Daniel Chapter 10 · Verse 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
וּבְי֛וֹם
day
H3117
וּבְי֛וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 13
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
הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן
of the first
H7223
הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן
of the first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
5 of 13
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
הָיִ֛יתִי
H1961
הָיִ֛יתִי
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עַ֣ל
H5921
עַ֣ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יַ֧ד
as I was by the side
H3027
יַ֧ד
as I was by the side
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 13
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
הַנָּהָ֛ר
river
H5104
הַנָּהָ֛ר
river
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
10 of 13
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
הַגָּד֖וֹל
of the great
H1419
הַגָּד֖וֹל
of the great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
11 of 13
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
Cross References
Genesis 2:14And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.Ezekiel 1:3The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.Daniel 8:2And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.
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?
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.