The man clothed in linen
A dazzling human-like figure appears beside the river before an angelic explanation.
Reception
Debated identification
Tradition note
Begin with each passage in context and weigh the New Testament's explicit links before inferred identifications. Christian interpreters differ on how broadly to identify the angel of the LORD with the Son; the messenger's title alone does not settle every case.
Avoid overclaiming
If the resisting and assisted speaker is the same figure, the account strongly fits an angelic messenger. Distinguishing multiple figures is possible but interpretive. Daniel names Gabriel elsewhere, not explicitly here; Michael is described as a helper.
Key points
- Daniel sees a man in linen with gold, brilliant face, fiery eyes, bronze-like limbs, and a mighty voice. A speaker later explains resistance from Persia's prince and assistance from Michael. The scene does not clearly label every figure.
Common questions
- Does the chapter clearly say whether all speakers are the same figure?
- How does Michael's assistance affect the identification?
Doctrinal connections
- The resemblance to the risen Christ in Revelation 1 leads some Christians to identify the radiant figure with the Son, while taking the later explaining messenger as another figure.
Scripture
- Daniel 10:4–21 — Daniel sees a man in linen with gold, brilliant face, fiery eyes, bronze-like limbs, and a mighty voice. A speaker later explains resistance from Persia's prince and assistance from Michael. The scene does not clearly label every figure.
- Daniel 12:6–7 — The man in linen returns in the closing vision.
- Revelation 1:12–18 — Compare the long robe and golden sash, fiery eyes, bronze-like feet, and overwhelming voice. Revelation 1 does not call the robe linen, and resemblance alone does not settle the identity of Daniel’s figure.
- Daniel 12:6–7 — The man in linen returns in the closing vision.
- Daniel 8:16 — Gabriel is explicitly named in earlier visions.
- Daniel 9:21 — Gabriel is explicitly named in earlier visions.
Primary sources
If the resisting and assisted speaker is the same figure, the account strongly fits an angelic messenger. Distinguishing multiple figures is possible but interpretive. Daniel names Gabriel elsewhere, not explicitly here; Michael is described as a helper.
Daniel's vision describes the linen-clad figure with radiant imagery; it does not clearly label every subsequent speaker.
there was a man clothed in linen … His body also was like beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning
Passage context and translation
Daniel sees a man in linen with gold, brilliant face, fiery eyes, bronze-like limbs, and a mighty voice. A speaker later explains resistance from Persia's prince and assistance from Michael. The scene does not clearly label every figure.
Before the excerpt
Daniel 10:4 — In the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel,
After the excerpt
Daniel 10:7 — I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me didn’t see the vision, but a great quaking fell on them, …