Daniel 10:9 I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.

◄ Daniel 10:9 ►

New International Version
Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.

New Living Translation
Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.

English Standard Version
Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.

Berean Standard Bible
I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.

King James Bible
Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

New King James Version
Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

New American Standard Bible
But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

NASB 1995
But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

NASB 1977
But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

Legacy Standard Bible
But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

Amplified Bible
Then I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in a deep sleep, with my face toward the ground.

Christian Standard Bible
I heard the words he said, and when I heard them I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I heard the words he said, and when I heard them I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.

American Standard Version
Yet heard I the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I fallen into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.

Contemporary English Version
and at the sound of his voice, I fell facedown in a deep sleep.

English Revised Version
Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I fallen into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I heard the man speak, and as I listened to his words, I fainted facedown on the ground.

Good News Translation
When I heard his voice, I fell to the ground unconscious and lay there face downward.

International Standard Version
As I listened to the sound of his words, I fell down on my face unconscious, with my face to the ground."

Majority Standard Bible
I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.

NET Bible
I listened to his voice, and as I did so I fell into a trance-like sleep with my face to the ground.

New Heart English Bible
Yet I heard the sound of his words, and when I heard the sound of his words, then I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.

Webster's Bible Translation
Yet I heard the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then I was in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

World English Bible
Yet I heard the voice of his words. When I heard the voice of his words, then I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And I hear the voice of his words, and when I hear the voice of his words, then I have been in a trance on my face, and my face [is] to the earth;

Young's Literal Translation
And I hear the voice of his words, and when I hear the voice of his words, then I have been in a trance on my face, and my face is to the earth;

Smith's Literal Translation
And I shall hear the voice of his words: and in my hearing the voice of his words, and I was lying in a deep sleep upon my face, and my face to the earth.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I heard the voice of his words: and when I heard, I lay in a consternation, upon my face, and my face was close to the ground.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I heard the voice of his words, and when I heard, I lay down in confusion on my face, and my face was close to the ground.

New American Bible
When I heard the sound of his voice, I fell face forward unconscious.

New Revised Standard Version
Then I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a trance, face to the ground.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And when I heard the sound of his words, I fell down upon my face on the ground;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face on the ground

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Yet heard I the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I fallen into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Yet I heard the voice of his words: and when I heard him I was pricked in the heart, and I fell with my face to the earth.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Daniel's Vision by the Tigris
…8So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless. 9I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. 10Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

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,

Acts 9:4
He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”

Matthew 17:6
When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown in terror.

Ezekiel 1:28
The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.

Genesis 17:3
Then Abram fell facedown, and God said to him,

Acts 22:7
I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’

Matthew 28:4
The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.

Ezekiel 3:23
So I got up and went out to the plain, and behold, the glory of the LORD was present there, like the glory I had seen by the River Kebar, and I fell facedown.

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.”

Numbers 24:4
the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:

Acts 26:14
We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

Ezekiel 43:3
The vision I saw was like the vision I had seen when He came to destroy the city and like the visions I had seen by the River Kebar. I fell facedown,

2 Corinthians 12:4
was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were inexpressible, things that man is not permitted to tell.

Genesis 15:12
As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and suddenly great terror and darkness overwhelmed him.

Revelation 22:8
And I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown me these things.

Treasury of Scripture

Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

was I.

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.

Genesis 2:21
And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

Genesis 15:12
And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

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Daniel 10

1. Daniel, having humbled himself, sees a vision.
10. Being troubled with fear, he is comforted by the angel.

Berean Study Bible

I heard the sound of his words
The phrase "I heard" indicates a personal and direct experience of the divine message. In Hebrew, the word for "heard" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but understanding and obeying. This suggests that Daniel was not merely a passive listener but was actively engaged in receiving the message. The "sound of his words" emphasizes the power and authority of the heavenly being's voice, reminiscent of other biblical instances where God's voice is described as powerful and awe-inspiring (e.g., Psalm 29:4). This highlights the divine authority and the profound impact of God's communication.

and as I listened
The act of listening here is continuous, indicating that Daniel was fully attentive and receptive to the message being delivered. The Hebrew root "קָשַׁב" (qashab) for listening implies paying close attention, suggesting that Daniel was in a state of readiness to receive divine revelation. This attentive listening is a model for believers, emphasizing the importance of being open and receptive to God's word in our lives.

I fell into a deep sleep
The phrase "fell into a deep sleep" can be understood as a state of being overwhelmed by the divine presence. In the Hebrew context, "תַּרְדֵּמָה" (tardemah) is often used to describe a deep, trance-like sleep, as seen in Genesis 2:21 when God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep. This indicates a supernatural influence, where Daniel's physical senses are subdued to allow for a spiritual encounter. It reflects the overwhelming nature of divine encounters, where human strength and consciousness are often insufficient to withstand the glory of God's presence.

with my face to the ground
This posture of having one's "face to the ground" is a common biblical expression of humility and reverence in the presence of the divine. It signifies submission and recognition of God's majesty and holiness. In the ancient Near Eastern context, bowing with one's face to the ground was a gesture of deep respect and acknowledgment of authority. For Daniel, this position underscores his humility and the profound impact of the vision, reminding believers of the appropriate response to God's overwhelming presence and majesty.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) His words.--He refers to the unrecorded words of Daniel 10:6. (Comp. Daniel 8:17-18.)

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. The Septuagint rendering here is briefer than the Massoretic, "And I heard the sound of his speech (λαλιᾶς, ' talking'), and I was fallen upon my face upon the earth." The Septuagint translator seems to have read נְפַלְתִּי (nephalti) instead of נִרְדַם (nir'dam). Theodotion is somewhat nearer the Massoretic text, but renders nirdam by "stupefied." The Pesifitta is an accurate rendering of the text behind the Septuagint. Jerome agrees with Theodotion, rendering nirdam by consternatus; he strengthens the phrase, "my face toward the ground," by inserting haerebat. It would seem that nirdam is of doubtful authenticity. It may be said this was omitted because of the difficulty of imagining the prophet seeing while in a deep sleep. But a state of sleep does not preclude the possibility of seeing a vision. In the parallel passage (Daniel 8:18) the LXX. has no difficulty in translating, נִרְדַמְתִּי ἐκοιμήθην. By assuming the reading of the LXX. and the Peshitta to be correct, we make the process of events more natural; according to the Massoretic reading, though we have an account of his sense of weakness, we have no record that he fell to the ground, and yet we are told that he was "in a deep sleep, with his face toward the ground" The resemblance is very great to Job 4:12, "A thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof in thoughts from the vision of the night, when sleep falleth on men (תַּרְדֵמָה, tardaymah)." If there has been imitation, the originality and beauty of the passage in Job render it certain that it is the original. It seems more likely to be a change introduced to bring the revelation to Daniel in line with other prophetic revelations. The attitude Daniel assumed was one which implied the deepest abasement - the envoy of the great king kisses the ground at the feet of the envoy of the King of kings. Even the revelation given while sleep had fallen on the subject of the revelation, seems paralleled with what took place at the Transfiguration (Luke 9:32, "And Peter and those that were with him were heavy with sleep," yet it was when they were awaked that they saw the glory). So with Gethsemane. The Hebrew word is the same as that used when Eve was taken out of the side of Adam; he then was asleep - a deepsleep had fallen on him, תַּרְדֵמָה (tardaymah)." (For further illustrations, see Ezekiel 1:28; Ezekiel 3:23; Zechariah 4:1; Revelation 1:17.)

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

I heard
וָאֶשְׁמַ֖ע (wā·’eš·ma‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the sound
ק֣וֹל (qō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

of his words,
דְּבָרָ֑יו (də·ḇā·rāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

and as I listened,
וּכְשָׁמְעִי֙ (ū·ḵə·šā·mə·‘î)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

I
וַאֲנִ֗י (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

fell into a deep sleep,
נִרְדָּ֥ם (nir·dām)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7290: To be in or fall into heavy sleep

with my face
פָּנַ֖י (pā·nay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440: The face

to the ground.
אָֽרְצָה׃ (’ā·rə·ṣāh)
Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

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OT Prophets: Daniel 10:9 Yet heard I the voice of his (Dan. Da Dn)