Charles Ellicott Commentary Daniel 9:21

"yea, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation." — Daniel 9:21 (ASV)

Being caused to fly swiftly.— A very difficult expression, occurring only here. The Authorized Version follows the Septuagint and Theodotion. The rendering has been defended on the ground that the word translated “swiftly” comes from a root meaning “to fly,” and is literally rendered by flight. Thus, “caused to fly in flight” means “caused to fly swiftly.”

The marginal version, “with weariness,” finds supporters and, if adopted, must be taken to refer to Daniel's bodily condition (Daniel 8:17–27).

The former translation is most in accordance with the context. The “flight” of angels is implied in Isaiah 6:2, and should not be regarded as an idea foreign to the Old Testament.

Touched me.— Literally, reached me. (Compare this use of the word, Jonah 3:6.) The time of the evening sacrifice is 3:00 P.M., being the hour of evening prayer. (Numbers 28:4.)