The Meaning of Daniel 10:21 Explained

Daniel 10:21

KJV: But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

YLT: but I declare to thee that which is noted down in the Writing of Truth, and there is not one strengthening himself with me, concerning these, except Michael your head.

Darby: However, I will declare unto thee that which is set down in the scripture of truth; and there is not one that sheweth himself strong with me against these, but Michael your prince.

ASV: But I will tell thee that which is inscribed in the writing of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me against these, but Michael your prince.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  I will shew  thee that which is noted  in the scripture  of truth:  and [there is] none  that holdeth  with me in these things, but Michael  your prince. 

What does Daniel 10:21 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The "writing of truth" seems to refer to all that God has recorded as truth. This includes Scripture, but it also includes all that is true that God has not revealed. The angel would make part of what God had established as "truth" known to Daniel. The angel intended this revelation to encourage Daniel , in view of his having to leave the prophet to return to spiritual warfare. Likewise, the fact that Michael stood with this angel in his warfare, would have encouraged Daniel -even though Michael was apparently his only other angelic comrade in battle. "Your prince" links Michael with Daniel , and identifies Michael as the good angel whom God had commissioned to help him and his Jewish brethren ( Daniel 12:1; cf. Revelation 12:7; Revelation 20:2).
"It is encouraging for God"s people to know that he has mighty champions among the holy angels whose task is to defend the saints against the attacks of the evil one." [1]

Context Summary

Daniel 10:1-21 - The Vision By The River
This chapter gives a glimpse into the great conflict which is always in progress between heaven and hell. For three weeks the radiant Being who came to Daniel as he prayed and fasted by the great river, was withstood by the mighty fallen spirit, who was concerned with the destinies of the kingdom of Persia; and it was only when he was succored and reinforced that he was able to accomplish the divine errand, Daniel 10:13. What a revelation is here-that probably each heathen country is ruled by some wicked spirit in the high places; that the fight is at times almost overpowering even for bright unfallen angels; and that the blessings which are ours are sometimes delayed because of the storms that sweep the ocean through which they come. Perhaps by our prayer we are able to throw an ounce-weight into the scale, and turn the battle. How reassuring the touch of that hand and tender the address of that voice. Who cannot be strong when strengthened by the right hand of God? Go forth into the fight of another day! God holds thy right hand. Be true and strong; thou canst not fail! [source]

Chapter Summary: Daniel 10

1  Daniel, having humbled himself, sees a vision
10  Being troubled with fear, he is comforted by the angel

What do the individual words in Daniel 10:21 mean?

But I will tell you - what is noted in the Scripture of Truth And No one upholds me against these for except Michael your prince -
אֲבָל֙ אַגִּ֣יד לְךָ֔ אֶת־ הָרָשׁ֥וּם בִּכְתָ֖ב אֱמֶ֑ת וְאֵ֨ין אֶחָ֜ד מִתְחַזֵּ֤ק עִמִּי֙ עַל־ אֵ֔לֶּה כִּ֥י אִם־ מִיכָאֵ֖ל שַׂרְכֶֽם פ

אַגִּ֣יד  I  will  tell 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: נָגַד  
Sense: to be conspicuous, tell, make known.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הָרָשׁ֥וּם  what  is  noted 
Parse: Article, Verb, Qal, QalPassParticiple, masculine singular
Root: רָשַׁם  
Sense: to inscribe, note.
בִּכְתָ֖ב  in  the  Scripture 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כְּתָב  
Sense: a writing, document, edict.
אֱמֶ֑ת  of  Truth 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֱמֶת  
Sense: firmness, faithfulness, truth.
וְאֵ֨ין  And  No 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: אַיִן 
Sense: nothing, not, nought n.
אֶחָ֜ד  one 
Parse: Number, masculine singular
Root: אֶחָד  
Sense: one (number).
מִתְחַזֵּ֤ק  upholds 
Parse: Verb, Hitpael, Participle, masculine singular
Root: חָזַק  
Sense: to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore.
עִמִּי֙  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: עִם  
Sense: with.
עַל־  against 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
אֵ֔לֶּה  these 
Parse: Pronoun, common plural
Root: אֵהֶל 
Sense: these.
אִם־  except 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: אִם  
Sense: if.
מִיכָאֵ֖ל  Michael 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִיכָאֵל  
Sense: one of, the chief, or the first archangel who is described as the one who stands in time of conflict for the children of Israel.
שַׂרְכֶֽם  your  prince 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine plural
Root: סָרַר 
Sense: prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain.
פ  - 
Parse: Punctuation