Discovery BoxDaniel 10:10-20 
Context10:10 Then 1 a hand touched me and set me on my hands and knees. 2 10:11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are of great value. 3 Understand the words that I am about to 4 speak to you. So stand up, 5 for I have now been sent to you.” When he said this 6 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 mind 7 to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words. 10:13 However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia was opposing me for twenty-one days. But 8 Michael, one of the leading princes, came to help me, because I was left there 9 with the kings of Persia. 10:14 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to future days.”
10:15 While he was saying this to me, 10 I was flat on 11 the ground and unable to speak. 10:16 Then 12 one who appeared to be a human being 13 was touching my lips. I opened my mouth and started to speak, saying to the one who was standing before me, “Sir, 14 due to the vision, anxiety has gripped me and I have no strength. 10:17 How, sir, am I able to speak with you? 15 My strength is gone, 16 and I am breathless.” 10:18 Then the one who appeared to be a human being touched me again 17 and strengthened me. 10:19 He said to me, “Don’t be afraid, you who are valued. 18 Peace be to you! Be strong! Be really strong!” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened. I said, “Sir, you may speak now, 19 for you have given me strength.” 10:20 He said, “Do you know why I have come to you? 20 Now I am about to return to engage in battle with the prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece is coming.
1 tn Heb “Behold.”
2 tc Theodotion lacks “and the palms of my hands.”
tn Heb “on my knees and the palms of my hands.”
3 tn Or “a treasured person”; KJV “a man greatly beloved”; NASB “man of high esteem.”
4 tn The Hebrew participle is often used, as here, to refer to the imminent future.
5 tn Heb “stand upon your standing.”
6 tn Heb “spoke this word.”
7 tn Heb “gave your heart.”
8 tn Heb “and behold.”
9 tc The Greek version of Theodotion reads “I left him [i.e., Michael] there,” and this is followed by a number of English translations (cf. NAB, NRSV, NLT).
10 tn Heb “speaking to me according to these words.”
11 tn Heb “I placed my face toward.”
12 tn Heb “Behold.”
13 tc So most Hebrew
14 tn Heb “my lord,” here a title of polite address. Cf. v. 19.
15 tn Heb “How is the servant of this my lord able to speak with this my lord?”
16 tn Heb “does not stand.”
17 tn Heb “He added and touched me.” The construction is a verbal hendiadys.
18 tn Heb “treasured man.”
19 tn Heb “my lord may speak.”
20 sn The question is rhetorical, intended to encourage reflection on Daniel’s part.
