Definition: In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing [was] true, but the time appointed [was] long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
Explanation:
Okay, letās break down this passage from Daniel 10:1. It's a really interesting and somewhat mysterious verse! Hereās what it means in simple terms:
Basically, it says that God revealed something very important to Daniel.
Hereās a breakdown of the key parts:
āIn the third year of Cyrus king of Persiaā¦ā
ā This tells us this is happening
after
Cyrus was King of Persia. He was a powerful ruler at the time.
āā¦a thing was revealed unto Danielā¦ā
- Daniel was being watched and examined.
āā¦whose name was called Belteshazzarā
ā This is where it gets a little tricky. "Belteshazzar" is a Hebrew name that means "the one who makes the whole world." Itās a powerful, ancient name, suggesting a significant role. It's important to note this isn't a
literal
name of a king; it's more symbolic.
āā¦and the thing [was] trueā¦ā
- This is crucial. The thing revealed was
true
. It wasnāt just a random observation, but something significant and real.
āā¦but the time appointed [was] longā
ā This means that this revelation took a very long time. It wasn't an immediate revelation; it unfolded over many years.
āand he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.ā
- Daniel was able to grasp the meaning of what was revealed. He had a profound understanding of it ā it was complex and involved a lot of detail.
So, putting it all together:
God showed Daniel a very detailed, long-term vision about a future kingdom and a powerful ruler named Belteshazzar. Daniel understood this vision fully, and it gave him a deep sense of understanding about Godās plan for the world.
What does this mean in a broader context?
This passage is often interpreted as a sign that God is working through His chosen people, especially Daniel, to reveal His will and purpose. It suggests a period of significant divine intervention. It's also a reminder that Godās plans are sometimes complex and unfold over long periods.
Important Note:
This verse is incredibly symbolic and open to interpretation. There have been different interpretations throughout history.
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Would you like me to:
Explain any part of this passage in more detail?
Discuss the symbolism behind the name Belteshazzar?
Connect it to a specific biblical story or theme (like prophecy)?