From the beginning of thy prayers the word came forth: and I am come to shew it to thee, because thou art a man of desires: therefore, do thou mark the word, and understand the vision.
בִּתְחִלַּ֨ת תַּחֲנוּנֶ֜יךָ יָצָ֣א דָבָ֗ר וַאֲנִי֙ בָּ֣אתִי לְהַגִּ֔יד כִּ֥י חֲמוּד֖וֹת אָ֑תָּה וּבִין֙ בַּדָּבָ֔ר וְהָבֵ֖ן בַּמַּרְאֶֽה׃
5 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 6 commentaries
He declared that from the moment you began your prayer, a message was sent forth, and I have come to inform you that you are the one who yearns, for you intercede for those caught in sin. "Give heed to the message" (Dan. 9:21-23), as I will explain the significance of the vision granted to you, so that you may comprehend what will be revealed to you through the message.
At the outset of your supplications, a message was revealed, and I am here to share it with you, for you are a man of longing. The moment you commenced your prayers, you swiftly accessed the mercy of God, and a revelation was given, compelling me to convey what you have yet to comprehend, for you are a man of desire, or one beloved and worthy of God’s affection, akin to Solomon, who was termed Idida, because you earnestly seek to uncover the divine mysteries and anticipate what is to come. Therefore, delve into the word and grasp the vision. If it is said to Daniel to pay close attention to the word so that he might hear and comprehend what he perceives, how shall we, whose eyes are clouded by the shadows of ignorance and the weight of vice, proceed?
This is why Daniel is referred to as the man of desires; he abstained from the bread of craving and the water of longing.
It is written that St. Daniel is referred to as a man of great longings (Dan. 9:23) and as God’s friend, due to his yearning to understand His divine secrets.
Shortly after you commenced your prayers, our shared Lord, having embraced your supplication and recognized your noble intention, dispatched me to unfold the future to you; therefore, you should pay close attention to what is conveyed. The insights that will be revealed are profoundly deeper than human understanding can reach; this is signified by the phrase "perceive in the appearing," indicating that the message will be communicated in a symbolic manner, requiring careful thought for true comprehension. Sacred truths are occasionally expressed and inscribed in allegories, so that what is disclosed through revelation to the faithful may not be apparent to everyone; for if such truths were accessible to all, they might easily be overlooked.
Gabriel refers to the Prophet as a man of desires, possibly because he devoted himself to fasting and rigorous spiritual exercise, valiantly contending with fleshly temptations, or due to his yearning for visions, desiring to understand the fate of God's people, or because Daniel, radiant with virtue, drew love toward himself in an extraordinary way. Thus, the heavenly Archangel, having awakened the Prophet to grasp the forthcoming message, presents him with a teaching.
Therefore, anyone wishing to return to their true essence must renounce all carnal inclinations to align themselves with the essence of the spirit. Within us, there exists a yearning for God, and without this divine longing, there can be no genuine love. This is why Daniel is referred to as "the man of desires" (Dan. 9:23), but the adversary has corrupted this natural desire into a base yearning for impurity.
Quiet prayer, akin to the stillness of Mary at Christ's feet, is incomparably more receptive than a restless, self-driven intellect like Martha's, which is consumed with various thoughts and external sources of wisdom. Observe how the Archangel Gabriel imparts understanding to Daniel regarding divine mysteries, while simultaneously illustrating how the Prophet attained such profound knowledge. "While I was still speaking in prayer," the Prophet recounts, "behold, the man Gabriel came to me, and said, ‘Daniel, I have now come forth to give you wisdom. At the beginning of your supplications, the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved’" (Dan. 9:21-23). What a marvelous lesson from God!
The student dwells on earth, while the teacher resides in heaven: as soon as the disciple expresses a longing for divine enlightenment, the brilliance of revelation breaks forth in the heavens, and the Word of God is delivered to earth by the celestial messenger. The Archangel assures the Prophet that he will receive understanding, for he is a man of prayer: "For you are a highly desired man." Let none who hear this think that it does not apply to them due to their lack of prophetic status. What does it matter if you are not a prophet? We can infer that while it is unlikely an Archangel will be sent to you, nor will a revelation of judgments be disclosed, at least one of the lesser angels, described by the Church as "a faithful instructor," can impart to you the knowledge necessary for your salvation: just ensure that you invite this knowledge through your prayer, "for you are a highly desired man."
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS