King James Version

What Does Daniel 10:20 Mean?

Daniel 10:20 in the King James Version says “Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and whe... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Daniel 10:20 · KJV


Context

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The angel explains the spiritual warfare context: '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.' This reveals the angelic conflict behind geopolitical events—earthly kingdoms have corresponding spiritual powers ('prince of Persia,' 'prince of Grecia'). The angel's need to return to spiritual battle indicates ongoing warfare. This teaches that human history's visible events reflect unseen spiritual realities. Reformed theology affirms both divine sovereignty and spiritual warfare: God rules absolutely, yet permits angelic/demonic activity within His determined purposes. The prince of Grecia's coming (after Persia) anticipates the historical transition from Persian to Greek dominance under Alexander (332 BC), showing God's foreknowledge and control of future geopolitics.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The 'prince of Persia' likely indicates a powerful demon assigned to or influencing the Persian Empire. Ancient Near Eastern worldviews recognized spiritual forces behind nations (Deuteronomy 32:8 LXX, Psalm 82), but biblical revelation clarifies these aren't legitimate gods but fallen angels. The angel's battle with this demonic prince explains the 21-day delay in answering Daniel's prayer (10:12-13)—spiritual resistance delayed (but couldn't prevent) the answer. This theological framework explains geopolitical events: empires rise and fall not randomly but through providentially-ordered spiritual warfare. Persia would fall to Greece (332 BC), fulfilling both Daniel's visions and this angelic prophecy. For believers, this reveals that prayer engages real spiritual warfare, and persistence matters—Daniel's 21-day prayer commitment resulted in angelic victory and received revelation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does angelic warfare with territorial demonic princes teach about spiritual realities behind geopolitical events?
  2. How does the 21-day delay in answering prayer (due to spiritual warfare) encourage persistence in intercession?
  3. Why does God reveal spiritual warfare realities to some believers (like Daniel) but not all?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר1 of 17

Then said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֲיָדַ֙עְתָּ֙2 of 17

he Knowest

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

לָמָּה3 of 17
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

בָּֽא׃4 of 17

shall come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֵלֶ֔יךָ5 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְעַתָּ֣ה6 of 17
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אָשׁ֔וּב7 of 17

unto thee and now will I return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לְהִלָּחֵ֖ם8 of 17

to fight

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

עִם9 of 17
H5973

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

שַׂר10 of 17

lo the prince

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

פָּרָ֑ס11 of 17

of Persia

H6539

paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants

וַאֲנִ֣י12 of 17
H589

i

יוֹצֵ֔א13 of 17

and when I am gone forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וְהִנֵּ֥ה14 of 17
H2009

lo!

שַׂר15 of 17

lo the prince

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

יָוָ֖ן16 of 17

of Grecia

H3120

javan, the name of a son of joktan, and of the race (ionians, i.e., greeks) descended from him, with their territory; also of a place in arabia

בָּֽא׃17 of 17

shall come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)


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 10:20 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 10:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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