Daniel Chapter 10 Vs. 5

Daniel's Terrifying Vision of a Man

Daniel 10:5 "Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins [were] girded with fine gold of Uphaz:"




certain man clothed... The messenger was from heaven clothed with light.

Eight-fold Description of the Messiah in comparison:

1. His clothing was fine linen (Dan. 10:5; 12:6-7; cp. Rev. 1:13; 19:8; Exo. 28:4-12).

2. His loins were girded with a golden girdle (Dan. 10:5; cp. Rev. 1:13).

3. His body was like a beryl (Dan. 10:6; cp. Rev. 4:3). The beryl is a gem of blue-green or other color combinations.

4. His face was as the appearance of lightning (Dan. 10:6; cp. Rev. 1:16; 10:1).

5. His eyes were as lamps of fire (Dan. 10:6; cp. Rev. 1:15; 19:12).

6. His arms like polished brass (Dan. 10:6; cp. Rev. 1:15; 10:1).

7. His feet like polished brass (Dan. 10:6; cp. Rev. 1:15; 10:1).

8. His voice was like a multitude (Dan. 10:6; cp. Rev. 1:15; 8:5; 10:2-4; 11:15; 14:2; 16:17-18; 19:6; Psm. 29:1-11).


clothed in linen... Linen speaks of righteousness. "Gold" symbolizes the nearness of God. The only thing known of this Uphaz is that it was a region of gold.

This appearance is as a man. Daniel sees the figure of a “certain man.” This is probably not the pre-incarnate Christ, because this angel was hindered by “the prince of Persia” (a demon), and because he needed the help of Michael the archangel, v.13. Neither of these statements could have been said of Christ. This is probably the angel Gabriel.

The messenger was an angel from heaven, not a human being. He was dressed in linen (cf. Dan. 12:7) and had a dazzlingly bright appearance. Since Gabriel previously had been sent by God to reveal truth to Daniel (Dan. 8:16), probably Gabriel was also the visitor on this occasion. Angels, who dwell in the presence of God who is light, are themselves clothed with light, and Daniel saw something of heaven’s glory reflected in this one who visited him (Dan. 10:5-6).