Daniel 10:16
New International Version
Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak.

New Living Translation
Then the one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, “I am filled with anguish because of the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak.

English Standard Version
And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength.

New American Standard Bible
And behold, one who resembled a human was touching my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, “My lord, due to the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength.

NASB 1995
And behold, one who resembled a human being was touching my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, “O my lord, as a result of the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength.

NASB 1977
And behold, one who resembled a human being was touching my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, and said to him who was standing before me, “O my lord, as a result of the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength.

Legacy Standard Bible
And behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men was touching my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, “O my lord, as a result of the vision that appeared, pains have come upon me, and I have retained no might.

Amplified Bible
And behold, one who resembled the sons of men touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, “O my lord, because of the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength.

Christian Standard Bible
Suddenly one with human likeness touched my lips. I opened my mouth and said to the one standing in front of me, “My lord, because of the vision, anguish overwhelms me and I am powerless.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Suddenly one with human likeness touched my lips. I opened my mouth and said to the one standing in front of me, “My lord, because of the vision, anguish overwhelms me and I am powerless.

American Standard Version
And, behold, one in the likeness 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 reason of the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I retain no strength.

Contemporary English Version
Then he appeared in human form and touched my lips. I said, "Sir, this vision has brought me great pain and has drained my strength.

English Revised 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 reason of the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I retain no strength.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then someone who looked like a human touched my lips. I opened my mouth and began to talk. I said to the person standing in front of me, "Sir, because of this vision, pain has overwhelmed me, and I'm helpless.

Good News Translation
Then the angel, who looked like a human being, reached out and touched my lips. I said to him, "Sir, this vision makes me so weak that I can't stop trembling.

International Standard Version
But suddenly someone who resembled a human being touched my lips, so addressing the one who was standing in front of me, I opened my mouth and said, 'Sir, I'm overwhelmed with anguish by this vision. I have no strength left.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Then one who appeared to be a human being was touching my lips. I opened my mouth and started to speak, saying to the one who was standing before me, "Sir, due to the vision, anxiety has gripped me and I have no strength.

New Heart English Bible
And look, something like a man's hand touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who stood before me, "My lord, it is because of the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have no strength.

Webster's Bible Translation
And behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said to him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.

World English Bible
Behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth, and spoke and said to him who stood before me, “My lord, by reason of the vision my sorrows have overtaken me, and I retain no strength.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and behold, as the manner of the sons of men, he is striking against my lips, and I open my mouth, and I speak, and say to him who is standing in opposition in front of me: My lord, by the vision my pangs have been turned against me, and I have retained no power.

Young's Literal Translation
and lo, as the manner of the sons of men, he is striking against my lips, and I open my mouth, and I speak, and say unto him who is standing over-against me: My lord, by the appearance turned have been my pangs against me, and I have retained no power.

Smith's Literal Translation
And behold, as the likeness of the sons of man touched upon my lips: and I shall open my mouth and speak and say to him standing before me, O my lord, by the sight my straights were turned upon me, and I retained not strength.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And behold, as it were the likeness of a son of man touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said to him that stood before me: O my Lord, at the sight of thee my joints are loosed, and no strength hath remained in me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And behold, something in the likeness of a son of man touched my lips. Then, opening my mouth, I spoke and said to him who stood before me, “My lord, at the sight of you, my limbs became weak and no strength has remained in me.

New American Bible
Then something like a hand touched my lips; I opened my mouth and said to the one standing before me, “My lord, I was seized with pangs at the vision and I was powerless.

New Revised Standard Version
Then one in human form touched my lips, and I opened my mouth to speak, and said to the one who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision such pains have come upon me that I retain no strength.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And behold, one resembling a man touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who stood before me, O my LORD, by the vision my heart trembled and I was unable to rise.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And behold, as the likeness of a man touched my lips and opened my mouth, and I spoke and I said to him who stood next to me: “My Lord, my insides were turned against me by the vision, and I was not able to stand
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth, and spoke and said unto him that stood before me: 'O my lord, by reason of the vision my pains are come upon me, and I retain no strength.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And, behold, as it were the likeness of a son of man touched my lips; and I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said to him that stood before me, O my lord, at the sight of thee my bowels were turned within me, and I had no strength.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Daniel's Vision by the Tigris
15While he was speaking these words to me, I set my face toward the ground and became speechless. 16And 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. 17How can I, your servant, speak with you, my lord? Now I have no strength, nor is any breath left in me.”…

Cross References
Isaiah 6:6-7
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. / 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.”

Revelation 1:17
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,

Ezekiel 2:1-2
“Son of man,” He said to me, “stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” / And as He spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me.

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.

Revelation 10:8-10
Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go, take the small scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel standing on the sea and on the land.” / And I went to the angel and said, “Give me the small scroll.” “Take it and eat it,” he said. “It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” / So I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach turned bitter.

Isaiah 53:3-5
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. / Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. / But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

Matthew 17:6-7
When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown in terror. / Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” He said. “Do not be afraid.”

Ezekiel 3:1-3
“Son of man,” He said to me, “eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel.” / So I opened my mouth, and He fed me the scroll. / “Son of man,” He said to me, “eat and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you.” So I ate, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.

Luke 1:11-13
Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. / When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear. / But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

Acts 9:3-6
As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. / He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” / “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. ...

Isaiah 49:2
He made My mouth like a sharp sword; He hid Me in the shadow of His hand. He made Me like a polished arrow; He hid Me in His quiver.

Revelation 19:10
So I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Job 4:14-16
fear and trembling came over me and made all my bones shudder. / Then a spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body bristled. / It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance; a form loomed before my eyes, and I heard a whispering voice:

Matthew 28:5-10
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. / He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay. / Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.” ...

Zechariah 4:1
Then the angel who was speaking with me returned and woke me, as a man is awakened from his sleep.


Treasury of Scripture

And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said to him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned on me, and I have retained no strength.

like.

Daniel 10:5,6,18
Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: …

Daniel 8:15
And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.

Daniel 9:21
Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

touched.

Daniel 10:10
And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

Isaiah 6:7
And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

Jeremiah 1:9
Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

my Lord.

Daniel 10:17
For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.

Daniel 12:8
And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?

Exodus 4:10,13
And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue…

my sorrows.

Daniel 10:8,9
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 7:15,28
I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me…

Daniel 8:17,27
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…

Jump to Previous
Likeness Mouth Opened Pains Reason Retain Retained Similitude Sorrows Stood Strength Touched Turned Vision
Jump to Next
Likeness Mouth Opened Pains Reason Retain Retained Similitude Sorrows Stood Strength Touched Turned Vision
Daniel 10
1. Daniel, having humbled himself, sees a vision.
10. Being troubled with fear, he is comforted by the angel.














And suddenly
The phrase "and suddenly" indicates an unexpected and immediate event. In the Hebrew context, this suddenness often signifies divine intervention or revelation. It underscores the abruptness with which God can act in human affairs, reminding us of His sovereignty and the element of surprise in His divine plans.

one with the likeness of a man
This phrase suggests a heavenly being appearing in human form. In the Hebrew tradition, angels often take on human likeness to communicate with people. This aligns with the biblical theme of God using familiar forms to convey His messages, emphasizing His desire to relate to humanity in understandable ways.

touched my lips
The act of touching the lips is significant in biblical literature, symbolizing purification and empowerment for speech. In Isaiah 6:7, a similar act occurs, where a seraphim touches Isaiah's lips with a coal, cleansing him. Here, it signifies Daniel being prepared and enabled to speak, highlighting the importance of divine preparation before undertaking God's work.

and I opened my mouth and began to speak
This phrase marks the transition from silence to speech, symbolizing the readiness to communicate divine truths. In the biblical narrative, opening one's mouth often signifies the beginning of prophecy or revelation. It reflects the empowerment that comes from divine touch, enabling Daniel to articulate his experience and emotions.

I said to the one standing before me
Addressing "the one standing before me" indicates a direct communication with the heavenly messenger. This interaction underscores the personal nature of divine encounters, where God’s messengers engage directly with individuals, providing guidance and understanding.

My lord
The term "my lord" is a respectful address, acknowledging the authority and superiority of the heavenly being. In the Hebrew context, such a term is used to show reverence and recognition of the divine or angelic nature of the visitor, reflecting Daniel's humility and respect.

because of the vision
This phrase points to the cause of Daniel's distress. Visions in the Bible often reveal profound truths and future events, which can be overwhelming. Daniel's reaction is consistent with the human response to divine revelation, which often brings both enlightenment and a sense of burden.

I am overcome with anguish
The expression of being "overcome with anguish" reveals the emotional and physical toll of receiving divine visions. In the Hebrew tradition, encountering the divine often leads to a deep sense of awe and fear, reflecting the weight of the message and the human inability to fully comprehend God's plans.

and have no strength
This phrase highlights the physical weakness that accompanies spiritual encounters. In biblical narratives, the presence of God or His messengers often leaves individuals physically drained, symbolizing the overwhelming power of divine revelation and the need for divine strength to endure and understand it.

(16) One like . . .--Comp. Daniel 8:15. However, there is no reason for supposing that the person is different from the one mentioned in Daniel 10:10; Daniel 10:18. By "sorrows" is meant the pain produced by terror.

Verse 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. The LXX. rendering differs from this, "And behold, as the likeness of the hand of a man" - due, more likely to explanatory paraphrase than to various reading of יר for בני; still the phrase, "a likeness of sons of man," is somewhat violent, and not to be paralleled by Psalm 45:3 - "touched my lips, and I opened my mouth, and spake, and I said to him who stood before me, Lord, even when the vision was turned upon my side to me." Clearly צידי (tzeedee) has been read by mistake for צירי (tzeeree). The sense of the Massoretic is difficult; but this is nonsense. "And there was no strength in me," reading איולי instead of עצרתי. Theodotion renders, "And behold, as the likeness of a son of man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth, and spake, and said to him that stood before me, In thy appearance my bowels (τὸ ἐντός μου) were turned in me, and I had no strength." Theodotion has evidently had the singular בֶּן instead of בְנֵי, or perhaps regarded it as a survival of the old form of the construct. It is probably not due to a different reading, but to a different meaning given to צירים, that we have ἐντός. The Peshitta resembles Theodotion very closely, having, however, enosh, "man," instead of "son of man." We have also go', "body," or "viscera," as the translation of tzeereem. The Vulgate renders to the same purport; the last portion of the verse runs thus: In visions tua dissolutas sunt compages meae et nihil in me remansit virium. It also has, in the first clause, similitudo filii hominis. It seems difficult to avoid the conclusion that we should read "son of man" instead of "sons of man" Were there any diplomatic or other evidence in favour of the reading of the LXX., it would be much preferable to any other, as we have the description of the visitant whose hand touched Daniel, in vers. 5 and 6. Hence the assertion here, that the likeness of a son of man touched him, does not harmonize with this, as it seems to introduce a new person. There is no reference to hands in the description in vers. 5 and 6, "the hand as of a man" there would not be the introduction of something already mentioned. Touched my lips. In the previous chapter, ver. 21, the angel Gabriel "touches" Daniel. The emphasis of the act, in the present instance, does not be in the fact of touching, but in this - that it was the lips that were touched. In Isaiah 6:6 and 7 one of the seraphim touches the lips of the prophet with "a live coal from off the altar." In Isaiah the object is purification; in the case before us it is the restoration of the power of speech. Then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me. This is the result of the touch of the angelic hand. O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. "Lord" here is not "Jehovah," but "Adonai" - a title of respect, certainly, but not necessarily of adoration. Theodotion and the Vulgate render "thy vision," understanding by that "thy appearance." The meaning is the same as that of the ordinary reading. Hence it is probably due to a desire to emphasize this rather than to any difference of reading. "My sorrows are turned upon me." This is a term that involves great difficulty. The term is used of the pangs of childbirth (1 Samuel 4:19), and transferred to sorrows (Isaiah 13:8). And this is the sense in which it has generally been taken here; the more readily that in 1 Samuel 4:19 the same phrase is used as here But the sense does not seem very good; the appearance of the angel was not an occasion of sorrow, however much of awe there might be in it. The word has a number of meanings, which it is certainly difficult to bring into relationship with each other. Thus in Proverbs 26:14 it means a "hinge;" in Proverbs 25:13 it means "messenger," and this is the meaning it most frequently bears (Proverbs 13:17; Isaiah 18:2; Jeremiah 49:14; Obadiah 1:1). Neither of these meanings is at all suitable. In Psalm 49:16 we have the word appearing in the K'thib, and translated "beauty;" hence it would be equivalent to הודי (hodee) of ver. 8. The LXX. is out of court. Theodotion, the Peshitta, and the Vulgate differ from each other, so that nothing is to be drawn from them. We would, then, take this phrase as equivalent to that in the eighth verse, "I have retained no strength." This fitly follows up what has been already stated.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And suddenly
וְהִנֵּ֗ה (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

[one] with the likeness
כִּדְמוּת֙ (kiḏ·mūṯ)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1823: Resemblance, model, shape, like

of a man
אָדָ֔ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

touched
נֹגֵ֖עַ (nō·ḡê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike

my lips,
שְׂפָתָ֑י (śə·p̄ā·ṯāy)
Noun - fdc | first person common singular
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

and I opened
וָאֶפְתַּח־ (wā·’ep̄·taḥ-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

my mouth
פִּ֗י (pî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

and said
וָאֹֽמְרָה֙ (wā·’ō·mə·rāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the one standing
הָעֹמֵ֣ד (hā·‘ō·mêḏ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

before me,
לְנֶגְדִּ֔י (lə·neḡ·dî)
Preposition-l | first person common singular
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before

“My lord,
אֲדֹנִ֗י (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

because of the vision,
בַּמַּרְאָה֙ (bam·mar·’āh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4759: A vision, a mirror

I am overcome
נֶהֶפְכ֤וּ (ne·hep̄·ḵū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2015: To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervert

with anguish,
צִירַי֙ (ṣî·ray)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6735: A hinge, a throe, a herald, erranddoer

and I have
עָצַ֖רְתִּי (‘ā·ṣar·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6113: To inclose, to hold back, to maintain, rule, assemble

no
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

strength.
כֹּֽחַ׃ (kō·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3581: A small reptile (of unknown species)


Links
Daniel 10:16 NIV
Daniel 10:16 NLT
Daniel 10:16 ESV
Daniel 10:16 NASB
Daniel 10:16 KJV

Daniel 10:16 BibleApps.com
Daniel 10:16 Biblia Paralela
Daniel 10:16 Chinese Bible
Daniel 10:16 French Bible
Daniel 10:16 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Daniel 10:16 Behold one in the likeness (Dan. Da Dn)
Daniel 10:15
Top of Page
Top of Page