Daniel 10:16 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
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 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 6:7 | "and he touched my mouth with it, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away..." | Seraph touches lips, cleansing for speech. |
| Jer 1:9 | "Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth." | Lord touches mouth, commissioning prophet. |
| Ezek 3:27 | "But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD..." | Lord enables Ezekiel's speech. |
| Dan 8:18 | "Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright." | Angelic touch awakens and raises Daniel. |
| Dan 10:10 | "And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands." | Angelic touch helps Daniel regain posture. |
| Dan 10:18 | "Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me." | Subsequent touch further strengthens Daniel for speaking. |
| 2 Sam 23:2 | "The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue." | Divine inspiration enabling prophet's speech. |
| Acts 2:4 | "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." | Holy Spirit empowers disciples for speech. |
| Eph 6:19 | "And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel..." | Paul prays for divine utterance/boldness. |
| Dan 7:28 | "Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me..." | Daniel's distress from an earlier vision. |
| Dan 8:27 | "And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision..." | Daniel's physical illness after a vision. |
| Dan 10:8 | "Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength." | Daniel's utter lack of strength before the touch. |
| Dan 10:9 | "Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground." | Daniel overcome by the angelic voice. |
| Ezek 1:28 | "As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face..." | Prophet falls down before divine glory. |
| Rev 1:17 | "And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not..." | John falls before the resurrected Christ. |
| Luke 5:8 | "When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord." | Peter's self-awareness in Christ's presence. |
| Hab 3:16 | "When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble..." | Prophet's terror at divine revelation. |
| Acts 9:4 | "And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" | Saul's response to encountering Christ. |
| Dan 7:13 | "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days..." | Messiah described as "Son of man." |
| Ezek 1:26 | "And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it." | Human-like figure representing God's presence. |
| Phil 2:7 | "But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men..." | Christ's incarnation in human form. |
| Heb 2:17 | "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest..." | Christ's humanity, made like brethren. |
| Gen 18:2 | "And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground..." | Theophany as "men" to Abraham. |
| Josh 5:13 | "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand..." | Appearance of the Commander of the LORD's army. |
Daniel 10 verses
Daniel 10 16 meaning
Daniel 10:16 describes the moment when Daniel, overwhelmed by a divine vision, receives a touch that enables him to speak. He articulates his profound physical and emotional distress to the angelic figure, revealing that the very sight of the vision has turned his inner anguish upon him, leaving him completely devoid of strength. This interaction highlights human frailty in the face of spiritual revelation and the necessity of divine intervention for communication and endurance.
Daniel 10 16 Context
Daniel 10 describes Daniel's intense period of fasting and prayer during the third year of Cyrus's reign, prompted by concerns for his people, Israel, and Jerusalem's restoration. He is at the Tigris river when a glorious, divine-like figure appears to him. This chapter initiates the final major vision of the book of Daniel, providing a detailed prophecy of conflicts and empires involving Persia, Greece, and beyond, with a focus on the spiritual battle underlying human history. Daniel is profoundly affected by the vision's grandeur and its unsettling message. In the preceding verses (10:8-9), he experiences a complete loss of strength and falls into a deep sleep upon seeing the majestic figure and hearing its voice. Verse 16 recounts the critical moment where this heavenly messenger specifically intervenes to enable Daniel to communicate, after two prior interventions (touching him to raise him, v. 10; giving strength, v. 18, before further discourse) demonstrating Daniel's physical and mental incapacitation in the presence of such powerful revelation. His physical and emotional state underscores the overwhelming nature of the divine realm.
Daniel 10 16 Word analysis
- And, behold: (w'hinneh - וְהִנֵּה). An exclamation or interjection drawing immediate attention to a sudden, significant event. It highlights the direct and striking interaction that is about to occur.
- one like the similitude of the sons of men: (k'mar'eh b'nê 'adam - כְּמַרְאֵה בְּנֵי אָדָם). This Hebrew phrase means "as the appearance/likeness of sons of man." It describes a figure who looks human but is implied to be more than a mere man, potentially heavenly or divine. This echoes Dan 7:13 ("one like the Son of Man"), hinting at a messianic figure or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, though it could also refer to a very high-ranking angel specifically sent in human form (e.g., Gabriel, Michael). Its significance lies in the anthropomorphic but awe-inspiring nature of the messenger.
- touched my lips: (naga' 'al s'fatay - נָגַע עַל שְׂפָתָי). The Hebrew verb naga' (נָגַע) means to touch, reach, or strike. This specific act is crucial. It directly addresses Daniel's inability to speak (compare 10:15) and serves as an act of divine enablement. In biblical literature, a touch to the lips often signifies preparation or authorization for prophetic speech.
- then I opened my mouth, and spake: (va'eftah pi va'adabber - וָאֶפְתַּח פִּי וָאֲדַבֵּר). A direct result of the touch. Daniel, previously speechless, is now empowered to articulate his condition. This underscores the transformative power of divine intervention.
- and said unto him that stood before me: Daniel's words are a direct address to the figure, showing his awareness and respectful acknowledgment of the messenger.
- O my lord: ('adoni - אֲדֹנִי). A respectful Hebrew term for addressing a superior, whether a human master, a powerful individual, or an angelic being. It expresses deference but does not necessarily denote divine worship. Daniel's usage here aligns with respectful address to an esteemed and powerful individual.
- by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me: (bamma'reh nehpaku tsiray 'alay - בַּמַּרְאֶה נֶהְפְּכוּ צִירַי עָלָי). Ma'reh (מַרְאֶה) is "vision" or "appearance." Tsiray (צִירַי) are "sorrows," often implying intense pains, distress, or anguish, frequently likened to birth pangs (e.g., Isa 13:8). The verb nahpakh (נָהפַּךְ) means to turn, overthrow, change. Daniel states that the vision itself has reversed his strength, transforming it into overwhelming pain. This pain is not merely physical weakness but profound inner anguish, caused by the revelation's content or its sheer spiritual weight.
- and I have retained no strength: (v'lo 'atsarti koah - וְלֹא עָצַרְתִּי כֹחַ). The verb 'atsar (עָצַר) means to hold back, retain, restrain, or control. Daniel affirms that he has no capacity left to hold onto, or recover, any power or vital force. It's a complete physical, mental, and spiritual depletion, rendering him utterly vulnerable.
Daniel 10 16 Bonus section
The progressive stages of Daniel's restoration in chapter 10 are noteworthy:
- V. 8-9: Utter collapse, loss of strength, changed countenance, deep sleep (unconsciousness).
- V. 10: A hand touches him, setting him on his knees and hands. Partial restoration to a kneeling posture.
- V. 11: The voice encourages him, reminding him he is "greatly beloved." Moral strengthening.
- V. 15: Daniel becomes speechless, his face to the ground. Regression in strength, or continued effect of overwhelming presence.
- V. 16 (this verse): A touch to his lips enables speech, allowing him to voice his continued weakness.
- V. 18-19: The figure touches him again, strengthening him further and urging him "Fear not... be strong." Complete restoration to standing and active listening for the coming revelation.
This sequence highlights the continuous and specific intervention of God's messenger needed to sustain a human prophet through a powerful spiritual experience, emphasizing God's gentle care for His servants even amidst profound divine encounters. The nature of the "one like the similitude of the sons of men" is rich with theological depth, particularly for Christian interpreters who see in it a Christophany, an appearance of the pre-incarnate Jesus, given the parallel language to Daniel 7:13 and the specific, authoritative empowerment displayed.
Daniel 10 16 Commentary
Daniel 10:16 portrays a poignant moment of profound human vulnerability before divine revelation. Daniel, a man of faith and prophetic insight, is utterly incapacitated by the vision's glory and implications. The "one like the similitude of the sons of men," an awe-inspiring angelic or pre-incarnate Christ figure, must physically touch Daniel to enable his speech, underscoring that human capacity alone is insufficient for engaging with the spiritual realm. Daniel's confession of his "sorrows" being "turned upon him by the vision" reveals a deep spiritual and emotional distress beyond mere physical weakness. This anguish likely stems from grasping the weighty, and often difficult, truths conveyed in the prophetic vision, perhaps particularly the future trials of his people, foreshadowing the immense suffering to come, alongside God's ultimate victory. His state of retaining "no strength" is a powerful testimony to the overwhelming power and majesty of God's presence, requiring divine grace for humans to even stand and speak in its presence.