Bible Strands
Daniel 8:16
And I heard the voice of a man calling from between the banks of the Ulai: “Gabriel, explain the vision to this man.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Daniel hears an unnamed man’s voice calling out from between the banks of the Ulai, directing the command to the angel Gabriel. This occurs while Daniel is actively watching a vision and attempting to comprehend it.
The words — The Hebrew אָדָם ('a.Dam) literally means “a person,” identifying the speaker as a human-like figure. The verb וַ/יִּקְרָא֙ (va/i.yik.Ra') translates to “and he called,” marking the direct summons that precedes the request for interpretation.
The thread — The angel Gabriel appears in Luke 1:19 and Luke 1:26 as the messenger who announces the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. Daniel 8:2 similarly locates Daniel in the citadel of Susa beside the Ulai, anchoring the vision’s geography.
Why it lands — The text requires Daniel to stop relying on his own observation and accept an authorized explanation. It asks the reader to recognize that apocalyptic visions demand divine clarification rather than human deduction.
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 I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.
Cross-references
- Luke 1:19 “I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
- Luke 1:26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
- Daniel 8:2 And in the vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa, in the province of Elam. I saw in the vision that I was beside the Ulai Canal.
- Daniel 12:5 Then I, Daniel, looked and saw two others standing there, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank.
- Hebrews 1:14 Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
- Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”
- Daniel 10:11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man who is highly precious. Consider carefully the words that I am about to say to you. Stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had said this to me, I stood up trembling.
- Daniel 10:14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.”
- Daniel 10:21 But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth. Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael your prince.
- Zechariah 1:9 “What are these, my lord?” I asked. And the angel who was speaking with me replied, “I will show you what they are.”