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Daniel 10:16
ESV And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength.
NIV Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, 'I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak.
NASB And behold, one who resembled a human was touching my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, 'My lord, due to the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength.
CSB Suddenly one with human likeness touched my lips. I opened my mouth and said to the one standing in front of me, "My lord, because of the vision, anguish overwhelms me and I am powerless.
NLT Then the one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, 'I am filled with anguish because of the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak.
KJV And, behold, one like the similitude 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 the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.

What does Daniel 10:16 mean?

This moment occurs as Daniel converses with an angel, probably Gabriel (Daniel 8:15–16; 9:21–22; Luke 1:26). The visit was inspired by Daniel's earlier vision (Daniel 10:1). The shock of seeing a celestial being overwhelmed Daniel (Daniel 10:9–10). Though the angel comforted him, Daniel was further awed (Daniel 10:15) to hear that his visitor had spent three weeks in conflict with some other spiritual being (Daniel 10:12–13).

Here, Daniel receives further comfort and refreshment. His lips are touched, and he is once again able to speak. The being who touches Daniel is not clearly identified. The Hebrew phrasing being used suggests it might have been the same angel mentioned in both prior and following verses. And yet, it may have been an entirely different being. Daniel's description here simply means that this entity looked like a human being. This is not connected to his earlier prophecy about "one like a son of man" (Daniel 7:13). Nor does the mention of "my lord" imply anything in particular; the phrase is being used in respect (Daniel 12:8).

Daniel then explains that this series of experiences has left him weakened and in pain. Daniel had been in mourning for three weeks, possibly prompted by a vision of conflict he had seen (Daniel 10:1–3). Then, he was staggered by the appearance of a celestial being (Daniel 10:5–6), and yet again astonished by hearing about the spiritual conflict at work (Daniel 10:13). This explanation (Daniel 10:17) will lead to further reassurances (Daniel 10:18–19).
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