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.

DANIEL 9:21KJV
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Daniel 9:21 (KJV)

What does Daniel 9:21 mean?

Daniel 9:21 describes how, while Daniel was still praying, the angel Gabriel—whom Daniel had seen earlier—came to him quickly and touched him around the time of the evening sacrifice. The verse highlights the sudden and swift arrival of Gabriel in response to Daniel’s prayer.

Daniel is the speaker, recounting a personal experience during his prayer for his people. The mention of Gabriel as "the man" he had seen before connects this event to earlier visions in the book. The timing—during the "evening oblation"—shows Daniel’s ongoing faithfulness to Jewish worship practices, even while in exile.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 9:21

  • גַּבְרִיאֵל (Gavri'el, "Gabriel"): This name means "God is my strength." Gabriel is described as "the man" here, emphasizing his appearance in human form, though he is an angelic messenger.
  • עוֹף (ʿūf, "fly"): The word means "to fly," suggesting Gabriel’s rapid movement. This highlights the urgency and speed with which the message is delivered.
  • מָגִיעַ (maggiaʿ, "touched"): The verb means "to touch" or "to reach." Gabriel’s physical contact with Daniel shows a personal and direct encounter, not just a distant vision.
  • עֶת־מִנְחַת־עָרֶב (ʿet-minḥat-ʿarev, "time of the evening oblation"): This phrase refers to the time of the evening sacrifice, a key moment in Jewish worship, even though the temple was destroyed. Daniel’s reference shows his continued devotion.

Why Daniel 9:21 matters

  • Daniel 9:21 shows that Daniel’s prayers are heard and answered quickly, emphasizing God’s attentiveness and the role of angelic messengers.
  • The verse connects Daniel’s experience to the regular rhythm of Jewish worship, even in exile, highlighting faithfulness in difficult circumstances.
  • By mentioning Gabriel, Daniel 9:21 links this moment to earlier visions, preparing the reader for the important message Gabriel is about to deliver.

Where else these words appear

“Gabriel” Hebrew H1403 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 8:16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

“fly” Hebrew H3286 · used in 9 verses

  • Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
  • Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
  • Jeremiah 51:58 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary.

“beginning” Hebrew H8462 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 13:3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
  • Ruth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
  • Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

“vision” Hebrew H2377 · used in 34 verses

  • 1 Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
  • Ezekiel 7:26 Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.
  • Daniel 8:17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.