Daniel 10:12
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. | “Do not be afraid, Daniel,” he said, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. | Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, and to humble thyself before thy God, thy words were heard: and I am come for thy words’ sake. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedAfter three weeks of mourning, eating no pleasant bread, flesh, or wine, Daniel sees a great vision and falls helpless to the ground. A heavenly messenger lifts him and tells him not to fear: God heard his words from the very first day he set his heart to understand and to chasten himself before God. The messenger has come because of those words, though 'the prince of the kingdom of Persia' withstood him twenty-one days. Daniel 10:2Daniel 10:3Daniel 10:8Daniel 10:10Daniel 10:11Daniel 10:12Daniel 10:13
Commonly taken out of context
How it’s often usedQuoted as a general rule that any prayer that seems unanswered is being blocked by demons, and that fasting twenty-one days will break through and bring the answer.
In contextThe verse stresses that Daniel was heard from the first day, not after his three weeks were fulfilled. What was delayed was a messenger bringing a specific message about Daniel's people, and the next verse ties the delay to the prince of Persia withstanding him and its end to Michael coming to help, not to Daniel's fast being completed. Daniel 10:12Daniel 10:13Daniel 10:14Daniel 10:3
SpeakingA heavenly messenger who says 'unto thee am I now sent.' The chapter does not give his name. Daniel 10:11Daniel 10:12
ToDaniel, called 'a man greatly beloved,' who has been mourning for three full weeks. Daniel 10:2Daniel 10:3Daniel 10:11
Also involvedDaniel's people: the messenger has come to make Daniel understand 'what shall befall thy people in the latter days.' Daniel 10:14
The messenger calms Daniel's fear and explains why he has come. Daniel's words were heard on the first day he set his heart to understand and to chasten himself before God. The messenger says, 'I am come for thy words.' Daniel 10:12Daniel 10:14
By the side of the great river Hiddekel, in the reign of Cyrus king of Persia. Daniel 10:4Daniel 10:1
The eventsIn the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, about 536 BC, on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, after Daniel's three full weeks of mourning. Daniel 10:1Daniel 10:2Daniel 10:4Daniel overview
WrittenTraditional: written by Daniel in the 500s BC, with this vision dated about 536 BC. Scholarly: many critical scholars date the book's final form to about 167-164 BC, while others keep the 500s BC date, pointing to Jesus' words in Matthew 24:15 and the book's knowledge of the Babylonian court. Daniel overview
HereTo assure a trembling Daniel that his humble seeking was heard from the first day, so he can stand and receive the message about his people. Daniel 10:11Daniel 10:12Daniel 10:14Daniel 10:19
In the whole of ScriptureDaniel shows that God reveals secrets to those who seek him and rules over the kingdoms of men. Here the messenger was withstood by 'the prince of the kingdom of Persia' until Michael, 'one of the chief princes,' came to help, and God's message still reached his servant; the text does not explain further who the prince of Persia is. The same pattern appears in Daniel 9:23: 'At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee.' Daniel overviewDaniel 10:13Daniel 10:20Daniel 10:21Daniel 9:23
For readersGod hears humble prayer from the start, even when the answer arrives later. Scripture says the same elsewhere: 'Cornelius, thy prayer is heard' (Acts 10:31), and 'Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer' (Isaiah 58:9). Daniel 10:12Daniel 10:13Acts 10:31Isaiah 58:9
Christians read this differently
The text does not name the man clothed in linen (10:5-6) or say plainly whether he is the one who speaks in 10:12, since later verses speak of 'one like the similitude of the sons of men' touching Daniel. Some read the man in linen as an appearance of the Son of God before his birth, with a separate angel touching and speaking to Daniel. Others read the man in linen and the speaker as one angelic messenger, like the one who says 'I am come to shew thee' in Daniel 9:23, who here needed Michael's help (10:13). Daniel 10:5Daniel 10:6Daniel 10:10Daniel 10:13Daniel 10:16Daniel 10:18Daniel 9:23
- to understandבִּין
It means to discern, perceive, or understand. The chapter keeps returning to understanding: Daniel 'had understanding of the vision' (10:1), is told 'understand the words' (10:11), and the messenger comes 'to make thee understand' (10:14). Strong's H0995Daniel 10:1Daniel 10:11Daniel 10:14
The word means to afflict, humble, or bow down, and here it is glossed 'to humble yourself.' In the chapter this matches Daniel's three weeks without pleasant bread, flesh, wine, or anointing (10:2-3). Strong's H6031BDaniel 10:2Daniel 10:3
- they were heardשָׁמַע
The word means to hear or listen, and its meanings include 'to be heard' and 'to be regarded'; here it is glossed 'they were heard.' Daniel's words were heard from the first day, the same assurance given to Cornelius: 'thy prayer is heard' (Acts 10:31). Strong's H8085GDaniel 10:12Acts 10:31
- words yourדָּבָר
It means speech, word, or saying. The verse says Daniel's words were heard and the messenger came 'for thy words,' so his coming is tied directly to what Daniel had spoken before God. Strong's H1697GDaniel 10:12
Takeaway
God heard Daniel the very first day he humbly set his heart to seek understanding. The answer came later, but a late answer did not mean an unheard prayer, so Daniel was told, 'Fear not.' Daniel 10:12Daniel 10:13Daniel 10:19
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
The world around the text
About 605-536 BC. King of Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC). Where Daniel lived and served for about seventy years. The capital of the Babylonian empire, on the Euphrates south of modern Baghdad, in the land the Bible calls Shinar and Chaldea.
Who ruled
- King of BabylonNebuchadnezzar605-562 BC
The king who besieged Jerusalem, carried Daniel and the temple vessels to Babylon, and later destroyed the city and temple. His own building inscriptions boast of the Babylon he built. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 24:12 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 25:1Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- Last king of Babylon, and his son who ruled in his placeNabonidus and Belshazzar556-539 BC
Nabonidus spent about ten years at the oasis of Tema in Arabia and left his son Belshazzar to rule in Babylon. That is why Belshazzar could only offer Daniel the place of "third ruler in the kingdom": he was himself second. Daniel 5:1Daniel 5:7Daniel 5:29Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Verse Account of Nabonidus
- Received the kingdom after Babylon fellDarius the MedianFrom 539 BC
Daniel says he "took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old" and set 120 princes over it. Records outside the Bible do not name him; he has been identified with Gubaru, the governor Cyrus set over Babylon, or with Cyrus himself. Daniel 5:31Daniel 6:1Daniel 9:1Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)
- King of PersiaCyrus559-530 BC
He united the Medes and Persians, took Babylon in 539 BC, and let the exiles go home to rebuild the temple, as Isaiah had named him beforehand. Daniel 1:21Daniel 6:28Daniel 10:1Ezra 1:1-4Isaiah 44:28-45:1Cyrus Cylinder
- King of JudahJehoiakim609-598 BC
Judah's king when Daniel was taken. Jeremiah warned him and his people that the land would serve Babylon seventy years. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 23:36-24:6Jeremiah 25:1-11
What was happening, 612 BC to 167 BC
- 612 BCWarNineveh falls
Babylon and the Medes destroyed Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, as Nahum and Zephaniah had foretold. Babylon became the great power of the region. Nahum 3:7Zephaniah 2:13Fall of Nineveh Chronicle (ABC 3)
- 605 BCWarBattle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar defeated Pharaoh Necho of Egypt at Carchemish on the Euphrates, in Jehoiakim's fourth year. The same year he came against Jerusalem and took the first captives, Daniel among them. Jeremiah 46:2Daniel 1:1-4Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 597 BCWarJerusalem surrenders
Nebuchadnezzar took King Jehoiachin, his nobles and craftsmen to Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel went into exile with them. 2 Kings 24:10-17Ezekiel 1:2Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 586 BCWarJerusalem and the temple destroyed
Babylon's army burned the temple and the city and broke down its walls. Daniel later prays over "the desolations of Jerusalem" and asks God to shine on his "sanctuary that is desolate." 2 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 52:12-14Daniel 9:2Daniel 9:17
- c. 575 BCBuildingBabylon rebuilt in splendor
Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt Babylon with great walls, palaces and the blue-glazed Ishtar Gate, and his inscriptions praise his own work. Compare his boast: "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built?" Daniel 4:30Nebuchadnezzar's East India House InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 1.178-183
- 562 BCRulersNebuchadnezzar dies
His son Evil-merodach became king and released Jehoiachin of Judah from prison. 2 Kings 25:27-30Jeremiah 52:31-34
- c. 553-543 BCRulersNabonidus leaves Babylon to Belshazzar
King Nabonidus stayed at Tema in Arabia for about ten years, and the yearly New Year festival in Babylon was not held. Belshazzar governed in Babylon. Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Daniel 5:1Daniel 7:1
- 550 BCWarCyrus unites the Medes and Persians
Cyrus of Persia defeated Astyages king of the Medes, joining the two peoples in one kingdom. Daniel's vision names the ram's two horns as "the kings of Media and Persia," the higher coming up last. Daniel 8:3Daniel 8:20Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.127-130
- October 539 BCWarBabylon falls to Cyrus
Cyrus's army entered Babylon without a long siege. Herodotus says the people were feasting when the city was taken. Daniel records that "in that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain." Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.191Cyrus Cylinder
- 538 BCGod's peopleCyrus lets the exiles return
In his first year over Babylon, Cyrus proclaimed that the Jews could go back and build the LORD's house in Jerusalem. Daniel "continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus." Ezra 1:1-42 Chronicles 36:22-23Daniel 1:21Cyrus Cylinder
- c. 536 BCGod's peopleThe temple's foundation is laid
The returned exiles rebuilt the altar and laid the foundation of the temple. In the third year of Cyrus, Daniel was still in the east, mourning and praying. Ezra 3:1-11Daniel 10:1-3
- 334-331 BCWarAlexander the Great conquers Persia
Alexander of Macedon crossed into Asia and overthrew the Persian empire within four years. Daniel 8:21 names the rough goat as "the king of Grecia" and its great horn as "the first king." Daniel 8:5-8Daniel 8:21Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 1-3
- 323-301 BCWarAlexander's empire is divided
Alexander died young, and after twenty years of war his generals divided his empire, chiefly into four kingdoms. Daniel 8:22 says "four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power." Daniel 8:8Daniel 8:22Daniel 11:4Diodorus Siculus, Library 18-20Plutarch, Demetrius 28-30
- 167 BCWarAntiochus IV defiles the temple
The Greek king Antiochus IV banned Jewish worship and set up a pagan altar on the altar of burnt offering. 1 Maccabees calls it "the abomination of desolation." Two centuries later Jesus spoke of "the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet" as still to come. 1 Maccabees 1:54-59Josephus, Antiquities 12.5.4Matthew 24:15
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records of these years (the Babylonian Chronicles, the Cyrus Cylinder, Nebuchadnezzar's inscriptions) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Diodorus, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| and he said | וַיֹּ֣אמֶר | vai-YO-mer | H0559 | to sayאָמַר (a.mar) 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560) |
| to me | אֵלַי֮ | 'e-LAI | H0413 | to(wards)אֶל (el) 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to) |
| may not | אַל־ | 'al- | H0408 | notאַל (al) 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409) |
| you fear | תִּירָ֣א | ti-RA' | H3372G | to fearיָרֵא (ya.re) : frightening(DANGER) 1) to fear, revere, be afraid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fear, be afraid 1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed 1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared 1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe 1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe 1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify 2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour |
| O Daniel | דָנִיֵּאל֒ | da-ni-yeL | H1840G | Belteshazzarבֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר (be.le.te.shats.tsar) A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezk.14.14; also called Belteshazzar at Dan.1.7; 2.26; 4.8,9,18,19; 5.12; 10.1; Another name of da.niy.yel (דָּנִיֵּאל, דָּנִאֵל "Daniel" H1840G) § Belteshazzar = "lord of the straitened's treasure" … |
| for | כִּ֣י׀ | ki | H3588A | forכִּי (ki) 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore |
| from | מִן־ | min- | H4480A | fromמִן־ (min) prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that … |
| the day | הַיּ֣וֹם | hai-YOM | H3117G | dayיוֹם (yom) : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow |
| the first | הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן | ha-ri-SHON | H7223G | firstרִאשׁוֹן (ri.shon) : first adj 1) first, primary, former 1a) former (of time) 1a1) ancestors 1a2) former things 1b) foremost (of location) 1c) first (in time) 1d) first, chief (in degree) adv 2) first, before, formerly, at first |
| which | אֲשֶׁ֨ר | 'a-SHER | H0834A | whichאֲשֶׁר (a.sher) A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when |
| you gave | נָתַ֧תָּ | na-TA-ta | H5414H | to give: giveנָתַן (na.tan) : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted … |
| heart your | לִבְּךָ֛ | li-be-KHA | H3820A | mindבָּל (bal) mind, heart Aramaic of lev (לֵב "heart" H3820A) |
| to understand | לְהָבִ֧ין | le-ha-VIN | H0995 | to understandבִּין (bin) 1) to discern, understand, consider 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to perceive, discern 1a2) to understand, know (with the mind) 1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider 1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding 1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to understand 1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach 1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently 1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct 2) (TWOT) prudent, regard |
| and to humble yourself | וּלְהִתְעַנּ֛וֹת | u-le-hit-'a-NOT | H6031B | to afflictעָנָה (a.nah) 1) to afflict, oppress, humble, be afflicted, be bowed down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be put down, become low 1a2) to be depressed, be downcast 1a3) to be afflicted 1a4) to stoop 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to humble oneself, bow down 1b2) to be afflicted, be humbled 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to humble, mishandle, afflict 1c2) to humble, be humiliated 1c3) to afflict 1d4) to humble, weaken oneself 1d) (Pual) 1d1) to be afflicted 1d2) to be humbled 1e) (Hiphil) to afflict 1f) (Hithpael) 1f1) to humble oneself 1f2) to be afflicted Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָי "to afflict" H6033) |
| to before | לִפְנֵ֥י | lif-NEI | H6440G | face: beforeפָּנֶה (pa.neh) : before/to/front 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of |
| God your | אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ | 'e-lo-HEI-kha | H0430G | Godאֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| they were heard | נִשְׁמְע֣וּ | nish-me-'U | H8085G | to hear: hearשָׁמַע (sha.ma) : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound … |
| words your | דְבָרֶ֑יךָ | de-va-REI-kha | H1697G | wordדָּבָר (da.var) : word/speech/command 1) speech, word, speaking, thing 1a) speech 1b) saying, utterance 1c) word, words 1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension) |
| and I | וַאֲנִי־ | va-'a-ni- | H0589 | meאֲנָא (a.na) I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis) Aramaic of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589) |
| I have come | בָ֖אתִי | VA-ti | H0935G | to come (in): comeבּוֹא (bo) : come/go_in 1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to enter, come in 1a2) to come 1a2a) to come with 1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy) 1a2c) to come to pass 1a3) to attain to 1a4) to be enumerated 1a5) to go 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to lead in 1b2) to carry in 1b3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon 1b4) to bring to pass 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought, brought in 1c2) to be introduced, be put |
| on words your | בִּדְבָרֶֽיךָ׃ | bid-va-REI-kha | H1697G | wordדָּבָר (da.var) : word/speech/command 1) speech, word, speaking, thing 1a) speech 1b) saying, utterance 1c) word, words 1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.