Who is the man described in Daniel 10:5, and what is his significance? Daniel 10:5 – The Pivotal Verse “I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.” The verse introduces a majestic figure whose appearance, words, and mission shape the remainder of Daniel 10–12. Identifying this “man” and grasping his significance opens a window onto the nature of heavenly beings, the reality of spiritual warfare, and the foreshadowing of Christ’s triumph. Immediate Setting and Literary Context Daniel is in mourning and prayer in the third year of Cyrus king of Persia (10:1–3). By the Tigris River, he alone sees the supernatural visitor; his companions flee in terror (10:7). The encounter inaugurates one continuous vision that runs through chapter 12. Linguistically, the Hebrew noun ʾîš (“man”) is a generic term occasionally applied to human messengers (Genesis 32:24) but frequently to angelic or divine figures (Ezekiel 9:2–3; Daniel 8:16). Physical Description in 10:5–6 • Linen garments – priestly purity (Exodus 28:42; Ezekiel 44:17) • Belt of gold from Uphaz – royalty and incorruptibility; Uphaz is either a poetic form of Ophir or an eastern mining region known for refined gold (Jeremiah 10:9). • Body like chrysolite, face like lightning, eyes like flaming torches, arms and legs like polished bronze, voice like the roar of a multitude (10:6) – imagery re-used in Revelation 1:13–15 of the glorified Christ. Two Historical Interpretations 1. The Archangel/Messenger View • Chapters 8 and 9 feature Gabriel bringing revelation. • In 10:13 “Michael, one of the chief princes,” comes to assist “me,” suggesting the speaker is a fellow angel subordinate to God. • The angelic combat with the “prince of Persia” (10:13, 20) parallels Jude 9 where Michael disputes with Satan. • Daniel’s collapse and the subsequent strengthening by a lesser figure (10:10–11) may indicate a change of speakers: an awe-inspiring herald (vv. 5–6) followed by Gabriel conveying the message. 2. The Christophany (Pre-Incarnate Christ) View • The Revelation parallel is striking: linen robe, golden sash, fiery eyes, bronze feet, thunderous voice. John falls “as though dead” (Revelation 1:17) just as Daniel’s strength leaves him (10:8–9). • “The Man clothed in linen” reappears in Daniel 12:6–7, raises both hands (a uniquely solemn oath), and swears “by Him who lives forever,” language identifying deity rather than a created being. • Throughout Scripture, the pre-incarnate Son appears as “the Angel of Yahweh” (Genesis 22:11–18; Joshua 5:13–15). Those Christophanies exhibit worship given and accepted—never permitted to ordinary angels (Revelation 22:8–9). Daniel’s visitor likewise receives no rebuke for Daniel’s prostration (10:15–17). Reconciling the “Two Speakers” Problem A straightforward reading sees one transcendent figure (Christ) in vv. 5–9, followed by an assisting angel (likely Gabriel) who touches and strengthens Daniel (vv. 10–14). In Semitic narrative style, shifts of focus often occur without explicit re-introductions. The exalted Christ introduces the cosmic conflict; Gabriel explains it. Significance in Redemptive History • Pre-figures the glorified Messiah later unveiled to John, verifying prophetic continuity. • Affirms Christ’s supremacy over empires (“Kings of Persia,” “Prince of Greece”) and over the unseen realm. • Strengthens Daniel for prophecy of resurrection (12:2) and end-time deliverance (12:1). The appearance thus anchors hope in bodily resurrection, later proven historically in Christ’s own empty tomb (1 Corinthians 15:3–8; Acts 2:31). Spiritual Warfare and the Unseen Realm The passage gives a rare, direct look into angelic resistance to demonic territorial powers. Modern deliverance accounts, medically documented healings after targeted prayer, and missionary testimonies of exorcism corroborate the biblical worldview that personal, intelligent evil opposes God’s purposes yet is restrained by Christ’s authority (Luke 10:17–20). Integration with Intelligent Design Daniel’s prediction of precisely sequenced empires (Medo-Persia, Greece, divided kingdoms) showcases information foresight akin to genetic coding: specified complexity best explained by an omniscient Mind. Just as irreducible biological machines demand a designer, coherent predictive prophecy demands a transcendent Author (Isaiah 46:9–10). Practical Implications for Believers • Prayer engages real battles in heavenly places; persistence matters (10:12–14). • Christ’s lordship extends over geopolitical events. Nations rise and fall under His governance (Proverbs 21:1). • Personal encouragement: the same risen Christ who strengthened Daniel promises, “Lo, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). Summary The “man clothed in linen” is best understood as the pre-incarnate Son of God, accompanied by a ministering angel who discloses the meaning of Daniel’s vision. His appearance authenticates the book’s prophecies, preannounces the resurrection, and reinforces the supremacy of Christ in cosmic and earthly realms. |
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