Daniel 10:10

¶ And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and [upon] the palms of my hands.

And, behold, an hand {H3027} touched {H5060} me, which set {H5128} me upon my knees {H1290} and upon the palms {H3709} of my hands {H3027}.

Then a hand touched me and raised me, tottering, to my hands and knees.

Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.

And, behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

Commentary

Context of Daniel 10:10

Daniel 10 marks a significant turning point in the prophet Daniel's spiritual journey, occurring in the third year of Cyrus, King of Persia. Daniel had been in a period of intense fasting and prayer for three weeks, deeply distressed by a vision concerning a great conflict. This chapter opens with Daniel by the great river Hiddekel (Tigris), where he encounters a glorious, divine being. Daniel 10:10 describes the immediate, overwhelming physical effect of this supernatural encounter on the prophet, who was already in a state of profound weakness and spiritual awe.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Touch and Physical Impact: The verse vividly portrays the immediate and powerful physical reaction to divine contact. The hand's touch is not gentle in the sense of being soft, but rather forceful enough to reposition Daniel, highlighting the immense power radiating from the celestial visitor. This physical response underscores the awe-inspiring nature of God's presence or that of His messengers.
  • Human Weakness in God's Presence: Daniel's inability to stand upright and his being set on his knees and hands illustrate the profound disparity between human frailty and divine majesty. This reaction is common among biblical figures who encounter the divine, emphasizing human inadequacy and dependence before God's power and holiness. Similar reactions are seen in Daniel 8:17 and Revelation 1:17.
  • Preparation for Revelation: The posture of being on knees and hands is one of humility, submission, and often, supplication. This physical positioning serves as a preparation for Daniel to receive the subsequent profound and detailed revelation. It signifies a state of being ready to listen and absorb divine truth, acknowledging the messenger's authority and the message's gravity.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "hand" is yad (יָד), which simply refers to a hand. The verb "touched" is naga' (נָגַע), meaning to touch, reach, or strike. In this context, it denotes a direct, impactful physical contact that elicits an immediate and involuntary response from Daniel. The phrase "set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands" (וְהֵקִימַנִי עַל־בִּרְכַּי וְכַפּוֹת יָדָי) paints a clear picture of Daniel being moved into a posture of prostration or deep humility, suggesting he was brought to a position of readiness to receive the divine message that followed.

Practical Application

Daniel's experience in this verse reminds us of several important truths:

  • Awe in God's Presence: Encounters with the divine, whether direct or through His word, should inspire profound awe and humility within us. It challenges any casual approach to spiritual matters.
  • God Prepares Us: Just as Daniel was physically positioned to receive a crucial message, God often prepares us through various means—sometimes humbling, sometimes strengthening—to receive His truth and fulfill His purposes. This preparation is for our benefit, enabling us to better understand and respond to His will.
  • Humility for Revelation: A posture of humility, whether physical or spiritual, is often a prerequisite for receiving deep spiritual insight and revelation from God. To understand God's truth, we must first acknowledge our place before Him and be willing to submit to His wisdom. This divine strengthening often follows such humbling experiences, as seen later in Daniel 10:18-19.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 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.

  • Revelation 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; I am the first and the last:

  • Daniel 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.

  • Daniel 10:16

    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 10:18

    Then there came again and touched me [one] like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,

  • Daniel 9:21

    Yea, whiles I [was] speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
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