Daniel 8 16

Daniel 8:16 kjv

And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

Daniel 8:16 nkjv

And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, "Gabriel, make this man understand the vision."

Daniel 8:16 niv

And I heard a man's voice from the Ulai calling, "Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision."

Daniel 8:16 esv

And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, "Gabriel, make this man understand the vision."

Daniel 8:16 nlt

And I heard a human voice calling out from the Ulai River, "Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of his vision."

Daniel 8 verses

Daniel 8 16 meaning

Daniel 8:16 records a divine command for the angel Gabriel to provide understanding to the prophet Daniel concerning the perplexing vision he just experienced. This verse highlights the need for divine interpretation of prophetic revelation and the role of angels as messengers in conveying God's will and insights to humanity. It underscores that spiritual truth is often hidden, requiring heavenly assistance to comprehend its meaning and implications, especially when it concerns future events and the course of world history.

Daniel 8 16 Context

Daniel 8:16 occurs immediately after Daniel recounts a detailed vision (Dan 8:1-14) of a ram and a goat, followed by a "little horn" figure whose actions devastate the sanctuary and daily sacrifice. Daniel is deeply perplexed and overwhelmed by the vision, as indicated in verse 15, which states he sought to understand it. The setting for this vision is by the Ulai Canal in Susa. This verse marks a pivotal moment where divine intervention is initiated to provide the necessary interpretation, specifically by sending the angel Gabriel. The vision itself prophesies the rise and fall of the Medo-Persian and Grecian empires, culminating in the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, with broader implications pointing to a future ultimate adversary. Daniel’s distress and the subsequent divine command underscore the gravity and complexity of the prophecy, indicating it's beyond human deciphering alone.

Daniel 8 16 Word analysis

• And I heard: This opening indicates a direct sensory experience by Daniel. It emphasizes the immediacy and personal nature of receiving divine communication. Daniel is an active recipient in the unfolding revelation.
• a man's voice: Original (Hebrew): קוֹל אָדָם (qôl ʾādām). "qôl" (קוֹל) means "voice," "sound," "cry." It denotes an audible utterance. "ʾādām" (אָדָם) here translates to "man," "human being." The voice sounds distinctly human, distinguishing it from an unidentifiable angelic sound or a non-physical thought. However, its source, though appearing human, emanates from a heavenly realm, a common characteristic of angelic appearances in Daniel (e.g., Dan 10:5-6).
• between the banks of Ulai: Original (Hebrew): בֵּין אוּלַי (bêyn ʾÛlay). "Ulai" refers to a significant river/canal system near Susa, the capital of Elam, where Daniel was during this vision. This geographical specificity roots the spiritual experience in a real, historical context, linking divine prophecy to earthly locales. It may also imply that this location was special for Daniel or the vision was tied to his location at that specific time. Susa later became an important Persian capital.
• which called, and said: Original (Hebrew): קָרָא וַיֹּאמַר (qārāʾ wayyōʾmar). "qārāʾ" (קָרָא) means "to call," "to summon." This suggests a deliberate, authoritative utterance, capturing Daniel's attention. "wayyōʾmar" (וַיֹּאמַר) means "and he said." This is a standard Hebrew narrative transition for direct speech. It confirms the verbal communication aspect.
• Gabriel: Original (Hebrew): גַּבְרִיאֵל (Gavriʾēl). This name means "God is my strong one" or "man of God." Gabriel is a significant archangel who consistently functions as a messenger of divine revelation in the Bible. His appearance signals the critical importance of the message and his specific role in interpreting it. He is one of only two angels named in the Protestant canon (the other being Michael), highlighting his distinct position. This is his first appearance by name in scripture, marking a new phase in Daniel's prophetic revelations.
• make this man to understand: Original (Hebrew): הָבֵן לְאִישׁ הַזֶּה (hāvēn ləʾîš hazzěh). "hāvēn" (הָבֵן) is the Hiphil imperative of בִּין (bîn), meaning "to understand," "to perceive," "to discern." The Hiphil form means "to cause to understand," "to make intelligible." This is a direct command for Gabriel to act as an instructor, providing clarity to Daniel. "לְאִישׁ הַזֶּה" (ləʾîš hazzěh) means "this man," referring specifically to Daniel. The voice from Ulai, presumably from a higher angelic or divine source, is directly instructing Gabriel to focus on Daniel’s need.
• the vision: Original (Hebrew): הַמַּרְאֶה (hammarʾeh). This term refers to the visual prophecy Daniel had just witnessed. It signifies that the entire sequence of events with the ram, goat, and horn needs to be deciphered. It's not just a general instruction, but specifically tied to the previous, troubling revelation. It highlights that the vision's true meaning is not immediately self-evident and requires explanation.

Words-group analysis:

• "a man's voice ... Gabriel": This sequence is critical. The initial voice, sounding human, is a high-level command (possibly God Himself or an angel of superior rank). It isn't Gabriel speaking to Daniel initially, but rather Gabriel being commanded by someone else to Daniel. This demonstrates the hierarchy and authority within the celestial realm in relaying God's message.
• "make this man to understand the vision": This phrase directly states the purpose of Gabriel's interaction with Daniel. It underscores the divine concern for the prophet's comprehension of complex future events, recognizing that Daniel, as a human, cannot grasp these truths without heavenly assistance. This understanding is crucial for Daniel's spiritual peace and his role as a recipient of divine revelation.

Daniel 8 16 Bonus section

• The Identity of the "Man's Voice": While not explicitly stated, biblical scholars generally believe the voice that commanded Gabriel belonged to a superior angelic being, possibly a pre-incarnate appearance of the Son of God (the Angel of the Lord), or another high-ranking heavenly being, rather than Gabriel himself speaking to Daniel directly. This upholds the hierarchy within heaven and gives gravitas to the command given to Gabriel.
• Significance of Ulai: Susa and the Ulai Canal were within the Persian Empire's influence, yet Daniel experiences a vision concerning Greece's rise and fall. This places the prophet physically in the midst of a current dominant power (Persia) while receiving foresight of subsequent world empires, affirming God's overarching sovereignty beyond any immediate political context.
• Gabriel's Role Confirmation: Daniel 8:16 marks the first named appearance of Gabriel in the Bible. His introduction as a divinely appointed interpreter of profound prophecy sets his ongoing character in later biblical texts, particularly in Daniel 9 and the Gospel of Luke, where he continues his role as a revelatory messenger.
• Need for Divine Explanation: This verse underscores a consistent biblical theme: divine revelations often necessitate divine interpretation. Without heavenly aid, prophets like Daniel would be left in bewilderment, indicating that the human mind, even a spirit-filled one, cannot fully grasp God's deeper mysteries on its own.

Daniel 8 16 Commentary

Daniel 8:16 serves as a divine pivot point in Daniel's prophetic encounter, shifting from raw revelation to crucial interpretation. The "man's voice" indicates an authoritative speaker, likely the Lord Himself or a high-ranking heavenly being, initiating Gabriel's mission. Gabriel, whose name denotes "God is my strength," is designated as the interpreter. This establishes angels as primary mediators of divine understanding, especially for eschatological visions. The command "make this man to understand" emphasizes Daniel's human limitations in comprehending complex, future-oriented prophecies and highlights God's gracious provision of illumination. It signals that these visions, though received, require divine commentary for their true significance, purpose, and timeline to be revealed. This also sets a precedent that profound spiritual truths often demand divine intervention for full comprehension.