This chapter is an introduction to the prophecies contained in the two following chapters; and begins with an account of Daniel’s mourning and fasting, preparatory to the vision he had, Dan.

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia Not of his being king of Persia only, but of the Medopersian empire, after he had subdued the Babylonian empire, and annexed it to his dominions; and this is not to be reckoned from the time of his taking Babylon, and putting the government of it into the…

In those days I Daniel was mourning Either on account of what had been revealed to him in the last vision or prophecy of the seventy weeks; by which it appeared what wickedness the people of the Jews would be guilty of in cutting off the Messiah; and what desolations would come upon their land,…

I ate no pleasant bread Or, “bread of desires” [[3]]; such as was made of the finest of the wheat, and was eaten in the courts of princes where Daniel was: according to some Jewish Rabbins in Ben Melech, hot bread is meant; but in general it means the best of bread, such as had good qualities to…

And in the four and twentieth day of the first month Of the third year of Cyrus, as Jacchiades; or rather of the Jewish year, the month Ab or Nisan, which answers to part of March and April; so that Daniel’s fast began on the third day of the month, and lasted to the twenty fourth, in which time…

Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked Being excited to it, by an object presented, of an unusual appearance, which engaged his attention, and caused him to look wistly at it: and, behold a certain man clothed in linen; not Gabriel, but the Son of God, the Messiah; who, though not as yet incarnate,…

His body also was like the beryl That is, that part of it which was not covered with the linen garment, and was seen, was like such a precious stone, said to be of an azure and sky colour, signifying he was the Lord from heaven; though, according to its name, it should be of a sea colour, greenish;…

And I Daniel alone saw the vision The object or person described; though he was not alone when he saw it, yet he alone saw it; the eyes of his body and mind being quicker than the rest, the Lord strengthening and enlightening both; for this was a peculiar and distinguishing favour granted to him:…

Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision Which was great indeed, both with respect to the object now seen, and with respect to the subject matter, the things afterwards revealed, the nature, use, and importance of them; and it was so wisely ordered by the Lord, that the men with Daniel…

Yet heard I the voice of his words Though he was struck with so much awe, and his spirits so greatly depressed, and his body reduced to so low a condition; yet he was capable of attending to the voice, and of hearing the articulate sounds pronounced, and of understanding what was said: and when I…

And, behold, an hand touched me Not the hand of the man clothed with linen, whose voice he heard, and whose hand was like polished brass, , but the hand of one distinct from him, one of his attendants, (Dan. 12:5, Dan.

And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved Or, “a man of desires” [[19]]; a most desirable man, lovely to God and men; the same epithet Gabriel gives him, (Dan. 9:22, Dan.

Then said he unto me, fear not, Daniel Perceiving him to shake and tremble, and to be intimidated at his presence, he speaks comfortably to him, and encourages him to lay aside his fears, that he might be more capable of attending to what he was about to say to him; and which had a tendency of…

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, , 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…

Now I am come to make thee to understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days The contest being over with the prince of Persia, and having got an advantage, and carried his point in favour of the Jews; he came directly to Daniel, to inform him of what should befall the people of the Jews…

And when he had spoken such words unto me As before related, concerning the contest between him and the prince of Persia; and especially concerning what would befall the people of the Jews in the latter day: I set my face toward the ground; not being able to look up; his eyes were fixed upon the…

And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men Not the man clothed with linen, or Christ; but either the same angel, Gabriel, who appeared more manifestly to him in a human form; or another of the attendants of Christ, who also had the similitude of a man: touched my lips; with his hand,…

For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? &c.] Or, “talk with that my lord?” [[24]] pointing to the man clothed in linen, who appeared so glorious, and whom Daniel knew to be more than a man; and therefore he, who was a mere mortal sinful man, and reckoned himself a servant of…

Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man Or one like a man again touched him; the same that touched him before, , perhaps Gabriel, since he uses the same language in the following verse as he does : and he strengthened me; both in body and mind, by his free and familiar…

And said, O man, greatly beloved . Or, “man of desires”, as before, , which shows it to be the same here speaking as there, and probably Gabriel: fear not; for a man has nothing to fear, from men or devils, that is beloved of the Lord; and especially from good angels, how glorious and majestic…

Then said he, knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? &c.] He had told him before, (Dan. 10:12, Dan. 10:14) , that it was on account of his prayers, and to bring an answer to them; and particularly to inform him what would befall his people in the latter day; and now, lest, through the hurry of…

But I will show that which is noted in the Scripture of truth, &c.] Not in the written word, though there are many things relating to what should befall the Jews in the latter day, especially in but in the decrees and purposes of God, which are sometimes signified by a book, and things written in…