# Daniel Chapter 10
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## Summary
Daniel has a vision whilst standing on the banks of the Tigris. Those with him flee and hide themselves but he see's a man clothed in finery with a face like lightning and eyes like burning torches. He hears his word and falls asleep but is set upright. He is assured that God has heard his prayers and he has come to make Daniel understand what is to happen in the latter days.

The man speaks with Daniel and his appearance strengthens Daniel. He questions if Daniel knows why he has come, before claiming he is engaged in a battle with the prince of Persia in which he is assisted by Michael, Daniels Prince. He intends to return to the battle but will first tell Daniel what is written in the book of life.

## Imagery and Theme's
One of the challenges of biblical hermeneutics is often how best to break up larger portions of the text. For the purpose of simplicity my revisions here have broken up books into chapter by chapter bites. However this is a prime example of when this doesn't really work. This chapter forms part of a much larger final vision that can be found throughout chapters 10-12. As such we have only seen part of what was revealed.

This vision is distinct so far given there is no bestial element to Daniels account. Yet Daniel has a confrontation with something that is evidently holy [set apart] given his physical response and the flight response of those around him. This one who appears in the likeness of a man offers whilst unnamed offers reassurance to Daniel and speaks to him from the book of Truth.

Unlike chapters 7-9 there are no references to the destruction of the rule of kings to be succeeded by the rule of a heavenly kingdom. This chapter instead seems to act as a prologue for what is to come in subsequent chapters. One can't help but wonder if Daniel suffered from narcolepsy given how often he falls asleep into a vision. This is obviously a modern assumption and certainly there is little evidence for such a supposition, but it is curious that his visions are often proceeded by unplanned sleep.

Interestingly the Tigris river is one of the two rivers referred to in the Enuma Elish as flowing from the eyes of Tiamut following her death at the hand of Marduk. As such this river held great significance to the Babylonians. This vision is a visual feast in the heart of the enemy camp[^1], and one can only wonder what the significance of the message to be revealed by this mysterious man will be.

[^1]: [Psalm 23:5](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+23%3A5&version=ESV)