Daniel 10:21

Howbeit] -but" is not strong enough: cf. Daniel 10:7. It is difficult to be sure what the thought tacitly opposed is: it may be, -Howbeit (though I cannot stay long, Daniel 10:20 a), I can nevertheless tell thee this (Daniel 11:2 ff.) about the future"; or -Howbeit (though the contest, Daniel 10:20 b, may seem to be an endless one), I will tell thee about the future, for it contains, at least towards the end, an outlook of hope and consolation."

I will declare (Daniel 2:2) unto thee that which is inscribed in the writing of truth i.e. the book in which God has inscribed beforehand, as truly as they will be fulfilled, the destinies of mankind: cf. Psalms 139:16. The figure is meant as a concrete expression of the truth that the future is pre-determinedby God. The later apocalyptic writers often speak, in the same sense, of the -heavenly tables," in which the deeds and events of the future stand recorded; see e.g. Enoch lxxxi. 1, 2, xciii. 2, 3, ciii. 2, 3, cvi. 19, cvii. 1; and cf. the note in Charles" ed. p. 132 f.

inscribed] as in Aram. (Daniel 5:24-25; Daniel 6:8; Daniel 6:10) and New Hebrew. The word implies a more formal act than -written." Notedin Old Engl. has the force of inscribed:cf. notein Isaiah 30:8 for חקק, -cut in," -engrave."

andthere is not one that strengtheneth himself with me against these, except Michael your prince in my contest with the -princes" of Persia and Greece (Daniel 10:20), only Michael supports me. The words seem to connect with the end of Daniel 10:20, rather than with the first part of Daniel 10:21, which is perhaps to be regarded as parenthetical.

strengtheneth himself with me i.e. shews himself to be my valiant ally: cf. 1Ch 11:10, 2 Chronicles 16:9 (where -in the behalf of" is lit. with, as here), 2 Chronicles 17:1.