Daniel 10:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Allow me to share with you what is recorded in the Scriptures, specifically that multitudes will emerge from the land of Kithiah, as prophesied by Balaam: they will come forth from Kithiah (Num. 24:24). No one stands with me in regard to these matters except Michael, your guardian. The angel communicates these truths to the prophet, either to encourage the Hebrews to intercede or to clarify for Daniel that it is beneath him to seek to impose liberation.

I will proclaim to you what is found in the scripture of truth. The line of reasoning is as follows. The situation remains uncertain. When you sought the Lord in prayer, I was presenting your petitions to Him, yet the prince of Persia opposed me, unwilling to allow your people to be freed from bondage. However, now that the prince of Greece has arrived and is currently engaged in conflict with the prince of Persia, I, with Michael’s support, will reveal to you the future that God has shown me and commanded me to disclose. There should be no cause for doubt in substituting the prince of Macedon with the prince of Greece, referring to the ᾿Ελλήνων. For Alexander, king of Macedon, was the first to conquer and dominate Greece, subsequently turning his forces against the Persians.

What does the figure who manifested to Daniel convey, whether referring to the prince of Persia or the Greeks? That any good may be brought to your people, of course, is not favored by all the Heavenly Authorities due to their immense transgressions, except for Michael alone, who has been assigned to watch over you. The one who appeared employed the term 'brotherhood' to express both the righteous anger of one towards the people and the grace of another towards them. It is likely that he who spoke with Daniel was Saint Gabriel, as he has also provided interpretations of other messages to the Prophet.

In the prophetic visions of Daniel, a celestial being reveals to him the importance of his celestial intercession on behalf of the Jewish people. This messenger states, ‘And Michael, one of the chief princes, came to assist me,’ and adds, ‘And there is none that helpeth me of these things, but Michael your prince’ (Dan. 10:13-21). This indicates the existence of guardian angels and divine aids for various nations and realms.