Daniel 8:16

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Daniel 8:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And I heard a man`s voice between [the banks of] the Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And I heard a man`s voice between [the banks of] the Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.
Daniel 8:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Daniel 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16And I heard a man`s voice between [the banks of] the Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

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 I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, etc.] Near to which Daniel was, (<270802>Daniel 8:2) and it seemed to him as if the appearance of the man was in the midst of the river, between the banks of it, from whence the voice came; or between the arms of it, it bending and winding about; or rather between Shushan and the river; or between the prophet and that: this voice was the voice of the person that appeared as a man in the preceding verse: which called, and said, Gabriel; the voice was loud, audible, and commanding; even to an angel, one of great note, Gabriel, the man of God, the mighty one; and shows, that the person that made this appearance, and spoke in this…”
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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
“Gabriel--meaning, "the strength of God."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai - See the notes at Daniel 8:2. The voice seemed to come from the river, as if it were that of the Genius of the river, and to address Gabriel, who stood near to Daniel on the shore. This was doubtless the voice of God. The speaker was invisible, and this method of explaining the vision was adopted, probably to make the whole scene more impressive. Which called, and said, Gabriel - Gabriel is mentioned in the Scriptures only in Daniel 8:16; Daniel 9:21; Luke 1:19, Luke 1:26. In Luke 1:19, he is mentioned as saying of himself, “I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God.” The word means, properly, “man of God.” Nothing more is known of…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I heard: Dan 10:11, Dan 10:12; Act 9:7, Act 10:13; Rev 1:12 between: Dan 8:2, Dan 12:5-7 Gabriel: Dan 9:21; Luk 1:19, Luk 1:26 make: Dan 9:22, Dan 10:14, Dan 10:21, Dan 12:7; Zac 1:9, Zac 2:4; Heb 1:14; Rev 22:16 Daniel 8:17”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification