Daniel 10 16

Daniel 10:16 kjv

And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.

Daniel 10:16 nkjv

And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, "My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength.

Daniel 10:16 niv

Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, "I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak.

Daniel 10:16 esv

And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, "O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength.

Daniel 10:16 nlt

Then the one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, "I am filled with anguish because of the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak.

Daniel 10 verses

Daniel 10 16 Meaning

The verse describes the prophet Daniel's response to the angelic messenger's appearance. Daniel, overcome by awe and a sense of human frailty, touches his lips, signifying a desire to speak or perhaps a moment of being rendered speechless. The verse captures the profound impact of divine encounter on a human being.

Daniel 10 16 Context

Daniel chapter 10 describes a profound prophetic vision. The prophet Daniel is given an extended period of mourning and fasting after a troubling vision about future conflicts. In chapter 10, an angelic messenger, likely Gabriel, appears to Daniel. Daniel is weak and trembling from the glorious, awe-inspiring manifestation of this heavenly being. The chapter details Daniel's emotional and physical state and the angelic being's message, which reassures Daniel and speaks of spiritual warfare and future events concerning Israel.

Daniel 10 16 Word Analysis

• "And I," (וְאָנִי, wə’ānî): Daniel's personal and immediate identification with the experience, emphasizing his direct involvement.
• "then," (אָז, ’āz): Indicates the sequence of events, following the angelic presence and revelation.
• "being," (וַהֱיוֹת, wəhĕyôṯ): The state of being or condition.
• "thus" (כֹּה, kō): In this manner, or to this extent.
• "weak," (חַלַּשׁ, ḥallāš): Depicts a state of diminished strength, fragility, or illness. It signifies physical exhaustion and incapacitation.
• "and I," (וְאָנִי, wə’ānî): Reinforces the personal aspect of Daniel's weakness.
• "could" (יָכֹל, yāḵôl): Able to, having the power or capacity.
• "not" (לֹא, lō): Negation.
• "lift" (שָׂא, śā’): To raise up, carry, or bear.
• "up myself." (נַפְשִׁי, nap̄šî): My own soul or person. This signifies an inability to stand or to resume a normal posture or state of being on his own strength.
• "Then" (אָז, ’āz): Another temporal indicator, marking the next action.
• "lo," (הִנֵּה, hinneh): Behold, look, observe; an exclamation to draw attention.
• "and I" (וַאֲנִי, wə’ānî): Repetition for emphasis on Daniel's state.
• "put" (נָתַן, nāṯan): To place, set, give.
• "my" (יָדִי, yədî): My hand.
• "hands" (יָדַי, yədāy): Hands (dual form in some contexts, but here likely referring to the general extremity).
• "upon" (עַל, ‘al): Positioned on or over.
• "my" (יַרְכֵיהֶם, yarkêhem): My knees (This seems to be a textual variation or mistranscription; the likely original phrasing points to his own knees, similar to verse 10).
• "and upon" (וְעַל, wə‘al): And upon.
• "the" (רַקּוֹב, raqqōb or similar phrasing for palms/soles).
• "palms" (קְרִי, qĕrî): This word can mean a spot, or figuratively a bald place; referring to the palms of the hands.

Group analysis: The phrases "could not lift up myself" and "put my hands upon my knees" describe Daniel's physical posture as a result of his spiritual encounter. The former indicates total exhaustion and inability to stand, while the latter shows a humble, prostrate-like position of reverence and awe. It is a posture of one overwhelmed and humbled before divine power.

Daniel 10 16 Bonus Section

The interaction described in Daniel 10:16, where Daniel is too weak to stand and props himself up, echoes the human experience of encountering the holy, as seen in Isaiah's cry "Woe is me! I am ruined! for my lips are unclean..." (Isaiah 6:5) and John the Apostle's reaction before the glorified Christ, where he "fell at his feet as though dead" (Revelation 1:17). This common theme illustrates that true spiritual apprehension often involves a sense of self-negation and a recognition of human limitations when confronted by the divine. The strength conveyed by the heavenly messenger (as seen in the previous verse where Daniel feels strengthened) contrasts with Daniel's subsequent physical depletion, emphasizing that spiritual impartation and revelation have profound physiological effects. Scholars note that the imagery here signifies not only fear but a profound sense of being in the presence of holiness, a common motif in Old Testament theophanies.

Daniel 10 16 Commentary

Daniel’s profound physical and emotional response to the angelic messenger highlights the overwhelming nature of encountering divine beings. His weakness and need to prop himself up are not just physical fatigue but a testament to the intensity of the spiritual reality being revealed. This mirrors similar reactions throughout Scripture, where direct contact with God or His messengers leaves humans feeling utterly frail and inadequate, yet receptive to the message. It underscores that spiritual understanding often comes through experiences that transcend ordinary human capacity. The act of supporting himself on his hands and knees is a posture of both submission and continued readiness to listen, despite the overwhelming effects.