Daniel 10:5-6

10:5 I looked up¹ and saw a² man³ clothed in linen;⁴ around his waist was a belt made of gold from Upaz.⁵ 10:6 His body resembled yellow jasper,⁶ and his face had an appearance like lightning. His eyes were like blazing torches;⁷ his arms and feet had the gleam of polished bronze. His voice⁸ thundered forth like the sound of a large crowd.

Daniel 10:11-12

10:11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are of great value.⁹ Understand the words that I am about to¹⁰ speak to you. So stand up,¹¹ for I have now been sent to you.” When he said this¹² to me, I stood up shaking. 10:12 Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day you applied your mind¹³ to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words.

¹tn Heb “I lifted up my eyes.”

²tn Heb “one.” The Hebrew numerical adjective is used here like an English indefinite article.

³sn The identity of the messenger is not specifically disclosed. Presumably he is an unnamed angel. Some interpreters identify him as Gabriel, but there is no adequate reason for doing so.

⁴tn The Hebrew word בַּדִּים (baddim) is a plural of extension. See GKC 396-97 §124.a, b, c and Joüon 2:500 §136.c.

⁵tn The location of this place and even the exact form of the Hebrew name אוּפָז (’ufaz) are uncertain. Apparently it was a source for pure gold. (See Jer 10:9.) The Hebrew word פָז (paz, “refined gold” or “pure gold”) is more common in the OT than אוּפָז, and some scholars emend the text of Dan 10:5 to read this word. Cf. also “Ophir” (1 Kgs 9:28; Isa 13:12; Job 22:24; 28:16).

⁶tn The Hebrew word translated “yellow jasper” is תַּרשִׁישׁ (tarshish); it appears to be a semiprecious stone, but its exact identity is somewhat uncertain. It may be the yellow jasper, although this is conjectural. Cf. NAB, NIV “chrysolite”; NASB, NRSV “beryl.”

⁷tn Heb “torches of fire.”

⁸tn Heb “The sound of his words” (cf. v. 9).

⁹tn Or “a treasured person”; KJV “a man greatly beloved”; NASB “man of high esteem.”

¹⁰tn The Hebrew participle is often used, as here, to refer to the imminent future.

¹¹tn Heb “stand upon your standing.”

¹²tn Heb “spoke this word.”

¹³tn Heb “gave your heart.”