Level-2, when properly understood, is dense in terms of the information it conveys —— a wholloping body of details hidden beneath the seemingly prosaic introduction of Daniel’s day by the river.
To get started unpacking that information, the term “sevens of days” must be properly understood. We might assume it means three literal weeks, but this is incorrect. Instead, in Daniel’s vernacular it refers to the “Feast of Weeks.” These are the seven full weeks starting after Pesach (Passover) and concluding at Shavuot (Pentecost). This is why the nostalgic phrase “in those days” (10:2) is used by Daniel, a phrase that would be out of place if referring to a time only three weeks ago and apparently concluding at the time of the vision. On the other hand, it naturally fits if referring to the past three years. This would be the case since the Feast of Weeks is observed each year. To conclude, Daniel is referring to the past three occurences of the Feast of Weeks, fasting over the seven full weeks in each. This is a record of the spiritual investment Daniel had made, seeking to understand the fate of his people, Israel. The vision he experienced was the reward.
The next issue is the “chief month” (10:4). This is a reference to the seventh month on the Creator’s Calendar, which is the first “in rank” or “preeminence” in spiritual significance. Thus, Daniel is describing a span of time covering the prior two full years and the year at hand when he experienced his encounter with the divine ... over two-and-one-half years total. We are in the autumn time of the third year, in the seventh month in particular. More specifically, it is the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month (10:4). Imagine, Daniel began his practice of fasting over “Weeks” three years back. The third time concluded at Pentecost in the early summer. Summer came and now we have moved into the autumn time. The seventh (chief) month began and now we have moved into the twenty-fourth day of the month. This is the situation described in 10:2-4.
The Hiddekel River also carries significance. This river signifies rebellion and shame. The prophetic encounter about which Daniel was to experience revealed these very characteristics about Israel on the whole. The rebellion would continue towards both a futile and fatalistic conclusion. Daniel realized this during the encounter, as we will see. The Hiddekel River’s unenviable connection with rebellion and shame will be covered in more detail later.
Moving on to the companion verses, 12:11 gives the famous 1,290-day span of the “great tribulation”; 12:12, the grossly misunderstood 1,335-day span.
Due to the importance of the time elements of 10:2-4 // 12:11-12, necessary space will be given in the pages to follow so that we might explore the full extent of their implications before moving on to Level-3.