His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

DANIEL 10:6KJV
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Daniel 10:6 (KJV)

What does Daniel 10:6 mean?

Daniel 10:6 describes a powerful, awe-inspiring figure whose appearance is dazzling and supernatural, using vivid imagery to communicate overwhelming majesty and strength. The verse lists features like a body shining like beryl, a face like lightning, eyes like flaming lamps, limbs like polished brass, and a voice that sounds like a multitude, emphasizing how extraordinary and fearsome this figure is.

In the context of the book of Daniel, Daniel is seeing a vision by the Tigris River, and this figure appears to him as part of a heavenly revelation. The language is meant to show that this is no ordinary person but a messenger or being from God’s realm, and the detailed description highlights the otherworldly nature of the encounter.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 10:6

  • "Beryl" (תַּרְשִׁישׁ, tarshish) refers to a precious stone, often understood as a yellow or greenish gem, which in ancient times symbolized brilliance and value; describing the body as like beryl emphasizes radiance and worth.
  • "Face" (פָּנִים, panim) and "appearance" (מַרְאֶה, mar’eh) together stress that the figure’s face was not just bright but strikingly intense, like lightning (בָּרָק, baraq), suggesting both beauty and fear.
  • "Eyes" (עֵינַיִם, einayim) "as lamps" (לַפִּיד, lappid) "of fire" (אֵשׁ, esh) paints a picture of penetrating, searching vision, with fire often symbolizing purity or judgment.
  • "Arms" (זְרוֹעַ, zeroa) and "feet" (רֶגֶל, regel) "like in colour" (עֵין, ein) "to polished" (קָלָל, qalal) "brass" (נְחֹשֶׁת, nechoshet) suggest a burnished, glowing metal, conveying strength and an unearthly quality.
  • "Voice" (קוֹל, qol) "of his words" (דָּבָר, davar) "like the voice" (קוֹל, qol) "of a multitude" (הָמוֹן, hamon) means the sound was overwhelming and powerful, as if many voices spoke at once.

Why Daniel 10:6 matters

  • Daniel 10:6 clears up that the figure Daniel sees is not an ordinary human but a supernatural being, possibly an angel or a heavenly messenger, based on the extraordinary description.
  • The verse emphasizes the majesty and authority of the figure, setting the tone for the message Daniel is about to receive and highlighting the seriousness of the vision.
  • This description connects Daniel’s vision to other biblical passages where divine or angelic beings appear in overwhelming, radiant forms, helping readers recognize recurring themes of God’s power and glory in the Bible.

Where else these words appear

“polished” Hebrew H7044 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezekiel 1:7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.

“feet” Hebrew H4772 · used in 5 verses

  • Ruth 3:4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
  • Ruth 3:7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
  • Ruth 3:8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

“beryl” Hebrew H8658 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 28:20 And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.
  • Song of Solomon 5:14 His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.
  • Ezekiel 10:9 And when I looked, behold the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels was as the colour of a beryl stone.

“body” Hebrew H1472 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 47:18 When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:
  • 1 Samuel 31:10 And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.
  • Psalms 110:6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.