Daniel 10:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For my reassurance, he said, "Do not be afraid." He uplifted me, affirming, "Fear not, for I am here to encourage you. From the very first day you devoted yourself to seeking understanding, your prayers have been heard; indeed, your petitions were acknowledged from the moment you began to fast, and your soul yearned to comprehend the fulfillment of your requests; therefore, you have persistently presented yourself before your God in prayer. I have now come in response to your words. I was guided by your prayers to assist in the deliverance of your people, just as you requested."

He said to me, “Daniel, the man of desires.” This title reflects his deep longing, cultivated through fervent prayer, physical humility, and extended fasting, to grasp the future and comprehend the mysteries of the Divine. Rather than "the man of desires," Simmachus rendered it as "the man of desire," as God cherishes every saint who embodies spiritual beauty.

He addressed me, saying, "Daniel, beloved of God, grasp the words I share with you and take your stand, for I have been sent to you. Pay close attention, declares the one who has appeared, and with courage, listen attentively to what I am about to reveal. I have come to disclose this to you because it seems you have transcended earthly desires and have become devoted to heavenly matters. Your deep compassion for your people has led you to seek understanding of their future. The one who spoke identified you as the Prophet, not by your Chaldean name Belshazzar but by your Hebrew name Daniel; the former was given by the ungodly, while the latter is bestowed by the righteous.

Daniel, as affirmed by the heavenly witness, is described as ‘a man of desires’ (Dan. 10:11), someone who continuously harbors profound longings directed toward God, exemplifying a flawless life of prayer.