I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.

DANIEL 7:16KJV
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Daniel 7:16 (KJV)

What does Daniel 7:16 mean?

Daniel 7:16 describes Daniel approaching one of the heavenly beings standing nearby and asking for a true explanation of the visions he has seen. The being responds by giving Daniel the interpretation, helping him understand what the visions mean.

In this scene, Daniel is witnessing a series of mysterious and troubling visions about future kingdoms and events. Unsure of their meaning, Daniel turns to one of the figures present—likely an angel or heavenly messenger—and asks for clarity. The verse highlights Daniel’s desire for understanding and the willingness of the heavenly being to explain the significance of what Daniel has witnessed.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 7:16

  • "truth" (אֲשַׁלֵּם, transliteration: אֲשַׁלֵּם, 'ameth): This word carries the sense of certainty or the real meaning, showing Daniel is not just curious but wants an accurate and trustworthy explanation.
  • "interpretation" (פְּשַׁר, transliteration: peshar): This word refers specifically to the act of explaining or making sense of something mysterious, which fits the context of Daniel seeking to understand a vision.
  • "asked" (בָּעָה, transliteration: ba'ah): This word often means to inquire or seek, suggesting Daniel’s active pursuit of understanding rather than passive observation.

Why Daniel 7:16 matters

  • Daniel 7:16 shows that even a prophet like Daniel needed help to understand God’s messages, emphasizing the complexity of the visions and the need for guidance.
  • The verse sets up the explanation that follows, making it clear that what comes next is not Daniel’s own guesswork but an interpretation given by a heavenly messenger.
  • This moment highlights the openness of God to reveal truth to those who genuinely seek it, showing a pattern of divine willingness to clarify what might at first seem hidden or confusing.

Where else these words appear

“truth” Hebrew H3330 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 2:8 The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.
  • Daniel 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
  • Daniel 3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

“near” Hebrew H7127 · used in 9 verses

  • Ezra 6:10 That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.
  • Ezra 7:17 That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
  • Daniel 6:12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

“asked” Hebrew H1156 · used in 12 verses

  • Daniel 2:13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
  • Daniel 2:23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
  • Daniel 6:7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

“one” Hebrew H2298 · used in 14 verses

  • Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
  • Daniel 2:9 But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.
  • Daniel 4:19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.