Daniel 10:18

The attire of Daniel 10:5 is that of the high priest, although it is by no means certain that this representation portrayed "the prince of the army of Jehovah." The likeness to chrysolite is said to be not with respect to color, but clearness and brilliancy. Bochart and Calmer suppose Uphaz and Ophir to be the same place; see Wintle's note, which is full of information. In illustration of the "voice," Daniel 10:6, Rosenmuller quotes Iliad 11:1. 148 and following, and enters fully into the Jewish theory of various orders of angels, in the first of which were Michael and Raphael. On this very interesting subject he has selected with great judgment the opinions of various ancient interpreters, especially Theodoret and Jerome, as well as those of Luther, Geier, Gesenius, and Winer. "The hand that touched him," observes Wintle, "was probably one of the attendant angels. The form of the superior spirit was scarcely visible by Daniel, and therefore it seems likely to have been one of an inferior order, whose hand he could discover as reached out unto him. (Daniel 10:18.) The Son of God is seldom introduced to human notice without a retinue of angels." Daniel 10:13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia is supposed by some writers to be either Cyrus or Cambyses opposing the building of the Temple; and by others to refer to those guardian angels which the Orientals believed to protect different countries.

10:10-21 Whenever we enter into communion with God, it becomes us to have a due sense of the infinite distance between us and the holy God. How shall we, that are dust and ashes, speak to the Lord of glory? Nothing is more likely, nothing more effectual to revive the drooping spirits of the saints, than to be assured of God's love to them. From the very first day we begin to look toward God in a way of duty, he is ready to meet us in the way of mercy. Thus ready is God to hear prayer. When the angel had told the prophet of the things to come, he was to return, and oppose the decrees of the Persian kings against the Jews. The angels are employed as God's ministering servants, Heb 1:14. Though much was done against the Jews by the kings of Persia, God permitting it, much more mischief would have been done if God had not prevented it. He would now more fully show what were God's purposes, of which the prophecies form an outline; and we are concerned to study what is written in these Scriptures of truth, for they belong to our everlasting peace. While Satan and his angels, and evil counsellors, excite princes to mischief against the church, we may rejoice that Christ our Prince, and all his mighty angels, act against our enemies; but we ought not to expect many to favour us in this evil world.

Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man,.... Or one like a man again touched him; the same that touched him before, Daniel 10:16 , perhaps Gabriel, since he uses the same language in the following verse as he does Daniel 10:11 , and he strengthened me; both in body and mind, by his free and familiar conversation with him, and the comfortable words he spoke to him, a divine power accompanying them for that purpose.

Daniel 10:18-19 . Then there came again, &c. — This seems to be spoken of the same angel, namely, the angel Gabriel, touching him again, whereby he was rendered more composed, and had his strength revived. And said, O man, &c., fear not — Thou needest not be under such terrible apprehensions, as if this vision did portend to thee some mischief; for it is a peculiar token of God’s favour to thee.

18 . one like the appearance of a man ] ‘appearance,’ as in Daniel 8:15 , and often in the visions of Ezek. ( Ezekiel 1:13-14 ; Ezekiel 1:26-28 , Ezekiel 8:2 , Ezekiel 10:1 , Ezekiel 42:11 ). strengthened me ] i.e. both restored my physical strength, and also ‘encouraged’ me, as the same word is rendered in Deuteronomy 1:38 ; Deuteronomy 3:28 . 18, 19 . A third touch (see Daniel 10:10; Daniel 10:16 ), followed by a second reassurance (see Daniel 10:11-14 ) on the part of the dazzling being, restores Daniel’s composure entirely.

Verse 18. - Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me. The versions here call for no remark. The prophet still stood, but trembling and powerless, unable to comprehend fully the revelation; but now again the strengthening hand touches him. It cannot be regarded as a strain put upon the meaning here, if we see in this repeated presence of one in the form of man a symbol of Christ, who took upon him the form of a servant, and was found in fashion as a man. Daniel 10:18

Then there came again, and touched me ... - The same one is here referred to doubtless who is mentioned in Daniel 10:16 - the angel. He came to him again in this condescending and familiar manner in order to allay his fears, and to prepare him to receive his communications with entire calmness.

Therefore he may not talk with this Lord, i.e., with Him who appeared before him in such dread majesty; and he is yet in such a state, since all strength has departed from him and his breath has gone, that he fears he must die; cf. 1 Kings 17:17 . Then once more one like the appearance of a man touched him. אדם כּמראה is in reality equals אדם בּני כּדּמוּת: both forms of expression leave the person of him who touched him undefined, and only state that the touching proceeded from some one who was like a man, or that it was such as proceeds from men, and are like the expression used in Daniel 10:19 , "a hand touched me." From this it does not follow that he who spoke to him touched him, but only that it was a spiritual being, who appeared like to a man. After thus being touched for the third time ( Daniel 10:18 ), the encouragement of the angel that talked with him imparted to him full strength, so that he could calmly listen to and observe his communication.