Daniel 10:13

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

הַשָּׂרִ֥ים

H8269

But the prince

a head person (of any rank or class)

מַלְכ֣וּת

H4438

of the kingdom

a rule; concretely, a dominion

פָרָֽס׃

H6539

of Persia

paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants

עֹמֵ֤ד

H5975

withstood

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לְנֶגְדִּי֙

H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

עֶשְׂרִ֣ים

H6242

and twenty

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

אַחַ֛ד

H259

me one

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

י֔וֹם

H3117

days

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

וְהִנֵּ֣ה

H2009

lo!

#10

מִֽיכָאֵ֗ל

H4317

but lo Michael

mikael, the name of an archangel and of nine israelites

#11

אַחַ֛ד

H259

me one

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

#12

הַשָּׂרִ֥ים

H8269

But the prince

a head person (of any rank or class)

#13

הָרִאשֹׁנִ֖ים

H7223

of the chief

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

#14

בָּ֣א

H935

came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#15

לְעָזְרֵ֑נִי

H5826

to help

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

#16

וַאֲנִי֙

H589

#17

נוֹתַ֣רְתִּי

H3498

me and I remained

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

#18

שָׁ֔ם

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

#19

אֵ֖צֶל

H681

there with

a side; (as a preposition) near

#20

מַלְכֵ֥י

H4428

the kings

a king

#21

פָרָֽס׃

H6539

of Persia

paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants

Analysis

Within the broader context of Daniel, this passage highlights kingdom of God through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of kingdom connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about kingdom, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Daniel.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of kingdom of God within the theological tradition of Daniel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes kingdom in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding kingdom in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about kingdom of God?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on kingdom address the apparent delay of Christ's return and God's justice, and how should the church respond?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of kingdom of God, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of eschatology and the doctrine of last things?

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