Who is Michael in the book of Daniel?

Michael is described as “one of the chief princes” who came to help in conflict, and later as “the great prince who has charge of your people.” He is mentioned in connection with protection during a time of trouble. Daniel 10:13

Passage context

In Daniel 10:13–14, the messenger explains why his arrival was delayed: a “prince” connected with Persia resisted him for twenty-one days. Help came from Michael, described as one of the chief princes, allowing the messenger to continue. These verses sit inside Daniel’s final extended vision report (Daniel 10–12). Chapter 10 sets the scene: Daniel mourns and seeks understanding, then encounters a glorious figure and receives reassurance.

Why it matters

These verses explain why Daniel’s wait lasted exactly three weeks: the messenger says he was resisted for twenty-one days by “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” (explicit claim). The delay is not blamed on Daniel’s confusion or lack of effort; it is tied to conflict connected with Persia.

Read carefully

A common mistake is to treat this as trivia. Names, places, numbers, and sequence details often carry memory, covenant identity, or narrative movement in the biblical story.

Keep reading

Start with Daniel 10:13, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.