What does Daniel 10:4 mean?

"And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;" - Daniel 10:4

"And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;" - Daniel 10:4

The Bible verse Daniel 10:4 from the King James Version (KJV) reads: "And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel."

This verse comes from the book of Daniel, which is part of the Old Testament. The book of Daniel recounts the experiences and visions of the prophet Daniel during the Babylonian captivity of the Jewish people. In this particular verse, Daniel provides a specific date and location for his vision, which adds a sense of historical and geographical context to the narrative.

To fully understand the meaning and significance of Daniel 10:4, it is important to explore the broader themes and context of the book of Daniel. The book is divided into two main sections: historical narratives and apocalyptic visions. In the historical narratives, Daniel and his friends demonstrate their unwavering faith in God amidst various trials and tribulations, ultimately gaining favor with the ruling authorities and serving as instruments of God's power and wisdom.

In the apocalyptic visions, Daniel is granted insight into the future, including the rise and fall of empires, the coming of the Messiah, and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. These visions serve to comfort and encourage the Jewish people as they endure oppression and exile, assuring them that God remains in control of human history and will ultimately fulfill His promises of redemption and restoration.

Against this backdrop, Daniel 10:4 provides a specific date and location for one of Daniel's visions. The "four and twentieth day of the first month" likely refers to the Jewish month of Nisan, which coincides with the celebration of Passover. This date holds great significance in Jewish history, commemorating the deliverance of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. By situating his vision within the context of Passover, Daniel may be drawing parallels between the deliverance of his people from Egypt and the future deliverance that God has promised to bring about.

The mention of the "great river, which is Hiddekel" further anchors the narrative in a specific geographical location. Hiddekel is another name for the Tigris River, which flows through the ancient region of Mesopotamia. This detail serves to ground the supernatural vision in the tangible reality of Daniel's surroundings, highlighting the intersection of the divine and the earthly in the prophet's experiences.

Symbolically, the image of Daniel by the side of the great river may evoke associations with other biblical figures who receive divine revelations by bodies of water, such as Moses at the burning bush or John the Baptist baptizing in the Jordan River. In the Bible, water often carries connotations of purification, sustenance, and the source of life. By positioning himself by the side of the Tigris River, Daniel may be expressing his readiness to receive spiritual nourishment and cleansing from God as he seeks understanding and insight.

In conclusion, Daniel 10:4 serves as a specific anchor point within the larger narrative of the book of Daniel, providing historical and geographical context for the prophet's visions. This verse also invites readers to consider the significance of dates and locations in the unfolding of God's plans and purposes. Ultimately, Daniel 10:4 invites us to reflect on the intersection of the supernatural and the natural, and the ways in which God's divine revelation can manifest within the concrete realities of human experience.

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Daniel 10:4 Artwork

Daniel 10:4 - "And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;"

Daniel 10:4 - "And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;"

"And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;" - Daniel 10:4

"And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;" - Daniel 10:4

Daniel 4:10-14

Daniel 4:10-14

Daniel 4:10-12 – Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a tree.

Daniel 4:10-12 – Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a tree.

Daniel 4:10 - "Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great."

Daniel 4:10 - "Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great."

Daniel 10:2 - "In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks."

Daniel 10:2 - "In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks."

Daniel 10

Daniel 10

Daniel 10:5

Daniel 10:5

Daniel 10:5

Daniel 10:5

Nehemiah 10:6 - "Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,"

Nehemiah 10:6 - "Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,"

Daniel 7: 9-10

Daniel 7: 9-10

Daniel 7:9-10

Daniel 7:9-10

Daniel 7:9-10

Daniel 7:9-10

Daniel 4:15

Daniel 4:15

Daniel 7:4

Daniel 7:4

Daniel 5:4

Daniel 5:4

Daniel 7:9-10

Daniel 7:9-10

Daniel fasting in chapter 10

Daniel fasting in chapter 10

Daniel 6:3-4 - "Daniel 6:3-4:

Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. So the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him."

Daniel 6:3-4 - "Daniel 6:3-4: Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. So the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him."

Daniel 4:4 - "¶ I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:"

Daniel 4:4 - "¶ I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:"

"In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks." - Daniel 10:2

"In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks." - Daniel 10:2

Purpose of the vision from Daniel 10

Purpose of the vision from Daniel 10

Daniel 4:13-14

Daniel 4:13-14

Daniel 4:13-14

Daniel 4:13-14

Daniel 4:1-3

Daniel 4:1-3

Daniel 10:7 - "And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves."

Daniel 10:7 - "And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves."

Daniel 10:10 - "¶ And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands."

Daniel 10:10 - "¶ And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands."

Daniel 12:4 - "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."

Daniel 12:4 - "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."

Daniel 4:28 - "¶ All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar."

Daniel 4:28 - "¶ All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar."

"Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch," - Nehemiah 10:6

"Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch," - Nehemiah 10:6