Dan 10:16-11:1 | NETfull | STEP | Then one who appeared to be a human being was touching my lips. I opened my mouth and started to speak, saying to the one who was standing before me, “Sir, due to the vision, anxiety has gripped me and I have no strength.

Daniel 10:16-21

16 Then ^{▼▼ Heb “Behold.”} one who appeared to be a human being ^{▼▼ So most Hebrew MSS; one Hebrew MS along with the Dead Sea Scrolls and LXX read “something that looked like a man’s hand.”} was touching my lips. I opened my mouth and started to speak, saying to the one who was standing before me, “Sir, ^{▼▼ Heb “my lord,” here a title of polite address. Cf. v. 19.} due to the vision, anxiety has gripped me and I have no strength. 17 How, sir, am I able to speak with you? ^{▼▼ Heb “How is the servant of this my lord able to speak with this my lord?”} My strength is gone, ^{▼▼ Heb “does not stand.”} and I am breathless.” 18 Then the one who appeared to be a human being touched me again ^{▼▼ Heb “He added and touched me.” The construction is a verbal hendiadys.} and strengthened me. 19 He said to me, “Don’t be afraid, you who are valued. ^{▼▼ Heb “treasured man.”} Peace be to you! Be strong! Be really strong!” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened. I said, “Sir, you may speak now, ^{▼▼ Heb “my lord may speak.”} for you have given me strength.” 20 He said, “Do you know why I have come to you? ^{▼▼ The question is rhetorical, intended to encourage reflection on Daniel’s part.} Now I am about to return to engage in battle with the prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece is coming. 21 However, I will first tell you what is written in a dependable book. ^{▼▼ Heb “a book of truth.” Several English versions treat this as a title of some sort (cf. NIV, NCV, TEV, CEV, NLT), although the NAB’s rendering “the truthful book” regards “truth” as an attributive adjective, as does the present translation.} (There is no one who strengthens me against these princes, ^{▼▼ The word “princes” is supplied for clarity.} except Michael your ^{▼▼ The pronoun is plural in Hebrew, suggesting that Michael is the angelic prince of Daniel and his people.} prince.

Daniel 11:1

1 And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I ^{▼▼ The antecedent of the pronoun “I” is the angel, not Daniel. The traditional chapter division at this point, and the presence of a chronological note in the verse similar to ones used elsewhere in the book to position Daniel’s activities in relation to imperial affairs, sometimes lead to confusion on this matter.} stood to strengthen him and to provide protection for him.)