Daniel 10:16

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Daniel 10:16 vividly portrays a pivotal moment in the prophet Daniel's profound spiritual encounter, where a heavenly messenger, appearing in human form, restores his ability to speak. This verse captures Daniel's overwhelming physical and emotional debilitation following a divine vision, alongside the crucial divine intervention that enables him to articulate his distress and dependence, highlighting God's compassionate provision for His servants in their weakness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Daniel's final and most extensive vision, spanning chapters 10-12. Chapter 10 serves as an introduction, setting the scene for the detailed prophetic revelations that follow concerning the future of Persia, Greece, and the end times. Daniel had been in a state of mourning and fasting for three weeks, seeking understanding of a great conflict (Daniel 10:2-3). The chapter opens with Daniel encountering a glorious, awe-inspiring angelic being, whose appearance caused his companions to flee and left Daniel himself prostrate, trembling, and utterly devoid of strength, breath, and speech (Daniel 10:4-9). Prior to this verse, the angelic messenger had already touched Daniel once, causing him to rise to his hands and knees, and then a second time, strengthening him to stand, albeit still in a state of profound weakness and silence (Daniel 10:10-11). Daniel 10:16 marks the third and specific touch that enables Daniel to regain his voice, allowing him to express the overwhelming impact of the vision upon him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The vision occurs in the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia (circa 536 BC), placing Daniel well into the period of the Babylonian exile and the early Persian Empire. Daniel, now an old man, was deeply concerned about the future of his people, Israel, and the prophecies concerning their return and restoration. The "great conflict" mentioned in Daniel 10:1 likely refers to the ongoing spiritual warfare influencing earthly kingdoms, a theme that permeates the latter half of the book. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, divine encounters were often depicted as physically overwhelming, sometimes even fatal, for mortals. Prophets and seers were understood to be intermediaries between the divine and human realms, and their physical reactions to such encounters underscored the immense power and holiness of God. Daniel's prostration, loss of strength, and inability to speak are consistent with such cultural understandings of profound spiritual experiences, emphasizing the chasm between the human and the divine.
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 10:16 significantly contributes to several key themes within the book of Daniel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Intervention and Empowerment**. Despite Daniel's profound physical and spiritual debilitation, God actively intervenes through His angelic messenger to restore Daniel's capacity to function and receive further revelation. This highlights God's commitment to equipping His servants for their appointed tasks, even when they are at their weakest. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **The Physical and Emotional 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 nature of encountering the divine. This theme recurs throughout Daniel, as seen in his sickness after a vision in [Daniel 8:27](/daniel/8-27 "Daniel's Sickness After Vision") and his prostration in [Daniel 10:8](/daniel/10-8 "Daniel's Initial Reaction to the Vision"). Thirdly, the passage highlights **Humility and Dependence on God**. Daniel's address to the figure as "O my lord" and his honest admission of his complete physical and emotional exhaustion demonstrate his deep humility and utter reliance on heavenly provision for strength and continued understanding.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **similitude (Hebrew, _dᵉmûwth'_):** From H1823, meaning "resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like." This word emphasizes that the angelic being appeared in a form that *resembled* a human, rather than being fully human. It denotes a likeness or similarity, suggesting a recognizable but not identical form to a "son of man."
* **touched (Hebrew, _nâgaʻ'_):** From H5060, a primitive root meaning "properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose); by implication, to reach; violently, to strike." In this context, the touch is not violent but purposeful and restorative. It signifies direct, physical contact that effects a change, specifically enabling Daniel to regain his speech.
* **sorrows (Hebrew, _tsîyr'_):** From H6735, meaning "a hinge (as pressed in turning); also a throe (as a phys. or mental pressure); also a herald or erranddoer." Here, "sorrows" refers to the intense physical and mental anguish or distress, akin to birth pangs or a crushing burden, that Daniel experienced as a direct result of the overwhelming vision.
* **strength (Hebrew, _kôach'_):** From H3581, meaning "vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)." Daniel's declaration that he "retained no strength" signifies a complete depletion of physical vitality, mental fortitude, and the capacity to function, highlighting his utter helplessness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And, behold, [one] like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips:"** This clause describes the specific intervention that initiates Daniel's restoration. The heavenly messenger, previously described as glorious, now appears in a form resembling a human. The act of "touching the lips" is a direct, targeted action, indicating that the immediate purpose of this touch is to enable Daniel to speak. This touch is a divine act of empowerment, addressing Daniel's specific inability to communicate.
* **"then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me,"** This phrase indicates the immediate and direct effect of the angelic touch. Daniel's mouth, previously sealed by his overwhelming experience, is now opened, and he regains the faculty of speech. The sequence "opened my mouth, and spake, and said" emphasizes the restoration of his communicative ability, allowing him to articulate his condition to the divine messenger who remained standing before him.
* **"O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me,"** Daniel's first words are an address of reverence ("O my lord") to the angelic figure, acknowledging his authority and power. He then immediately expresses the profound and debilitating impact of the vision. The vision itself, not external circumstances, is identified as the direct cause of his "sorrows," which are described as having "turned upon" him, implying an overwhelming, oppressive burden of distress and anguish.
* **"and I have retained no strength."** This final statement reiterates Daniel's complete physical and mental exhaustion. The phrase "retained no strength" signifies a total depletion of his vital energy and capacity to endure. It underscores the severity of his physical and emotional breakdown, emphasizing his utter helplessness and dependence on divine aid.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 10:16 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey Daniel's profound experience and the divine response. The phrase "one like the similitude of the sons of men" is a form of **Simile**, using "like" to draw a comparison between the angelic being and a human form, making the divine encounter more relatable while maintaining the otherness of the heavenly messenger. Daniel's declaration, "by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength," utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the overwhelming nature of his distress; while he may not literally have *zero* strength, the expression conveys a state of extreme debilitation. The "touch" on Daniel's lips functions as a powerful **Symbolism** of divine empowerment and restoration, directly addressing his inability to speak and signifying a spiritual and physical renewal of function. Furthermore, Daniel's raw admission of his "sorrows" and lack of "strength" evokes **Pathos**, drawing the reader into the prophet's vulnerable and desperate state, fostering empathy for the human response to divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 10:16 profoundly illustrates the principle that God often empowers His servants precisely when they are at their weakest, demonstrating that divine strength is made perfect in human frailty. Daniel's overwhelming experience and subsequent restoration highlight the immense power of God's presence and the necessity of divine enablement for mortals to engage with the spiritual realm. This passage underscores that true spiritual encounters can be physically and emotionally taxing, yet God, in His mercy, provides the necessary grace and strength to endure and fulfill His purposes. It teaches us that our limitations are not barriers to God's work but often the very conditions through which His power is most clearly manifested.

* [Isaiah 6:6-7](/isaiah/6-6-7 "Isaiah's Lips Touched by a Seraph")
* [Ezekiel 3:26-27](/ezekiel/3-26-27 "Ezekiel's Mute Period and Restoration")
* [2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9-10 "Paul on Strength in Weakness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 10:16 offers a deeply resonant message for contemporary believers navigating moments of overwhelming challenge or spiritual exhaustion. Daniel, a man of profound faith and prayer, was still brought to his knees, speechless and strengthless, by a divine encounter. This reminds us that even the most devout among us are not immune to feeling utterly depleted by life's pressures, spiritual battles, or the sheer weight of God's truth. In such moments, like Daniel, our honest admission of weakness and dependence becomes the very conduit for divine intervention. God often provides the specific touch—whether through His Spirit, His Word, or through the encouragement of others—that enables us to speak, to stand, and to move forward. This passage encourages us to lean into our vulnerability, trusting that when we have "retained no strength," God's empowering grace is most ready to meet us, not to condemn our weakness, but to perfect His strength within us for His glory and our perseverance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel you have "retained no strength," and how might acknowledging this weakness open you up to divine intervention?**
* **Have you experienced moments where God's "touch" (spiritual or otherwise) enabled you to overcome a significant personal or spiritual obstacle? How did that manifest?**
* **How does Daniel's humility and immediate expression of his distress after being touched encourage you to be honest about your struggles with God and others?**

### FAQ
**Who was "one like the similitude of the sons of men" who touched Daniel's lips?**

Answer: This figure is an angelic being, a heavenly messenger sent by God, who appeared to Daniel in a human-like form. While the text does not explicitly name him, he is clearly a powerful divine emissary, distinct from the glorious figure described earlier in [Daniel 10:5-6](/daniel/10-5-6 "Description of the Glorious Being"). This human-like appearance facilitates interaction with Daniel and is a recurring motif in Daniel's visions, preparing the way for the "Son of Man" figure in [Daniel 7:13](/daniel/7-13 "The Son of Man in Daniel 7"). His role here is to strengthen and enable Daniel to receive further revelation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 10:16, though set in the Old Testament, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. The "one like the similitude of the sons of men" who touches Daniel's lips foreshadows the ultimate "Son of Man," Jesus Christ. While the angelic messenger is a created being, his human-like appearance and empowering touch anticipate Christ's incarnation, where God Himself took on human flesh to dwell among us and redeem us ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Incarnation of the Word")). Daniel's overwhelming weakness and inability to speak reflect humanity's spiritual paralysis and inability to approach a holy God or articulate its deepest needs without divine intervention. Christ, as the incarnate Word, is the ultimate divine touch that opens the lips of humanity, enabling us to speak to God in prayer and to declare His praises ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Access to God Through Christ")). Moreover, just as the angelic touch restored Daniel's strength and voice, Christ's Holy Spirit empowers believers, giving strength in weakness ([2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9-10 "Paul on Strength in Weakness")) and enabling them to speak the truth of God's Word with boldness ([Acts 4:31](/acts/4-31 "Boldness in Speaking the Word")). Daniel's experience prefigures the complete restoration and empowerment that humanity receives through the finished work of Jesus Christ.

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

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].