The Vision by the Tigris
Daniel 10
In the third year of Cyrus, Daniel mourns and fasts for three weeks and then sees, beside the river Tigris, a man of dazzling appearance whose words leave him without strength until he is touched and strengthened. The heavenly visitor tells Daniel that he was delayed by the prince of the kingdom of Persia and was helped by Michael, and that he has come to tell Daniel what will befall his people in the last days.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonIN the third year of Cyrus, king of the Persians, a word was revealed to Daniel, surnamed Baltasar. And the word is true and great power and knowledge was given him by the vision.
BrentonIn the third year of Cyrus king of the Persians a thing was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Baltasar; and the thing was true, and great power and understanding in the vision was given to him.
GreekἘν ἔτει τρίτῳ Κύρου βασιλέως Περσῶν λόγος ἀπεκαλύφθη τῷ Δανιὴλ, οὗ τὸ ὄνομα ἐπεκλήθη Βαλτάσαρ· καὶ ἀληθινὸς ὁ λόγος, καὶ δύναμις μεγάλη καὶ σύνεσις ἐδόθη αὐτῷ ἐν τῇ ὀπτασίᾳ.
KJVIn 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.
JPSIn the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the word was true, even a great warfare; and he gave heed to the word, and had understanding of the vision.
2
ThomsonIn those days, I Daniel, had been mourning three weeks.
BrentonIn those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
GreekἘν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις ἐγὼ Δανιὴλ ἤμην πενθῶν τρεῖς ἑβδομάδας ἡμερῶν,
KJVIn those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
JPSIn those days I Daniel was mourning three whole weeks.
3
ThomsonI had not eaten palatable bread, nor had flesh or wine entered my mouth, neither had I anointed myself to the full end of three weeks.
BrentonI ate no pleasant bread, and no flesh or wine entered into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself with oil, until three whole weeks were accomplished.
Greekἄρτον ἐπιθυμιῶν οὐκ ἔφαγον, καὶ κρέας καὶ οἶνος οὐκ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸ στόμα μου, καὶ ἄλειμμα οὐκ ἠλειψάμην, ἕως πληρώσεως τριῶν ἑβδομάδων ἡμερῶν.
KJVI ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
JPSI ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4
ThomsonOn the twenty-fourth of the first month when I was on the bank of the great river, namely, Tigris Eddekel,
BrentonOn the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was near the great river, which is Tigris Eddekel.
GreekἘν ἡμέρᾳ εἰκοστῇ τετάρτῃ τοῦ μηνὸς τοῦ πρώτου, καὶ ἐγὼ ἤμην ἐχόμενα τοῦ ποταμοῦ τοῦ μεγάλου, αὐτός ἐστι Τίγρις Ἐδδεκέλ.
KJVAnd in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
JPSAnd in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Tigris,
5
ThomsonI raised mine eyes and looked, and lo! a man clothed with a flowing robe and his loins girded with gold of Ophaz,
BrentonAnd I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a man clothed in linen, and his loins were girt with gold of Ophaz:
GreekΚαὶ ᾖρα τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς μου, καὶ ἴδον, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ εἷς ἐνδεδυμένος βαδδὶν, καὶ ἡ ὀσφὺς αὐτοῦ περιεζωσμένη ἐν χρυσίῳ Ὠφὰζ,
KJVThen I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
JPSI lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz;
6
Thomsonand his body like Tharsis, and his face like the appearance of lightning, and his eyes like lamps of fire, and his arms and his legs like the appearance of sparkling brass, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.
Brentonand his body was as Tharsis, and his face was as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his legs as the appearance of shining brass, and the voice of his words as the voice of a multitude.
Greekκαὶ τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ ὡσεὶ Θαρσὶς, καὶ τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ἡ ὅρασις ἀστραπῆς, καὶ οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ ὡσεὶ λαμπάδες πυρὸς, καὶ οἱ βραχίονες αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ σκέλη ὡς ὅρασις χαλκοῦ στίλβοντος, καὶ ἡ φωνὴ τῶν λόγων αὐτοῦ ὡς φωνὴ ὄχλου.
KJVHis body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
JPShis body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as torches of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
7
ThomsonNow I, Daniel, alone saw this vision. The men who were with me did not see it; but great consternation fell upon them and they fled for fear;
BrentonAnd I Daniel only saw the vision: and the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great amazement fell upon them, and they fled in fear.
GreekΚαὶ ἴδον ἐγὼ Δανιὴλ μόνος τὴν ὀπτασίαν, καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες οἱ μετʼ ἐμοῦ οὐκ ἴδον τὴν ὀπτασίαν, ἀλλʼ ἢ ἔκστασις μεγάλη ἐπέπεσεν ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἔφυγον ἐν φόβῳ.
KJVAnd I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
JPSAnd I Daniel alone saw the vision; for the men that were with me saw not the vision; howbeit a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.
8
Thomsonso I was left alone. And when I beheld this great vision, there was no strength left in me. Even my comeliness was changed into corruption and I retained no strength;
BrentonSo I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there was no strength left in me, and my glory was turned into corruption, and I retained no strength.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγὼ ὑπελείφθην μόνος, καὶ ἴδον τὴν ὀπτασίαν τὴν μεγάλην ταύτην, καὶ οὐχ ὑπελείφθη ἐν ἐμοὶ ἰσχὺς, καὶ ἡ δόξα μου μετεστράφη εἰς διαφθοράν· καὶ οὐκ ἐκράτησα ἰσχύος.
KJVTherefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
JPSSo that I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
9
Thomsonbut I heard the sound of his words. And when I heard him, I was struck with awe, and my face was on the ground.
BrentonYet I heard the voice of his words: and when I heard him I was pricked in the heart, and I fell with my face to the earth.
GreekΚαὶ ἤκουσα τὴν φωνὴν τῶν λόγων αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐν τῷ ἀκοῦσαί με αὐτοῦ, ἤμην κατανενυγμένος, καὶ τὸ πρόσωπόν μου ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν.
KJVYet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
JPSYet heard I the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I fallen into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.
10
ThomsonAnd lo! a hand touched me and raised me up upon my knees.
BrentonAnd, behold, a hand touched me, and it raised me on my knees.
GreekΚαὶ ἰδοὺ χεὶρ ἁπτομένη μου, καὶ ἤγειρέ με ἐπὶ τὰ γόνατά μου.
KJVAnd, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
JPSAnd, behold, a hand touched me, which set me tottering upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
11
ThomsonAnd he said to me, Daniel, man greatly beloved, gain knowledge by the words which I speak to thee and stand up; for I am now sent to thee. And when he said this to me I stood up trembling.
BrentonAnd he said to me, O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words which I speak to thee, and stand upright: for I am now sent to thee. And when he had spoken to me this word, I stood trembling.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς μὲ, Δανιὴλ ἀνὴρ ἐπιθυμιῶν, σύνες ἐν τοῖς λόγοις οἷς ἐγὼ λαλῶ πρὸς σὲ, καὶ στῆθι ἐπὶ τῇ στάσει σου, ὅτι νῦν ἀπεστάλην πρὸς σέ· καὶ ἐν τῷ λαλῆσαι αὐτὸν πρὸς μὲ τὸν λόγον τοῦτον, ἀνέστην ἔντρομος.
KJVAnd he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
JPSAnd he said unto me: ‘O Daniel, thou man greatly beloved, give heed unto the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright; for now am I sent unto thee’; and when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
12
ThomsonThen he said to me, Fear not, Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to gain knowledge and afflict thyself before the Lord thy God, thy words were heard, and I came at thy words;
BrentonAnd he said to me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to afflict thyself before the Lord thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come because of thy words.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς μὲ, μὴ φοβοῦ Δανιὴλ, ὅτι ἀπὸ τῆς πρώτης ἡμέρας ἧς ἔδωκας τὴν καρδίαν σου τοῦ συνεῖναι, καὶ κακωθῆναι ἐναντίον Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ σου, ἠκούσθησαν οἱ λόγοι σου, καὶ ἐγὼ ἦλθον ἐν τοῖς λόγοις σου.
KJVThen 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.
JPSThen 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 because of thy words.
13
Thomsonbut the chief of the kingdom of the Persians stood in my way twenty-one days, when lo! Michael, the first of the [divine] princes came to help me, and I left him there with the chief of the kingdom of the Persians,
BrentonBut the prince of the kingdom of the Persians withstood me twenty-one days: and behold, Michael, one of the princes, came to help me; and I left him there with the chief of the kingdom of the Persians:
GreekΚαὶ ὁ ἄρχων βασιλείας Περσῶν εἱστήκει ἐξεναντίας μου εἴκοσι καὶ μίαν ἡμέραν· καὶ ἰδοὺ Μιχαὴλ εἷς τῶν ἀρχόντων ἦλθε βοηθῆσαί μοι, καὶ αὐτὸν κατέλιπον ἐκεῖ μετὰ τοῦ ἄρχοντος βασιλείας Περσῶν,
KJVBut the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
JPSBut the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I was left over there beside the kings of Persia.
14
Thomsonand am come to teach thee what will befall thy people in the last days. Because this vision is for days to come.
Brentonand I have come to inform thee of all that shall befall thy people in the last days: for the vision is yet for many days.
Greekκαὶ ἦλθον συνετίσαι σε ὅσα ἀπαντήσεται τῷ λαῷ σου ἐπʼ ἐσχάτων τῶν ἡμερῶν, ὅτι ἔτι ἡ ὅρασις εἰς ἡμέρας.
KJVNow I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
JPSNow I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the end of days; for there is yet a vision for the days.’
15
Thomson—
BrentonAnd when he had spoken with me according to these words, I turned my face to the ground, and was pricked in the heart.
GreekΚαὶ ἐν τῷ λαλῆσαι αὐτὸν μετʼ ἐμοῦ κατὰ τοὺς λόγους τούτους, ἔδωκα τὸ πρόσωπόν μου ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, καὶ κατενύγην.
KJVAnd when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
JPSAnd when he had spoken unto me according to these words, I set my face toward the ground, and was dumb.
16
Thomsonand behold a likeness, as it were of a son of man, touched my lips; whereupon I opened my mouth, and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, O my lord, at the sight of thee my vitals are changed, and I have no strength;
BrentonAnd, behold, as it were the likeness of a son of man touched my lips; and I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said to him that stood before me, O my lord, at the sight of thee my bowels were turned within me, and I had no strength.
GreekΚαὶ ἰδοὺ ὡς ὁμοίωσις υἱοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἥψατο τῶν χειλέων μου· καὶ ἤνοιξα τὸ στόμα μου, καὶ ἐλάλησα, καὶ εἶπα πρὸς τὸν ἑστῶτα ἐναντίον μου, κύριε, ἐν τῇ ὀπτασίᾳ σου ἐστράφη τὰ ἐντός μου ἐν ἐμοὶ, καὶ οὐκ ἔσχον ἰσχύν.
KJVAnd, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
JPSAnd, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth, and spoke and said unto him that stood before me: ‘O my lord, by reason of the vision my pains are come upon me, and I retain no strength.
17
Thomsonhow then can thy servant, O my lord, speak with this* my lord? As for me, from that moment my strength could not support me and there was no spirit left in me.
BrentonAnd how shall thy servant be able, O my lord, to speak with this my lord? and as for me, from henceforth strength will not remain in me, and there is no breath left in me.
GreekΚαὶ πῶς δυνήσεται ὁ παῖς σου κύριε λαλῆσαι μετὰ τοῦ κυρίου μου τούτου; καὶ ἐγὼ, ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν οὐ στήσεται ἐν ἐμοὶ ἰσχὺς, καὶ πνεῦμα οὐχ ὑπελείφθη ἐν ἐμοί.
KJVFor how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
JPSFor how can this servant of my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither was there breath left in me.’
18
ThomsonThen an appearance like that of a man touched me again, and strengthened me
BrentonAnd there touched me again as it were the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
GreekΚαὶ προσέθετο, καὶ ἥψατό μου ὡς ὅρασις ἀνθρώπου, καὶ ἐνίσχυσέ με,
KJVThen there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
JPSThen there touched me again one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me.
19
Thomsonand said to me, Man much beloved, fear not: peace be to thee. Take courage and be strong. And when he had spoken to me I recovered strength and said, Let my lord speak, for thou hast strengthened me.
Brentonand said to me, Fear not, man greatly beloved: peace be to thee, quit thyself like a man, and be strong. And when he had spoken with me, I received strength, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
Greekκαὶ εἶπέ μοι, μὴ φοβοῦ ἀνὴρ ἐπιθυμιῶν, εἰρήνη σοι· ἀνδρίζου καὶ ἴσχυε· καὶ ἐν τῷ λαλῆσαι αὐτὸν μετʼ ἐμοῦ, ἴσχυσα, καὶ εἶπα λαλείτω ὁ κύριός μου, ὅτι ἐνίσχυσάς με.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd he 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.’
20
ThomsonThen he said, 0 that thou knewest that for which I came to thee, then would I return to fight for the chief of the Persians; for as I was coming, the chief of the Grecians came.
BrentonAnd he said, Knowest thou, wherefore I am come to thee? and now I will return to fight with the prince of the Persians: and I was going in, and the prince of the Greeks came.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν, εἰ οἶδας, ἱνατί ἦλθον πρὸς σέ; καὶ νῦν ἐπιστρέψω τοῦ πολεμῆσαι μετὰ τοῦ ἄρχοντος Περσῶν· καὶ ἐγὼ εἰσεπορευόμην, καὶ ὁ ἄρχων τῶν Ἑλλήνων ἤρχετο.
KJVThen said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
JPSThen said he: Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I go forth, lo, the prince of Greece shall come.
21
ThomsonBut I will tell thee that only which is ordered in a writing of truth. There is indeed none with me solicitous about him, but only Michael, your prince
BrentonBut I will tell thee that which is ordained in the scripture of truth: and there is no one that holds with me in these matters but Michael your prince.
GreekἈλλʼ ἢ ἀναγγελῶ σοι τὸ ἐντεταγμένον ἐν γραφῇ ἀληθείας, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν εἷς ἀντεχόμενος μετʼ ἐμοῦ περὶ τούτων, ἀλλʼ ἢ Μιχαὴλ ὁ ἄρχων ὑμῶν.
KJVBut I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
JPSHowbeit I will declare unto thee that which is inscribed in the writing of truth; and there is none that holdeth with me against these, except Michael your prince.