Daniel 8:18

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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,

Berean Standard Bible

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,

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Daniel 8:18 vividly portrays the prophet Daniel's overwhelming physical and spiritual response to a profound divine encounter and the subsequent compassionate intervention of a heavenly messenger. As the angel began to speak, the sheer weight of the spiritual revelation caused Daniel to fall into a divinely induced stupor, prostrate before the ground. This vulnerable state underscores human frailty in the face of divine glory, yet the verse quickly pivots to highlight God's tender care, as the angel gently touched Daniel, restoring him to an upright position, ready to receive the weighty prophetic message. This moment is crucial, demonstrating the necessity of divine strengthening to comprehend and bear the burden of God's truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 8:18 immediately follows the command given to the angel Gabriel in [Daniel 8:16](/daniel/8-16 "Daniel 8:16 - Gabriel Commanded to Explain the Vision") to explain the complex vision Daniel has just witnessed. The preceding verses (e.g., [Daniel 8:3-14](/daniel/8-3 "Daniel 8:3-14 - The Vision of the Ram and the Goat")) detail a symbolic prophecy involving a ram and a goat, representing the Medo-Persian and Greek empires, respectively, and particularly the rise of a "little horn" power that would bring immense desolation. The intensity and disturbing nature of these future events, especially the persecution and desecration described, are clearly overwhelming Daniel, leading to his physical collapse as the divine explanation begins. This verse marks a critical transition from Daniel receiving the vision to being prepared to understand its profound implications.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Daniel's visions occur during the Babylonian exile, a period of immense national trauma and uncertainty for the Jewish people. Prophets like Daniel served as God's communicators, often receiving revelations through visions or dreams that were physically and emotionally taxing. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, falling prostrate (on one's face toward the ground) was a common gesture of profound reverence, submission, and often, overwhelming fear or awe in the presence of a superior, especially a divine being or a king. This posture in [Daniel 8:18](/daniel/8-18 "Daniel 8:18 - Daniel's Overwhelming Encounter") is typical of biblical figures encountering the divine, reflecting the vast chasm between human mortality and divine majesty. The angel's touch, therefore, is not merely physical but carries significant cultural weight, signifying a transfer of power, comfort, and authority, enabling the recipient to stand in the presence of the divine.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes woven throughout the book of Daniel. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Awe and Human Frailty**, demonstrating the natural human response of overwhelming fear and humility when confronted with God's glorious presence and weighty revelations. Daniel's prostration is a testament to the immense power and holiness of the divine realm that he is privileged to glimpse. Secondly, it emphasizes **Divine Comfort and Strengthening**, as God does not leave His servant in a state of incapacitation. The angel's touch and action to "set me upright" underscore God's compassionate care and His provision of supernatural strength to enable His messengers to fulfill their calling. This divine enablement is a recurring motif, essential for those tasked with bearing God's truth, especially when it involves challenging or disturbing prophecies like those found in [Daniel 8](/daniel/8 "Daniel 8 - The Vision of the Ram and the Goat"). Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of **Preparation for Revelation**, illustrating that before Daniel could fully 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, which will continue through the rest of the chapter in [Daniel 8:19-27](/daniel/8-19 "Daniel 8:19-27 - The Interpretation of the Vision").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **deep sleep (Hebrew, _râdam'_):** This term (H7290) signifies more than ordinary slumber; it refers to a divinely induced stupor or trance. It implies a state of being completely overwhelmed, stunned, or stupefied, often to the point of unconsciousness, where the individual is detached from their physical surroundings and immersed in a spiritual experience. This is akin to the "deep sleep" (Hebrew, _tardemah_) that fell upon Adam in [Genesis 2:21](/genesis/2-21 "Genesis 2:21 - Adam's Deep Sleep") before the creation of Eve, indicating a state of profound passivity and receptivity to divine action.
* **touched (Hebrew, _nâgaʻ'_):** The root (H5060) means "to touch," "to lay the hand upon," or "to reach." In this context, it is a gentle yet powerful act of divine intervention. It's not a casual contact but a purposeful, restorative touch that conveys strength, comfort, and the ability to interact with the divine messenger. This touch breaks Daniel's state of incapacitation, signifying a direct impartation of divine energy and presence.
* **set me upright (Hebrew, _ʻâmad'_ and _ʻômed'_):** The verb "set" (H5975, _ʻâmad_) means "to stand," "to establish," or "to cause to stand." The noun "upright" (H5977, _ʻômed_) refers to a "spot" or a "fixed place," often used to describe a standing position. Together, "set me upright" means literally "caused me to stand," indicating a restoration from a prostrate, incapacitated state to one of alertness, readiness, and stability. This is a crucial act of divine empowerment, enabling Daniel to resume his role as a recipient of revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now as he was speaking with me":** This clause establishes the immediate trigger for Daniel's reaction. The "he" refers to the angelic figure, likely Gabriel, who was commanded to explain the vision. The very act of divine communication, even before the full explanation, carries such weight and power that it profoundly affects Daniel. It highlights the overwhelming nature of direct divine encounter.
* **"I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground":** This describes Daniel's physical and spiritual state. He is not merely asleep but in a divinely induced stupor, completely overwhelmed by the spiritual presence and the gravity of the revelation. His prostrate position, face to the ground, signifies extreme humility, reverence, fear, and perhaps even a sense of unworthiness or incapacitation in the face of such holiness and power.
* **"but he touched me":** This marks the turning point. The conjunction "but" introduces a contrast to Daniel's helpless state. The angel's touch is an act of divine compassion and intervention. It is a gentle yet firm contact that breaks Daniel's trance and begins the process of his restoration. This touch is a conduit of divine power and comfort.
* **"and set me upright":** This final clause describes the immediate effect of the angel's touch. Daniel is no longer prostrate or incapacitated but is restored to a standing position. This signifies not only physical restoration but also a spiritual and mental readiness to receive and understand the revelation. It is an act of divine enablement, preparing him to actively engage with the weighty truths that are about to be unfolded.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 8:18 employs several powerful literary devices. **Contrast** is evident in the stark difference between Daniel's initial state of profound weakness and prostration ("deep sleep on my face toward the ground") and his subsequent restoration to an upright position through divine intervention. This highlights the vast disparity between human frailty and divine power, yet also God's compassionate care. **Symbolism** is rich in Daniel's prostration, which symbolizes utter humility, fear, and submission before the divine, a common motif in biblical encounters with God (e.g., [Ezekiel 1:28](/ezekiel/1-28 "Ezekiel's Prostration")). The angel's **touch** is also symbolic, representing divine enablement, comfort, and the impartation of strength, a recurring theme when God prepares His servants for a task (e.g., [Isaiah 6:7](/isaiah/6-7 "Isaiah's Lips Touched")). The entire scene functions as a **preparation motif**, where the physical and spiritual restoration of the prophet is a necessary prelude to receiving and understanding further, often disturbing, divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel's experience in [Daniel 8:18](/daniel/8-18 "Daniel's Overwhelming Encounter") is a profound theological statement about the nature of divine revelation and human capacity. It teaches that direct encounters with God's glory or His profound truths are often overwhelming, exposing the inherent frailty and limitation of humanity. Yet, it simultaneously affirms God's compassionate initiative to strengthen and enable His chosen vessels. God does not abandon His servants in their weakness but actively intervenes to prepare them for the weighty tasks He has called them to. This divine touch transforms incapacitation into readiness, fear into receptivity, and human weakness into divinely empowered service. It underscores the principle that while God reveals, He also equips for the reception and proclamation of that revelation.

* [Ezekiel 1:28](/ezekiel/1-28 "Ezekiel's Vision and Prostration") - Ezekiel's similar prostration and subsequent divine empowerment after seeing the glory of the Lord.
* [Revelation 1:17](/revelation/1-17 "John's Vision of Christ and His Touch") - John's experience of falling "as dead" before the glorified Christ, who then lays His hand on him to comfort and commission him.
* [Matthew 17:6-7](/matthew/17-6 "Disciples Overwhelmed at Transfiguration") - The disciples falling on their faces in fear during the Transfiguration, only to be touched and told by Jesus, "Rise, and have no fear."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel's profound experience in [Daniel 8:18](/daniel/8-18 "Daniel's Overwhelming Encounter") offers a timeless reflection for believers today. We, too, are often confronted with the overwhelming majesty of God, whether through His Word, His creation, or the sheer magnitude of His plans for our lives. Like Daniel, we may feel utterly inadequate, weak, or even fearful in the face of divine truth or challenging callings. This verse reminds us that such feelings are a natural human response to the divine. However, the profound comfort lies in the angel's touch: God does not leave us in our state of weakness or overwhelm. He is a God who actively reaches out, touches, and restores. He empowers us through His Holy Spirit, setting us upright and enabling us to stand firm, to receive His truth, and to walk in His purposes. This divine strengthening is not a one-time event but a continuous grace that equips us to face daunting prophecies, personal challenges, and the call to bear witness to His kingdom. Our humility and vulnerability are met with His infinite power and compassion, transforming us from those who fall to those who stand ready for His service.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have you felt overwhelmed or inadequate in the face of God's truth or a challenging calling?**
* **How does Daniel's experience of being touched and set upright speak to your need for divine strengthening in moments of weakness?**
* **In what ways does God "set you upright" today, enabling you to stand firm and receive His word?**
* **What does Daniel's humility in this moment teach us about our posture before God?**

### FAQ
**Why did Daniel fall into a deep sleep and prostrate himself?**

Answer: Daniel's "deep sleep" (Hebrew: *râdam*) was not ordinary slumber but a divinely induced stupor or trance, a common biblical phenomenon when humans encounter profound spiritual realities. His prostration, falling "on my face toward the ground," was a natural human response to the overwhelming presence of a heavenly messenger and the immense weight of the divine revelation. It signified profound awe, humility, fear, and a sense of utter inadequacy or incapacitation in the presence of God's glory, a posture seen in other prophets like [Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:28)](/ezekiel/1-28 "Ezekiel's Prostration") and apostles like [John (Revelation 1:17)](/revelation/1-17 "John's Vision of Christ").

**What is the significance of the angel's touch in Daniel 8:18?**

Answer: The angel's touch is highly significant, representing a compassionate and empowering divine intervention. In Daniel's incapacitated state, the touch served as a conduit of divine strength and comfort, breaking the trance and restoring him. It's an act of divine enablement, preparing Daniel to be receptive and capable of understanding the weighty and often disturbing prophetic message that was about to be revealed. This motif of a divine touch bringing restoration and strength is seen elsewhere in scripture, such as when [Jesus touched Peter's mother-in-law to heal her (Matthew 8:15)](/matthew/8-15 "Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-Law") or when [He touched the disciples after the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:7)](/matthew/17-7 "Jesus Touches the Disciples").

**How does Daniel's experience relate to believers today?**

Answer: Daniel's experience in [Daniel 8:18](/daniel/8-18 "Daniel's Overwhelming Encounter") offers profound relevance for contemporary believers. It reminds us that encountering God's truth, whether through His Word, prayer, or a sense of His calling, can be deeply overwhelming and expose our human limitations. We may feel weak or inadequate. However, just as the angel touched Daniel and set him upright, God continually provides His divine strengthening through the Holy Spirit. He doesn't leave us in our fear or weakness but empowers us to stand firm, to receive and internalize His truth, and to fulfill the purposes He has for us, even when the path is challenging or the revelation is daunting. It encourages us to approach God with humility, trusting in His grace to equip us for every task.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel's experience in [Daniel 8:18](/daniel/8-18 "Daniel's Overwhelming Encounter") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. Daniel, overwhelmed by the divine presence and the burden of revelation, required an angelic touch to be set upright and prepared. This foreshadows Jesus Christ as the ultimate divine revealer and the one who perfectly embodies and dispenses divine strength. Unlike Daniel, who received revelation through an angel, believers now receive the fullness of God's truth directly through [Jesus, who is the Word made flesh (John 1:14)](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh"). Moreover, just as the angel touched Daniel to restore him, Jesus frequently demonstrated His power to restore and strengthen those who were weak, sick, or overwhelmed by life's burdens, often through a compassionate touch (e.g., [Mark 1:41 - Jesus touches a leper and heals him](/mark/1-41 "Jesus Heals a Leper")). He is the one who tells His disciples, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid!" when they are overwhelmed by a storm ([Matthew 14:27](/matthew/14-27 "Jesus Walks on Water")). Furthermore, the Holy Spirit, sent by Christ, is our constant divine enabler, empowering us to stand firm in faith, comprehend God's Word, and live out His calling, just as Daniel was enabled to receive further prophecy. The prostrate Daniel, needing divine intervention to stand, points to humanity's desperate need for a Savior, and Christ is that Savior, who not only sets us upright from the "deep sleep" of sin and spiritual death but equips us for eternal life and service through His indwelling Spirit, preparing us for the ultimate revelation of His glorious return ([1 John 3:2](/1_john/3-2 "We Shall Be Like Him")).

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 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

¶ 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,