Daniel 10:10
And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Daniel 10:10
And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
It's easy to read this as the angel simply helping Daniel up, but the original Hebrew word used for "set" carries a sense of causing something to "reel" or "totter." So, even with the touch of divine power, Daniel wasn't immediately strong but remained trembling, supported only on his hands and knees. This shows the profound, overwhelming impact of the divine encounter, where even strength is given tentatively.
Daniel has been overwhelmed by a divine vision of a magnificent being and collapses in terror. A hand touches him, not to fully restore him, but to help him rise partially, still trembling and weak on his hands and knees. This touch comes from an angelic messenger, likely Gabriel, who will soon speak to Daniel, explaining the purpose of this revelation and assuring him that his earnest prayers for his people have been heard.
Daniel just saw a glorious, terrifying vision and is left utterly undone. What does this encounter reveal about the immense power of God's presence?
When God’s presence or His messengers appear, the impact on human beings is profound.
Awe and Humiliation
Daniel’s initial vision (Daniel 10:5-9) left him so overwhelmed that he fell to the ground, unable to stand. This is not a sign of weakness, but a natural, reverent reaction to the holiness and majesty of God and His angelic beings. The sheer brightness and glory far exceed human experience, causing us to feel our own smallness and fragility.
A Gentle Restoration
Though the initial vision was devastating, a hand touches Daniel. This touch is not to further afflict him, but to gently restore him. The Hebrew word here implies causing him to 'move' or 'reelen' – not to stand perfectly upright immediately, but to be partially raised and steadied. It's a crucial distinction: the touch offers support, enabling him to be on his knees and hands, rather than completely prostrate and helpless.
Who is this hand that touches Daniel, and what does it signify about God's communication?
The 'hand' in this passage represents a divine agent, likely an angel, acting on God’s behalf.
An Angelic Touch
Commentators suggest this touch comes from an angel, possibly Gabriel, who often served as a messenger to Daniel (Daniel 8:16, 9:21). While Daniel saw a glorious being previously, this 'hand' might belong to a less intensely radiant attendant angel, sent to aid Daniel.
God's Power in a Hand
Even a hand can be a powerful symbol of God's might. In Scripture, a 'hand' often represents God's direct action, power, or authority (e.g., God writing on the wall in Daniel 5). Whether it’s God Himself or an angel acting for Him, the touch signifies divine intervention, meant to stabilize and enable Daniel to receive further communication.
Daniel is in exile in Babylon during a period of immense political upheaval. The visions he receives are deeply tied to the fate of his people, caught between powerful empires like Babylon and Persia, making the divine messages about future kingdoms incredibly potent.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invades Judah, and Daniel and his friends are among the first group of Judean exiles taken to Babylon.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Babylon destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, with a subsequent, larger deportation of Judeans into exile.
c. 550 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great unites the Medes and Persians, establishing the Persian Empire which would soon conquer Babylon.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, ushering in the Persian period for the exiles in Mesopotamia.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
This passage describes a similar angelic encounter where Daniel is also touched and given strength, highlighting a recurring theme of divine encounters causing physical weakness followed by restoration.
Luke 2:10The angel's message to the shepherds, 'Fear not,' echoes the reassurance Daniel likely received after his trembling, showing a consistent angelic approach to comforting those overwhelmed by heavenly visions.
Ezekiel 1:28Daniel's prostrate, trembling reaction mirrors Ezekiel's response to the glory of God, illustrating the profound and humbling effect of divine manifestations on human beings throughout Scripture.
Matthew 28:5The angel at the tomb tells the women, 'Do not be afraid,' similar to the reassurance Daniel received, demonstrating the pattern of angels dispelling fear in the presence of God's powerful work.
ellicottDaniel 10:10: "And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands."
(10) An hand.— This hand was that of the person who appeared, but it is spoken of as “felt,” not as seen. But though supported by this hand, the prophet is unable to stand upright. He crouches in a terrified posture. It should be noticed that the equivalent of “set” is translated “scatter” ( Psalm 59:11 [12]). It is used in the same sense in the passage before us. (See Amos 9:9 .)
jfbDaniel 10:10: "And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands."
- an hand—namely, of Gabriel, who interpreted other revelations to Daniel (Da 8:16) [Theodoret].set me upon my knees—Gesenius translates, "cause me to reel on my knees," &c.
It's easy to read this as the angel simply helping Daniel up, but the original Hebrew word used for "set" carries a sense of causing something to "reel" or "totter." So, even with the touch of divine power, Daniel wasn't immediately strong but remained trembling, supported only on his hands and knees. This shows the profound, overwhelming impact of the divine encounter, where even strength is given tentatively.
Daniel has been overwhelmed by a divine vision of a magnificent being and collapses in terror. A hand touches him, not to fully restore him, but to help him rise partially, still trembling and weak on his hands and knees. This touch comes from an angelic messenger, likely Gabriel, who will soon speak to Daniel, explaining the purpose of this revelation and assuring him that his earnest prayers for his people have been heard.
Daniel has been overwhelmed by a divine vision of a magnificent being and collapses in terror. A hand touches him, not to fully restore him, but to help him rise partially, still trembling and weak on his hands and knees. This touch comes from an angelic messenger, likely Gabriel, who will soon speak to Daniel, explaining the purpose of this revelation and assuring him that his earnest prayers for his people have been heard.
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Daniel is trembling and on his knees. What is the immediate purpose of the angelic touch and the words that follow?
The angelic touch is the prelude to a direct message of reassurance: 'Fear not.'
From Terror to Trembling Restoration
Daniel's initial state was complete prostration due to terror. The hand touching him doesn't instantly make him feel secure, but rather transitions him to a trembling posture on his knees and hands. This suggests a gradual restoration of strength and composure, still marked by reverence and awe.
The Divine Invitation
This touch, and the subsequent words ('Fear not, Daniel'), are designed to calm Daniel's spirit. God understands human frailty and approaches us with compassion. The message isn't that the encounter won't be awesome or awe-inspiring, but that Daniel doesn't need to be consumed by paralyzing fear. He is invited to receive God's message because he is beloved ('O man greatly loved,' Daniel 10:11).
Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Judeans, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
c. 537 BC
First Return of Exiles
A group of Judeans, led by Zerubbabel, return to Jerusalem to begin rebuilding the Temple.
c. 516 BC
Rebuilding of the Temple Completed
The Second Temple in Jerusalem is finally completed after much opposition and delay.
"And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees." — It's easy to read this as the angel simply helping Daniel up, but the original Hebrew word used for "set" carries a sense of causing something to "reel" or "totter." So, even with the touch of divine…