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 10:19KJVWhat does Daniel 10:19 mean?
Daniel 10:19 describes an angel speaking words of comfort and encouragement to Daniel, telling him not to be afraid, wishing him peace, and urging him to be strong. After hearing these words, Daniel feels strengthened and invites the angel to continue speaking because he now has the courage to listen.
The setting is a vision where Daniel is overwhelmed and physically weak after encountering a heavenly being. The angel addresses Daniel as "greatly beloved," reassures him with a blessing of peace, and repeats the command to "be strong." Daniel’s renewed strength comes directly from the angel’s words, showing the power of encouragement in a moment of fear and weakness.
The Hebrew behind Daniel 10:19
- "Beloved" (חֲמוּדוֹת, ḥamudot): This word means "precious" or "greatly loved." The angel uses it to show Daniel’s special status and how valued he is, which is meant to comfort him.
- "Peace" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom): More than just the absence of conflict, this word carries the sense of wholeness, well-being, and calm. The angel’s wish for "shalom" is a deep reassurance to Daniel in his distress.
- "Be strong" (חָזַק, ḥazaq): This word is repeated for emphasis, urging Daniel to take courage and find inner strength. The repetition shows how important it is for Daniel to regain his composure.
- "Strengthened" (חָזַק, ḥazaq): The same root word is used when Daniel says he was strengthened, highlighting that the encouragement had a real effect on him.
Why Daniel 10:19 matters
- Daniel 10:19 clears up the idea that spiritual experiences always leave a person feeling strong; here, even Daniel is overwhelmed and needs reassurance.
- The verse emphasizes the power of encouraging words, especially when someone feels afraid or weak.
- Daniel 10:19 connects to the wider passage by showing how God’s messengers care for those who are faithful, not just delivering messages but also giving comfort and strength.