King James Version

What Does Daniel 10:16 Mean?

Daniel 10:16 in the King James Version says “And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unt...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Daniel 10:16 · KJV

Strength

Context

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

18

Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
More divine assistance comes: '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.' The touch on Daniel's lips parallels Isaiah 6:6-7—divine enabling for speech. The description 'like the similitude of the sons of men' suggests human-like appearance (possibly the Angel of the LORD or another angel in human form). Daniel's restored speech immediately confesses continued weakness: 'my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.' The vision's weight produces sorrow (possibly from foreseeing Israel's future suffering) and physical depletion. This honest confession of weakness characterizes true spirituality—not pretending strength but acknowledging dependence on divine grace.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The touch on lips recalls Isaiah's commission (Isaiah 6:6-7) where a seraph touched Isaiah's mouth with hot coal, cleansing and enabling prophetic speech. This establishes biblical pattern: prophetic speech requires divine enablement, not natural eloquence. Moses claimed speech impediment (Exodus 4:10), yet God promised, 'I will be with thy mouth' (Exodus 4:12). Jeremiah protested youth and inability (Jeremiah 1:6), yet God touched his mouth (Jeremiah 1:9). The pattern emphasizes that prophetic authority comes from God, not the prophet. Daniel's confession of sorrows and weakness demonstrates that even enabling doesn't remove the burden of revelation—prophecy is weighty ministry producing grief over sin and suffering. True prophets bear emotional and physical cost.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the touch on lips before speech teach about prophetic words requiring divine enabling?
  2. How does Daniel's confession of sorrow and weakness demonstrate genuine spiritual maturity?
  3. Why does revelation produce grief and burden rather than merely empowerment or confidence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְהִנֵּ֗ה1 of 22
H2009

lo!

כִּדְמוּת֙2 of 22

“And behold one like the similitude”

H1823

resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like

בְּנֵ֣י3 of 22

“of the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָ֔ם4 of 22

“of men”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

נֹגֵ֖עַ5 of 22

“touched”

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

עַל6 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שְׂפָתָ֑י7 of 22

“my lips”

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

וָאֶפְתַּח8 of 22

“then I opened”

H6605

to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

פִּ֗י9 of 22

“my mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

וָאֲדַבְּרָה֙10 of 22

“and spake”

H1696

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

וָאֹֽמְרָה֙11 of 22

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל12 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעֹמֵ֣ד13 of 22

“unto him that stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לְנֶגְדִּ֔י14 of 22
H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

אֲדֹנִ֗י15 of 22

“before me O my lord”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

בַּמַּרְאָה֙16 of 22

“by the vision”

H4759

(causatively) a mirror

נֶהֶפְכ֤וּ17 of 22

“are turned”

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

צִירַי֙18 of 22

“my sorrows”

H6735

a throe (as a phys. or mental pressure)

עָלַ֔י19 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְלֹ֥א20 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עָצַ֖רְתִּי21 of 22

“upon me and I have retained”

H6113

to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble

כֹּֽחַ׃22 of 22

“no strength”

H3581

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

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 10:16 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 10:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 8:15Isaiah 6:7Jeremiah 1:9Daniel 7:28Daniel 8:27Daniel 7:15

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