Daniel 10:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet heard {H8085} I the voice {H6963} of his words {H1697}: and when I heard {H8085} the voice {H6963} of his words {H1697}, then was I in a deep sleep {H7290} on my face {H6440}, and my face {H6440} toward the ground {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I heard his voice speaking; and when I heard him speaking, I fell down in a faint, with my face to the ground.

Berean Standard Bible

I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.

American Standard Version

Yet heard I the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I fallen into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 10:9 vividly recounts the prophet Daniel's profound physical and spiritual reaction to hearing the voice of a glorious, divine messenger. Overwhelmed by the majesty and power emanating from the celestial being, Daniel collapses into a divinely induced stupor, falling prostrate with his face pressed against the earth, a posture signifying utter humility, awe, and submission in the presence of the sacred. This moment marks a critical transition, preparing Daniel for the significant prophetic revelations that are about to be imparted.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 10 initiates the final major vision of the book of Daniel, setting the stage for a profound revelation concerning the future of Israel and the nations. The chapter opens with Daniel in a period of intense mourning and fasting for three weeks by the Tigris River. This spiritual discipline precedes a dramatic encounter with a glorious, angelic being, often interpreted as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ or a high-ranking angel. Earlier in the chapter, Daniel describes the overwhelming appearance of this figure, whose face was like lightning, eyes like flaming torches, and voice like the sound of a multitude ([Daniel 10:5-6](/daniel/10-5-6 "Daniel's Vision of the Glorious Man")). The sheer intensity of this divine presence causes Daniel's companions to flee in terror, leaving Daniel alone and utterly depleted of strength ([Daniel 10:7-8](/daniel/10-7-8 "Daniel's Companions Flee; Daniel's Weakness")). Verse 9, therefore, captures Daniel's immediate, involuntary, and total physical collapse in response to the voice of this awe-inspiring figure, emphasizing the profound chasm between human frailty and divine majesty.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Daniel's vision occurs in the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia, around 536 BC. By this time, Daniel is an elderly man, likely in his late 80s or early 90s, having served through the Babylonian and early Persian empires. The setting by the Tigris River underscores the geographical reality of his exile. Culturally, prostration—falling on one's face—was a common and deeply significant gesture in the ancient Near East. It conveyed extreme reverence, submission, worship, and often, fear, particularly in the presence of royalty, deities, or those perceived as having superior authority. For a prophet encountering a divine being, this posture was not merely a physical reaction but a culturally understood act of profound humility and acknowledgment of the divine's immense power and holiness. This deep respect was a prerequisite for receiving divine revelation, as it demonstrated a heart prepared to listen and obey.
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 10:9 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Daniel and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **Overwhelming Nature of Divine Presence**. Daniel's complete physical collapse underscores the immense power and holiness of God, demonstrating that human beings cannot stand in their own strength before divine glory. This theme resonates with other biblical encounters where individuals are overwhelmed by God's manifest presence, such as Isaiah's vision in [Isaiah 6:5](/isaiah/6-5 "Isaiah's Vision and Confession") or Ezekiel's experience in [Ezekiel 1:28](/ezekiel/1-28 "Ezekiel's Vision of God's Glory"). Secondly, Daniel's posture of falling "on my face, and my face toward the ground" exemplifies **Humility and Reverence**. This is a recurring motif in Scripture, signifying utter submission and worship before God's majesty, acknowledging human unworthiness and dependence. Finally, this divinely induced state of "deep sleep" or trance serves as a crucial element in **Preparation for Revelation**. Such states often precede significant prophetic messages in the Bible, incapacitating the human recipient and removing all self-reliance, thereby preparing them to receive profound spiritual truths directly from God, as seen with Abraham in [Genesis 15:12](/genesis/15-12 "Abraham's Deep Sleep and Dread").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This primitive root signifies not merely the physical act of hearing, but often implies intelligent attention, understanding, and even obedience. In Daniel's context, it indicates that he perceived the words with clarity, leading to an immediate and profound internal and external response, underscoring the authoritative and impactful nature of the divine voice.
* **voice (Hebrew, _qôwl'_):** This word refers to a sound or voice, but in divine contexts, it often carries the weight of authority, power, and revelation. The "voice of his words" is not a whisper but a powerful, resonant sound capable of eliciting an overwhelming physical reaction, emphasizing the inherent might and majesty embedded within the divine utterance.
* **deep sleep (Hebrew, _râdam'_):** This primitive root means "to stun" or "to stupefy" with sleep or death. It describes a profound, divinely induced stupor, far beyond ordinary slumber. This state renders Daniel utterly helpless and fully receptive, removing any human resistance or distraction, and is often a prelude to significant divine communication, as it ensures the recipient is entirely passive and open to the message.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yet heard I the voice of his words:"** Despite his weakened state described in the preceding verse, Daniel clearly perceived the audible communication from the glorious being. This emphasizes the distinct and powerful nature of the divine voice, which cut through his physical debilitation.
* **"and when I heard the voice of his words,"** This repetition serves to underscore the immediate cause-and-effect relationship between hearing the divine voice and Daniel's subsequent physical reaction. It highlights that the mere sound of the words, not necessarily their content yet, was enough to overwhelm him.
* **"then was I in a deep sleep on my face,"** The phrase "deep sleep" (Hebrew: _râdam_) denotes a divinely imposed stupor or trance, not ordinary slumber. Daniel's collapse is not due to exhaustion but a supernatural incapacitation. His posture, "on my face," signifies total prostration, a common biblical expression of extreme reverence, humility, and submission before divine majesty.
* **"and my face toward the ground."** This further emphasizes the completeness of Daniel's prostration. His face was pressed into the earth, a posture of utter helplessness, unworthiness, and complete surrender. It visually depicts the vast chasm between the finite human and the infinite divine, where the human response is one of absolute awe and submission.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey Daniel's profound experience. **Repetition** is prominent with the phrase "Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words." This doubling emphasizes the singular, overwhelming impact of the divine voice, highlighting its power as the direct cause of Daniel's collapse. The description of Daniel's state, "in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground," utilizes **Hyperbole** to underscore the extreme nature of his reaction; while literally true, it conveys the overwhelming, almost unbearable, intensity of encountering the divine. Furthermore, Daniel's posture itself is rich with **Symbolism**. Falling "on my face" and having his "face toward the ground" is a universal biblical symbol of profound humility, worship, fear, and complete submission in the presence of God or His messengers. It signifies a recognition of one's own unworthiness and the immense majesty of the divine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel's experience in Daniel 10:9 offers profound theological insights into the nature of divine encounters and human response. It underscores the inherent holiness and power of God, so immense that even His spoken word can induce a state of complete physical incapacitation in a righteous man like Daniel. This highlights the vast qualitative difference between the Creator and creation, reminding us that God's presence is not to be approached lightly but with profound reverence and awe. The "deep sleep" is not punitive but preparatory, a divine act to strip Daniel of all self-reliance and prepare him to receive weighty revelation, demonstrating God's sovereign control over the prophetic process. It teaches us that true receptivity to God's truth often requires a posture of utter humility and surrender, where our own strength and understanding are set aside.

* [Daniel 8:17](/daniel/8-17 "Daniel's Similar Reaction to Gabriel")
* [Ezekiel 1:28](/ezekiel/1-28 "Ezekiel Falls on His Face Before God's Glory")
* [Revelation 1:17](/revelation/1-17 "John Falls as Dead Before the Resurrected Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 10:9 serves as a powerful mirror for our own spiritual lives, inviting us to reflect on how we approach the divine. Daniel's immediate and overwhelming physical response to the voice of a heavenly being challenges any casual or flippant attitude towards God. It reminds us that encountering God's truth, whether through Scripture, prayer, or worship, should evoke a profound sense of awe, humility, and reverence. Just as Daniel was brought low to be elevated in understanding, we too must cultivate a spirit of surrender and openness. When we truly grasp the majesty of God and the authority of His Word, our natural response should be one of humility, recognizing our finite nature and His infinite glory. This posture of spiritual prostration, setting aside our own agendas and preconceptions, is essential for truly hearing and receiving from God. It is in our weakness and surrender that God's strength and revelation can most powerfully manifest in our lives, transforming us and preparing us for His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Daniel's physical reaction to the divine voice challenge my own casual approach to God's presence or His Word?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to cultivate a greater sense of humility and reverence before the Lord?**
* **What does Daniel's "deep sleep" teach me about the necessary posture of receptivity when seeking divine revelation or guidance?**
* **How can I practically demonstrate a deeper sense of awe and submission in my daily walk with God?**

### FAQ
**What exactly was the "deep sleep" Daniel experienced? Was it just ordinary sleep?**

Answer: No, the "deep sleep" (Hebrew: _râdam_) Daniel experienced was not ordinary sleep. It was a divinely induced stupor or trance, a supernatural incapacitation. This state is similar to what fell upon [Adam in Genesis 2:21](/genesis/2-21 "Adam's Deep Sleep for Eve's Creation") when God created Eve, or upon [Abraham in Genesis 15:12](/genesis/15-12 "Abraham's Deep Sleep and Dread") just before God revealed His covenant. It renders the individual utterly helpless and fully receptive to divine communication, removing any human resistance or distraction, thereby preparing them to receive profound spiritual truths directly from God.

**Why did Daniel fall "on his face, and his face toward the ground"?**

Answer: Daniel's posture of falling "on his face, and his face toward the ground" is a common and deeply significant gesture in the Bible and ancient Near Eastern cultures. It signifies profound humility, extreme reverence, worship, and complete submission in the presence of a superior being, especially God or His divine messengers. It visually represents the vast chasm between human frailty and divine majesty, acknowledging one's unworthiness and the overwhelming power and holiness of the divine presence. This posture is seen repeatedly throughout Scripture when individuals encounter God's glory, such as [Ezekiel in Ezekiel 1:28](/ezekiel/1-28 "Ezekiel's Vision of God's Glory") or [John in Revelation 1:17](/revelation/1-17 "John's Reaction to the Resurrected Christ").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Daniel 10:9 describes a terrifying yet preparatory encounter with a glorious heavenly being, it ultimately points forward to the ultimate and most profound divine encounter in Jesus Christ. The overwhelming nature of the divine voice and presence that felled Daniel foreshadows the inherent glory and authority of the Son of God. Yet, in the person of Jesus, God's glory is revealed not merely to overwhelm, but to invite and redeem. Unlike Daniel, who could not stand in the presence of the divine messenger, humanity can draw near to God through Christ, who, though fully divine, "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). The very Word of God, whose voice brought Daniel to the ground, became flesh and dwelt among us ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")), making God's truth and presence accessible. While the Old Testament encounters like Daniel's emphasize the unapproachable holiness of God, Jesus bridges that gap, becoming the perfect mediator through whom we can approach God with confidence ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")). Daniel's prostration speaks to the awe due to God, but Christ's incarnation reveals the love that draws us into relationship, even as He retains all divine authority, as seen in His powerful words that calm storms ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Jesus Calms the Storm")) and raise the dead ([John 11:43](/john/11-43 "Jesus Raises Lazarus")).

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 8:18

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.

Job 4:13

In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,

Genesis 15:12

¶ And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

Job 33:15

In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

Luke 22:45

And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

Song Of Solomon 5:2

¶ I sleep, but my heart waketh: [it is] the voice of my beloved that knocketh, [saying], Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, [and] my locks with the drops of the night.

Luke 9:32

But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.