Commentaries:
The wording is somewhat confusing here in this brief introduction to the prophecy, but it means that Daniel understood only part of a very long prophecy. All of chapter 10 is devoted to the introduction, preparing Daniel to receive the prophecy that begins in chapter 11.
Now here is what happens: The prophecy is given, but it is not explained. This is God's pattern. He gives prophecies, but rarely does He ever explain them. This helps us to understand an application of what Paul says in I Corinthians 13:12, "we look through a glass darkly." We do not know. We do not see everything clearly.
Paul also says in that verse that "we know in part." This is how Daniel was here. He understood a small portion of a very long prophecy in terms both of its wording and its fulfillment.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Where Is the Beast? (Part Three)
Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Daniel 10:1:
Luke 2:25
Luke 2:30-32
Luke 2:36-38