King James Version

What Does Daniel 8:27 Mean?

Daniel 8:27 in the King James Version says “And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished ...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.”

Daniel 8:27 · KJV

Context

25

And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. peace: or, prosperity

26

And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.

27

And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

Read Daniel 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The chapter concludes: "And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business." Daniel's physical collapse demonstrates the overwhelming nature of divine revelation. Receiving prophetic visions wasn't pleasant entertainment but physically and emotionally exhausting work. The verb "fainted" (Hebrew: nehyeh, נִהְיֵה) suggests being exhausted, worn out, devastated. "Was sick certain days" indicates extended recovery time—visions of future persecution and evil's apparent triumph took severe toll.

Yet Daniel recovered and returned to duty: "rose up, and did the king's business." This models faithful perseverance despite spiritual and emotional burden. Daniel didn't use his prophetic gifting as excuse to neglect daily responsibilities. He served pagan kings faithfully while remaining God's prophet—demonstrating that spiritual calling doesn't excuse ordinary duties. Faithfulness in mundane tasks accompanies extraordinary spiritual experiences. True holiness combines prophetic vision with faithful workplace service.

"I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it" reveals Daniel's isolation. Despite receiving interpretation, full comprehension eluded him—the 383-year gap until fulfillment meant he wouldn't see vindication in his lifetime. Yet he remained faithful despite incomplete understanding. This models faith—trusting God's purposes even when we don't fully comprehend them, persevering in obedience despite unanswered questions. Christ perfectly fulfilled this pattern—faithfully obeying unto death, trusting Father's purposes He couldn't yet fully see.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Daniel's continued service to Babylonian and Persian kings while maintaining prophetic calling demonstrates vocational integration. He didn't retreat from secular employment into isolated spirituality, but engaged culture while remaining distinct. This model influenced Jewish communities during later persecution—they maintained dual identity as citizens and covenant people, serving earthly rulers while prioritizing divine allegiance. Daniel's example encouraged faithful cultural engagement without compromise, a pattern Christians continue following today.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Daniel's physical exhaustion from receiving visions teach us about the costly nature of genuine spiritual experience?
  2. How does Daniel's return to 'the king's business' after prophetic encounters model integration of spiritual calling with daily work?
  3. In what ways should Daniel's faithful service despite incomplete understanding encourage trust in God's purposes we don't fully comprehend?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַאֲנִ֣י1 of 15
H589

i

דָנִיֵּ֗אל2 of 15

“And I Daniel”

H1840

daniel or danijel, the name of two israelites

נִהְיֵ֤יתִי3 of 15

“fainted”

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

וְנֶֽחֱלֵ֙יתִי֙4 of 15

“and was sick”

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

יָמִ֔ים5 of 15

“certain days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וָאָק֕וּם6 of 15

“afterward I rose up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

וָאֶֽעֱשֶׂ֖ה7 of 15

“and did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶת8 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מְלֶ֣אכֶת9 of 15

“business”

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ10 of 15

“the king's”

H4428

a king

וָאֶשְׁתּוֹמֵ֥ם11 of 15

“and I was astonished”

H8074

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

עַל12 of 15
H5921

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

הַמַּרְאֶ֖ה13 of 15

“at the vision”

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),

וְאֵ֥ין14 of 15
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מֵבִֽין׃15 of 15

“but none understood”

H995

to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand

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 8:27 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 8:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 7:28Habakkuk 3:16Daniel 10:8Daniel 8:7Daniel 6:2-3Daniel 2:48-49

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