Daniel 10:5
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: | I lifted up my eyes, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. | I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz: |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedAfter three weeks of mourning and fasting, Daniel stood by the great river Hiddekel and saw a man clothed in linen, his loins girded with fine gold of Uphaz. The next verse describes his body, face, eyes, arms, feet and voice. This vision opens the revelation of chapters 10-11, about what would befall Daniel's people in the latter days. Daniel 10:2Daniel 10:3Daniel 10:4Daniel 10:5Daniel 10:6Daniel 10:14Daniel overview
SpeakingDaniel tells this in the first person. He was one of the young men of Judah taken to Babylon and named Belteshazzar. Daniel 10:1Daniel 10:2Daniel overview
ToThe book is written for God's people in exile and after it, and for later readers looking to the time of the end. Daniel overview
Also involvedThe verse describes a man clothed in linen. Later, in Daniel 12:6-7, a man clothed in linen stands upon the waters of the river and swears by him that lives for ever. Daniel 10:5Daniel 12:6Daniel 12:7
Daniel looks up and sees a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz. The next verse adds that his face was like lightning, his eyes like lamps of fire, and his voice like the voice of a multitude. The sight left Daniel with no strength, and the men with him quaked and fled to hide. Daniel 10:5Strong's H2296Daniel 10:6Daniel 10:7Daniel 10:8
By the side of the great river Hiddekel. Uphaz, where the gold came from, was a place famous for its gold. Daniel 10:4Strong's H0210
The eventsOn the twenty-fourth day of the first month, in the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, about 536 BC. Daniel 10:1Daniel 10:4Daniel overview
WrittenTraditional: Daniel wrote it in the 500s BC. Scholarly: many critical scholars date the book's final form to about 167-164 BC, while others hold to the 500s BC date. Daniel overview
HereThe vision prepares Daniel to understand what shall befall his people in the latter days. The messenger says Daniel's words were heard from the first day he set his heart to understand and to chasten himself before God. Daniel 10:12Daniel 10:14
In the whole of ScriptureThe book shows that God reveals secrets to those who seek him and rules over the kingdoms of men. In this chapter the messenger speaks of fighting the prince of Persia, and says that after that the prince of Grecia shall come. Daniel overviewDaniel 10:13Daniel 10:20
For readersDaniel's words were heard on the first day, though the messenger was withstood twenty-one days before he came. He told Daniel, Fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong. Daniel 10:12Daniel 10:13Daniel 10:19
Christians read this differently
The text does not name this man. Some read him as the Son of God himself, since Revelation 1:13-15 describes one like the Son of man with a golden girdle, feet like fine brass, and a mighty voice. Others read him as an angel, the same messenger who says the prince of Persia withstood him and Michael helped him, noting that the seven angels in Revelation 15:6 also wear white linen and golden girdles. Daniel 10:5Daniel 10:6Daniel 10:13Revelation 1:13Revelation 1:15Revelation 15:6
- linenבַּד
The word means linen or white linen. The man clothed in linen appears again in Daniel 12:6-7, a man clothed with linen appears in Ezekiel 9:2, and the seven angels in Revelation 15:6 are clothed in pure white linen. Strong's H0906Daniel 12:6Daniel 12:7Ezekiel 9:2Revelation 15:6
- Uphazאוּפָז
Uphaz means desire of fine gold and was a place famous for its gold. Jeremiah 10:9 also speaks of gold from Uphaz. Strong's H0210Jeremiah 10:9
Takeaway
Daniel 10:5 begins a great vision given to a man who had chastened himself before God. The messenger's words show that Daniel was heard from the first day, and that he came to make him understand his people's future. Daniel 10:5Daniel 10:12Daniel 10:14
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 I lifted up | וָאֶשָּׂ֤א | va-'e-SA' | H5375M | to lift: raiseנָשָׂא (na.sa) : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) … |
| eyes my | עֵינַי֙ | 'ei-NAI | H5869A | eyeעַ֫יִן (a.yin) : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.) |
| and I saw | וָאֵ֔רֶא | va-'E-re' | H7200G | to see: seeרָאָה (ra.ah) : see/show 1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to see 1a2) to see, perceive 1a3) to see, have vision 1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out 1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish 1a6) to look at, gaze at 1a7) to provide, choose 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to appear, present oneself 1b2) to be seen 1b3) to be visible 1c) (Pual) to be seen 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to see, show 1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at 1e) (Hophal) … |
| and there! | וְהִנֵּ֥ה | ve-hi-NEH | H2009 | beholdהִנֵּה (hin.neh) behold, lo, see, if |
| a man | אִישׁ־ | 'ish- | H0376G | manאִישׁ (ish) : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective) |
| one | אֶחָ֖ד | 'e-CHAD | H0259 | oneאֶחָד (e.chad) 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal) |
| clothed | לָב֣וּשׁ | la-VUSH | H3847 | to clotheלָבֵשׁ (la.vash) 1) to dress, wear, clothe, put on clothing, be clothed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put on clothes, be clothed, wear 1a2) to put on, be clothed with (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to be fully clothed 1c) (Hiphil) to clothe, array with, dress Aramaic equivalent: le.vash (לְבֵשׁ "to clothe" H3848) |
| linens | בַּדִּ֑ים | ba-DIM | H0906 | linenבַּד (bad) linen, white linen |
| and loins his | וּמָתְנָ֥יו | u-ma-te-NAV | H4975 | loinמׇתְנַ֫יִם (mo.ten) 1) loins, hips 1a) used with zar.zir (זַרְזִיר "greyhound" H2223) in Pr 30:31; perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning unknown |
| [were] girded | חֲגֻרִ֖ים | cha-gu-RIM | H2296 | to girdחָגַר (cha.gar) 1) to gird, gird on, gird oneself, put on a belt 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to gird 1a2) to gird on, bind on 1a3) to gird oneself |
| with [the] gold of | בְּכֶ֥תֶם | be-KHE-tem | H3800 | goldכֶּ֫תֶם (ke.tem) gold, pure gold |
| Uphaz | אוּפָֽז׃ | 'u-FAZ | H0210 | Uphazאוּפָז (u.phaz) § Uphaz = "desire of fine gold" a place famous for its gold |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.