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.

Now as he was speaking {H1696} with me, I was in a deep sleep {H7290} on my face {H6440} toward the ground {H776}: but he touched {H5060} me, and set {H5975} me upright {H5977}.

As he was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face toward the ground; but he touched me, set me on my feet,

While he was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me, helped me to my feet,

Now as he was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face toward the ground; but he touched me, and set me upright.

Commentary

Daniel 8:18 KJV describes the prophet Daniel's profound reaction to a divine encounter and the angelic intervention that prepared him to receive further revelation. This verse is part of a larger vision concerning future empires and the rise of a destructive power, emphasizing the overwhelming nature of God's presence and the necessity of divine strengthening for His messengers.

Context

Following the command given to the angel Gabriel to explain the vision (as seen in Daniel 8:16), Daniel is overcome by the intensity of the spiritual encounter. The vision itself, detailed earlier in Daniel 8, portrays a ram and a goat, symbolizing the Medo-Persian and Greek empires, respectively, and foreshadows the rise of a "little horn" power. The weight of understanding such future events, particularly those involving conflict and desolation, leads to Daniel's physical collapse.

Key Themes

  • Divine Awe and Human Frailty: Daniel's "deep sleep on my face toward the ground" illustrates the natural human response of overwhelming awe, fear, and humility in the presence of the divine. This prostrate position signifies complete submission and vulnerability before the heavenly messenger.
  • Divine Comfort and Strengthening: The angel's touch and action to "set me upright" highlight God's compassionate care for His servants. It's a moment of physical and spiritual restoration, enabling Daniel to fully engage with the message. This divine enablement is crucial for those called to bear God's truth.
  • Preparation for Revelation: Before Daniel could grasp the complex and often disturbing aspects of the prophecy, he needed to be physically and mentally prepared. The angel's touch serves as a divine preparation, ensuring the prophet is in a receptive state to understand the weighty truths being revealed.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "deep sleep" translates the Hebrew word tardemah (ืชึผึทืจึฐื“ึผึตืžึธื”). This is not ordinary slumber but a divinely induced trance or stupor, similar to the one experienced by Adam in Genesis 2:21. It indicates an overwhelming, almost unconscious state, where the individual is completely immersed in the spiritual realm and detached from the physical. The angel's action to "set me upright" (Hebrew: he'emidan) literally means "caused me to stand," signifying a restoration to a state of readiness and alertness.

Reflection and Application

Daniel's experience reminds us that encountering God's truth can be profoundly overwhelming. Like Daniel, we may feel weak or inadequate when faced with the magnitude of God's plans or His call on our lives. However, this verse offers immense comfort: God does not leave us in our state of weakness. He sends His Spirit (or His messengers, as in Daniel's case) to touch us, strengthen us, and set us upright, preparing us to receive and understand His word. This divine assistance empowers us to stand firm and fulfill the purposes He has for us, even when the message is challenging or the path seems daunting. It encourages us to respond with humility and trust, knowing that God will equip us for what He reveals.

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Cross-References

  • Daniel 10:18

    Then there came again and touched me [one] like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Ezekiel 2:2

    And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.

  • Daniel 10:8

    Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

  • Daniel 10:10

    ยถ And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and [upon] the palms of my hands.

  • Job 4:13

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