Daniel 8:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, “Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.”

NIV: As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. 'Son of man,' he said to me, 'understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.'

NASB: So he came near to where I was standing, and when he came I was frightened and fell on my face; and he said to me, 'Son of man, understand that the vision pertains to the time of the end.'

CSB: So he approached where I was standing; when he came near, I was terrified and fell facedown. "Son of man," he said to me, "understand that the vision refers to the time of the end."

NLT: As Gabriel approached the place where I was standing, I became so terrified that I fell with my face to the ground. 'Son of man,' he said, 'you must understand that the events you have seen in your vision relate to the time of the end.'

KJV: 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.

NKJV: So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end.”

Daniel has sought more information about his recent vision (Daniel 8:15). In response, a commanding voice tells a being who looks like a man to give Daniel an explanation (Daniel 8:16). This being is the angel Gabriel, one of only two angels referred to by name in Scripture. He speaks to Daniel, first telling him that what has been seen represents what will happen at the end of Israel's persecution (Daniel 8:9–12). At the same time, this prophecy and its first fulfillment foreshadow events which will occur during the end times.

Daniel's reaction to the presence of an angel is typical (Matthew 28:5; Luke 1:12–13; 2:9–10; Acts 10:3–4). Daniel's first instinct is to drop to his face: a posture of submission. The following verse suggests he might even have fainted (Daniel 8:18).

Gabriel's words must have encouraged Daniel. He made it plain that he had come to bring understanding to Daniel, whom he called, "son of man" (Ezekiel 2:1). This is different from references to a prophetic figure known as "the son of man" (Daniel 7:13). When used of most people, "son of man" simply emphasizes their humanity. The figure Daniel saw in his earlier vision was described as "like a son of man," and by the time of Jesus, was seen as an important figure in prophecy (Matthew 26:63–65).

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.