The Meaning of Daniel 10:12 Explained

Daniel 10:12

KJV: Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

YLT: And he saith unto me: Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that thou didst give thy heart to understand, and to humble thyself before thy God, thy words have been heard, and I have come because of thy words.

Darby: And he said unto me, Fear not, Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, and to humble thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come because of thy words.

ASV: Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, and to humble thyself before thy God, thy words were heard: and I am come for thy words'sake.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Then said  he unto me, Fear  not, Daniel:  for from the first  day  that thou didst set  thine heart  to understand,  and to chasten  thyself before  thy God,  thy words  were heard,  and I am come  for thy words. 

What does Daniel 10:12 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Still, it was an unnerving experience for Daniel to stand in the presence of such a glorious person. The angel realized how Daniel felt and encouraged him not to fear. The angel informed the prophet that God had heard his first prayer for understanding, and that what follows came in answer to that petition (cf. Daniel 9:23). Humbling himself before God involved taking the role of a learner before Him.
"This verse constitutes a great encouragement to those whose prayers are not answered immediately. The cause of the delay may be something totally unknown to us; yet although the answer may be delayed, the prayer is always heard immediately." [1]

Context Summary

Daniel 10:1-21 - The Vision By The River
This chapter gives a glimpse into the great conflict which is always in progress between heaven and hell. For three weeks the radiant Being who came to Daniel as he prayed and fasted by the great river, was withstood by the mighty fallen spirit, who was concerned with the destinies of the kingdom of Persia; and it was only when he was succored and reinforced that he was able to accomplish the divine errand, Daniel 10:13. What a revelation is here-that probably each heathen country is ruled by some wicked spirit in the high places; that the fight is at times almost overpowering even for bright unfallen angels; and that the blessings which are ours are sometimes delayed because of the storms that sweep the ocean through which they come. Perhaps by our prayer we are able to throw an ounce-weight into the scale, and turn the battle. How reassuring the touch of that hand and tender the address of that voice. Who cannot be strong when strengthened by the right hand of God? Go forth into the fight of another day! God holds thy right hand. Be true and strong; thou canst not fail! [source]

Chapter Summary: Daniel 10

1  Daniel, having humbled himself, sees a vision
10  Being troubled with fear, he is comforted by the angel

What do the individual words in Daniel 10:12 mean?

And he said to me not do fear Daniel for from the day first that you set - your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God were heard your words and I have come because of your words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַי֮ אַל־ תִּירָ֣א דָנִיֵּאל֒ כִּ֣י ׀ מִן־ הַיּ֣וֹם הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן אֲשֶׁ֨ר נָתַ֧תָּ אֶֽת־ לִבְּךָ֛ לְהָבִ֧ין וּלְהִתְעַנּ֛וֹת לִפְנֵ֥י אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נִשְׁמְע֣וּ דְבָרֶ֑יךָ וַאֲנִי־ בָ֖אתִי בִּדְבָרֶֽיךָ

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר  And  he  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
אֵלַי֮  to  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: אֶל  
Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
תִּירָ֣א  do  fear 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: יָרֵא 
Sense: to fear, revere, be afraid.
דָנִיֵּאל֒  Daniel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּנִאֵל 
Sense: the 2nd son of David, by Abigail the Carmelitess.
הַיּ֣וֹם  the  day 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן  first 
Parse: Article, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רִאשֹׁון  
Sense: first, primary, former.
אֲשֶׁ֨ר  that 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
נָתַ֧תָּ  you  set 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
אֶֽת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
לִבְּךָ֛  your  heart 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: לֵב 
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.
לְהָבִ֧ין  to  understand 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Hifil, Infinitive construct
Root: בִּין  
Sense: to discern, understand, consider.
וּלְהִתְעַנּ֛וֹת  and  to  humble  yourself 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Verb, Hitpael, Infinitive construct
Root: עָנָה 
Sense: (Qal) to be occupied, be busied with.
לִפְנֵ֥י  before 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, common plural construct
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ  your  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
נִשְׁמְע֣וּ  were  heard 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: שָׁמַע 
Sense: to hear, listen to, obey.
דְבָרֶ֑יךָ  your  words 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: דָּבָר  
Sense: speech, word, speaking, thing.
וַאֲנִי־  and  I 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, first person common singular
Root: אֲנִי  
Sense: I (first pers.
בָ֖אתִי  have  come 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
בִּדְבָרֶֽיךָ  because  of  your  words 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: דָּבָר  
Sense: speech, word, speaking, thing.