Daniel 10:16 - Behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth, and spoke and said to him who stood before me, “My lord, by reason of the vision my sorrows have overtaken me, and I retain no strength.
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What does "Daniel 10:16" mean?
Daniel 10:16 is a powerful verse steeped in the visionary experience of the prophet Daniel. Let's break down its meaning:
"Behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips..." This refers to a heavenly being, a figure that appears human-like (often interpreted as an angel or a pre-incarnate Christ). The touch upon his lips is significant. In biblical tradition, touching the lips can symbolize purification, empowerment to speak, or impartation of a message. In this context, it suggests the angel is preparing Daniel to communicate the vision he is receiving.
"Then I opened my mouth, and spoke and said to him who stood before me..." After the touch, Daniel is able to speak. Before this, the overwhelming nature of the vision had rendered him speechless. The angel's touch has unlocked his ability to articulate his distress.
"“My lord, by reason of the vision my sorrows have overtaken me, and I retain no strength." This is Daniel's response to the angel. He addresses the angel as "my lord," showing respect and recognizing the angel's superior status. He then explains the impact of the vision:
"by reason of the vision..." The vision itself is the source of his distress. What he has seen is so profound, awe-inspiring, and perhaps terrifying, that it has had a debilitating effect.
"my sorrows have overtaken me..." The weight of the vision has brought intense sadness, grief, and emotional turmoil. This suggests the vision is revealing something heavy and potentially negative about the future.
"and I retain no strength." He is physically and emotionally drained. The vision has left him weak and unable to cope.
In essence, the verse portrays:
1. Daniel's Overwhelmed State: The vision is so powerful that it has left Daniel physically and emotionally devastated.
2. Divine Intervention: An angel (or a figure with divine significance) touches Daniel, empowering him to speak.
3. Daniel's Plea: Daniel expresses his distress and weakness to the angel, acknowledging the vision as the source of his sorrow.
Possible Interpretations and Significance:
The Difficulty of Prophecy: The verse highlights the burden and emotional toll that can accompany receiving prophetic visions. Daniel is not simply seeing a movie; he is experiencing the weight of divine revelation and the future it foretells.
The Need for Divine Assistance: Daniel's weakness underscores the need for God's (or his messengers') help to understand and communicate divine messages. He cannot handle the vision alone.
The Importance of Understanding the Future: The vision, though distressing, is likely important for Daniel to understand and share. The angel's presence indicates that Daniel will be supported in this task.
Preparation for Communication: The touch on the lips and subsequent empowerment to speak indicates that Daniel is being prepared to communicate a message, even though it is painful and causes him distress.
The verse sets the stage for the rest of Daniel 10, where the angel will explain the vision's meaning and encourage Daniel to persevere. It shows the human cost of receiving prophetic insight and the necessity of divine support.
Daniel 10:16 - Behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth, and spoke and said to him who stood before me, “My lord, by reason of the vision my sorrows have overtaken me, and I retain no strength.
What does "Daniel 10:16" mean?
Daniel 10:16 is a powerful verse steeped in the visionary experience of the prophet Daniel. Let's break down its meaning:
"Behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips..." This refers to a heavenly being, a figure that appears human-like (often interpreted as an angel or a pre-incarnate Christ). The touch upon his lips is significant. In biblical tradition, touching the lips can symbolize purification, empowerment to speak, or impartation of a message. In this context, it suggests the angel is preparing Daniel to communicate the vision he is receiving.
"Then I opened my mouth, and spoke and said to him who stood before me..." After the touch, Daniel is able to speak. Before this, the overwhelming nature of the vision had rendered him speechless. The angel's touch has unlocked his ability to articulate his distress.
"“My lord, by reason of the vision my sorrows have overtaken me, and I retain no strength." This is Daniel's response to the angel. He addresses the angel as "my lord," showing respect and recognizing the angel's superior status. He then explains the impact of the vision:
"by reason of the vision..." The vision itself is the source of his distress. What he has seen is so profound, awe-inspiring, and perhaps terrifying, that it has had a debilitating effect.
"my sorrows have overtaken me..." The weight of the vision has brought intense sadness, grief, and emotional turmoil. This suggests the vision is revealing something heavy and potentially negative about the future.
"and I retain no strength." He is physically and emotionally drained. The vision has left him weak and unable to cope.
In essence, the verse portrays:
1. Daniel's Overwhelmed State: The vision is so powerful that it has left Daniel physically and emotionally devastated.
2. Divine Intervention: An angel (or a figure with divine significance) touches Daniel, empowering him to speak.
3. Daniel's Plea: Daniel expresses his distress and weakness to the angel, acknowledging the vision as the source of his sorrow.
Possible Interpretations and Significance:
The Difficulty of Prophecy: The verse highlights the burden and emotional toll that can accompany receiving prophetic visions. Daniel is not simply seeing a movie; he is experiencing the weight of divine revelation and the future it foretells.
The Need for Divine Assistance: Daniel's weakness underscores the need for God's (or his messengers') help to understand and communicate divine messages. He cannot handle the vision alone.
The Importance of Understanding the Future: The vision, though distressing, is likely important for Daniel to understand and share. The angel's presence indicates that Daniel will be supported in this task.
Preparation for Communication: The touch on the lips and subsequent empowerment to speak indicates that Daniel is being prepared to communicate a message, even though it is painful and causes him distress.
The verse sets the stage for the rest of Daniel 10, where the angel will explain the vision's meaning and encourage Daniel to persevere. It shows the human cost of receiving prophetic insight and the necessity of divine support.