Daniel 9:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

While I was in prayer, he states, "the angel Gabriel," who often visited me, "whom I had encountered previously in a vision, arrived swiftly and touched me at the time of the evening offering," either to alleviate my fear in response to the vision or to help me comprehend what had been communicated. Because it could not be revealed plainly in the presence of others, he offers a gentle touch.

And I spoke in prayer, saying, Gabriel, whom I beheld in my vision at the start, descending from heaven; he approached me as at the time of the evening sacrifice, meaning the moment of evening prayer and the offering, which represents the sacrifice of thanksgiving.

As I continued to pray, I saw the figure of Gabriel, whom I had encountered at the beginning of the vision. He refers to the earlier vision as the beginning, leading into the current one. The effect of the prayer was significant, fulfilling the Lord's promise, who stated, ‘I will speak to you again, saying, 'Here I am’ (Isaiah 58:9). It is not merely an angel or archangel that I see, but Gabriel, signifying not just power but the essence of heavenly authority. Swiftly arriving, he touched me during the evening sacrifice. The one who appeared as a man is described as having come quickly, and this occurred amidst the evening prayer, as the prophet's supplication spanned from the morning until the evening prayer, thereby securing God's mercy upon him.

I reiterate my plea, confessing both my sins and those of my people Israel, humbling myself before the Lord my God. As I offer this prayer, I recall the figure of Gabriel, whom I encountered in my earlier vision, standing before me. While engaged in this prayer and acknowledging our collective transgressions, I notice Gabriel approaching swiftly towards me, a being I recognized from a previous dream. I also knew his name, for I had heard it when the Lord commanded him, saying, "Gabriel, tell the vision to this man" (Dan. 8:16). The Prophet referred to him as a man, identifying him by his appearance; in that dream, he described, "Behold, he has appeared before me like the form of a man" (Dan. 8:15).

Quiet prayer, akin to the tranquil Mary at Christ's feet, is infinitely more receptive than the restless, self-sufficient mind represented by Martha, which engages in numerous discussions filled with its own insights and worldly knowledge. Observe how the Archangel Gabriel instructs Daniel regarding the mysteries and simultaneously clarifies how the Prophet reached such profound understanding. The Prophet confesses, "While I was still speaking in prayer, behold, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice" (Dan. 9:21). A remarkable lesson from God!