Daniel 10:4
And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The Tigris River flows through modern Iraq, central to ancient Mesopotamian civilization. Babylon, Nineveh, and Assyria rose along this river system. Daniel, elderly and unable to return to Jerusalem, remained influential in Persian administration along the Tigris. His continued service there demonstrated faithful engagement with pagan culture while maintaining prophetic calling. The specific geographic and chronological details enabled future generations to correlate the vision with historical fulfillments, validating Daniel's prophetic authority and Scripture's reliability.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the precise historical and geographical setting teach us about God revealing Himself in space-time reality, not abstract timelessness?
- How does the Tigris location—site of both Eden and Babel—connect this vision to the entire sweep of biblical redemptive history?
- In what ways does Daniel's mourning during Passover season demonstrate prioritizing spiritual concerns over celebratory religious observance?
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Analysis & Commentary
Daniel locates the vision: "And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel." This precise dating (24th of Nisan/Abib, approximately mid-April) occurs during Passover season. Daniel spent three weeks mourning (verses 2-3) overlapping this holy season, forsaking celebration to intercede for Jerusalem. The location "Hiddekel" identifies the Tigris River, one of Eden's rivers (Genesis 2:14), connecting this vision to creation's beginning and anticipating new creation's culmination.
The Tigris setting is significant—Daniel stands at geographical heart of Mesopotamian civilization, site of ancient Babel (Genesis 11) where human pride challenged God. Now revelation comes to Daniel at this same location, showing God's sovereign purpose to establish His kingdom despite human rebellion. The vision at this river, in Passover season, connects creation (Eden), rebellion (Babel), redemption (Passover/Exodus), and consummation (this vision's eschatological content). All redemptive history converges in this moment.
Theologically, the specific time and place ground the vision in history, not mere symbolic abstraction. God reveals Himself in space-time reality, not gnostic timeless spirituality. This prefigures the incarnation—the Word became flesh at a specific time (Galatians 4:4) and place (Bethlehem). God's decisive acts occur in history, creating concrete moments that become fixed reference points for faith. The resurrection occurred on a specific Sunday morning, not in mystical timelessness. Christianity is historical religion rooted in actual events.