And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

DANIEL 8:16KJV
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Daniel 8:16 (KJV)

What does Daniel 8:16 mean?

Daniel 8:16 describes Daniel hearing a human voice coming from between the banks of the Ulai river, commanding the angel Gabriel to help Daniel understand the vision he has just seen. The verse shows that Daniel is not left alone to interpret the vision, but is given divine help to understand its meaning.

In this scene, Daniel is in the midst of a troubling vision when he hears a voice—described as a man's voice—giving instructions to Gabriel, an angelic figure. The voice specifically tells Gabriel to explain the vision to Daniel, highlighting that understanding is important and that Daniel needs help to grasp what he has witnessed. This moment sets up Gabriel's role as an interpreter in the following verses.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 8:16

  • גַּבְרִיאֵל (Gavri'el, "Gabriel"): This is the first time Gabriel is named in the Bible. The name means "God is my strength," and his appearance as a messenger and interpreter marks him as a significant figure in explaining God's messages.
  • בִּין (bin, "understand"): The command to "make this man to understand" uses a word that means to cause someone to perceive or comprehend clearly, not just to hear or see. The emphasis is on real understanding, not just receiving information.
  • מַרְאֶה (mar'eh, "vision"): This word refers to a supernatural or prophetic sight, not just an ordinary dream or image. The use of this term underlines that what Daniel saw was extraordinary and needed special explanation.

Why Daniel 8:16 matters

  • Daniel 8:16 clarifies that Daniel's visions are not meant to be mysterious or hidden; God provides help for understanding, showing that the message is intended to be known, not kept secret.
  • The verse introduces Gabriel as a key messenger who will appear again later in Daniel and in other biblical books, establishing his role as an interpreter of divine revelations.
  • By highlighting the need for understanding, Daniel 8:16 connects to the broader theme in Daniel of seeking wisdom and insight from God, especially when faced with confusing or troubling revelations.

Where else these words appear

“Ulai” Hebrew H195 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 8:2 And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.

“Gabriel” Hebrew H1403 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 9:21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

“this” Hebrew H1975 · used in 7 verses

  • Judges 6:20 And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.
  • 1 Samuel 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
  • 2 Kings 23:17 Then he said, What title is that that I see? And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Bethel.

“vision” Hebrew H4758 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
  • Deuteronomy 28:34 So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.
  • Ezekiel 1:27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.