Daniel 10:12
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.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
3 of 22
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּירָ֣א
he unto me Fear
H3372
תִּירָ֣א
he unto me Fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
4 of 22
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
כִּ֣י׀
H3588
כִּ֣י׀
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַיּ֣וֹם
day
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
8 of 22
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן
for from the first
H7223
הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן
for from the first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
9 of 22
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֧תָּ
that thou didst set
H5414
נָתַ֧תָּ
that thou didst set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
11 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לִבְּךָ֛
thine heart
H3820
לִבְּךָ֛
thine heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
13 of 22
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
לְהָבִ֧ין
to understand
H995
לְהָבִ֧ין
to understand
Strong's:
H995
Word #:
14 of 22
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
וּלְהִתְעַנּ֛וֹת
and to chasten
H6031
וּלְהִתְעַנּ֛וֹת
and to chasten
Strong's:
H6031
Word #:
15 of 22
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
לִפְנֵ֥י
thyself before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י
thyself before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
16 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 22
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
נִשְׁמְע֣וּ
were heard
H8085
נִשְׁמְע֣וּ
were heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
18 of 22
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בִּדְבָרֶֽיךָ׃
for thy words
H1697
בִּדְבָרֶֽיךָ׃
for thy words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
19 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Cross References
Daniel 10:19And 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.Isaiah 58:9Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;Isaiah 65:24And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.Isaiah 41:10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Matthew 28:5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.Isaiah 41:14Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.Isaiah 35:4Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.Luke 24:38And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?Leviticus 16:31It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.Leviticus 16:29And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:
Historical Context
This vision occurred "in the third year of Cyrus king of Persia" (Daniel 10:1), approximately 536 BC, two years after Cyrus's decree allowing Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem. Daniel, now in his 80s, remained in Persia rather than returning to Judah. His three-week period of mourning and fasting coincided with Passover, suggesting Daniel mourned over the small number returning to rebuild Jerusalem and opposition they faced.
The reference to "the prince of the kingdom of Persia" reveals cosmic spiritual warfare—demonic powers exercise influence over earthly nations, opposing God's purposes. Michael, "one of the chief princes" and "your prince," is Israel's angelic protector. This passage provides rare insight into spiritual warfare behind political events.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding that God hears prayer immediately, even when answers are delayed, affect your perseverance in prayer?
- How does awareness of spiritual warfare behind earthly events change your approach to prayer for nations and leaders?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The angelic messenger's opening words "Fear not, Daniel" address Daniel's overwhelming response to the glorious vision. Divine encounters regularly provoke fear, necessitating reassurance. The phrase "for from the first day" emphasizes the immediacy of God's response—prayer was heard the moment Daniel began seeking God, though the visible answer was delayed. "That thou didst set thine heart to understand" reveals Daniel's motivation—earnest desire for understanding God's purposes. "And to chasten thyself before thy God" describes Daniel's accompanying fasting and mourning, demonstrating humility and spiritual intensity.
"Thy words were heard" assures Daniel that prayer reached God's throne immediately, despite delayed manifestation. "And I am come for thy words" reveals the angel came specifically in response to Daniel's prayers. Verse 13 explains the delay: "the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days"—spiritual warfare in heavenly realms affected earthly timing. This passage reveals crucial truths:
This teaches perseverance in prayer and trust in God's perfect timing despite apparent delays.
It demonstrates that prayer is genuine spiritual warfare influencing heavenly conflicts with earthly implications. Daniel's intercession contributed to Michael's victory over the prince of Persia, illustrating how human prayer participates in angelic conflict. This anticipates Christ's high priestly intercession and calls believers to persistent prayer with eternal perspective.