King James Version

What Does Daniel 10:17 Mean?

Daniel 10:17 in the King James Version says “For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Daniel 10:17 · KJV


Context

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,

19

And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Daniel expresses complete inadequacy: '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.' This emphasizes the gap between divine and human: even strengthened, Daniel feels unable to converse with the glorious being. The rhetorical question 'how can the servant...talk with this my lord?' expresses wonder that communication is possible at all. The physical symptoms—no strength, no breath—indicate complete depletion. This teaches that divine-human encounter bridges an infinite gap, requiring divine initiative and grace. The encounter exhausts human capacity while revealing God's gracious accommodation. Reformed theology emphasizes this: revelation is divine condescension; God stoops to communicate with creatures who cannot reach Him.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern peoples understood hierarchy—subjects approached kings with fear, servants addressed masters carefully, humans approached gods with elaborate rituals. Yet biblical revelation presents intimate divine-human communication: God speaks to Moses 'face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend' (Exodus 33:11); angels converse with humans; the divine Word becomes flesh dwelling among us (John 1:14). This accessibility doesn't diminish divine transcendence but demonstrates divine grace. God could remain entirely transcendent and unknown; instead He reveals Himself, bridges the gap, and enables relationship. Daniel's amazement at conversing with the glorious messenger reflects this theological marvel: the infinite God communicates with finite creatures through gracious accommodation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Daniel's wonder at being able to speak with the divine messenger teach about revelation's grace?
  2. How does the infinite gap between divine and human require not just initial but continual divine accommodation?
  3. Why is complete human depletion during divine encounter appropriate and healthy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְהֵ֣יךְ1 of 19

For how

H1963

how?

יוּכַ֗ל2 of 19

can

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

עֶ֤בֶד3 of 19

the servant

H5650

a servant

אֲדֹ֣נִי4 of 19

of this my lord

H113

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

זֶ֔ה5 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לְדַבֵּ֖ר6 of 19

talk

H1696

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

עִם7 of 19
H5973

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

אֲדֹ֣נִי8 of 19

of this my lord

H113

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

זֶ֑ה9 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וַאֲנִ֤י10 of 19
H589

i

מֵעַ֙תָּה֙11 of 19

for as for me straightway

H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

לֹֽא12 of 19
H3808

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

יַעֲמָד13 of 19

there remained

H5975

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

בִּ֣י14 of 19
H0
כֹ֔חַ15 of 19

no strength

H3581

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

וּנְשָׁמָ֖ה16 of 19

in me neither is there breath

H5397

a puff, i.e., wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. or (concretely) an animal

לֹ֥א17 of 19
H3808

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

נִשְׁאֲרָה18 of 19

left

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

בִֽי׃19 of 19
H0

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 10:17 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 10:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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