Verse 1: In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision [mar’eh].
Since Darius’ first year was 539 B.C., and his death was “within about two years of the fall of Babylon” [1] when he “took the kingdom” (Daniel 5:31), Cyrus’ first year was also 539 because “Darius the Median” who “took the kingdom” (Daniel 5:31) was only Cyrus’ co-regent. Therefore, Cyrus’ first year was the same as Darius’ making his “third year” around 536/535 B.C. [2]
Daniel, speaking in the third person tense, reminds us that he was also “called Belteshazzar,” the same person with that name in Chapters 1:7; 2:26; 4:8, 9, 18, 19 and 5:12. Therefore, he was the same person who wrote this chapter and the next two.
At this point, we need to be reminded that all three chapters, 10, 11 and 12, with all evidently having been written in the third year of Cyrus, could actually be combined into one chapter. Note again that the beginning of this chapter is the last place Daniel indicates where he stood time wise. In fact, Chapter 10 could be considered introductory to that of Chapter 11, with Chapter 12 being a conclusion to the whole matter.
Then, says Daniel: “a thing was revealed” to him, and it “was true . . . and” Daniel “understood the thing and had understanding of the vision.” So, once again, we are called upon to analyze which word for “vision” it was that he “understood,” the “chazown,” or the “mar’eh.”
Although it might sound a bit redundant, if we substitute the word “vision” for “thing,” his words might look like this: “a vision was revealed . . . was true . . . and he understood the vision and had understanding of the vision.” In other words, Daniel says: “The vision that was revealed to me is true and I now understand it.”
Obviously, it was the vision “mar’eh” of Chapter 8 that caused him to be “astonished,” but he had not “understood.” He now understood it because of the “skill and understanding” Gabriel provided (Daniel 9:22-27). But, while it was clear to Daniel, it is somewhat vague to many of us.
In order to understand what Daniel was talking about, it is essential to know that the word “vision” in this verse is translated from the Hebrew word “mar’eh.” [3] [4]
With that in mind, and, having learned that the “vision [mar’eh] of the evening [ereb’] and the morning [boqer] is true” (Daniel 8:26), the “mar’eh” is the 2300 “days [ereb’/boqer]” of Daniel 8:14. Therefore, we can know with certainty that the vision “mar’eh” of Verse 1 is the same vision Daniel now understood to represent the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14.
Note also how Daniel essentially echoes Gabriel’s words saying, “the thing was true” very much like Gabriel who declared that “the vision [mar’eh] of the evening and the morning which was told is true” (Daniel 8:26).
Daniel’s statement, that “the time appointed was long,” can only be applied to the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14, the longest time prophecy in the Bible.
So, having gained the “skill and understanding” of the 2300 days/years, he also learned that the “seventy weeks” or 490 years were the first part of the 2300 years, set aside as probationary time for his people to realign themselves with God’s plan for them. The things expected of them are listed in Daniel 8:24, which, if they had fulfilled, the remainder of the 2300 years (1,810 years) would not have been required.
It is logical for us to conclude that, as far as Daniel was concerned, the 490 years and 2300 years began three years before in Cyrus’ “first year,” as noted in Ezra 1:1, when he proclaimed liberty to the Jews at the end of the “seventy years” in 536 B.C. But, from our perspective in time, we know it was actually 457 B.C. That should put us on notice that setting a time for any of the time prophecies concerning the future could just as easily be misunderstood and become a real stumbling block to us, although to Daniel it would have been irrelevant because the length of time involved extended far beyond his life span.
Verse 2: In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
In Cyrus’ “first year” “the LORD stirred up [his] spirit. . . that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, . . .The LORD God of heaven hath . . . charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel . . .” (Ezra 1:1-3). (This being “the third year of Cyrus,” one year had elapsed since the death of Darius’ who died two years into his coregency with Cyrus, therefore this was called Cyrus’ “first year” by Ezra.)
Cyrus’ proclamation came as if in answer to Daniel’s prayer made “in the first year of Darius.” He had “understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem” (Daniel 9:1, 2).
Now, with Cyrus having issued his decree, we would expect Daniel to be expressing gratitude for God’s merciful forgiveness and that He had not forsaken His people or the “city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because of our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers . . .” (Daniel 9:16). But, as this verse indicates, his anxiety and concern seem to be greater than ever, in spite of Cyrus’ providential decree.
Evidently, things were not going well in Jerusalem where his people had gone to repair the city. Although the Jews had departed some two to three years before, word came back that the “adversaries of Judah and Benjamin” had “weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building.” They even ‘hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus . . .” While that was extremely troubling to Daniel, their obstructionism continued even “until the reign of Darius king of Persia” (Ezra 4:1, 4, 5) [5] [6] whose reign began 14 years later in 522 B.C. Before that time, Daniel had probably been laid to rest. Therefore, it appears, slowing of the rebuilding program continued on in spite of Daniel’s great concern. But, as concerned as he was, it should not have been surprising to him, because Gabriel had told him it would be rebuilt “even in troublous times” (Daniel 9:25).
But heaven had not turned a deaf ear to Daniel’s prayers. The marvelous prophesies of Chapters 11 and 12 spell out many things, other than the destiny of Jerusalem, that God wanted Daniel, and all those who studied his prophecies, to know. In fact, we will discover that these prophecies extend even beyond the “mar’eh,” even on into the “end” of the “chazown” ―future, even to us!
Verse 3: I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
Not only was Daniel noted for his wonderful prayer life (Daniel 6 & 9), but he was also very persistent in expressing his deep desires to God. Even though he does not explicitly tell us what was on his mind, God knew, and that was what was important. Evidently, while Gabriel had already told him “. . . the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times” (Daniel 9:25), news of the “trouble” that came to Daniel probably seemed worse than what Gabriel had depicted. So, he, again, set himself to learn more and implore God’s intervening hand on behalf, we can assume, of His people.
To heighten the acuity of his mind, leaving off all that might distract, he followed a very plain, simple diet avoiding what we might call cake, ice cream and cookies, partaking of vegetables and only water instead of grape juice!
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;
According to the Commentary “the first month of Cyrus’ third year would be about March/April, 536 B.C.” if reckoned “on the basis of the Babylonian-Persian calendar.” If it were reckoned by “the Jewish method, the first month of Cyrus’ third year would come 12 months later and would correspond roughly to March/April, 535 B.C.” [7]
In the “third year of the reign of king Belshazzar” he “was by the river of Ulai” in the province of Elam” (Daniel 8:1, 2). Now, he is “by the side of the great river . . . Hiddekel,” which is the Tigris, so he must have been near Babylon, although he does not say exactly where.
Verses 5 & 6: Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
“No less a personage than the Son of God appeared to Daniel. This description is similar to that given by John when Christ was revealed to him upon the Isle of Patmos. Our Lord now comes with another heavenly messenger to teach Daniel what would take place in the latter days. This knowledge was given to Daniel and recorded by inspiration for us upon whom the ends of the world are come.” [8]
That statement, linking this chapter with Revelation 1:9-15, is extremely relevant for us because Daniel 10, 11 and 12 are really one unit, with this chapter actually introducing the next two. Therefore, we have before us a rich record of things of extraordinary importance for us living in these last days. Note again that “this knowledge was given to Daniel and recorded by inspiration FOR US” who are living in the last days of this world’s history. Therefore, we do well to study it closely.
Knowing that “the vision” of Verse 1 is the 2300 day “mar’eh” (Daniel 8:14, 26), it appears likely that at least some, if not much, of the material in this chapter, and the next two, will move on into the “chazown” which, according to Daniel 8:17 and 26, deals with “the time of the end . . . many days” beyond the “mar’eh.”
At this point, it is well for us to recognize the two Divine Personages who came to visit Daniel, featured in Chapters 8, 9 and 10. They were the angel Gabriel and “a certain man clothed in linen” who is also “that certain saint” who answered Gabriel’s question in Daniel 8:13: “How long shall be the vision [chazown]. . .?” He was the One who instructed Gabriel to “make this man to understand the 2300 day “mar’eh” (Daniel 8:16). Here, being “clothed in linen” indicates His priestly role in the heavenly sanctuary, typified in the earthly where Aaron and his sons (Exodus 28:4, 5, 6, 8, 15, 39, 42) were also clothed with “holy garments” made of “fine linen.” This material was also one of the chief articles composing the sanctuary itself, and even “the court of the tabernacle” was surrounded with an enclosure “of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side” (Exodus 27:9).
It seems clear, therefore, that Daniel must have understood the association between Christ’s clothing and His priestly ministry, even though his mind was possibly fixed on the earthly sanctuary in “Jerusalem,” as noted in Daniel 9:2, thinking the sanctuary services might be delayed for another 2300 years.
It is well to note that while the “Lamb” is depicted 100 times in the entire Bible, it is not mentioned even once in Daniel, while the “Lamb” is depicted twenty-seven times in the book of Revelation! The only time in the book of Daniel where Christ’s crucifixion is implied is found in Daniel 9:26 and 27, where the “Messiah” is “cut off” and His confirmation of “the covenant . . . in the midst of the week.” So, while Daniel was confronted by these two marvelous beings, with One being no less than the “son of God,” it would have been difficult for him to see Christ represented by a slain Lamb.
Verses 7, 8 & 9: And I Daniel alone saw the vision [mar’ah]: for the men that were with me saw not the vision [mar’ah]; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision [mar’ah], and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
Note that the word “vision,” used three times in these verses and once in Verse 16, is translated from the Hebrew word “mar’ah” [9] which, although very similar to “mar’eh,” [10] is not the same word. Therefore, we cannot assume that the Lord was about to reveal more information about the 2300 day “mar’eh,” that Daniel says he understood in Verse 1, but that some other more advanced things were about to be revealed to him.
Verse 10: And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
The “hand” that “touched” Daniel in Chapters 8:18; 9:21, and in Verse 18 of this chapter, must have belonged to Gabriel, as we shall see in Verses 20 and 21. “Though Daniel was lifted from his position of complete collapse upon the ground, his strength was still not such that he could support himself without trembling.” [11]
Verse 11: And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
Some years before, in the “first year of Darius,” Gabriel had also said “thou art greatly beloved” (Daniel 9:23), and he will repeat it again in Verse 19 of this chapter. Even though Daniel was at an advanced age and probably quite weak, heaven did not lose interest in him. As we shall see in the next chapter, Gabriel was soon to open before him what could arguably be called the most marvelous revelations of the future of all time. Many, even today, are still struggling to understand much of it, and we will join them in that struggle, knowing that God’s purpose in giving these revelations was not to confuse, mystify, or puzzle, but to strengthen faith.
Verse 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.
Although Daniel had been praying for “three full weeks” (Verse 2), he had been “heard” right “from the first day” and Gabriel had come to help and encourage him. The phrase “chasten thyself” does not mean he whipped himself, but that he had “humbled himself.” [12]
Note again that the city would “be built again” in spite of the “troublous times” (Daniel 9:25) Daniel was concerned about. So, even though things didn’t look good from Daniel’s perspective, they were still under God’s control. He knew all along what was happening and what was going to happen to Daniel’s beloved city.
Verse 13: 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.
According to the Commentary, “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” could either be a demon, or Cyrus, the king of Persia [13]. White favors the former, noting that here we are “given a glimpse of this mighty struggle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. For three weeks Gabriel wrestled with the powers of darkness, seeking to counteract the influences at work on the mind of Cyrus” [14] which, obviously, were demonic.
Who was “Michael?” He was “Christ Himself [who] came to Gabriel’s aid” [15], the same Person who appeared to Daniel as a “certain man . . . clothed in linen” (Verses 5, 6), just before Gabriel touched him.
The “me” in this verse is obviously referring to Gabriel who is the narrator of this vision.
Verse 14: Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision [chazown] is for many days.
Gabriel, here declaring that he had “come to make [Daniel] understand” and that “the vision is yet for many days,” seems to contradict Daniel’s statement (Verse 1): “he understood the thing and had understanding of the vision.” Was Gabriel implying he had not “understood the thing?”
He meant no such thing, if we recognize that Daniel understood (Verse 1) the 2300 day “mar’eh,” while here, Gabriel says he is “come to make [him] understand . . . the vision [chazown]” that is “yet . . . for many days [yown]” beyond the 2300 days [‘ereb boqer] vision “mar’eh” of Daniel 8:14.
Go back again and check out Daniel 8:26 where “the vision [mar’eh] of the [2300] evening and the morning . . . is true; wherefore shut thou up the vision [chazown]; for it shall be for many days,” which virtually repeats what Gabriel says here about the “chazown.” While Daniel did understand the 2300 day “mar’eh,” he did not comprehend the “chazown,” as implied in Daniel 12:8 where he says: “I heard, but I understood not.” Therefore, what was to “befall” his “people” during post 2300 “days” time, is what Gabriel now comes to explain.
Note also, that “what shall befall thy people in the latter days” [16] coincides with what he said in Daniel 8:17 and 19: “at the time of the end shall be the vision [chazown] . . . in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.”
The Commentary suggests: “The emphasis of this final clause of the verse is not so much upon the length of time in prospect, as upon the fact that the Lord has still further truth to be conveyed to Daniel by a vision.” [17] “Further truth to be conveyed” to be sure, but “length of time” is also “in prospect” if we take into consideration the parallel that exists between this verse and the “chazown” in Daniel 8:26.
Therefore, knowing the relationship of the “mar’eh” to the “chazown,” it becomes apparent that “length of time in prospect” is an important part of Gabriel’s exposition, because the “chazown” extends beyond the 2300-day “mar’eh,” although it is impossible, at this point in probationary time, to know how far it extends beyond the “mar’eh.”
To reassure yourself that we are on the right track, go back to Daniel 8:26 where Gabriel told Daniel (many years before) that “the vision [mar’eh] of the evening and the morning [2300 days of Verse 14] which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision [chazown]; for it shall be [18] for many [or “more”] days.” [19]
Therefore, while Daniel said he “had understanding of the vision [2300-day mar’eh in Verse 1],” here Gabriel tells Daniel he came to “make” him “understand what shall befall thy people in the latter [20] days: [21] for yet the vision [chazown] (that he was told: “shut thou up” in 8:26) is “for many” [22] [or “more”] days beyond the 2300-day “mar’eh.”
Therefore, the thrust of Gabriel’s message did have something to do with “the length of time in prospect” as well as “further truth to be conveyed to Daniel by [the chazown],” [23] which is inclusive of all the prophetic details depicted in Daniel 8, from the “ram” (Daniel 8:3) to the very “end” (Daniel 8:17) of time; whereas the “mar’eh” (that Daniel “understood”) covering all those details, came to its end on October 22, 1844.
Verse 15: And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
In other words, while he fell to the ground, just as he had before (Daniel 8:17), he now “became” speechless. So, while he “was astonished at the vision [mar’eh]” (Daniel 8:27) and had resigned himself to it (Daniel 10:1), Gabriel’s reference to the “chazown” here was even more astounding! Although this was the second time he was overcome, this time when he “set [his] face to the ground” and almost had a stroke, it could have been fatal were it not for Gabriel’s help.
Verse 16: And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision [mar’ah]my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
This Person, who bore “the similitude of the sons of men” must be the “certain man clothed in linen” of Verse 5 which was the Lord Himself. Note that he “touched” Daniel’s “lips” enabling him to speak, or, if Daniel actually had had a stroke, he immediately recovered because of the healing touch of the Savior. The incident reminds us of “the LORD” who asked Moses “Who hath made man’s mouth? Or who maketh the dumb . . . have not I the LORD?” (Exodus 4:11).
Then, regaining his power of speech, we might paraphrase Daniel’s words to say: the great sorrow brought to me by “the vision [mar’ah]” [24] has nearly killed me. In other words, the news, received more than a decade before, in the “third year of king Belshazzar” (Daniel 8:1) and “in the first year of Darius” (Daniel 9:1), was bad enough. But this news is even worse! However, it should be good news for us―Gabriel’s messages extend to our time, and even beyond! So, like Daniel, we have much more to learn.
Verse 17: For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
So, while the Savior’s healing touch enabled him to speak and give utterance to his sorrow, he was still very weak, and could hardly breathe.
Verses 18 & 19: Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, And 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.
At first glance, we might suppose this is still the Lord who “touched” Daniel. But, reading ahead to Verse 21, it appears this is Gabriel who also “touched” Daniel (Daniel 8:18, 9:21, 10:10). It was the Lord who “touched” only Daniel’s “lips” (Verse 16).
It is interesting, isn’t it? how Jesus and His right-hand man Gabriel worked together in ministering and informing the beloved prophet Daniel. So, both the Lord and Gabriel administered the healing “touch” to Daniel.
Verse 20: Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
“The Hebrew word here for ‘prince,’ sar, is the same as that employed previously. The angel had told Daniel that he was returning to continue the struggle with the powers of darkness that contended for control of the mind of the king of Persia. Then he looked further toward the future and indicated that when he finally would withdraw from the struggle, a revolution would ensue in world affairs. As long as God’s angel held at bay the evil forces seeking to dominate the Persian government, that empire stood. But when divine influence was withdrawn and the control of the leaders of the nation was left entirely to the powers of darkness, ruin for their empire quickly followed. Led by Alexander, the armies of Greece swept over the world and quickly extinguished the Persian Empire.” [25]
In this one verse Gabriel covered the sweep of history represented by the “ram,” which just recently took over power in 539 B.C., in Daniel’s time, to the “he goat” which conquered the Persian Empire 217 years later in 322 B.C.
“The Bible is the most ancient and the most comprehensive history that men possess. It came fresh from the fountain of eternal truth, and throughout the ages a divine hand has preserved its purity. It lights up the far-distant past, where human research in vain seeks to penetrate. In God’s word only do we behold the power that laid the foundations of the earth and that stretched out the heavens. Here only do we find an authentic account of the origin of nations. Here only is given a history of our race unsullied by human pride or prejudice.
“In the annals of human history the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as dependent on the will and prowess of man. The shaping of events seems, to a great degree, to be determined by his power, ambition, or caprice. But in the word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, behind, above, and through all the play and counterplay of human interests and power and passions, the agencies of the all-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of His own will.” [26]
Verse 21: But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
“The truth stated by the angel in this verse throws light on the revelation that follows. The ensuing prophecy, a record of war upon war, assumes greater meaning when understood in the light of what the angel has here observed. While men struggle with one another for earthly power, behind the scenes, and hidden from human eyes, an even greater struggle is going on, of which the ebb and flow of earthly affairs is a reflection.” [27]
Therefore, while Gabriel first referred to “the prince of Persia” followed by “the prince of Grecia” (Verse 20), he didn’t stop there, as we shall see in the next chapter, which is in addition to this chapter, with no intervening break in the sequential relationship between Chapters 10 and 11.
Gabriel seems to be saying that nobody knows more about all of this than I, except “Michael that ‘certain man clothed in linen” (Verse 5). But, in view of the word “holdeth” that is from a Hebrew word meaning to “strengthen” oneself, it seems Gabriel meant “Michael was the champion on God’s side of the great controversy.” [28]
Summary of Chapter 10: This chapter, since there is no division between them, is the introduction to Chapters 11 and 12. It begins with Daniel affirming that he understood the 2300-day “mar’eh” of Daniel 8:14. He then relates his encounter with Jesus, the “man clothed in linen,” and Gabriel, who came to inform him about the vision “chazown,” that we learned, particularly in Daniel 8:17 and 26, was “for the end.” This information nearly prostrated the prophet, but he recovered under Jesus’ and Gabriel’s healing hands.
Check out this diagram showing what Daniel understood, and the things he did not understand, which caused him such great concern:
[1] Prophets and Kings by E.G. White, pages 556, 557
[2] These dates (536/535) are from the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 856. But, according to Ussher, it was 534 B.C. Depending on source, there can be a difference of 2 & 3 years. Some date the first year of Cyrus as when he conquered Babylon (539 B.C.). However, Darius was placed in Babylon as co regent in 539 B.C. and died two years later, thus some date Cyrus rule as beginning at Darius death. Ezra (Ezra 1:1, 2) ties the first year of Cyrus to his decree to “build him [The Lord God] an house,” referencing Jeremiah 25:11, and that this would happen at the end of the 70 years of Babylonian captivity, which is generally accepted as 536 B.C. inclusive (Ibid page 446). So, take your pick!
[3] “vision” from “mar’eh” (Strong’s #4758)
[4] The word “vision” is also used in Daniel 10:7, 8 & 16, but it is translated from a slightly different Hebrew word “mar’ah” (Strong’s #4759) “mode of revelation, mirror.” Unfortunately, the Commentary seems to overlook that point because it, referring to Verses 7, 8 and 16, confirms that the word for vision in those verses is from “marah” but says nothing about “vision” from “mar’eh” (Strong’s #4758) in Verse 1. (see Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 857 [left column under “A thing.])
[5] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darius_I_of_Persia
[6] This was Darius I The Great who ruled 36 years from 522 to 486 B.C., not Darius the Mede noted in Daniel 9:1
[7] Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 858 (under “4. Four and twentieth day.”)
[8] E.G. White in Review and Herald, Febuary 8, 1881
[9] From the Online Computer Lexicon: #4759 “mar’ah mar-aw’ from 04758; TWOT – 2095g,2095h; n. KJV – vision 11, lookingglasses 1; 12. 1) vision 1a) mode of revelation 2) mirror
[10] From the Online Computer Lexicon: #4758 “mar’eh mar-eh’, from 07200; TWOT – 2095i; n m KJV – appearance 35, sight 18, countenance 11, vision 11, favoured 7, look upon 4, fair + 02896 2, misc 15; 103 1) sight, appearance, vision 1a) sight, phenomenon, spectacle, appearance, vision 1b) what is seen 1c) a vision (supernatural) 1d) sight, vision (power of seeing)
[11] Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 858 (bottom right column)
[12] “chasten” from the Hithapael form of “’anah” (Strong’s #6031) “to humble one self; to be afflicted”
[13] See Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 859 (under “13. Prince.”)
[14] Prophets and Kings by E.G. White, page 571, 572
[15] Ibid
[16] “latter days” from “‘achariytha” Strong’s #319 and “yowm” #3117. “Achariytha” is translated “the last end” in Daniel 8:19; “latter time” in 8:23; “the end” in 12:8. “Yowm” which is almost always indicative of a 24 hour “day” is used in Daniel 8:26, 27; 9:7, 15; 10:2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 14; 11:20, 33; and most importantly in 12:11, 12, and 13.
[17] Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 861 (under “For many days.”)
[18] if we omit the supplied words “shall be” the meaning remains the same, even though the remaining phraseology becomes rather rough.
[19] See full discussion in Daniel 8:26.
[20] “latter” from: “’achariyth” (Strong’s #319) “end x31, latter x12, last x7, posterity x3, reward x2, hindermost x1. It is translated “end” in Daniel 8:19; “latter time” in 8:23; “posterity” in 11:4; and “end” in 12:8.
[21] “days” is translated from “yowm” (Strong’s #3117) the same word for “days” in the last part of Daniel 8:26. Of the 2,287 times it is found in the Old Testament, the great majority refer to a literal 24-hour period of time, such as we see in Genesis 1. Less often, it can refer to a “year” or a general period of time.
[22] note that “many” in Daniel 8:26 is not a supplied word while “many” in Daniel 10:14 is supplied. Therefore, it seems to me, it is allowable to treat “many” in Daniel 10:14 as an unsupplied word.
[23] Here I am paraphrasing the Commentary’s phraseology in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 861.
[24] note that “vision” here is translated from “mar’ah” (Strong’s #4759) not “mar’eh” (Strong’s #4758). “Mar’ah” is the same word translated “vision” in verses 7 and 8 which seems to be intermediate between the “mar’eh” and the “chazown,” and therefore more nonspecific as compared to the 2300-day “mar’eh” in 8:16, 23, 26, 27 or the “chazown” of 8:1,2, 13, 15, 17 and 26, of the very end of time.
[25] see Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 861 (under “Prince of Grecia.”)
[26] Education by E.G. White, page 173
[27] Op cit.
[28] Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 862 (right column under “Your prince.) “holdeth” (Strong’s #2388)