Daniel 8:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when he had spoken to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But he touched me and made me stand up.

NIV: While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me and raised me to my feet.

NASB: Now while he was talking with me, I was dazed with my face to the ground; but he touched me and made me stand at my place.

CSB: While he was speaking to me, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me, made me stand up,

NLT: While he was speaking, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground. But Gabriel roused me with a touch and helped me to my feet.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Now, as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep with my face to the ground; but he touched me, and stood me upright.

In the prior verse, Daniel was approached by the angel Gabriel (Daniel 8:15–17). The Bible records several encounters between angels and people, and virtually all of them record some expression of fear (Matthew 28:5; Luke 1:12–13; 2:9–10; Acts 10:3–4). Daniel fell flat on his face, possibly in submission or respect.

This verse suggests Daniel may have passed out, only to be revived by the angel's touch. The same may apply to a later encounter connected to one of Daniel's visions (Daniel 10:8–10). The prophet Ezekiel had a similar experience. When he saw the glory of the Lord, Ezekiel fell on his face and heard a voice speaking (Ezekiel 1:28). The prophet was ordered to stand (Ezekiel 2:1).

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 5/5/2024 9:19:48 AM