Daniel 10:16

And suddenly one with the likeness of a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of the vision, I am overcome with anguish, and I have no strength.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Daniel addresses a heavenly figure standing before him immediately after bowing his face to the ground and losing his speech. The moment occurs during a vision that leaves him physically overwhelmed and unable to respond.

The words — The phrase כִּדְמוּת בְּנֵי אָדָם (ki/d.Mut be.Nei 'a.Dam) translates literally as "like the likeness of sons of man," describing the appearance of the one who touches Daniel's lips. The verb נֹגֵעַ (no.Ge.a') means "was touching," indicating direct physical contact that precedes Daniel's ability to open his mouth and speak.

The thread — This lip-touching motif appears in Isaiah 6:7 and Jeremiah 1:9, where a divine figure touches a prophet's mouth to prepare them for speech or remove iniquity. Daniel 8:15 introduces a similar standing figure but contains no mention of physical contact.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition that human weakness does not disqualify one from receiving or delivering a message. It requires a reader to acknowledge that physical and emotional exhaustion must be met with divine intervention before communication can resume.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Isaiah 6:7 And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.”
Daniel 8:15 While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man.
Jeremiah 1:9 Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
Daniel 7:15 I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit, and the visions in my mind alarmed me.
Daniel 7:28 Thus ends the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and my face turned pale. But I kept the matter to myself.”
Daniel 8:17 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.”
Daniel 8:27 I, Daniel, was exhausted and lay ill for days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was confounded by the vision; it was beyond understanding.
Revelation 1:13 and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest.
Exodus 4:10 “Please, Lord,” Moses replied, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue.”
Exodus 4:13 But Moses replied, “Please, Lord, send someone else.”