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.

DANIEL 10:16KJV
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Daniel 10:16 (KJV)

What does Daniel 10:16 mean?

Daniel 10:16 describes how someone who appeared human touched Daniel’s lips, enabling Daniel to speak. Daniel then tells this figure that the vision he saw has overwhelmed him with sorrow and left him without strength.

In this scene, Daniel is speaking to a heavenly being after seeing a troubling vision. Daniel is so affected by what he has witnessed that he cannot speak until his lips are touched. He explains that the vision has deeply disturbed him, draining his energy and leaving him feeling powerless.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 10:16

  • "similitude" (דְּמוּת, dᵊmût): This word means "likeness" or "appearance." It emphasizes that the figure who touches Daniel seems human, though he may be an angelic or supernatural being.
  • "touched" (נָגַע, nagaʿ): This verb means "to touch." The act of touching Daniel’s lips is significant because it enables Daniel to speak, showing a transfer of strength or ability.
  • "sorrows" (מַחֲלוֹת, maḥălôt): This word refers to pain, anguish, or sorrow. Daniel uses it to describe the deep emotional and physical distress caused by the vision.
  • "strength" (כֹּחַ, koach): This word means "power" or "strength." Daniel’s statement that he has "retained no strength" highlights just how overwhelming the vision was for him.

Why Daniel 10:16 matters

  • Daniel 10:16 shows how overwhelming spiritual experiences can leave even faithful people feeling weak and unable to respond without divine help.
  • The verse highlights the role of angelic or heavenly messengers in strengthening and enabling people to communicate in moments of great distress.
  • This moment sets the stage for the rest of Daniel’s conversation with the heavenly figure, showing Daniel’s humility and need for help before receiving further explanation.

Where else these words appear

“vision” Hebrew H4759 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 46:2 And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.
  • 1 Samuel 3:15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
  • Ezekiel 40:2 In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south.

“sorrows” Hebrew H6735 · used in 11 verses

  • 1 Samuel 4:19 And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.
  • Proverbs 26:14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
  • Isaiah 21:3 Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.

“similitude” Hebrew H1823 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
  • Isaiah 40:18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
  • Ezekiel 1:28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

“retained” Hebrew H6113 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
  • 1 Kings 8:35 When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:
  • 2 Chronicles 14:11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.