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.

So he came {H935} near {H681} where I stood {H5977}: and when he came {H935}, I was afraid {H1204}, and fell {H5307} upon my face {H6440}: but he said {H559} unto me, Understand {H995}, O son {H1121} of man {H120}: for at the time {H6256} of the end {H7093} shall be the vision {H2377}.

He came up to where I was standing, and his approach so terrified me that I fell on my face. But he said to me, "Human being! Understand that the vision refers to the time of the end."

As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”

So he came near where I stood; and when he came, I was affrighted, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man; for the vision belongeth to the time of the end.

Daniel 8:17 captures a pivotal moment in Daniel's prophetic experience, following his intense vision of the ram and the goat. Here, an angelic being approaches Daniel to provide clarity, but his presence evokes a profound human reaction of fear and humility.

Context

This verse immediately follows the vision described in Daniel 8, which details the rise and fall of two major empires represented by a ram (Medo-Persia) and a goat (Greece). The angelic messenger, later identified as Gabriel in the preceding verse, comes to explain the intricate details of this complex prophecy. Daniel's reaction—falling on his face in fear—is a common biblical response to direct encounters with divine or angelic beings, highlighting the immense power and holiness of God's emissaries. This prepares Daniel to receive a revelation that transcends his immediate understanding.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation and Human Response: The verse powerfully illustrates the overwhelming nature of divine encounters. Daniel's fear and prostration demonstrate the proper awe and humility required when standing before God's messengers or receiving His truth.
  • Prophetic Understanding: The angel's command, "Understand, O son of man," underscores the importance of comprehending God's prophetic word. While the full realization of the vision might be for a future generation, Daniel is tasked with grasping its fundamental meaning.
  • Eschatological Focus: The core message points to "the time of the end," emphasizing that the vision's ultimate fulfillment belongs to a future, divinely appointed period, a theme consistent with other prophetic passages concerning God's sealed revelation for the last days. This phrase sets the stage for the detailed explanations that follow concerning end-time events.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Son of man" (Hebrew: ben 'adam): This phrase, used by the angelic being, emphasizes Daniel's humanity and mortality in contrast to the divine realm. It serves as a reminder of the vast chasm between finite man and the infinite God, who nonetheless chooses to reveal His plans to humanity.
  • "Time of the end" (Hebrew: 'eth qēts): This crucial phrase repeatedly appears in Daniel's prophecies and signifies a specific, appointed period in God's sovereign timeline. It refers not merely to the conclusion of Daniel's life or a specific historical era, but to the ultimate culmination of prophetic events that lead to the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.
  • "Vision" (Hebrew: chazon): This term refers to the prophetic insight Daniel received, which is now being interpreted. It signifies a divinely granted revelation, often symbolic, that requires spiritual discernment to fully grasp its meaning.

Practical Application

Daniel 8:17 encourages believers to approach God's Word with humility and reverence. Just as Daniel was commanded to "Understand," we are called to diligently study and seek comprehension of biblical prophecy, even if its complete fulfillment is yet future. This verse reassures us that God has a sovereign plan for history, culminating in "the time of the end," and He reveals aspects of this plan to His servants. It also reminds us that encounters with the divine are profoundly impactful, calling for awe and submission, and that God often uses angelic messengers to communicate His will to humanity.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 8:19

    And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end [shall be].

  • Daniel 12:4

    But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

  • Revelation 1:17

    And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

  • Daniel 11:40

    And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

  • Daniel 12:13

    But go thou thy way till the end [be]: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

  • Habakkuk 2:3

    For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

  • Daniel 11:35

    And [some] of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make [them] white, [even] to the time of the end: because [it is] yet for a time appointed.

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