Introduction

In this 2-part study, we interpret Daniel 10-12 based on an analysis of its chiastic structure. This prophecy makes predictions regarding a period that extends from the time of Daniel to the End of the World. This is one of the few prophecies that are explicitly designated as "sealed" (see 12:4, 12:9) (others are Daniel 8, Isaiah 7-9, Isaiah 28-33, Revelation).

In Part 1 we have a commentary on Daniel 10 (specifically Daniel 10:1-11:2a). This chapter primarily contains non-predictive information associated with the prophetic visions in Daniel 10-12.

In Part 2 we will show that Daniel 11-12 is a detailed prophecy in the form of a complex cryptochiasmus.

Discussion

1. The design of Daniel 10

Daniel 10-12 contains 3 Visions, and this chapter, Daniel 10, primarily details non-prophetic events that took place during the transmission of these 3 Visions. This rather unusual design was presumably employed so that the prophecy in Daniel 11-12 may be cryptochiastically structured without interruptions. ( Note that these divisions into Visions below are only associated with the transmission of prophecy and are unrelated to the prophetic Periods of cryptochiasmi.)

• Vision 1: Daniel saw the short, aborted vision in 10:20-11:1a in the third year of Cyrus (Dan 10:1). Daniel and an angel were the only visible actors in this Vision.
• Vision 2: The lengthy prophecy in 11:1c-12:3 was given to Daniel in the first year of Darius the Great (see 11:1). Daniel was with his companions at the beginning of this Vision (see 10:7). Daniel sees the prophecy of this Vision in a trance.
• Vision 3: The closing prophecy in 12:4-12:13 was given immediately after Vision 2 in the first year of Darius the Great. This prophecy came from 3 heavenly beings. The prophecy of this Vision is in the form of a conversation.

Daniel 10:1-11:2 contains 2 regular chiasmi and a Janus chiasmus. The regular chiasmi contain non-prophetic information about the 3 Visions. The Janus accentuates the closeness of this relationship between the largely non-prophetic Daniel 10 and the cryptochiasmus in Daniel 11-12; the Janus also contains Vision 1 and the beginning of Vision 2.

Definition of Janus Chiasmus: A Janus Chiasmus is a type of chiasmus that tightly binds two consecutive passages - it acts as a literary hinge or bridge. The Janus straddles the boundary between the two passages, and it has subunits in both. Like a regular chiasmus, the corresponding subunits of a Janus are approximately the same size and are related to each other in some sense. The Janus is named after the two-faced Roman god with faces looking in opposite directions.

2. The chiastic structure of Daniel 10:1-11:2

We will use the NIV translation. We have retranslated parts of the text.

3. A commentary on Daniel 10:1-11:2a

Chapter 10 1a In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia,

The third year of Cyrus as king of Medo-Persia began in the year 534BC, and we will treat this as the start date of the prophecy in Dan. 11&12 (see Dan. 12:7a) - we use this date to compute the date of the Final Judgement at the End of the World. ( Note that, in these ancient times, the calendar year did not begin on the 1st of January.)

When Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon (around Oct 539BC), Darius the Mede (Darius appears to be the throne name of Cyaxares II the Mede), the emperor of the Medo-Persians became the ruler of Babylon (see Dan. 5:30-31, 6:28, 9:1). ( The Persians and Medes, who were the two-horned ram of Dan. 8:3, enjoyed a stable alliance that was strengthened through marriage.) Cyrus himself officially became ruler of Babylon in 536BC after the elderly Darius the Mede died around 2 years into his reign (in order to agree with other prophecies - Jer. 29:10 and Matt. 24:37 - Cyrus' first year should be 536/535BC, so there must have been a gap of several months between Darius' death and Cyrus' ascension to the throne).

Chapter 10 1b a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar), and the message was true. With great difficulty, he discerned the prophecy, and had an understanding of the vision.

At this time, the third year of Cyrus, Daniel was given the short message in Vision 1. Daniel understood this vision with some difficulty, and the two things predicted in it came true in Daniel's lifetime ("the message was true"). ( Vision 2 and 3 were given on another day, and Daniel did not understand them because of their cryptochiastic structure - see Dan. 12:8-9.)

Chapter 10 2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

Daniel does not reveal the reason for his 3 weeks of fasting, praying and mourning, but, based on some of the events of the Janus below, we propose that he was greatly concerned about the opposition that the Judahites faced to rebuilding Jerusalem's temple, particularly from the Persian courts (see Ezra 4:4-5) - although Cyrus had initially helped the Judahites rebuild their temple, he was apparently away on his military campaigns, and his subordinates had been bribed into opposing the Judahites' reconstruction. ( An edict by Cyrus in his first year, which started in 536BC, had just allowed the Judahites to return to Judea from Babylon in 535BC - Ezra 1:1-4. They had been exiled to Babylon 70 years prior, beginning from the fourth year of Jehoiakim and after the battle of Carchemish in 605BC - Jer. 29:10, Jer. 25:1-12, Jer. 46:2.)

Chapter 10 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris,

Daniel reveals the exact date of the vision, down to the day, the twenty-fourth day of the first month - Tishri. ( We believe that this prophecy follows the secular fall-to-fall Hebrew calendar - like other prophecies, such as the '1 week' Period of Daniel 9 - so Tishri is the first month, and not Nisan.)

Chapter 10 5 I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

This man that Daniel sees by the Tigris river is the Archangel Michael, as we show in the analysis of the Janus below. We believe that the physical characteristics of this angel figuratively represent facts about him: the linen represents righteousness (Rev. 19:8); the belt of finest gold from Uphaz indicates royalty/leadership (he is the "prince" of vs 21); his body glitters like a jewel, representing the brilliance of his accomplishments (for ex see Rev 12:7-9); his face shines brightly, presumably from being in the presence of God (Exo. 24:39); the flaming eyes indicate knowledge and insight (Isa. 11:2); his bronze feet represent spiritual strength (Zech. 6:1, Rev. 19:11); and the loud voice presumably indicates that his words will be carried around the world. ( Note that the physical appearance of this angel is similar to that of the angel described in Rev. 1:13-16.)

Chapter 10 7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves.

When the Archangel Michael returns to give the prophecy of Vision 2 (that begins in 11:1c), Daniel is not alone, but he is the only one among his companions who sees the vision. Though his companions do not see anything supernatural, they are overcome by a sense of dread and flee.

Chapter 10 8 So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless.

The vision is so overwhelming that Daniel's face goes pale, and he is rendered weak and helpless from fear. ( In the book of Revelation, the apostle John is similarly affected by the vision of this angel - Rev. 1:17.)

Chapter 10 9 Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I was in a trance, my face to the ground.

The angel gives Daniel the prophecy of Vision 2 in 11:1c-12:3, and Daniel listens to the lengthy prophecy in a spiritual trance, standing (see Subunit B2 below) with his head bowed ("face to the ground"). ( The events of this passage occur after those in 10:10-11 in subunit B2 below.)

This subunit continues from 10:7-8 in the corresponding Subunit B1 above.

Chapter 10 10 A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

Daniel appears to have fainted and fallen at the sight of Michael, because Michael comforts him and helps him gradually get back up onto his feet (we will assume the "hand" is Michael's). Daniel remains standing as the Archangel Michael begins to give him the prophecy of Vision 2 (see Pivot X above); Daniel is highly esteemed and so worthy this great prophecy.

This subunit continues from 10:2-6 in the corresponding Subunit A1 above.

Chapter 10 12 He said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, the first of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.

The Archangel Michael had come in reply to Daniel's prayers (see 10:2-3 in Subunit A1) to convey a message from another unnamed, powerful Heavenly Being; Michael speaks in the first person as though he himself were that Heavenly Being (Michael only speaks as himself in Ch. 11:1). Daniel had prayed for an understanding of God's plans for the Judahites (see 10:14) and that all opposition to the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem be thwarted. In reply, the Heavenly Being (that Michael represented) wrestled with the angel of Persia, so that the angel ("prince") of Persia may influence the court of Persia to deal favourably with the Judahites. Michael may have gone to his aid because the Archangel was responsible for the Israelites (see 12:1), and because he had the power to fight the mighty angel of Persia (10:21). The Heavenly Being wrestled with the angel who controlled Persia for 21 days. This is the same length of time for which Daniel fasted and prayed in 10:2-3, which implies that the Heavenly Being responded to Daniel's request as soon as he started praying (vs. 12).

Michael is the first of the chief princes (see 1 Enoch 24:6), the chief commander of the angels, the "Prince of Princes" (see Dan. 8:25), the Archangel. Powerful fallen angels ("princes") have been given dominion over the various regions and nations of the earth (see Psalm 82, Deut.32:8); control over God's portion, Israel (see Deut. 32:9), has been delegated to Michael (see Dan 12:1).

Chapter 10 14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the more distant future, for the vision concerns times yet to come.”

Daniel was not only concerned about the immediate problems of the Judahites but also wished to understand God's long-term plans for them ("set your mind to gain understanding" in vs 12). So the Heavenly Being sent Michael to also give Daniel the prophecies in Daniel 11&12.

The wars predicted in Periods 1 and 2 of Vision 2 affected the Judahites directly and indirectly: Alexander's battles changed Judea's neighbourhood, and the Syrian wars of Ch 11 sometimes spilled over into Judea; but the event that affected the Judahites the most was the First Jewish-Roman War. The prophecies of Periods 3 and 4 of Visions 2 and 3 affect all mankind and they extend to the end of the world.

After the events of this Unit A, the prophecies of Vision 1 were given to Daniel, beginning from 10:20 below.

Chapter 10 15 While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground. I became speechless. 16a Then one who looked like the sons of men touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and could speak.

While Michael was giving Daniel the prophecy of Vision 2, Daniel's head was bowed ("face toward the ground") and he was in a trance (see 10:9 above). When he wakes up from the trance at the end of the prophecy of Vision 2, Daniel realizes that he cannot speak; so an heavenly being ("one who looked like the sons of men" - see 10:5) touches Daniel's lips, and he could speak again - he needs to speak for Vision 3, which is in the form of a conversation. Between vision 2 and 3, two other heavenly beings join Michael (see 12:5), both of them apparently taking the forms of men, and we presume that the one closest to Daniel ("one on this bank" - 12:5) touched his lips.

Chapter 10 16b I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anxiety because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. 17 How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe. 18 Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength.”

After the momentous prophecy regarding the date of the End of the World (in 12:5-7a of Vision 3) from the 3 heavenly beings, Daniel is once again overwhelmed and weakened. So the heavenly being closest to Daniel ("one who looked like a man") touches and strengthens him once more for the closing conversation between Michael and Daniel in 12:7b-13.

This subunit continues from 10:15-16a of the corresponding Subunit A1 above.

Chapter 10 19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”

Michael reassures Daniel, saying that he need not fear because he is highly esteemed. Daniel is strengthened, so that he can pay attention to the next prophecy regarding dates and times. For after this Unit A, the prophecy of Vision 3 from the 3 heavenly beings is given to Daniel, starting from 12:4.

This Janus straddles the prophecies in Dan 10 and Dan 11-12. The last section of Daniel 10 forms Leg 1 of the Janus and the beginning of Daniel 11 forms Leg 2, as detailed below:

• Leg 1 (Subunits A1, B1, C1) consists of the short vision, Vision 1 (10:20-11:1a), that is conveyed to Daniel after the events of Unit A (10:2-6, 10:12-14) in Chiasmus 1 above.
• Pivot X is the introductory passage (11:1b) that dates the prophecy of Daniel 11-12.
• Leg 2 (Subunits A2, B2, C2) contains the beginning of Vision 2 (11:1c-2b) that is given to Daniel after the events of Unit B in Chiasmus 1 above (10:7-8,10:10-11). Daniel is in a trance while the angel conveys the prophecy of Vision 2 to him, as stated in the Pivot X (10:9) of Chiasmus 1 above.

Chapter 10 20a So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you?

At this start of this vision, Vision 1, the Heavenly Being reminds Daniel of the purpose of his coming with a rhetorical question: "You do know why I have come to you, don't you?". And according to Unit A (10:2-6, 10:12-14) in Chiasmus 1, he comes for two reasons:

• To reassure Daniel that his prayers regarding the Judahites' immediate concerns were being addressed: In Subunit C1 below, the Heavenly Being and Michael go back to continue their negotiations with the Prince of Persia, and in subunit C2, Michael returns to say he was successful.
• To convey a prophecy regarding the future of Judahites: In Subunit B1 below, the Heavenly Being promises to return with a prophecy regarding the Judahites' future, and, in Subunit B2, he returns with the prophecy.

Note that both these predictions of Vision 1 were fulfilled in Daniel's lifetime, so that he could say in 10:1 that "the message was true".

Chapter 10 20b I must immediately return to fight against the prince of Persia. I leave now. Look, the prince of Greece has come.

The Heavenly Being had initially planned to give Daniel the lengthy prophecy of Dan. 11-12 at this time. But before he could do so, he sees that the angel of Greece has come to support him against Persia, and so he must immediately return to the negotiations with the angel of Persia - Persia and Greece had a hostile relationship after Cyrus conquered the Greek region of Ionia in 547BC. ( These passages are designed to give us a glimpse into the workings of the angelic realm.)

Chapter 10 21a Truly I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth.

The Heavenly Being promises to return on another date to give Daniel the prophecy of Daniel 11-12. The prophecy is excerpted from the "Book of Truth", a heavenly "Book" of the prophecies of God (cf. Psalm 139:16).

Chapter 10 21b No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.
11:1a I do.

Michael, speaking as the Heavenly Being. says he needs Michael's help to battle the prince of Persia, because Michael is the prince responsible for the Judahites (see also Dan 12:1), and he has the strength to battle the powerful fallen angel that controls Persia. Michael, speaking for himself, confirms that he aids the Heavenly Being ("I do"); we contend that this serves as evidence for our position that Michael is the angel that conveys this prophecy to Daniel.

11 1b In the first year of Darius the Mede:

This pivot of the Janus should be considered the first line of the prophecy in Dan. 11-12, and like most first-lines in Daniel, this one helps date the prophecy. The "Darius the Mede" of this verse is Darius the Great, whose reign began in 522BC (the prophecy of Daniel 10 was given during Cyrus' reign and the prophecy of Daniel 11-12 was given after that, so this Darius is not the Darius the Mede of Dan. 5:31, who reigned before Cyrus).

The vision of Leg 1 of this Janus occurs in 534BC (see 10:1) and that of Leg 2 occurs in 522BC, and this Janus joins these two prophecies that were given 12 years apart.

11 1c I took my stand to support and strengthen him.

In subunit C1 above, Michael, speaking for the Heavenly Being, says, "Michael supports me". In this subunit, Michael, speaking for himself, tells Daniel, on his return, that he helped the Heavenly Being successfully fight the prince of Persia.

The prophecy of C1 was made in 534BC during Cyrus' reign and the Heavenly Being and Michael return after battling the Prince of Persia, around 522BC. Throughout these 12 years of this battle in the angelic realm, the Judahites faced opposition to the construction of the temple from the Persian courts (see Ezra 4:5), and it was only at the time of this Vision 2, after Darius the Great's accession to the throne (522BC), that the Judahites could resume rebuilding Jerusalem's temple (see Ezra 4:24).

11:2a Now then, I tell you the truth:

In Subunit B1, the Heavenly Being promised to return and give Daniel a prophecy after battling the prince of Persia. Here in B2, he returns and says that he will now give Daniel the prophecy. So the prophecy of subunit B1 is fulfilled in B2.

11 2b Three more kings will arise in Persia, and the fourth will be far richer than all the others. When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.

The angelic princes of Greece and Persia continue to fight each other more than 50 years after the events of the corresponding subunit A1, and this quarrel manifests itself in Xerxes' assault on Greece ("stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece") (480BC).

This passage is the beginning of Period 1 of the cryptochiasmus in Dan 11-12. See additional commentary on this passage in Part 2.

References