The Princes of Persia and Greece

Daniel describes a messenger delayed by the prince of Persia, with Michael coming to his aid. The prince of Greece also belongs to the coming conflict. Later, Michael is identified with the protection of Daniel's people.

The vision associates visible nations with a struggle beyond ordinary human politics. Its heavenly figures are involved in the history of empires and peoples. This gives us a biblical picture of supernatural activity long after the primordial scenes in Genesis.

It also keeps two questions separate. A spiritual power associated with a nation is not necessarily one of the beings involved in taking wives before the Flood. Daniel describes conflict and protection, rather than a heroic genealogy.

For the Greek comparison, the prince of Greece is especially important. Biblical thought can speak of spiritual involvement with Greece without identifying that prince with Zeus, Apollo, or another familiar figure. The association is disclosed; the particular mapping remains to be established.