Bible Strands
Daniel 10:13
However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The angel addressing Daniel in Daniel 10:12 explains his delayed arrival during the vision sequence. He speaks to Daniel at the moment he clarifies why his response to Daniel's prayer was not immediate.
The words — The Hebrew term שַׂר (sar) denotes a "prince" or ruler, while עֹמֵד (omed) literally means "standing" or "opposing" in this context. These words frame the twenty-one-day resistance described in the text.
The thread — The angel references this conflict with the prince of Persia in Daniel 10:20, noting his immediate return to fight him. The figure of Michael appears again as a chief prince in Daniel 12:1 and as the archangel who disputes with the devil in Jude 1:9.
Why it lands — The passage requires a reader to recognize that spiritual realities operate behind historical events and that divine intervention involves prolonged conflict. It demands attention to the hidden dimensions of answered prayer without offering comfort beyond the stated facts.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
Cross-references
- Jude 1:9 But even the archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not presume to bring a slanderous charge against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
- Daniel 12:1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
- Daniel 10:20 “Do you know why I have come to you?” he said. “I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I have gone forth, behold, the prince of Greece will come.
- Revelation 12:7 Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.
- Ezra 4:4 Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build.
- Colossians 2:10 And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
- Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:18 For we wanted to come to you—indeed I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan obstructed us.
- 1 Peter 3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.
- Zechariah 3:1 Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.