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Created 5929± 08 24 2025 [2008-11-24]
Last edited 5929± 12 21 2025 [2009-03-19]
Re Daniel 10:1, 2, 3, 4, &13:
Did Daniel Fast for a full Three Weeks OR
Did Daniel Observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread
During the Third Week?
Abstract:
Not being familiar with God’s appointed times and seasons, e.g. with the three annual feasts, makes a tremendous difference for one’s understanding of the Scriptures. When this is true for the translators of the Scriptures it affects their best efforts in translating - to the continued detriment of the readership.
In order to more fully attain the intended blessings of the Scriptures, it behooves each one of us to do what we can to bring each our understanding of the Scriptures closer to the original.
In the considerations below I am first looking at the more likely meaning of the dates referenced in Daniel chapter 10.
Additionally, at the end I am exploring the possibility that the special mention of Aviv 24, i.e. two days subsequent to the end of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, is an indication of it falling on a regular weekly Seventh-Day Shabbat in that particular year. At one time this exploratory adventure seemed a little like shooting myself in my foot. Even so, even then I found it a valuable exercise, in spite of the fact that at the time the result of my hypothesis did not seem to support my original thesis. Nevertheless, in the end it did support my original thesis!
Praise the Lord!
Scriptural
considerations:
How important are correct references to time? Does it make a difference to you if you make a date “for three weeks” or “during the third week?”
The background is important for understanding the context correctly, is it not? When we don’t we are likely to misunderstand one another, are we not?
Daniel was an Israelite from
Thus it was only natural for Daniel to follow the Scriptural tradition and the teachings of the Torah by abstaining from certain things commonly enjoyed at other times. The details of this particular fast of Daniel are outlined in Daniel 10:3. Cf. that text (below) with this passage from Leviticus 23:6:
Lev 23:6 And on the
fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.
Thus, what is more likely based upon these familiar circumstances and Torah instructions? Did Daniel fast “for three weeks” or “during the third sevens of days” or perhaps even on “the third [of the three] Shabbats [of the Feast of Unleavened Bread?]” Let’s look more closely at the grammar. It is easy! In Hebrew a plural word ends with the two letters “ים-” (masc) or “ות-” (fem.) Thus, “day” in Hebrew is “יום” and “days” is “ימים.” Now, let’s look at Daniel 10:13 (KJV.) Why is KJV translating the original singular word “יום” into the plural “days?” Isn’t the correct translation one that is using the singular format “on dayH3117 oneH259 and twentyH6242 ” ?!
What about the second and third verses? What’s the
dictionary definition of the word translated “three”
(KJV?) Is it “three” or “third?” Or,
could it be either one? Could it be that the translator stood before a choice
of translations without having enough calendrical background knowledge to make
a certain and correct choice?:
H7969
שׁלשׁה
שׁלושׁה שׁלשׁ שׁלושׁ
The last two forms being masculine;
a primitive number; three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or
(multiplicative) thrice.
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible)
Are these passages
pointing to “three weeks” or to one particular week of the year, i.e. to the
Feast of Unleavened Bread? What can we learn from Daniel 10:4, 13? There is no
question but that these last two verses are pointing to a day immediately
following upon the Feast of Unleavened Bread, is there? (Cf. also the
translation at this
link which should harmonize with this TLT+ translation albeit somewhat
differently expressed in terms of the Count of Omer!)
Dan 10:1 (TLT+) In the thirdH7969 yearH8141 of CyrusH3566 kingH4428 of PersiaH6539 a thingH1697 was revealedH1540 unto Daniel,H1840 whoseH834
nameH8034 was calledH7121 Belteshazzar;H1095 and the thingH1697 was
true,H571 but the time appointedH6635 was
long:H1419 and he understoodH995 (H853) the thing,H1697 and had understandingH998 of the vision.H4758
Dan 10:2 (TLT+) In thoseH1992 daysH3117
IH589 DanielH1840
wasH1961 taking a time outH58
during weekH7620, H3117
threeH7969 for the Feast of Unleavened
Bread.
Dan 10:3 (TLT+) I ateH398 noH3808 pleasantH2530 bread,H3899 neitherH3808 cameH935 fleshH1320 nor wineH3196 inH413 my mouth,H6310 neitherH3808 did I anoint myself at all,H5480 H5480 tillH5704 weekH7620, H3117 threeH7969 was completed.H4390
Dan 10:4 (TLT+) And in the fourH702
and twentiethH6242 dayH3117 of the firstH7223 month,H2320 as IH589
wasH1961 byH5921
the sideH3027 of the greatH1419 river,H5104
whichH1931 is
Hiddekel;H2313
Dan 10:12 (TLT+) Then
said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the
first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and
to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy
words.
Dan 10:13 (TLT+) But the princeH8269 of the kingdomH4438 of PersiaH6539 stoodH5975 by himself until beforeH5048 dayH3117 oneH259 and twentyH6242 but, lo,H2009 from the likeness of powerH4317 the firstH259
of the foremostH7223 of princesH8269 cameH935
for my protection;H5826 and
IH589 remainedH3498 thereH8033
withH681 the kingsH4428
of Persia.H6539
Dan 10:1 (KJV) In the thirdH7969 yearH8141 of CyrusH3566 kingH4428 of PersiaH6539 a thingH1697 was revealedH1540 unto Daniel,H1840 whoseH834
nameH8034 was calledH7121 Belteshazzar;H1095 and the thingH1697 was
true,H571 but the time appointedH6635 was
long:H1419 and he understoodH995 (H853) the thing,H1697 and had understandingH998 of the vision.H4758
Dan 10:2 (KJV) In thoseH1992 daysH3117
IH589 DanielH1840
wasH1961 mourningH56
threeH7969 fullH3117 weeks.H7620
Dan 10:3 (KJV) I ateH398 noH3808 pleasantH2530 bread,H3899 neitherH3808 cameH935 fleshH1320 nor wineH3196 inH413 my mouth,H6310 neitherH3808 did I anoint myself at all,H5480 H5480 tillH5704 threeH7969 wholeH3117 weeksH7620 were fulfilled.H4390
Dan 10:4 (KJV) And in the fourH702
and twentiethH6242 dayH3117 of the firstH7223 month,H2320 as IH589
wasH1961 byH5921
the sideH3027 of the greatH1419 river,H5104
whichH1931 is
Hiddekel;H2313
Dan
10:12 (KJV) Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou
didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy
words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
Dan 10:13 (KJV) But the princeH8269 of the kingdomH4438 of PersiaH6539 withstoodH5975 H5048 me oneH259 and twentyH6242 days:H3117 but, lo,H2009 Michael,H4317 oneH259
of the chiefH7223 princes,H8269 cameH935
to helpH5826 me; and IH589 remainedH3498 thereH8033
withH681 the kingsH4428 of Persia.H6539
Dan 10:1 בשׁנתH8141
שׁלושׁH7969
לכורשׁH3566
מלךH4428
פרסH6539
דברH1697
נגלהH1540
לדניאלH1840
אשׁרH834 נקראH7121
שׁמוH8034
בלטשׁאצרH1095
ואמתH571 הדברH1697
וצבאH6635
גדולH1419
וביןH995 אתH853 הדברH1697
ובינהH998 לו
במראה׃H4758
Dan 10:2 בימיםH3117
ההםH1992
אניH589 דניאלH1840
הייתיH1961
מתאבלH56 שׁלשׁהH7969 שׁבעיםH7620 ימים׃H3117
Dan 10:3 לחםH3899
חמדותH2530
לאH3808
אכלתיH398 ובשׂרH1320
וייןH3196
לאH3808
באH935 אלH413 פיH6310 וסוךH5480
לאH3808
סכתיH5480
עדH5704
מלאתH4390
שׁלשׁתH7969
שׁבעיםH7620
ימים׃H3117
Dan 10:4 וביוםH3117
עשׂריםH6242
וארבעהH702 לחדשׁH2320 הראשׁוןH7223
ואניH589 הייתיH1961
עלH5921 ידH3027 הנהרH5104
הגדולH1419
הואH1931
חדקל׃H2313
Dan 10:12 ויאמרH559 אליH413 אלH408 תיראH3372 דניאלH1840 כיH3588 מןH4480 היוםH3117 הראשׁוןH7223 אשׁרH834 נתתH5414 אתH853 לבךH3820 להביןH995 ולהתענותH6031 לפניH6440 אלהיךH430 נשׁמעוH8085 דבריךH1697 ואניH589 באתיH935 בדבריך׃H1697
Dan 10:13 ושׂרH8269
מלכותH4438
פרסH6539
עמדH5975
לנגדיH5048
עשׂריםH6242
ואחדH259 יוםH3117 והנהH2009
מיכאלH4317
אחדH259 השׂריםH8269
הראשׁניםH7223
באH935 לעזרניH5826
ואניH589 נותרתיH3498
שׁםH8033
אצלH681 מלכיH4428
פרס׃H6539
On the very pregnant implications of
verse 13:
Recognizing the correct correlation between time and the key
players of this verse is key to a correct interpretation of this verse. We have
learned before that:
1. Cambyses,
the son of Cyrus was delivered on or before Nisan 4, 533 BCE;
2. Cambyses,
the son of Cyrus began his reign within a year following Tishri 22, 531 BCE;
3. Cambyses,
the father of Cyrus was alive and well before Cyrus’ wedding and that he died
several years before Cyrus’ death; and
4. The 3rd
Scriptural year of Cyrus began Tishri 22, 532 BCE; it follows that the dates of
Daniel 10 pertain to Aviv, 531 BCE.
Noticing the wording of verse 13 in this setting at first
makes me consider whether Cyrus’ father Cambyses died on Aviv 21, 531 BCE
[notice the singular of the first word “ושׂר” of the verse and the word “לנגדי” which I believe is referencing the given date rather than the
speaker, i.e. a construct state.] However, since it is the word ‘tzar’ or “a head
person, prince” etc. that is used, this may not be the case and more likely it
would reference the single firstborn son of Cyrus. Furthermore, it looks as
though Cyrus’ second son Tanaoxares
or Smerdis was born this same day [notice the words “והנה,” Lo and
behold!, “מיכאל,”
which upon consideration of its elements ‘from,’ ‘cause,’ and ‘power,’ may be
translated “in the likeness of the father” etc.. At the very least I see the
word “השׂרים,”
i.e. the plural reference to that word as evidence of this second son having
come into existence at this time. Most importantly, I notice, at the end of the
verse, the reference to “kings of
Re the beginning and end of reign of Cambyses, king of
Based on our considerations re Daniel 10:3 above it is
apparent that Cambyses, Cyrus’ father, was still alive in Cyrus’ 3rd
Scriptural year of reign, which year began Tishri 22, 532 BCE. Considering also
the established fact that the accession year of Cambyses, Cyrus’ son, began in
the following year, the Scriptural year beginning Tishri 22, 531 BCE, and
Xenophon’s statement re him being at the time of Cyrus’ death “long
since dead,” I don’t find it unlikely that Cyrus appointed his then 3 year
old son Cambyses to king of Persia at the time of death of Cambyses, Cyrus’
father. Considering also Cyrus wisdom and the respect he showed for his
father’s words of wisdom as reflected by Xenophon I find support for such a
conclusion re the time of death of Cambyses in that also. Accordingly, I find a
tentative basis that Cambyses, Cyrus’ father and king of
Conclusion:
I find that a more correct translation of Daniel 10:1-13 is
in accord with the (TLT) translation indicated above
and that reference is being made to the seven days, or even to the Shabbats, of
the third week of the first month.
Additional considerations re an hypothesis that the Aviv 24 of Daniel
10:4 fell on a regular weekly Shabbat:
Studying the particulars relative to time designations and Daniel Chapter ten, I find that reference is being made, not to “three weeks” but to “the third sevens of days,” i.e. to the third week of the first lunar month which constitutes the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Perhaps this difference may seem to some to be moot and of little significance? Yet, in my overall study of Scriptural chronology I find this difference of some importance:
Recognizing the tremendous importance placed by the Scriptures upon correct Sabbath keeping and of the blessings in consequence thereof I find it quite possible that the 24th day of the 1st month referenced in Daniel 10:4 may indeed be a regular weekly Seventh Day Shabbat, or else why isn’t Daniel minding his secular responsibilities rather than the thoughts more commonly considered upon the Shabbats ordained by our Creator?
In consequence, I might find that this particular astronomical coincidence, a weekly Shabbat vs. the 24th day of the 1st month, may help me confirm which particular year is being pointed to by the words: “In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia” Dan 10:1.
It is commonly believed that
The first question of some importance is then: Reckoning from Tishri 16, 539 BCE, which Feast of Unleavened Bread belongs within the corresponding “3rd year of Cyrus?” Is it the one in Abib, 536 BCE or the one in Abib, 535 BCE? Considering my findings re the Scriptural end of the year, I find that, contrary to common belief, Abib 536 BCE would be the correct answer. Thus also, if the above assumptions were all to be correct, then Abib 24, 536 BCE was a Seventh Day Shabbat. Can this be confirmed or, if not, could Abib 24, 535 BCE be a Shabbat?
First I find (using NASA’s astronomical tables of the phases of the moon) that Abib 24, 536 BCE began at sunset on (March 23 or 24 or) April 21 or 22, 536 BCE and Abib 24, 535 BCE began at sunset April 11 or 12 (or May 10 or 11,) 535 BCE.
Next, I find (using the calculator at http:\\www.nr.com\julian.html (and Julian Day Number Calculations.mht)) that these dates correspond to the following days of the week:
1. Abib 24, 536 BCE began at sunset on (in the unlikely event that there was aviv by Feb 28, Fri March 23 or Sat 24 or else) Sat April 21 or Sun 22, 536 BCE
2. Abib 24, 535 BCE began at sunset Thu April 11 or, in the somewhat unlikely event of bad weather on March 19, Fri April 12 (or, in the unlikely event that the barley was not yet aviv [a stage of ripening] by Mar 19, 535 BCE: Fri May 10 or Sat 11,) 535 BCE
Thus, I conclude that, provided the anniversary of Babylon’s fall and the beginning of the reign of Cyrus were to be reckoned from Tishri 16, 539 BCE, based upon my considerations above re the date Abib 24 of Daniel 10:4, that either year would be possible, but that both years would require a somewhat unusual situation in order for Abib 24 to fall on a Shabbat.
Next, I wish to consider also whether it be possible that Abib 24 was a Shabbat in Cyrus’ 3rd Babylonian year of reign (i.e. 531 BCE) or in Cyrus’ 3rd Scriptural year (which Scriptural year, based upon the death of the king of Media would be 530 BCE, however upon further consideration and study I find that it is 531 BCE) I find accordingly that Abib 24, 531 BCE began (if there was aviv by March 5, at sunset Tue March 28 or Wed March 29 or else) at sunset Thu April 27, 531 BCE, or, if there was bad wheather on April 4, Fri 28, 531 BCE. Given the above considerations re Daniel 10:4, I find that this too is possible and yet also requiring a slightly unusual situation.
Considering the same question relative to 530 BCE, Cyrus’ 3rd Scriptural year of reign, I find accordingly that Abib 24, 530 BCE began at sunset Mon April 16 or Tue 17, 530 BCE. Given the above considerations re Daniel 10:4, I find that this is not possible though at one point I was convinced that indeed this is the most likely year being referenced by Daniel 10:1, 4.
Lastly, let me list the all the dates under consideration for Aviv 24 of Dan 10:4 for the years 536 BCE through 529 BCE:
1. Abib 24, 536 BCE began at sunset on (in the unlikely event that there was aviv by Feb 28, Fri March 23 or Sat 24 or else on) Sat April 21 or Sun 22, 536 BCE,
2. Abib 24, 535 BCE began at sunset Thu April 11 or, in the unlikely event of bad weather on March 19, at sunset Fri April 12 (or, in the unlikely event that the barley was not yet aviv [a stage of ripening] by Mar 19, 535 BCE: At sunset Fri May 10 or Sat 11,) 535 BCE,
3. Abib 24, 534 BCE began at sunset, if aviv by Mar 8, 534 BCE, Mon Mar 31 or Tue April 1, or else at sunset Wed April 30 or Thu May 1, 534 BCE.
4. Abib 24, 533 BCE (a leap year) began at sunset, if aviv by Feb 26, 533 BCE, Sat Mar 20 or Sun 21, or else April (Sun 18,) Mon 19 or Tue 20, BCE.
5. Abib 24, 532 BCE began at sunset, if aviv by March 16, 532 BCE, Fri April 8 or Sat April 9, or else May (Sat 7,) Sun 8 or Mon 9, 532 BCE.
6. Abib 24, 531 BCE began at sunset (if there was aviv by March 5; Tue March 28 or Wed 29 or else at sunset) Thu April 27 or (if there was bad wheather on April 4) Fri April 28, 531 BCE,
7. Abib 24, 530 BCE began at sunset Mon April 16 or Tue April 17, 530 BCE,
8. Abib 24, 529 BCE began at sunset Fri April 4 or Sat April 5, or else Sun May 4 or Mon May 5, 529 BCE.
In summary, if the Aviv 24 of Daniel 10:4 was a Shabbat, then Cyrus’ 3rd year of reign fell in one of the years 536, 535, 532, 531 or 529 BCE, but not in 534, 533 or 530 BCE. (Among these years the year requiring the least unusual seasonal circumstances would be 532 or 529 BCE.)
These arguments are of historical interest only and do
not pertain to the real events:
However, if Cyrus’ 3rd year as referenced in Daniel 10 is
reckoned per the Babylonian calendar, which it shouldn’t be if Daniel is
using the same system of reckoning as he does in Daniel 1, then Cyrus’ decree
was issued in his 1st Babylonian year of reign, which Babylonian
year was subsequent to Darius the Median’s 1st Babylonian year of
reign, which Babylonian year was subsequent to the completion of the 70
Babylonian years of captivity, then, given that Nebuchadnezzar’s 1st
Babylonian year of reign began in 604 BCE, Cyrus’ 1st year was
reckoned per the Babylonian calendar as beginning no earlier than Aviv 1, 533
BCE and Cyrus’ 3rd year was reckoned as beginning no earlier than
Abib 1, 531 BCE. Accordingly, Daniel 10:4 would be dated beginning at sunset Fri
April 28, 531 BCE.
However, if Daniel is
using Scriptural reckoning in Daniel 10 as expected based on his practice in
Daniel 1, and if as I have found,
Cyrus’ decree was issued in his 1st Scriptural year of reign, which
Scriptural year was subsequent to Darius the Median’s 2nd Scriptural
year of reign, which was subsequent to the completion of the 70 Scriptural
years captivity, then, given that Nebuchadnezzar’s 1st Scriptural
year of reign began in 605 BCE, Cyrus’ 1st year was reckoned per the
Babylonian calendar as beginning no earlier than Tishri 22, 533 BCE and Cyrus’
3rd year was reckoned as beginning no earlier than Tishri 22, 531
BCE. Accordingly, Daniel 10:4 would be dated beginning at sunset Mon April 16
or Tue April 17, 530 BCE.
If, on the other hand, Cyrus’ accession year was reckoned as concurrent
with the year of the fall of Babylon and if that happened on Tishri 16, 539 BCE
as most commonly believed, then Dan 10:4 would be dated beginning at sunset Fri
March 23, 536 BCE. Else, if Cyrus’ accession year was reckoned as beginning
either one, four or five years subsequent to the fall of Babylon, as commonly
placed on Tishri 16, 539 BCE, then Dan 10:4 may still be dated on a Shabbat.
In summary then, although my hypothesis re Abib 24 being a Shabbat could also be used in support of the conventional dating I am working on refuting and revising, more importantly, it is supported by the most exact solution I’ve found for the event as they did happen.
But, when did Belshazzar’s feast occur?
What was the event being celebrated at Belshazzar’s
feast on “Tishri 16?” Why were the vessels from the temple in
“15. …when he [Cyrus] heard that a certain festival had come round in Babylon, during which all Babylon was accustomed to drink and revel all night long, Cyrus took a large number of men, just as soon as it was dark, and… opened up the heads of the trenches at the river…” (SDA Bible Student's Sourcebook [i.e. SDA Bible Commentary,] Vol. 9, p.305; Source: Xenophon Cyropaedia vii. 5. 10, 13, 15, 16, 26-30; translated by Walter Miller, Vol. 2 (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1943), pp. 265,267, 269, 271, 273.)
In the end, as it turns out, the common teaching
that the fall of
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