Daniel 7:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

I {H576} Daniel {H1841} was grieved {H3735} in my spirit {H7308} in the midst {H1459} of my body {H5085}, and the visions {H2376} of my head {H7217} troubled {H927} me.

Complete Jewish Bible

"As for me, Dani'el, my spirit deep within me was troubled; the visions in my head frightened me.

Berean Standard Bible

I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit, and the visions in my mind alarmed me.

American Standard Version

As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 7:15 captures the prophet Daniel's profound emotional and physical distress following a series of overwhelming apocalyptic visions. Having just witnessed the terrifying imagery of four great beasts representing earthly kingdoms, followed by the majestic scene of God's heavenly court and the advent of "one like the Son of man," Daniel's spirit is deeply grieved, and the visions themselves actively trouble his mind and body, underscoring the immense burden and unsettling nature of divine revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 7 marks a pivotal transition in the book of Daniel, shifting from historical narratives (chapters 1-6) to a series of complex apocalyptic visions (chapters 7-12). This particular chapter introduces the first of these major visions, detailing the rise of four powerful, beast-like kingdoms emerging from the sea, culminating in the terrifying "little horn" (likely referring to an oppressive ruler or kingdom). Immediately preceding Daniel 7:15, the narrative shifts dramatically to a heavenly scene, where the "Ancient of Days" takes His seat for judgment, and "one like the Son of man" is presented, receiving everlasting dominion over all peoples. The intensity, symbolic richness, and future-oriented nature of these revelations, especially the depiction of earthly turmoil and divine judgment, directly precipitate Daniel's visceral reaction in this verse. His distress sets the stage for his urgent plea for understanding in [Daniel 7:16](/daniel/7-16 "Daniel 7:16 - Daniel Seeks Interpretation").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Daniel received this vision during the Babylonian exile, a period of profound upheaval and uncertainty for the Jewish people. They were under foreign domination, and visions of future empires and divine judgment would have resonated deeply with their experiences and hopes for deliverance. In the ancient Near East, dreams and visions were widely accepted as legitimate channels of divine communication, often carrying immense weight and requiring interpretation. Prophets, in particular, were chosen vessels for such revelations, and their experiences were frequently depicted as physically and emotionally taxing. The Aramaic word for "body" (H5085, _nidneh_) in this verse literally means "sheath," implying the body as a temporary container for the spirit, a concept that aligns with broader ancient Near Eastern and early Jewish thought regarding the soul's residence. This highlights that Daniel's distress was not merely intellectual but permeated his entire being.
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 7:15 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Daniel and prophetic literature. Firstly, it emphasizes the **overwhelming nature of divine revelation**, illustrating that encountering profound spiritual truths and visions of future events can be deeply unsettling and emotionally taxing, affecting the whole person, not just the intellect. Secondly, it highlights the **prophetic burden**, demonstrating that prophets often bore a heavy weight of understanding and communicating God's messages, especially those concerning judgment, tribulation, or the end times. Daniel's grief underscores the personal cost of knowing what is to come. Thirdly, it reveals **human vulnerability** in the face of divine majesty and complex prophecy; despite being a man of great faith and spiritual insight, Daniel is portrayed as entirely human, susceptible to fear, confusion, and distress when confronted with the vastness of God's plan. This vulnerability ultimately leads to a deeper reliance on God for interpretation and comfort, as seen in Daniel's subsequent interaction with the angelic interpreter in [Daniel 7:16-27](/daniel/7 "Daniel 7 - The Vision of the Four Beasts and the Son of Man").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **grieved (Aramaic, _Kârâʼ'_):** This Aramaic word (H3735) is probably related to a root meaning "to pierce" or "to dig." Figuratively, it conveys a sense of being deeply wounded, distressed, or afflicted. Daniel's grief is not a superficial sadness but a profound, piercing anguish that penetrates to the core of his being, indicating an intense emotional and spiritual burden.
* **spirit (Aramaic, _rûwach'_):** The Aramaic term (H7308) corresponds to the Hebrew _ruach_, signifying wind, breath, or spirit. In this context, it refers to Daniel's inner being, his mind, emotions, and consciousness. The phrase "grieved in my spirit" indicates that the distress originated and permeated his innermost self, affecting his thoughts, feelings, and spiritual state.
* **troubled (Aramaic, _bᵉhal'_):** This Aramaic word (H927) means "to terrify," "to hasten," or "to be thrown into confusion." It describes the active, disturbing effect the visions had on Daniel. It suggests a state of agitation, alarm, or even panic, indicating that the visions did not merely cause passive sadness but actively disrupted his composure and peace of mind.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body":** This clause emphasizes the holistic and profound nature of Daniel's distress. The "grief" is not merely intellectual apprehension but a deep, internal anguish ("in my spirit") that affects his entire physical being ("in the midst of my body"). The use of "body" (Aramaic _nidneh_, H5085, meaning "sheath") implies that his physical self, the container of his spirit, was also profoundly affected, perhaps manifesting as physical weakness, trembling, or a sense of being overwhelmed. This highlights the intense, all-encompassing impact of the divine revelation.
* **"and the visions of my head troubled me":** This second clause identifies the direct cause of Daniel's distress: the visions themselves. The phrase "visions of my head" refers to the mental and spiritual images he received, emphasizing that these were not external events but internal, divinely imparted revelations. The verb "troubled" signifies that these visions actively agitated, terrified, and threw him into a state of confusion, underscoring their disturbing and unsettling nature. This clause reinforces the idea that the content of the visions—the rise of terrifying empires and the unfolding of divine judgment—was the direct source of his profound disquiet.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 7:15 employs several literary devices to convey the intensity of the prophet's experience. The use of **Hyperbole** or **Intensification** is evident in the description of Daniel's reaction, emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the visions. Phrases like "grieved in my spirit" and "troubled me" are not mere statements of discomfort but convey extreme emotional and physical distress, highlighting the profound impact of divine revelation on a human being. There is an implied **Parallelism** between "grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body" and "the visions of my head troubled me," where both clauses reinforce the comprehensive nature of Daniel's suffering—it affects both his inner being and his physical self, and the visions are the direct, active cause. The phrase "visions of my head" can also be seen as a form of **Synecdoche**, where "head" stands for the entire mental and spiritual faculty through which Daniel received and processed the revelation. The overall effect is to create a vivid and empathetic portrayal of a prophet burdened by the weight of God's future disclosures.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel's profound distress in Daniel 7:15 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of divine revelation and the human capacity to receive it. It underscores that encountering God's truth, especially concerning future judgment and the unfolding of His sovereign plan, is not always comforting or easily digestible. Rather, it can be deeply unsettling, requiring a profound spiritual and emotional processing. This vulnerability highlights the immense privilege and burden of the prophetic office, where individuals are called to bear witness to truths that transcend human comprehension and often involve terrifying realities. Yet, it also implicitly points to the necessity of divine interpretation and comfort, which Daniel subsequently receives, demonstrating God's compassion for His burdened servants.

* [Daniel 8:27](/daniel/8-27 "Daniel's Physical Weakness After Vision")
* [Ezekiel 3:15](/ezekiel/3-15 "Ezekiel's Anguish and Silence")
* [Revelation 1:17](/revelation/1-17 "John's Reaction to the Glorified Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 7:15 offers a profound lesson for believers today: engaging with God's Word, particularly complex or challenging prophetic passages, is not always a comfortable experience. It validates the natural human reaction of being troubled, confused, or even grieved by the realities of sin, judgment, and the unfolding of God's sovereign plan in a fallen world. This verse encourages us to acknowledge our human limitations and vulnerability when confronted with divine truths that transcend our understanding. Instead of shying away from unsettling scriptures, we are called, like Daniel, to lean into God for clarity and comfort, trusting that even amidst visions of chaos and judgment, God remains ultimately in control. Our distress can be a catalyst for deeper prayer, study, and reliance on the Holy Spirit for understanding and peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically react when confronted with challenging or unsettling passages in Scripture, particularly those concerning future events or judgment?**
* **What does Daniel's profound emotional and physical vulnerability teach us about the human experience of faith and receiving divine revelation?**
* **In what ways can we seek understanding and find peace in God's sovereignty, even when faced with disturbing truths about the world or the future?**

### FAQ
**Why was Daniel so grieved and troubled by these visions?**

Answer: Daniel was so grieved and troubled because the visions he received were intensely apocalyptic, revealing terrifying earthly kingdoms and the unfolding of divine judgment, alongside the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. The sheer scope, intensity, and often disturbing imagery of future events—especially the rise of oppressive evil and the process of divine judgment—profoundly impacted him. It was not merely intellectual comprehension but a spiritual and emotional experience that affected his entire being, causing deep anguish and confusion. The weight of understanding such momentous prophecies, particularly those involving suffering and conflict before the final victory, was an immense burden.

**Does Daniel's reaction suggest a lack of faith or spiritual weakness?**

Answer: No, Daniel's reaction does not suggest a lack of faith or spiritual weakness; rather, it highlights his profound humanity and the overwhelming nature of divine revelation. Throughout the book, Daniel is portrayed as a man of unwavering faith, prayer, and spiritual insight. His distress in Daniel 7:15 underscores that even the most devout and spiritually attuned individuals can be deeply affected by the magnitude and often terrifying content of God's truth. It is a testament to the awesome power and glory of God's revelations that they can evoke such a visceral response, demonstrating that encountering the divine is not always a serene experience but can be profoundly unsettling and humbling.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel's profound distress in [Daniel 7:15](/daniel/7-15 "Daniel 7:15 - Daniel's Distress Over the Vision") finds its ultimate resolution and comfort in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The very vision that troubled Daniel, particularly the appearance of "one like the Son of man" in [Daniel 7:13](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13 - The Son of Man Receiving Dominion"), is a direct prefigurement of Jesus. Daniel was burdened by the vision of earthly kingdoms rising and falling, bringing chaos and oppression, and the terrifying prospect of judgment. However, in Christ, we see the true Son of Man who not only receives everlasting dominion but also bears the ultimate burden of sin and judgment on the cross. Jesus, as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), endured the full weight of divine wrath, bringing an end to the power of sin and death. His finished work on Calvary and His subsequent resurrection and ascension establish the eternal kingdom that will indeed crush all earthly kingdoms and bring everlasting righteousness, as prophesied in [Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Everlasting Kingdom"). The peace that Daniel sought in understanding the future is ultimately found in Christ, who offers a peace that [surpasses all understanding](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God"), anchoring our hope not in the absence of troubling visions, but in the certain triumph of His glorious kingdom, which will have no end ([Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - His Kingdom Will Have No End")).

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 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 2:1

¶ And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.

Daniel 2:3

And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.

Daniel 7:1

¶ In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, [and] told the sum of the matters.

Genesis 40:7

And he asked Pharaoh's officers that [were] with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye [so] sadly to day?

Genesis 40:8

And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and [there is] no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, [Do] not interpretations [belong] to God? tell me [them], I pray you.

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].