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Daniel 10:16

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Daniel 10:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And, behold, one in the likeness 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 reason of the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I retain no strength.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And, behold, one in the likeness 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 reason of the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I retain no strength.
Daniel 10:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Daniel 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me: and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
14Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days; for the vision is yet for [many] days:
15and when he had spoken unto me according to these words, I set my face toward the ground, and was dumb.
16And, behold, one in the likeness 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 reason of the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I retain no strength.
17For 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 was there breath left in me.
18Then there touched me again one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me.
19And he said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he spake unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men, etc.] Not the man clothed with linen, or Christ; but either the same angel, Gabriel, who appeared more manifestly to him in a human form; or another of the attendants of Christ, who also had the similitude of a man: touched my lips; with his hand, as the Prophet Isaiah’s were, by a seraph, with a live coal from the altar, (<230607>Isaiah 6:7), thereby restoring him to his speech, and giving him freedom and boldness to make use of it; and removing from him his impurity, and a sense of it, which occasioned his silence: then I opened my mouth, and spake freely, and yet with all becoming modesty: and said unto him that stood before me, O…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“touched my lips--the same significant action wherewith the Son of man accompanied His healing of the dumb (Mar 7:33). He alone can give spiritual utterance (Isa 6:6-7; Eph 6:19), enabling one to "open the mouth boldly." The same one who makes dumb (Dan 10:15) opens the mouth. sorrows--literally, "writhings" as of a woman in travail.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips - In the form of a man. The reference here is undoubtedly to Gabriel appearing to Daniel in human form. Why he does not name him is unknown; nor is there any intimation whether he changed his form as he now approached the prophet. It would seem not improbable that, seeing the effect of his presence and his words on Daniel, he laid aside some of the manifestations of awe and majesty in which he had at first appeared to him, and approached him as a man, and placed his hands on his lips - as a sign that he should speak, or as imparting power to him to speak. See the notes at Isaiah 6:6-7. I opened my mouth, and spake - His…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“One like the sons of men - This likewise seems to have been Gabriel. I have retained no strength - Tho' he appeared to him, and spake to him as a man, yet Daniel could not bear his presence, without some dread. Daniel 10:20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“10:16 touched my lips: Cp. Exod 4:11-12; Isa 6:5-7.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“like: Dan 10:5, Dan 10:6, Dan 10:18, Dan 8:15, Dan 9:21; Eze 1:26; Phi 2:7, Phi 2:8; Rev 1:13 touched: Dan 10:10; Isa 6:7; Jer 1:9; Eze 3:27, Eze 33:22; Luk 1:64, Luk 21:15 my Lord: Dan 10:17, Dan 12:8; Exo 4:10, Exo 4:13; Jos 5:14; Jdg 6:13, Jdg 6:15, Jdg 13:8; Joh 20:28 my sorrows: Dan 10:8, Dan 10:9, Dan 7:15, Dan 7:28, Dan 8:17, Dan 8:27; Ecc 1:18 Daniel 10:17”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification