King James Version

What Does Daniel 10:19 Mean?

Daniel 10:19 in the King James Version says “And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.”

Daniel 10:19 · KJV

Fear & CouragePeace

Context

17

For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. the: or, this servant of my lord

18

Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,

19

And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

20

Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

21

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. holdeth: Heb. strengtheneth himself

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The messenger reassures Daniel: 'And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong.' The repeated 'man greatly beloved' provides assurance, while 'fear not' addresses Daniel's terror. The double command 'be strong, yea, be strong' intensifies the exhortation—requiring supernatural strength beyond natural capacity. Daniel's response shows the strengthening's effectiveness: 'And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.' The divine word itself strengthens—God's commands include power to obey them. Daniel moves from collapsed incapacity to readiness to receive further revelation. This demonstrates that God prepares His servants for assigned tasks, providing sufficient grace for each requirement.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The pattern—divine appearance, human terror, reassurance ('fear not'), strengthening, commission—structures theophanic encounters throughout Scripture: Gideon (Judges 6), Isaiah (Isaiah 6), Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1-3), Mary (Luke 1), Paul (Acts 9, 22, 26), John (Revelation 1). This consistent pattern validates genuine divine encounters versus false visions or psychological experiences. God's repeated reassurance and strengthening demonstrates His pastoral care—He doesn't merely use servants as tools but strengthens them as beloved children. For Jewish exiles and persecuted Christians, this pattern encouraged: God strengthens His people for difficult callings; His presence provides sufficient grace. The strengthening's effectiveness (Daniel moving from incapacity to readiness) demonstrates divine grace's power.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the effectiveness of divine strengthening (incapacity to readiness) demonstrate grace's transforming power?
  2. What does the pattern 'fear not...be strong' teach about God addressing both emotional (fear) and physical (weakness) needs?
  3. Why does God repeatedly reassure Daniel of His love during this difficult experience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וָאֹ֥מְרָ֛ה1 of 17

“And said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַל2 of 17
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּירָ֧א3 of 17

“fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

אִישׁ4 of 17

“O man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

חֲמֻד֛וֹת5 of 17
H2530

to delight in

שָׁל֥וֹם6 of 17

“not peace”

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

לָ֖ךְ7 of 17
H0
חִזַּקְתָּֽנִי׃8 of 17

“be unto thee be strong”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

חִזַּקְתָּֽנִי׃9 of 17

“be unto thee be strong”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

יְדַבֵּ֥ר10 of 17

“And when he had spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

עִמִּי֙11 of 17
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

חִזַּקְתָּֽנִי׃12 of 17

“be unto thee be strong”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

וָאֹ֥מְרָ֛ה13 of 17

“And said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְדַבֵּ֥ר14 of 17

“And when he had spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֲדֹנִ֖י15 of 17

“Let my lord”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

כִּ֥י16 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

חִזַּקְתָּֽנִי׃17 of 17

“be unto thee be strong”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 10:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 10:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 35:4Joshua 1:9Judges 6:23Daniel 9:23Daniel 10:11-12Isaiah 43:1-2

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