And I, in the first year of Darius the MedeThe speaker here is the angelic messenger, likely Gabriel, who continues the vision from the previous chapter. The "first year of Darius the Mede" refers to the period immediately following the fall of Babylon to the Medo-Persian Empire in 539 BC. Darius the Mede is a debated figure, with some identifying him as a title for Cyrus the Great or as a governor under Cyrus. This period marks a significant transition in biblical history, as the Jewish people were allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, fulfilling prophecies such as those in
Isaiah 44:28 and
Jeremiah 29:10.
stood up to strengthen and protect him
The angelic being's role was to support and defend Darius the Mede, indicating divine intervention in the affairs of nations. This protection ensured the fulfillment of God's plans for His people, as Darius's reign was crucial for the decree allowing the Jews to return to their homeland. The phrase suggests a spiritual battle behind the scenes, aligning with the theme of angelic warfare found inDaniel 10:13, where the "prince of Persia" is mentioned. This highlights the biblical concept that earthly events often have spiritual dimensions, as seen inEphesians 6:12, which speaks of spiritual forces influencing world affairs.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
DanielA prophet and a key figure in the Book of Daniel, known for his faithfulness to God and his ability to interpret dreams and visions. In this verse, Daniel is speaking about his role in supporting Darius.
2.
Darius the MedeA ruler mentioned in the Book of Daniel, often identified with the Medo-Persian empire. His reign marks a significant period in Jewish history, as it follows the fall of Babylon.
3.
The First Year of DariusThis time frame is significant as it marks the transition of power from Babylon to the Medo-Persian empire, a fulfillment of earlier prophecies.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over NationsDaniel 11:1 reminds us that God is in control of world events and rulers. Just as He used Daniel to support Darius, God can use His people to influence leaders today.
The Role of God's People in Secular GovernanceDaniel's involvement in the court of Darius shows that believers can play a crucial role in secular governments, providing wisdom and support in alignment with God's purposes.
Faithfulness in Uncertain TimesDaniel's steadfastness in his role, even under foreign rule, encourages believers to remain faithful and trust in God's plan, regardless of the political climate.
Spiritual Support and IntercessionThe phrase "stood up to strengthen and protect him" suggests the importance of spiritual support and intercession for leaders, a practice that remains vital for Christians today.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Daniel 11:1?
2.How does Daniel 11:1 demonstrate God's sovereignty in historical events?
3.What role does the "first year of Darius" play in God's plan?
4.How can we find strength in God's support, as seen in Daniel 11:1?
5.How does Daniel 11:1 connect to God's faithfulness in other Scriptures?
6.How can we apply the example of divine support in our daily lives?
7.What historical context surrounds Daniel 11:1 and its significance in biblical prophecy?
8.How does Daniel 11:1 relate to the broader narrative of the Book of Daniel?
9.What role does the angelic figure play in Daniel 11:1?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Daniel 11?
11.Why does Daniel claim Darius the Mede ruled Babylon when no such person is known in history?
12.What archaeological or historical proof supports the existence of Darius the Mede in Daniel 6, since he remains absent from most known records?
13.Why does the Bible describe historical figures (e.g., King Darius in Daniel 6) in ways that contradict actual Persian records?
14.How can Daniel 10:1 reference the 'third year of Cyrus' if other passages suggest a different timeline for Cyrus's reign?What Does Daniel 11:1 Mean
And I- The phrase links back to the heavenly messenger who has been speaking sinceDaniel 10: “I have come because of your words” (Daniel 10:12).
- This same messenger later said, “There is no one who stands with me against these except Michael your prince” (Daniel 10:21).
- Scripture consistently presents angels as personal beings who interact with God’s people (Psalm 34:7;Hebrews 1:14). The “I” is therefore an angel who is actively engaged in God’s plan, reminding us that the unseen realm is real and dynamic.
in the first year of Darius the Mede- Time stamp: 539–538 BC. God anchors prophecy to verifiable history (Daniel 5:31; 9:1).
- Darius’s early reign followed Babylon’s fall, fulfillingIsaiah 44:28 andJeremiah 29:10 that promised Israel’s release after seventy years.
- By naming the year and the ruler, the angel highlights God’s sovereignty over world leaders: “He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them” (Daniel 2:21).
- Practical takeaway: every political transition sits under God’s rule, even when events seem chaotic.
stood up- “Stood up” pictures decisive, active support. Similar wording appears when Michael will “arise” during the end-time distress (Daniel 12:1).
- Spiritual warfare is not passive. “The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days” (Daniel 10:13), yet the angel stood his ground.
- New-Testament parallel: believers are told to “stand firm” against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12–13).
- Encouragement: God’s servants—angelic and human—are expected to take a stand, not merely observe.
to strengthen and protect him- The goal was twofold:
• strengthen (confirm, encourage)
• protect (guard, defend)
- “Him” refers to Darius, the earthly king whom God used to favor the Jews (compareEzra 1:1: “that the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia”).
-Proverbs 21:1 affirms, “The king’s heart is a watercourse in the hand of the LORD; He directs it wherever He pleases.” The angel’s ministry was one means God used to guide that heart.
-Psalm 91:11 promises, “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” The verse in Daniel shows that promise operating on a governmental level as well as a personal one.
summaryDaniel 11:1 pulls back the curtain on how God mobilizes His angels in real time, at a specific historical moment, to fortify and shield a pagan king so that God’s prophetic purposes for His people advance without hindrance. The verse assures us that heavenly help is deliberate, timely, and effective, reinforcing the truth that the Lord rules over both the visible and the invisible realms for the good of His people and the fulfillment of His Word.
XI.
(1)In the first year of Darius.--These words must be closely connected with the last verse of Daniel 10. The allusion is, most probably, to the fall of Babylon and the return from the Exile, at which time, as at the Exodus, the angel of the Lord went before His people. There is also a reference toDaniel 6:22.
Verses 1-45. - THE KINGS OF THE NORTH AND THE KINGS OF THE SOUTH.
Verse 1. -
Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him. The versions show signs of great disturbance having happened here. The rendering of the LXX. is, "In the first year of Cyrus the king, he told me to be strong and to play the man." Theodotion's rendering is yet briefer, "And I, in the first year of Cyrus, stood in strength and might." The Peshitta rendering, "In the first year of Darius the Mede (he) arose to confirm and strengthen me." The Vulgate is close to the Massoretic and the English versions, "I likewise, from the first year of Darius the Mede, was standing that he might be confirmed and strengthened." The Revised Version does not differ seriously from the Authorized, "And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him." The Septuagint must have read
אמר (
amar), "he said," instead of
אני (
anee), "I." When we have the Septuagint and Theodotion supporting each other against the Massoretic text, the evidence against the received text is strong. In this case both these versions have, as will be seen, not "Darius," but "Cyrus." The two names would have in the old Egyptian Hebrew script, a striking resemblance to each other; the fact that the last letter of both names is the same, and also the second letter, made the likeness considerable in any script; but the first letter of "Darius" is certainly very like the first letter of" Cyrus." The
vav would possibly be omitted, then the first two letters of either name would resemble closely the first two letters of the other, and the final letters are the same. Mistake, then, was easy. The first letter of
מדי and
מלד is the same, and the words would be liable to be read in accordance with that given to the proper name. Further, all the versions but the Vulgate make the speaker the recipient of the aid. Theodotion may be taken as doubtful The difference is slight,
עמדי becomes
עכד, and
לו becomes
לִי. The Septuagint seems to have read
עַמַּי instead of
עמד. The first two letters are thus the same, the
daleth may have been an intrusion. Bevan and Behrmann would omit the date as spurious, and hold it to have been introduced because the previous four chapters begin each with a date. This reason, to have weight, must assume the division into chapters to be of ancient date, more ancient than the Septuagint Version. The fact that all the versions have it compels us to admit a date here, but, as we have said above, it is to be reckoned by the year, not of Darius, but of Cyrus. (
Also I)
in the first year of Cyrus the king. The first year of Cyrus was the year when he decided to set the Jews free, and permit them to return to their own land; but the first year in this case was reckoned from his assumption of the throne of Babylon. We saw reason to doubt whether the reference in the beginning of ch. 10. was to the Babylonian reign of Cyrus, or to his reign as King of the Persians. His first year as King of the Persians might be when he first began to turn his arms against Babylon. We do not know enough of the history of the first years of Cyrus's monarchy to know what critical events befell in that rear.
Stood to confirm and strengthen him (
me). According to the Massoretic text, the angel Gabriel stood to confirm either the archangel Michael or King Darius. Certainly, as Darius (Cyrus) is the nearer substantive, the grammatical preference would be to take it, as do Havernick, Hitzig, and Calvin. The majority of commentators who hold by the Massoretic text take "him" to refer to Michael - and much can be said for this. Although Darius (Cyrus) is the nearest substantive, yet he is not the subject of the main sentence, but merely denotes a time, therefore a previous substantive must be chosen. In the opening of Cyrus's career, the intimate connection his prosperity had with the prosperity of the people of Israel might well make Michael interested. As Cyrus had been prophesied of, he was under the rule of the angel of prophecy, hence Gabriel strengthened and confirmed the efforts of Michael. Certainly "strengthening" and "confirming" are strong terms to apply to the archangel Michael, yet we know so little of angelic natures and their limitations that the phrase may be quite natural. The meaning is not materially altered if we read, "He stood to strengthen and confirm me."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And I,וַאֲנִי֙(wa·’ă·nî)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589:Iin the firstאַחַ֔ת(’a·ḥaṯ)Number - feminine singular
Strong's 259:United, one, firstyearבִּשְׁנַ֣ת(biš·naṯ)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8141:A yearof Dariusלְדָרְיָ֖וֶשׁ(lə·ḏā·rə·yā·weš)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1867:Darius -- the name of several person kingsthe Mede,הַמָּדִ֑י(ham·mā·ḏî)Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4075:Mede -- an inhabitant of Mediastood upעָמְדִ֛י(‘ā·mə·ḏî)Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5975:To stand, in various relationsto strengthenלְמַחֲזִ֥יק(lə·ma·ḥă·zîq)Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2388:To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquerand protectוּלְמָע֖וֹז(ū·lə·mā·‘ō·wz)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4581:A place or means of safety, protectionhim.לֽוֹ׃(lōw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew
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OT Prophets: Daniel 11:1 As for me in the first year (Dan. Da Dn) 
