King James Version

What Does Daniel 10:6 Mean?

Daniel 10:6 in the King James Version says “His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his ar...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.”

Daniel 10:6 · KJV

Context

4

And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;

5

Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: a: Heb. one man

6

His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

7

And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

8

Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. comeliness: or, vigour

Read Daniel 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Daniel describes the glorious figure he sees: 'His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.' This description closely parallels Revelation 1:13-16's vision of Christ, suggesting this may be a Christophany (pre-incarnate Christ appearance) or a high-ranking angel. The details emphasize glory, power, and majesty: beryl (precious stone), lightning (brilliant, overwhelming), fire (holy, penetrating), brass (strong, refined), multitude's voice (authoritative, overwhelming). This theophanic vision overwhelms Daniel (v.8), demonstrating that encountering divine glory exceeds human capacity without divine enablement. The description establishes the message's authority—this isn't ordinary angelic visitation but direct divine revelation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Daniel was approximately 85-90 years old at this point (c. 536 BC, third year of Cyrus). The vision occurred by the Tigris River, possibly during a time of prayer and fasting (v.2-3). Theophanic visions—God or His representative appearing in glorious, overwhelming form—occur throughout Scripture: Exodus 3 (burning bush), Exodus 19-20 (Sinai), Isaiah 6 (throne room), Ezekiel 1 (cherubim), Revelation 1 (glorified Christ). Such visions typically produce fear, falling, and inability to stand (Isaiah 6:5, Ezekiel 1:28, Revelation 1:17)—human response to encountering transcendent holiness. Daniel's detailed description emphasizes the vision's reality—not metaphorical poetry but actual supernatural encounter. For Jewish exiles and early church, such visions confirmed God's continued revelatory activity and sovereign oversight of history.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the vision's glorious description establish the coming message's authority and importance?
  2. What does human inability to stand in divine presence teach about God's transcendent holiness?
  3. Why do theophanies consistently overwhelm even faithful, mature believers like Daniel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וּגְוִיָּת֣וֹ1 of 17

“His body”

H1472

a body, whether alive or dead

כְתַרְשִׁ֗ישׁ2 of 17

“also was like the beryl”

H8658

a gem, perhaps the topaz

וּפָנָ֞יו3 of 17

“and his 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

כְּמַרְאֵ֤ה4 of 17

“as the appearance”

H4758

a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),

בָרָק֙5 of 17

“of lightning”

H1300

lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword

כְּעֵ֖ין6 of 17

“and his eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

כְּלַפִּ֣ידֵי7 of 17

“as lamps”

H3940

a flambeau, lamp or flame

אֵ֔שׁ8 of 17

“of fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וּזְרֹֽעֹתָיו֙9 of 17

“and his arms”

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

וּמַרְגְּלֹתָ֔יו10 of 17

“and his feet”

H4772

(plural for collective) a footpiece, i.e., (adverbially) at the foot, or (direct.) the foot itself

כְּעֵ֖ין11 of 17

“and his eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

נְחֹ֣שֶׁת12 of 17

“brass”

H5178

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)

קָלָ֑ל13 of 17

“to polished”

H7044

brightened (as if sharpened)

כְּק֥וֹל14 of 17

“and the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

דְּבָרָ֖יו15 of 17

“of his words”

H1697

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

כְּק֥וֹל16 of 17

“and the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

הָמֽוֹן׃17 of 17

“of a multitude”

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

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 10:6 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 10:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 19:12Revelation 1:13-17Matthew 17:2Revelation 10:3-4Ezekiel 1:16Ezekiel 10:9

Test Your Knowledge

Daniel 10 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDaniel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Daniel 10 with CommentaryAll Daniel ChaptersComplete Daniel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes