Daniel 10:15

KJV

And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when he had spoken {H1696} such words {H1697} unto me, I set {H5414} my face {H6440} toward the ground {H776}, and I became dumb {H481}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After he had said these things to me, I looked down at the ground and couldn't speak.

Berean Standard Bible

While he was speaking these words to me, I set my face toward the ground and became speechless.

American Standard Version

And when he had spoken unto me according to these words, I set my face toward the ground, and was dumb.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 10:15 vividly portrays the prophet Daniel's profound physical and emotional response to a divine encounter, marked by overwhelming awe and humility. As the heavenly messenger began to speak words of great import, Daniel was rendered utterly prostrate and speechless, signifying the immense chasm between human frailty and divine glory. This moment underscores the overwhelming nature of direct spiritual revelation and Daniel's deep reverence before God's presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 10 initiates the final and arguably most significant prophetic vision given to Daniel, spanning chapters 10-12. This vision follows a period of intense mourning and fasting by Daniel, who sought understanding regarding a "great conflict" ([Daniel 10:1](/daniel/10-1 "Daniel 10:1 - The Great Conflict")). The chapter opens with Daniel by the Tigris River, where he encounters a glorious, awe-inspiring being, often identified as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ or a powerful angel, whose radiant appearance causes Daniel's companions to flee and Daniel himself to be utterly drained of strength ([Daniel 10:5-9](/daniel/10-5-9 "Daniel 10:5-9 - The Vision of the Glorious Man")). Prior to verse 15, this divine messenger has touched Daniel, strengthening him and beginning to reveal the profound spiritual warfare unfolding in the heavenly realms, particularly concerning the "prince of the kingdom of Persia" ([Daniel 10:13](/daniel/10-13 "Daniel 10:13 - The Prince of Persia")). Daniel's reaction in verse 15 is a direct continuation of his physical and emotional debilitation in the presence of such overwhelming glory, preceding further divine empowerment and revelation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Daniel 10 are set in the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia, placing them around 536 BC, shortly after the initial return of Jewish exiles to Jerusalem. Daniel, now an old man, was still in exile, serving in the Persian court. The cultural context of ancient Near Eastern prophecy often involved prophets experiencing intense physical and psychological reactions to divine encounters, signifying the profound impact of the sacred on the human frame. Prostration, as described in this verse, was a common posture of reverence, submission, and worship before deities or powerful rulers. Muteness or speechlessness could indicate shock, awe, or a temporary suspension of human faculties in the face of the divine, preparing the prophet to receive a message that transcended normal human communication.

* **Key Themes:** Daniel 10:15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Daniel and biblical theology more broadly. It powerfully illustrates the **human frailty in divine presence**, emphasizing the vast, unbridgeable gap between mortal beings and the holy, glorious nature of God or His heavenly messengers. Daniel, despite his spiritual stature and close walk with God, is reduced to utter helplessness, highlighting the theme of **divine transcendence** and the **overwhelming nature of spiritual encounters**. His posture of prostration and muteness also underscores the theme of **humility and reverence** required when approaching the divine, a posture that often precedes profound revelation, as seen in the subsequent verses where Daniel is strengthened to receive the message of future events, including the "time of the end" ([Daniel 12:4](/daniel/12-4 "Daniel 12:4 - The Time of the End")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **spoken (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** From H1696, a primitive root meaning "to arrange," but used figuratively of words, "to speak." It encompasses a wide range of verbal actions: to bid, command, commune, declare, tell, utter. In this context, it emphasizes the authoritative and impactful nature of the heavenly messenger's communication, which profoundly affected Daniel.
* **set (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** From H5414, a primitive root meaning "to give," but with a broad application including to put, make, place, or apply. Here, in the phrase "set my face," it indicates a deliberate and complete action of placing or turning his face downwards, signifying a posture of profound submission and humility.
* **dumb (Hebrew, _ʼâlam'_):** From H481, a primitive root meaning "to tie fast," and hence (of the mouth) "to be tongue-tied." This word conveys a state of being utterly speechless, mute, or silenced, often due to shock, awe, or terror. Daniel's muteness is a physical manifestation of his overwhelming experience, rendering him incapable of any verbal response.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when he had spoken such words unto me":** This clause establishes the immediate cause of Daniel's reaction. The "words" (H1697, _dâbâr_) spoken by the heavenly messenger were not ordinary; they carried divine authority and content, likely concerning the spiritual warfare and future revelations that were overwhelming to Daniel. The very act of divine speech had a profound physical and spiritual impact on the prophet.
* **"I set my face toward the ground":** This describes Daniel's immediate physical response. The phrase signifies complete prostration, falling flat on one's face. This posture is consistently used in scripture to denote profound humility, reverence, worship, or extreme distress in the presence of God or His powerful representatives. It indicates Daniel's recognition of the messenger's immense authority and his own unworthiness.
* **"and I became dumb":** This clause details the second, equally significant, part of Daniel's reaction. He lost the ability to speak, rendered speechless by the overwhelming nature of the encounter. This muteness is not merely a lack of words but a profound physical and perhaps psychological shock, demonstrating the absolute power of the divine presence to incapacitate human faculties.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 10:15 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the intensity of the prophet's experience. **Imagery** is central, painting a vivid picture of Daniel's prostration ("set my face toward the ground") and his subsequent muteness ("I became dumb"), allowing the reader to viscerally understand his overwhelming awe and humility. The act of becoming "dumb" serves as **Symbolism**, representing not just a physical inability to speak but also a spiritual silencing, an acknowledgment of the infinite gap between human and divine, where human words are inadequate or unnecessary. This muteness also foreshadows the need for divine intervention to enable Daniel to speak again and receive further revelation ([Daniel 10:16](/daniel/10-16 "Daniel 10:16 - The Touch that Opened Daniel's Lips")). The entire scene is a powerful example of **Pathos**, evoking a sense of profound reverence and vulnerability in the face of the transcendent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel's reaction in Daniel 10:15 is a profound theological statement about the nature of humanity in the presence of divine glory. It underscores the absolute holiness and majesty of God, before whom even a righteous and spiritually mature prophet like Daniel is utterly overcome. This highlights the biblical truth that no human being can fully comprehend or withstand the unmediated presence of God without being profoundly affected. It teaches us that true reverence involves a recognition of our own smallness and dependence, leading to a posture of humility and submission. Such encounters, though overwhelming, are often preparatory, clearing the way for deeper revelation and understanding as God graciously strengthens and enables His chosen vessels to receive His message.

* [Genesis 17:3](/genesis/17-3 "Abraham's Prostration Before God")
* [Ezekiel 1:28](/ezekiel/1-28 "Ezekiel's Reaction to God's Glory")
* [Revelation 1:17](/revelation/1-17 "John's Reaction to the Vision of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel's profound response to the heavenly messenger serves as a powerful mirror for our own spiritual lives. In an age where familiarity with the divine can sometimes breed a lack of awe, Daniel's prostration and muteness call us back to a posture of deep reverence and humility before God. We may not experience such dramatic physical encounters, but moments of profound spiritual insight, conviction, or worship should similarly humble us, reminding us of the infinite majesty and holiness of the One we serve. It teaches us that true spiritual maturity is not about gaining control or understanding everything, but about surrendering in awe to the incomprehensible greatness of God. Furthermore, Daniel's subsequent empowerment reminds us that even in our weakness and inability, God is present to strengthen and enable us for His purposes, often speaking most clearly when we are most dependent.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Daniel's reaction challenge my own understanding of reverence and awe for God?**
* **In what ways do I tend to approach God with too much familiarity or a lack of humility?**
* **What might it mean for me to "set my face toward the ground" or "become dumb" in a spiritual sense today, acknowledging God's overwhelming presence?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of awe and wonder in my prayer life and worship?**

### FAQ

**Why was Daniel so overwhelmed by the heavenly messenger, given his previous visions?**

Answer: Daniel had indeed received powerful visions before, but the encounter in Daniel 10 is uniquely intense and prolonged, leading to a profound physical and emotional collapse. The description of the glorious being in [Daniel 10:5-6](/daniel/10-5-6 "Daniel 10:5-6 - Description of the Glorious Man") is exceptionally vivid and awe-inspiring, suggesting a higher-ranking angelic being or even a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. Unlike previous visions which were often received while awake but perhaps less physically debilitating, this encounter rendered Daniel completely drained of strength ([Daniel 10:8](/daniel/10-8 "Daniel 10:8 - Daniel's Strength Gone")) and speechless. The spiritual warfare revealed by the messenger, particularly the battle against the "prince of the kingdom of Persia" ([Daniel 10:13](/daniel/10-13 "Daniel 10:13 - The Prince of Persia")), also added to the gravity and overwhelming nature of the revelation, impacting Daniel's physical and spiritual being deeply.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Daniel 10:15 describes Daniel's response to a heavenly messenger, it foreshadows a profound truth about humanity's encounter with divine glory, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Daniel's prostration and muteness reflect the natural human response to God's unmediated holiness, a response that would render us utterly condemned were it not for Christ. The New Testament reveals that in Jesus, the very glory of God is made manifest in human flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Yet, unlike the overwhelming encounter Daniel experienced, Christ's incarnation allows humanity to draw near to God without being consumed. He is the ultimate "mediator between God and men" ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator")), the one through whom we can approach the Father with confidence, not in our own strength or righteousness, but through His atoning sacrifice ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). Daniel's need for a divine touch to speak again ([Daniel 10:16](/daniel/10-16 "Daniel 10:16 - The Touch that Opened Daniel's Lips")) finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who opens our lips to praise God and empowers us by His Spirit to speak His truth ([Ephesians 6:19-20](/ephesians/6-19-20 "Ephesians 6:19-20 - Speaking the Mystery of the Gospel")), transforming our natural awe into worship and empowered witness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 24:27

In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Luke 1:20

And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

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 10:9

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.

Ezekiel 33:22

Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.