Daniel 10:1
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁל֗וֹשׁ
In the third
H7969
שָׁל֗וֹשׁ
In the third
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
2 of 22
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
פָּרַ֔ס
of Persia
H6539
פָּרַ֔ס
of Persia
Strong's:
H6539
Word #:
5 of 22
paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants
הַדָּבָ֔ר
a thing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֔ר
a thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
6 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
נִגְלָ֣ה
was revealed
H1540
נִגְלָ֣ה
was revealed
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
7 of 22
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
לְדָֽנִיֵּ֔אל
unto Daniel
H1840
לְדָֽנִיֵּ֔אל
unto Daniel
Strong's:
H1840
Word #:
8 of 22
daniel or danijel, the name of two israelites
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִקְרָ֥א
was called
H7121
נִקְרָ֥א
was called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
10 of 22
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
שְׁמ֖וֹ
whose name
H8034
שְׁמ֖וֹ
whose name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
11 of 22
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּ֑ר
Belteshazzar
H1095
בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּ֑ר
Belteshazzar
Strong's:
H1095
Word #:
12 of 22
belteshatstsar, the babylonian name of daniel
וֶאֱמֶ֤ת
was true
H571
וֶאֱמֶ֤ת
was true
Strong's:
H571
Word #:
13 of 22
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
הַדָּבָ֔ר
a thing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֔ר
a thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
14 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
וְצָבָ֣א
but the time appointed
H6635
וְצָבָ֣א
but the time appointed
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
15 of 22
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
וּבִין֙
and he understood
H995
וּבִין֙
and he understood
Strong's:
H995
Word #:
17 of 22
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדָּבָ֔ר
a thing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֔ר
a thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
19 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Cross References
Daniel 1:21And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.Daniel 6:28So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.Daniel 8:26And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.Daniel 1:7Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.Daniel 1:17As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.Revelation 19:9And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.Genesis 41:32And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.Daniel 12:9And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.Daniel 5:17Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.Daniel 2:21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
Historical Context
Cyrus's decree (Ezra 1:1-4) permitted Jewish return in 538 BC. By 536 BC (this vision's date), about 50,000 had returned under Zerubbabel and Joshua. Daniel, elderly and influential in Persian court, remained in Persia, possibly training younger Jews for government service or unable to travel. His continued presence demonstrates that not all faithful Jews returned immediately—some maintained diaspora influence. Daniel's prayers for Jerusalem (9:3-19) show his heart aligned with homeland despite physical distance, modeling faithfulness in exile.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Daniel's dual Hebrew-Babylonian identity teach us about maintaining covenant faithfulness while engaging secular culture?
- How should knowing that God's purposes often involve 'long' fulfillment periods shape our expectations and perseverance?
- In what ways does Daniel's remaining in Persia rather than returning to Jerusalem demonstrate that faithful service can occur in multiple contexts?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Chapter 10 introduces Daniel's final and longest vision: "In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar." Dating to 536 BC, this occurs after the first return of Jewish exiles under Zerubbabel (Ezra 1-2). Daniel, now about 85 years old, remained in Persia rather than returning to Jerusalem, continuing governmental service while maintaining prophetic ministry. The mention of both names—Hebrew (Daniel, "God is my judge") and Babylonian (Belteshazzar)—emphasizes his dual identity: covenant faithful yet politically engaged.
"The thing was true, but the time appointed was long" warns that the vision concerns distant future events. "True" (Hebrew: emet, אֱמֶת) emphasizes absolute reliability; "time appointed was long" (Hebrew: tsaba gadol, צָבָא גָדוֹל, literally "great warfare/conflict") indicates prolonged struggle. This vision spans from Persian period through Greek, culminating in Antiochus Epiphanes and beyond. The scope overwhelms—Daniel sees centuries of conflict affecting God's people.
"He understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision" indicates Daniel grasped its meaning through divine illumination. Unlike chapter 8 where understanding came gradually, here Daniel receives comprehensive comprehension. This teaches that God gives understanding proportional to need—sometimes immediately, sometimes progressively. The Holy Spirit's illumination ministry enables believers to understand Scripture according to God's timing and their spiritual maturity. Full understanding awaits glorification, but God provides sufficient light for present faithfulness.