The answer is: A man clothed in linen

Daniel 10:5

In the Book of Daniel, the river Hiddekel – one of the four rivers mentioned in the garden of Eden, known today as the Tigris – serves as a dramatic backdrop for a captivating vision that Daniel encounters. As he stands by this river, he sees "a man clothed in linen." This figure is no ordinary man – the linen robes allude to purity and holiness, echoing back to the priestly garments described in Exodus and the heavenly beings seen in other prophetic books like Ezekiel.

The moment is charged with significant symbolism; the river itself often serves as a metaphor for life and sustenance, while the figure reflects divine communication and revelation. Isn’t it fascinating how rivers pop up in so many important biblical moments, like Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan or the waters of Marah made sweet? It reminds us that these pathways of water often bridge the ordinary with the divine.

Finally, biblical scholars note that the 'man' could embody a heavenly messenger or angelic being, and elements of this vision suggest layers of cosmic conflict. That’s an awesome tie-in—not just with the physical world Daniel navigated but with the mystical battle between good and evil played out in the spiritual realms. So, while Daniel may have seen an astonishing figure, he was also witnessing something deeply monumental about the intertwined fates of God’s people and the pulls of the unseen world around them.