Daniel 10 Study Notes: Daniel’s Vision Beside the Tigris
After three weeks of mourning and self-denial, Daniel sees a radiant man in linen beside the Tigris River and collapses in weakness. The messenger says Daniel’s prayer was heard from the start, but Persia’s prince resisted him until Michael came to help, and he strengthens Daniel to hear what lies ahead.
General
According to the messenger, when were Daniel’s words heard (Daniel 10:12)?
Answer: On the very first day he humbled himself to understand
The messenger told Daniel not to be afraid. From the very first day that Daniel set his heart on understanding and on humbling himself before his God, his words had been heard, and the messenger had come because of it (10:12). The three weeks of waiting did not mean God had ignored Daniel; the next verse explains that the messenger had been opposed throughout that time (10:13). David also testified that God answered him on the very day he called (Psalm 138:3). God looks with favor on those who are humble and tremble at His word (Isaiah 66:2), and believers can be confident that God hears whatever they ask that accords with His will (1 John 5:14).
- Daniel 10:12 (BSB)““Do not be afraid, Daniel,” he said, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.”The messenger tells Daniel his words were heard on the very day he set out to understand and humble himself.
- Psalm 138:3 (BSB)“On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.”David testifies that God answered him on the very day he called.
- Isaiah 66:2 (BSB)“Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.”God says He looks with favor on the humble and repentant person who trembles before His word.
- 1 John 5:14 (BSB)“And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”John assures believers that God listens to their requests when they accord with His will.
Theological
When, according to the messenger, were Daniel’s words heard (Daniel 10:12)?
Answer: On the very first day he humbled himself to understand
The messenger’s first word is reassurance: from the very outset, when Daniel set his heart on understanding and humbled himself before his God, his words had been heard, and the messenger came because of it (10:12). The three-week interval reflected the opposition described in the next verse (10:13), not any delay in God’s hearing. Like David, who was answered on the day he called (Psalm 138:3), Daniel is heard at once. God regards the humble and contrite who tremble at His word (Isaiah 66:2), and the believer’s confidence in prayer is that God hears requests that accord with His will (1 John 5:14).
- Daniel 10:12 (BSB)““Do not be afraid, Daniel,” he said, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.”The messenger tells Daniel his words were heard on the very day he set out to understand and humble himself.
- Psalm 138:3 (BSB)“On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.”David testifies that God answered him on the very day he called.
- Isaiah 66:2 (BSB)“Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.”God says He looks with favor on the humble and repentant person who trembles before His word.
- 1 John 5:14 (BSB)“And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”John assures believers that God listens to their requests when they accord with His will.
General
When Daniel saw the man clothed in linen by the Tigris, what happened to the men who were with him (Daniel 10:7)?
Answer: They saw nothing, yet terror seized them and they fled
Late in the first month, standing by the Tigris River, Daniel saw a man clothed in linen, wearing a fine golden belt. His body shone like beryl (a gemstone), his face flashed like lightning, his eyes blazed like torches, his limbs gleamed like polished bronze, and he spoke with a sound like a great crowd (10:4-6). Only Daniel saw this. The men with him did not see the vision, but such terror came over them that they fled and hid (10:7). Interpreters differ on whether this figure is a glorious angel or an appearance of the Son of God before He became a man. John’s vision of the risen Jesus uses closely related images (Revelation 1:13-15), and Paul’s companions on the Damascus road likewise shared in an event without seeing anyone (Acts 9:7). The man in linen appears again near the end of the book (12:6-7).
- Daniel 10:4-6 (BSB)“On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, I lifted up my eyes, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.”By the Tigris, Daniel sees a radiant man in linen wearing a gold belt.
- Daniel 10:7 (BSB)“Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but a great terror fell upon them, and they ran and hid themselves.”Only Daniel sees the vision, while his companions are seized with terror and hide.
- Revelation 1:13-15 (BSB)“and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest. The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.”John’s vision of the risen Christ uses closely related images: blazing eyes, feet like polished bronze, and a mighty voice.
- Acts 9:7 (BSB)“The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the voice but did not see anyone.”The men with Saul likewise shared in the event without seeing anyone, as Daniel’s companions did not see the vision.
- Daniel 12:6-7 (BSB)“One of them said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long until the fulfillment of these wonders?” And the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by Him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, and times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people has finally been shattered, all these things will be completed.””The man in linen appears again at the close of the book, over the river’s waters, swearing by the One who lives forever.
Theological
What was the effect of the vision of the man in linen on Daniel’s companions (Daniel 10:7)?
Answer: They saw nothing, yet terror seized them and they fled
Beside the Tigris late in the first month, Daniel beheld a man clothed in linen and girded with fine gold, his body shining as beryl, his face flashing as lightning, his eyes blazing like torches, his limbs gleaming like burnished bronze, his speech resounding like a multitude (10:4-6). The vision was granted to Daniel alone; his companions saw nothing, yet were seized with such dread that they fled into hiding (10:7). Interpreters differ on whether the figure is a glorious angel or a preincarnate appearance of the Son of God. The imagery closely parallels John’s vision of the exalted Christ (Revelation 1:13-15), the companions’ experience resembles that of Saul’s fellow travelers (Acts 9:7), and the man in linen reappears in the book’s closing scene (12:6-7).
- Daniel 10:4-6 (BSB)“On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, I lifted up my eyes, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.”By the Tigris, Daniel sees a radiant man in linen wearing a gold belt.
- Daniel 10:7 (BSB)“Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but a great terror fell upon them, and they ran and hid themselves.”Only Daniel sees the vision, while his companions are seized with terror and hide.
- Revelation 1:13-15 (BSB)“and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest. The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.”John’s vision of the risen Christ uses closely related images: blazing eyes, feet like polished bronze, and a mighty voice.
- Acts 9:7 (BSB)“The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the voice but did not see anyone.”The men with Saul likewise shared in the event without seeing anyone, as Daniel’s companions did not see the vision.
- Daniel 12:6-7 (BSB)“One of them said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long until the fulfillment of these wonders?” And the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by Him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, and times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people has finally been shattered, all these things will be completed.””The man in linen appears again at the close of the book, over the river’s waters, swearing by the One who lives forever.
General
Who came to help the messenger when the prince of Persia’s kingdom opposed him (Daniel 10:13)?
Answer: Michael, a chief among the princes
The messenger explained that Persia’s prince had resisted him throughout those twenty-one days, until Michael, a leading prince, came to his aid, because he had been left behind among Persia’s kings (10:13). He had now come to explain what lay ahead for Daniel’s people in days still to come, since the vision concerned that future time (10:14). Before leaving, he said he must go back to battle Persia’s prince, that Greece’s prince would come after that, and that no one stood firmly with him in this fight but Michael, Daniel’s prince (10:20-21). Later Michael is called the great prince watching over Daniel’s people (12:1), and the New Testament calls him an archangel (Jude 1:9). Paul also speaks of a struggle against evil spiritual powers rather than against human beings (Ephesians 6:12). Yet the outcome is not in doubt: the messenger tells Daniel what the Book of Truth already records (10:21).
- Daniel 10:13-14 (BSB)“However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.””Persia’s prince opposes the messenger until Michael arrives to help; now he has come to explain the future of Daniel’s people.
- Daniel 10:20-21 (BSB)““Do you know why I have come to you?” he said. “I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I have gone forth, behold, the prince of Greece will come. But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth. Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael your prince.”The messenger must go back to fight Persia’s prince, Greece’s prince will follow, and Michael alone stands with him.
- Daniel 12:1 (BSB)““At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.”Michael appears again as the great prince standing guard over Daniel’s people.
- Jude 1:9 (BSB)“But even the archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not presume to bring a slanderous charge against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!””Jude names Michael as an archangel who opposed the devil yet left the rebuke to the Lord.
- Ephesians 6:12 (BSB)“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”Paul teaches that believers wrestle not with human opponents but with evil spiritual rulers and powers.
Theological
Who came to the messenger’s aid against the opposition of the prince of Persia’s kingdom (Daniel 10:13)?
Answer: Michael, a chief among the princes
The messenger had been withstood by Persia’s prince the whole twenty-one days until Michael, a leading prince, came to his help, since he had been left behind among Persia’s kings (10:13). He had come to make Daniel understand what would befall his people in the days to come, for the vision pertained to that future (10:14). He must return to battle Persia’s prince, after which Greece’s prince will arrive, and none stands with him against them except Michael, Daniel’s prince (10:20-21). Michael reappears as the great prince standing guard over Daniel’s people (12:1) and is called an archangel in Jude 1:9; Paul likewise speaks of the believer’s struggle against evil spiritual powers (Ephesians 6:12). Yet the conflict is not an uncertain contest: what will happen is already set down within the Book of Truth (10:21), and all of it unfolds under God’s sovereign decree.
- Daniel 10:13-14 (BSB)“However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.””Persia’s prince opposes the messenger until Michael arrives to help; now he has come to explain the future of Daniel’s people.
- Daniel 10:20-21 (BSB)““Do you know why I have come to you?” he said. “I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I have gone forth, behold, the prince of Greece will come. But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth. Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael your prince.”The messenger must go back to fight Persia’s prince, Greece’s prince will follow, and Michael alone stands with him.
- Daniel 12:1 (BSB)““At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.”Michael appears again as the great prince standing guard over Daniel’s people.
- Jude 1:9 (BSB)“But even the archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not presume to bring a slanderous charge against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!””Jude names Michael as an archangel who opposed the devil yet left the rebuke to the Lord.
- Ephesians 6:12 (BSB)“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”Paul teaches that believers wrestle not with human opponents but with evil spiritual rulers and powers.
General
What did the one with a man’s likeness tell Daniel as he strengthened him the second time (Daniel 10:18-19)?
Answer: That he was highly precious and should take heart and be strong
Daniel had bowed his face toward the earth and could not speak. Someone who looked like a man touched his lips, and Daniel confessed that the vision had filled him with anguish and left him with no strength or breath (10:15-17). Then the one with a man’s likeness touched him again and strengthened him. He told Daniel not to be afraid, called him highly precious, gave him peace, and told him to be strong. As those words came, Daniel was strengthened and asked him to go on speaking (10:18-19). God strengthens the weary and the weak (Isaiah 40:29), He tells His people not to fear because He is with them (Isaiah 41:10), and His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
- Daniel 10:15-17 (BSB)“While he was speaking these words to me, I set my face toward the ground and became speechless. And suddenly one with the likeness of a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of the vision, I am overcome with anguish, and I have no strength. How can I, your servant, speak with you, my lord? Now I have no strength, nor is any breath left in me.””Daniel is left speechless and breathless, and after his lips are touched he confesses his anguish and weakness.
- Daniel 10:18-19 (BSB)“Again the one with the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. “Do not be afraid, you who are highly precious,” he said. “Peace be with you! Be strong now; be very strong!” As he spoke with me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.””The one with a man’s likeness touches Daniel again, tells him not to fear, gives him peace, and strengthens him.
- Isaiah 40:29 (BSB)“He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.”Isaiah says God strengthens the weary and the weak, as Daniel experiences here.
- Isaiah 41:10 (BSB)“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”God tells His people not to fear, because He is with them and will strengthen and uphold them.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 (BSB)“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.”Paul learned that the Lord’s power comes to its fullness in human weakness, the pattern of Daniel’s strengthening.
Theological
What assurance accompanied the second strengthening touch Daniel received (Daniel 10:18-19)?
Answer: That he was highly precious and should take heart and be strong
Rendered mute, Daniel was touched on the lips by one in human likeness and confessed that anguish had overcome him, leaving him without strength or breath (10:15-17). A second touch strengthened him, with words of assurance: he need not fear, he was highly precious, peace was his, and he was to be strong. Under those words Daniel was strengthened and bid the messenger speak (10:18-19). The strength to receive revelation is itself a gift. God strengthens the weary (Isaiah 40:29), banishes fear by His presence and upholding hand (Isaiah 41:10), and perfects His power in the weakness of His servants (2 Corinthians 12:9).
- Daniel 10:15-17 (BSB)“While he was speaking these words to me, I set my face toward the ground and became speechless. And suddenly one with the likeness of a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of the vision, I am overcome with anguish, and I have no strength. How can I, your servant, speak with you, my lord? Now I have no strength, nor is any breath left in me.””Daniel is left speechless and breathless, and after his lips are touched he confesses his anguish and weakness.
- Daniel 10:18-19 (BSB)“Again the one with the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. “Do not be afraid, you who are highly precious,” he said. “Peace be with you! Be strong now; be very strong!” As he spoke with me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.””The one with a man’s likeness touches Daniel again, tells him not to fear, gives him peace, and strengthens him.
- Isaiah 40:29 (BSB)“He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.”Isaiah says God strengthens the weary and the weak, as Daniel experiences here.
- Isaiah 41:10 (BSB)“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”God tells His people not to fear, because He is with them and will strengthen and uphold them.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 (BSB)“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.”Paul learned that the Lord’s power comes to its fullness in human weakness, the pattern of Daniel’s strengthening.
General
How did Daniel spend the three weeks of mourning before his vision by the Tigris (Daniel 10:2-3)?
Answer: He gave up choice food, meat, wine and anointing oil
During the Persian king Cyrus’s third year, a true message about a great conflict came to Daniel, and he was given understanding of it in a vision (10:1). Before the vision, Daniel mourned for three whole weeks. He went without choice food, ate no meat, drank no wine, and did not anoint himself (rub oil on his body) until the full three weeks had passed (10:2-3). The messenger later says Daniel had set his heart on understanding and on humbling himself before God (10:12). Ezra and Nehemiah also fasted to humble themselves and seek God (Ezra 8:21; Nehemiah 1:4), and James promises that God lifts up those who humble themselves before Him (James 4:10).
- Daniel 10:1 (BSB)“In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, and it concerned a great conflict. And the understanding of the message was given to him in a vision.”During Cyrus’s third year a true message about a great conflict is revealed to Daniel.
- Daniel 10:2-3 (BSB)“In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. I ate no rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I did not anoint myself with oil until the three weeks were completed.”Daniel mourns for three whole weeks, going without fine food, meat, wine and oil.
- Ezra 8:21 (BSB)“And there by the Ahava Canal I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.”Ezra’s fast was likewise a way of humbling himself and the people before God.
- Nehemiah 1:4 (BSB)“When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.”Nehemiah also mourned for days with fasting and prayer before God.
- James 4:10 (BSB)“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”James promises that God lifts up those who humble themselves before the Lord.
Theological
What form did Daniel’s three weeks of mourning take before the vision by the Tigris (Daniel 10:2-3)?
Answer: He gave up choice food, meat, wine and anointing oil
Dated to Cyrus’s third year, the revelation was about a great conflict; its understanding came to Daniel in a vision (10:1). Beforehand Daniel mourned three full weeks, abstaining from choice food, meat and wine, and forgoing anointing oil until the period was complete (10:2-3). The messenger later speaks of Daniel setting his heart to gain understanding and to humble himself before his God (10:12). Fasting in Scripture is an act of self-humbling before God, as with Ezra at the Ahava Canal and Nehemiah over Jerusalem (Ezra 8:21; Nehemiah 1:4), and God exalts those who humble themselves before Him (James 4:10).
- Daniel 10:1 (BSB)“In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, and it concerned a great conflict. And the understanding of the message was given to him in a vision.”During Cyrus’s third year a true message about a great conflict is revealed to Daniel.
- Daniel 10:2-3 (BSB)“In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. I ate no rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I did not anoint myself with oil until the three weeks were completed.”Daniel mourns for three whole weeks, going without fine food, meat, wine and oil.
- Ezra 8:21 (BSB)“And there by the Ahava Canal I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.”Ezra’s fast was likewise a way of humbling himself and the people before God.
- Nehemiah 1:4 (BSB)“When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.”Nehemiah also mourned for days with fasting and prayer before God.
- James 4:10 (BSB)“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”James promises that God lifts up those who humble themselves before the Lord.
General
True or False: Seeing the great vision left Daniel strong and unafraid, so that he stood at once and questioned the man (Daniel 10:8-11).
Answer: False
This is false. Left alone with the great vision, Daniel had no strength left; his face turned deathly pale and he was powerless (10:8). As he heard the man speaking, he sank into deep sleep, facedown on the ground (10:9). Then a hand touched him and raised him, trembling, onto all fours. He was told that he was highly precious, that he should listen carefully, and that he should stand, because the messenger had been sent to him. Only then did Daniel stand up, still trembling (10:10-11). Daniel had collapsed the same way in his earlier vision (8:17-18). Ezekiel fell facedown before the LORD’s glory (Ezekiel 1:28), and John collapsed as though dead before the risen Christ until He touched him (Revelation 1:17). A holy vision humbles even a faithful servant of God.
- Daniel 10:8-9 (BSB)“So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless. I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.”Daniel is left without strength, turns deathly pale, and sinks into deep sleep facedown.
- Daniel 10:10-11 (BSB)“Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man who is highly precious. Consider carefully the words that I am about to say to you. Stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had said this to me, I stood up trembling.”A hand touches Daniel, he is told he is highly precious, and he stands up trembling.
- Daniel 8:17-18 (BSB)“As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.” While he was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me, helped me to my feet,”Daniel had collapsed in the same way before Gabriel during the earlier vision and was raised by his touch.
- Ezekiel 1:28 (BSB)“The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.”Ezekiel also fell facedown when he saw the brilliant likeness of the LORD’s glory.
- Revelation 1:17 (BSB)“When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,”John fell as though dead at the feet of the risen Christ, who laid His hand on him and told him not to fear.
Theological
True or False: The great vision left Daniel strong and composed, so that he immediately stood and questioned the man (Daniel 10:8-11).
Answer: False
This is false. The vision drained Daniel of all strength: his complexion turned deathly pale and he was powerless (10:8). At the sound of the man’s words he sank into deep sleep, face to the earth (10:9). A hand touched him and raised him, trembling, to his hands and knees, and only after being addressed as highly precious and told to stand did he rise, still trembling (10:10-11). The pattern repeats Daniel’s earlier collapse before Gabriel (8:17-18) and matches Ezekiel’s prostration before the LORD’s glory (Ezekiel 1:28) and John’s collapse before the exalted Christ (Revelation 1:17). Even a faithful servant cannot stand before heavenly glory unless he is raised and strengthened by help from above.
- Daniel 10:8-9 (BSB)“So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless. I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.”Daniel is left without strength, turns deathly pale, and sinks into deep sleep facedown.
- Daniel 10:10-11 (BSB)“Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man who is highly precious. Consider carefully the words that I am about to say to you. Stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had said this to me, I stood up trembling.”A hand touches Daniel, he is told he is highly precious, and he stands up trembling.
- Daniel 8:17-18 (BSB)“As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.” While he was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me, helped me to my feet,”Daniel had collapsed in the same way before Gabriel during the earlier vision and was raised by his touch.
- Ezekiel 1:28 (BSB)“The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.”Ezekiel also fell facedown when he saw the brilliant likeness of the LORD’s glory.
- Revelation 1:17 (BSB)“When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,”John fell as though dead at the feet of the risen Christ, who laid His hand on him and told him not to fear.