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Daniel 10:6
ESV His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.
NIV His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.
NASB His body also was like topaz, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.
CSB His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.
NLT His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people.
KJV His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

What does Daniel 10:6 mean?

Daniel describes the figure who appeared to him (Daniel 10:4–5) as having a body like beryl. Names for minerals and gems are varied across cultures and languages, so it can be difficult to know precisely what is being depicted. The "beryl" noted here is called tarshiysh in Hebrew, possibly in reference to the city of Tarshish (1 Kings 10:22; Psalm 48:7; Jonah 1:3). Actual "beryl," as identified today, is usually blue, but it can come in many different colors. Interpreters suggest options such as yellow jasper or chrysolite, but the most likely option seems to be topaz. Daniel's emphasis here seems to be on something semi-transparent, brilliant, and striking.

The figure's face is compared to lightning and his eyes to torches. Both refer to radiance: something casting light. His legs and arms also shone. The Hebrew descriptive term used here can mean "burnished" or "polished." Since the emphasis seems to be on radiance, it's most likely that Daniel saw the figure's limbs shining with golden light like mirror-polished bronze. The entity's voice is also impressive. The original term is hāmon', which refers to the sound of a crowd, or a roar.

Several interpreters believe this is the angel Gabriel (Daniel 8:15–16; 9:21–22; Luke 1:26), though some suggest this is a preincarnate Jesus Christ, and separate from the person to whom Daniel speaks later in this encounter (Daniel 10:9–14).
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