[Sidenote: B.C. 536-5.]
1. In the third year
--third since the conquest of Babylon, but first in the
personal reign over Babylon--
of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name
was Belteshazzar; and the thing _was_ true, but the time appointed
was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the
vision.
2. In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
3. 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.
4. And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by
the side of the great river, which _is_ Hiddekel;
--Tigris is the modern name for the river Hiddekel. The
period of Daniel's mourning began on Saturday, March 31st,
B.C. 536, and continued 3 weeks until Saturday, April 21st.
Meantime the Passover occurred on Thursday, April 12th.
5. Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man
clothed in linen, whose loins _were_ girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
--Ophir--
6. His body also _was_ like the beryl, and his face as the appearance
of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his
feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words
like the voice of a multitude.
--"One like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment
down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden
girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as
white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and
his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a
furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters."
Rev. I. 13, 14, 15.
7. And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me
saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they
fled to hide themselves.
--"And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and
were afraid; but they heard not the voice of Him that
spake to me." Acts XXII. 9 also IX. 7.
8. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there
remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into
corruption, and I retained no strength.
9. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of
his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward
the ground.
Daniel was completely overcome by the glory of this Divine
manifestation.
10. And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and
_upon_ the palms of my hands.
The angel Gabriel now appears on the scene, and again
assures Daniel that he is greatly beloved and continues the
kindly offices spoken of in Daniel VIII. 16.--IX. 21, 22.
11. 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.
--John was the beloved apostle, John XIII. 23 and Daniel
the beloved prophet, Dan. IX. 23.
12. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day
that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself
before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
13. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and
twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help
me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
--"Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the
word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be
accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king
of Persia, that he made a proclamation." II Chron. XXXVI. 22.
14. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy
people in the latter days: for yet the vision _is_ for _many_ days.
15. And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward
the ground, and I became dumb.
16. And, behold, _one_ like the similitude of the sons of men touched
my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that
stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon
me, and I have retained no strength.
17. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord?
for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither
is there breath left in me.
18. Then there came again and touched me _one_ like the appearance of
a man, and he strengthened me,
19. And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace _be_ unto thee,
be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was
strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened
me.
20. 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.
--Dan. VIII. 21.
21. But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of
truth:
--the Book of future events--
and _there is_ none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael
your prince.
--"Michael the archangel." See Jude 9th verse.--"The
captain of the Lord's host." See Joshua V. 15.--"Michael
and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels."
Rev. XII. 7.
The next chapter gives a bird's-eye view of the period
covered by the 2300 days. For a full explanation see NOTE D.