King James Version

What Does Daniel 10:15 Mean?

Daniel 10:15 in the King James Version says “And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.”

Daniel 10:15 · KJV

Context

13

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. chief: or, first

14

Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.

15

And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.

16

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.

17

For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. the: or, this servant of my lord

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Daniel's continued physical weakness: 'And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.' The message's weight produces renewed prostration and speechlessness. This demonstrates that even with angelic reassurance and strengthening, the revelation's magnitude overwhelms. The inability to speak shows complete human inadequacy before divine revelation—Daniel literally has no words. This pattern appears throughout prophetic experience: Ezekiel made speechless (Ezekiel 3:26), Zechariah struck dumb (Luke 1:20), John overwhelmed by Revelation's visions (Revelation 1:17). The repeated cycles of strengthening and renewed weakness emphasize that sustained prophetic ministry requires continual divine enabling, not single empowerment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Prophetic experience throughout Scripture involves repeated cycles of overwhelming revelation, divine strengthening, renewed weakness, and further enabling. This prevents prophets from claiming personal capacity or treating revelation casually. Ancient Near Eastern oracles often involved ecstatic states producing confident pronouncements; biblical prophecy produces humble dependence, emphasizing message's divine origin rather than prophet's personal capacity. Daniel's advanced age (probably mid-80s) and the vision's scope (covering centuries of future history) contributed to overwhelming response. The physical toll of revelation (weakness, speechlessness, need for repeated strengthening) validated its supernatural character—this wasn't theatrical performance but genuine encounter requiring divine grace for survival.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do prophets require repeated strengthening rather than single empowerment for sustained ministry?
  2. What does Daniel's speechlessness teach about human inadequacy before divine revelation?
  3. How does the physical toll of revelation validate its supernatural origin?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וּבְדַבְּר֣וֹ1 of 8

“And when he had spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

עִמִּ֔י2 of 8
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

כַּדְּבָרִ֖ים3 of 8

“such words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הָאֵ֑לֶּה4 of 8
H428

these or those

נָתַ֧תִּי5 of 8

“unto me I set”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

פָנַ֛י6 of 8

“my face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אַ֖רְצָה7 of 8

“toward the ground”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְנֶאֱלָֽמְתִּי׃8 of 8

“and I became dumb”

H481

to tie fast; hence (of the mouth) to be tongue-tied

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 10:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 10:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 1:20Ezekiel 24:27Daniel 10:9Daniel 8:18Ezekiel 33:22

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