoint myself" (אֶמְשַׁח - emshaḥ)
  • The verb is from מָשַׁח (mashah), meaning "to anoint" or "to rub with oil." Anointing was common for hygiene, healing, and to show honor or preparation.
• "at all" (כְּלָל - kəlāl)
  • Adverb indicating complete negation of self-anointing.
• "for" (כִּי - ki)
  • This particle introduces the reason or duration for his actions.
• "three whole weeks" (שְׁלֹשׁ שָׁבוּעִין - shəlosh shāvu'īn)
  • "Shalosh" means three. "Shavu'ot" (plural of shavua) means weeks. This precise duration signifies a deliberate and extended period of commitment.

Groups of words:

• "ate no choice food, no meat nor wine": This phrase depicts a comprehensive dietary restriction, moving beyond simple fasting to abstaining from all enjoyable and potentially stimulating foods and drinks. This level of restriction suggests a state of deep grief and solemnity.
• "nor did I anoint myself at all": This addition shows that his abstinence extended to personal comfort and appearance, a sign of humility and submission, aligning with practices of mourning (like wearing sackcloth and ashes). It speaks to an outward expression of inner turmoil and focus.
• "for three whole weeks": The specified duration emphasizes the sustained nature of his commitment, indicating a period of significant intercession and struggle. This isn't a casual fast but a disciplined and lengthy endeavor.

Daniel 10 3 Bonus Section

Daniel's fasting and mourning, extending to a period of three weeks, serves as a profound example of how spiritual earnestness can manifest physically. This intense focus was a preparation for receiving a divine revelation of great magnitude, underscoring the idea that spiritual insight often demands rigorous discipline and sacrifice. It illustrates that deeply significant communication from God can be accompanied by spiritual opposition, requiring prolonged intercessory prayer to overcome. The angel's later explanation confirms this struggle, indicating a spiritual battle was occurring on Daniel's behalf and through his focused prayer. The severity of Daniel's fasting also stands in contrast to the superficiality of some religious practices, reminding believers of the importance of sincerity and a consecrated heart in their pursuit of God.

Daniel 10 3 Commentary

Daniel's act of fasting described in this verse is an extraordinary display of devotion and solemn intercession. It was not a fast for purification before entering the sanctuary or a prescribed ritual fast; rather, it was a voluntary act of profound personal grief and earnest pleading. By abstaining from even "choice food" and foregoing personal grooming like anointing, Daniel expressed the depth of his spiritual distress and his complete absorption in prayer for understanding and for the welfare of his people. This rigorous self-denial mirrors the spiritual intensity seen in figures like Moses or Elijah, who also undertook prolonged periods of fasting when seeking God's direct interaction or facing critical junctures. Daniel's sorrow is rooted in understanding God's prophetic word concerning the future of Israel, highlighting the believer's call to be invested in God's redemptive purposes, even to the point of personal suffering and sacrifice.