Credible Theories
Hebrew Bible · Daniel 10:5–6, 13

The prince of Persia

ReferenceDaniel 10:5–6, 13
Writtenc. 165 BCE
SetPersian era
His face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire… But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days.

Translation: KJV

Read it literally

A messenger delayed three weeks by a rival being who controls Persia. Each nation has its own non-human overseer, and they fight each other.

What scholars say

Read as angels assigned to nations.

Council of gods From the sky

Quick answers about Daniel 10:5–6, 13

Where is Daniel 10:5–6, 13 found?

Daniel 10:5–6, 13 (Hebrew Bible). Translation quoted: King James Version (1611; standard 1769 text), with Apocrypha.

When was Daniel 10:5–6, 13 written?

c. 165 BCE.

What do scholars say about Daniel 10:5–6, 13?

Read as angels assigned to nations.

Rabbit holes in this passage

BeingThe Prince of PersiaA hidden ruler who blocked an angel for twenty-one days, part of Daniel's picture of nations governed by rival heavenly princes.

Sources

  1. King James Version (1611; standard 1769 text), with ApocryphaPrimary text
  2. Daniel 10:4–21, King James VersionPrimary text

Scholarly dates are rounded. The wording follows the named public-domain translation.

Updated