Daniel 8:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And I heard a man 's voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, "Gabriel, make this man understand the vision."

NIV: And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, "Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision."

NASB: And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai, and he called out and said, 'Gabriel, explain the vision to this man.'

CSB: I heard a human voice calling from the middle of the Ulai: "Gabriel, explain the vision to this man."

NLT: And I heard a human voice calling out from the Ulai River, 'Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of his vision.'

KJV: And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

NKJV: And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.”

In response to his desire (Daniel 8:15) to understand his vision (Daniel 8:1–2), Daniel heard a man's voice. The voice arises from between the banks of the canal where Daniel saw symbolic images of a ram and goat (Daniel 8:3–12). That this voice seems to command the angel, with authority, implies the voice of Jesus. Just as Daniel received help to understand his vision, even so the believer receives help to understand God's Word (John 14:26).

This verse is the first time Scripture identifies an angel by name. The same being, Gabriel, will be mentioned later in connection with Daniel's other visions (Daniel 9:21). This is the messenger God sends to announce the births of John the Baptist and of Jesus (Luke 1:19, 26). Gabriel's name literally means "warrior of God" or "man of God."

Another possibility is that the speaker is the archangel, Michael (Jude 1:9). Michael is the only other angel mentioned by name in the Bible (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1; Revelation 12:7).

Daniel 8:15–27 includes the angel Gabriel's explanation of Daniel's vision, along with Daniel's reaction. The symbols Daniel saw predict the end of the Medo-Persian empire, the rise and fall of Alexander the Great, and the emergence of a tyrant who persecutes the Jewish people. Though the prophecy has been "explained" Daniel doesn't fully grasp everything that's going to occur. What he's told is disturbing enough to keep him bedridden for several days.

Daniel sees a vision, later explained to him by the angel Gabriel. A swift-moving goat overpowers a two-horned ram. This represents the conquest of Greece over Medo-Persia. Then the goat's horn shatters, replaced by four more; this predicts Alexander the Great's death and succession. Later, a ruler arises to brutally persecute God's people. This prophecy refers to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who desecrated the temple and outlawed Jewish religious practices. It also foreshadows the end times when the Antichrist will be tied to similar events. The experience leaves Daniel temporarily bedridden.

The first 6 chapters of Daniel recorded events from his life. The final chapters record his visions of the future. The prior chapter contained a dream involving several animals, depicting powerful nations. The vision explained here also deals with conquering empires, but also touches on events to come in the end times. Daniel's next passage includes his prayer for Israel and further explanation of what will happen in the last days of human history.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.

Accessed 12/3/2024 12:23:41 PM