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.

And, behold, one like the similitude {H1823} of the sons {H1121} of men {H120} touched {H5060} my lips {H8193}: then I opened {H6605} my mouth {H6310}, and spake {H1696}, and said {H559} unto him that stood {H5975} before me, O my lord {H113}, by the vision {H4759} my sorrows {H6735} are turned {H2015} upon me, and I have retained {H6113} no strength {H3581}.

Then someone who looked like a human being touched my lips, after which I could open my mouth and speak; I said to the one standing in front of me, "My lord, it is because of the vision that I am seized with such anguish; I don't have any strength.

And suddenly one with the likeness of a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of the vision, I am overcome with anguish, and I have no strength.

And, behold, one in the likeness 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 reason of the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I retain no strength.

Commentary

Daniel 10:16 describes a pivotal moment in the prophet Daniel's intense spiritual encounter, where a heavenly messenger restores his ability to speak after being overwhelmed by a profound vision. This verse highlights both Daniel's physical and emotional debilitation and the divine provision for his restoration.

Context

This verse occurs within Daniel's final and longest vision, revealed to him near the great river Hiddekel (Tigris) during the third year of King Cyrus of Persia. Daniel had been mourning and fasting for three weeks, seeking understanding about a great conflict. He describes seeing a glorious angelic being, whose appearance caused him and his companions to be overcome with dread. Daniel himself was left alone, trembling, speechless, and without strength or breath (see Daniel 10:8). The angelic messenger had previously touched and strengthened him, but Daniel was still unable to speak. This verse marks the moment when a further touch enables him to articulate his condition.

Key Themes

  • Divine Intervention and Empowerment: The touch on Daniel's lips by the angelic figure is a direct act of divine intervention, restoring his capacity to speak and interact. This demonstrates God's active involvement in the lives of His servants, providing strength and enablement precisely when they are at their weakest.
  • The Physical Toll of Spiritual Encounters: Daniel's confession, "by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength," vividly illustrates the overwhelming and debilitating nature of truly encountering the divine realm. Such profound spiritual experiences can have significant physical and emotional impacts on the human frame.
  • Humility and Dependence: Daniel's address to the angelic being as "O my lord" and his honest admission of his complete physical and emotional exhaustion underscore his deep humility and utter dependence on the heavenly messenger for relief, strength, and continued revelation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "one like the similitude of the sons of men" (Hebrew: demuth ben adam) points to an angelic being appearing in a human-like form. While distinct from the initial glorious description in Daniel 10:5-6, this human-like appearance makes interaction possible. This description echoes the "Son of man" figure seen in Daniel 7:13, often understood as a prophetic reference to Christ.

The verb "touched" (Hebrew: naga') implies a direct, physical contact. This act is crucial for Daniel's restoration, as it directly enables him to regain his voice, signifying a spiritual and physical renewal of function.

Related Scriptures

  • Divine Touch for Speech: This scene is reminiscent of the prophet Isaiah's experience in Isaiah 6:7, where a seraph touches his lips with a live coal, cleansing him and enabling him for prophetic speech. Both instances show a divine touch empowering a prophet for their calling.
  • Overwhelmed by Vision: Daniel's weakness here is consistent with his reactions to previous visions, such as in Daniel 8:27, where he was "sick certain days." Similarly, the Apostle John fell "as dead" at the feet of Christ in Revelation 1:17, underscoring the overwhelming nature of divine glory for mortals.

Practical Application

Daniel 10:16 offers encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that even the most devout and spiritually attuned individuals can be overwhelmed by life's challenges or profound spiritual experiences. In moments of weakness, when we feel we have "retained no strength," God often provides divine intervention through His messengers or His Spirit to strengthen and enable us. Acknowledging our weakness, like Daniel, is often the first step to receiving the supernatural help we need to fulfill our callings and persevere through difficult times.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Daniel 8:15

    ¶ And it came to pass, when I, [even] I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.

  • Isaiah 6:7

    And he laid [it] upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

  • 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.

  • Daniel 7:28

    Hitherto [is] the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

  • Daniel 8:17

    So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end [shall be] the vision.

  • Daniel 7:15

    ¶ I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of [my] body, and the visions of my head troubled me.

  • Daniel 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, but none understood [it].
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