While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. While I, DanielThe phrase begins with a personal note, emphasizing the firsthand experience of the prophet Daniel. The name "Daniel" means "God is my judge" in Hebrew, reflecting his role as a faithful servant and prophet of God. Daniel's personal involvement underscores the authenticity and gravity of the vision. His life in Babylon, a place of exile, highlights his steadfast faith amidst a pagan culture, serving as an inspiration for believers to remain faithful in challenging environments. was watching the vision
The act of "watching" indicates an active engagement with the divine revelation. The Hebrew root for "vision" (חָזוֹן, chazon) suggests a supernatural insight or revelation from God. This vision is not merely a dream but a significant communication from God, demanding attention and contemplation. Daniel's attentiveness serves as a model for believers to be vigilant and discerning in seeking God's will and understanding His revelations. and trying to understand it
Daniel's effort to "understand" the vision reflects a deep desire for wisdom and insight. The Hebrew root for "understand" (בִּין, bin) implies discernment and comprehension. This pursuit of understanding is a recurring theme in Scripture, encouraging believers to seek God's wisdom earnestly. Daniel's quest for understanding amidst complex and mysterious revelations inspires believers to rely on prayer and the Holy Spirit for guidance in interpreting God's messages. there stood before me
The phrase suggests an immediate and personal encounter. The presence of a figure "before" Daniel indicates a divine intervention or message. This encounter is reminiscent of other biblical instances where God or His messengers appear to individuals, signifying the importance of the message being conveyed. It highlights the accessibility of God to His people, reassuring believers of His willingness to communicate and guide them. one having the appearance of a man
The description of the figure as having "the appearance of a man" suggests an angelic being, often appearing in human form in biblical narratives. This aligns with other scriptural accounts where angels, as messengers of God, take on human likeness to deliver divine messages. The human-like appearance makes the divine encounter relatable and comprehensible to Daniel, emphasizing God's desire to communicate in ways that are understandable to humans. This serves as a reminder of God's grace and His intention to reveal His plans to His people in a manner they can grasp. Persons / Places / Events 1. DanielA prophet and a key figure in the Old Testament, known for his faithfulness to God and his ability to interpret dreams and visions. In this context, Daniel is the recipient of a divine vision. 2. VisionA supernatural revelation given to Daniel, which he is trying to comprehend. This vision is part of a series of prophetic revelations concerning future events. 3. Appearance of a ManThis refers to a heavenly being, often interpreted as an angel, who appears to Daniel to provide understanding of the vision. The identity of this figure is further clarified in the subsequent verses. Teaching Points Seeking UnderstandingDaniel's response to the vision is one of seeking understanding. As believers, we should also seek to understand God's revelations through prayer and study. Divine AssistanceThe appearance of the man signifies that God provides assistance to understand His messages. We should rely on the Holy Spirit for insight into Scripture. Faithfulness in ConfusionEven when faced with confusing or challenging revelations, Daniel remains faithful. We are called to trust God even when we do not fully understand His plans. Role of AngelsAngels often serve as messengers in Scripture. Recognizing their role can deepen our understanding of how God communicates with humanity. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Daniel's reaction to the vision in Daniel 8:15 inspire you to approach confusing or challenging situations in your own life? 2. In what ways can we seek understanding from God when we encounter difficult passages in Scripture? 3. How does the presence of the "appearance of a man" in Daniel 8:15 relate to other instances in the Bible where God sends messengers to His people? 4. What can we learn from Daniel's faithfulness and perseverance in seeking understanding, and how can we apply this to our spiritual journey? 5. How do the visions in Daniel 8 connect with the broader account of God's plan as revealed in other prophetic books like Revelation? Connections to Other Scriptures Daniel 7The previous chapter also contains visions given to Daniel, providing a broader context for understanding the themes of divine revelation and prophecy. Revelation 1Similar to Daniel, John receives visions and encounters with heavenly beings, highlighting the continuity of prophetic revelation in Scripture. Acts 10Peter's vision and subsequent understanding illustrate how God uses visions to communicate His will and guide His people. People Belshazzar, Daniel, Elam, Gabriel, JavanPlaces Babylon, Elam, Greece, Media, Persia, Susa, UlaiTopics Appearance, Behold, Daniel, Desire, Form, Meaning, Mighty, Over-against, Pass, Require, Seeing, Sense, Sought, Standing, Stood, Trying, Understand, Understanding, Unfolded, Vision, WatchingDictionary of Bible Themes Daniel 8:15-16 4112 angels, messengers
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8355 understanding Daniel 8:15-26 4145 archangels Library Abram's Horror of Great Darkness.
"And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him." If we consider the sketch, given us in scripture, of the life of this patriarch, we shall find that few have had equal manifestations of the divine favor. But the light did not at all times shine on him. He had his dark hours while dwelling in this strange land. Here we find an horror of great darkness to have fallen upon him. The language used to describe his state, on this occasion, …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important SubjectsQuestions.
LESSON I. 1. In what state was the Earth when first created? 2. To what trial was man subjected? 3. What punishment did the Fall bring on man? 4. How alone could his guilt be atoned for? A. By his punishment being borne by one who was innocent. 5. What was the first promise that there should be such an atonement?--Gen. iii. 15. 6. What were the sacrifices to foreshow? 7. Why was Abel's offering the more acceptable? 8. From which son of Adam was the Seed of the woman to spring? 9. How did Seth's …
Charlotte Mary Yonge—The Chosen People Watching the Horizon
"Thy Kingdom Come." "Thou art coming! We are waiting With a hope that cannot fail; Asking not the day or hour, Resting on Thy word of power, Anchored safe within the veil. Time appointed may be long, But the vision must be sure: Certainty shall make us strong, Joyful patience must endure. "O the joy to see Thee reigning, Thee, my own beloved Lord! Every tongue Thy name confessing, Worship, honour, glory, blessing, Brought to Thee with glad accord! Thee, my Master and my Friend, Vindicated and enthroned! …
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation The Angel of the Lord in the Pentateuch, and the Book of Joshua.
The New Testament distinguishes between the hidden God and the revealed God--the Son or Logos--who is connected with the former by oneness of nature, and who from everlasting, and even at the creation itself, filled up the immeasurable distance between the Creator and the creation;--who has been the Mediator in all God's relations to the world;--who at all times, and even before He became man in Christ, has been the light of [Pg 116] the world,--and to whom, specially, was committed the direction …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Apocalypse.
On the Lit. and life of John, see §§ 40 and 41 (this vol.); on the authorship of the Apoc. and the time of composition, § 37 (this vol.); § 41 (this vol.); and § 84 (this vol.) 1. Modern Critical, works of German and French scholars on the Apocalypse: Lücke (Voltständige Einleitung, etc., 2d ed., 1852; 1,074 pages of introductory matter, critical and historical; compare with it the review of Bleek in the "Studien and Kritiken" for 1854 and 1855); DeWette Com., 1848, …
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I The Harbinger
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD , make straight in the desert a high-way for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. T he general style of the prophecies is poetical. The inimitable simplicity which characterizes every …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Daniel
Daniel is called a prophet in the New Testament (Matt. xxiv. 15). In the Hebrew Bible, however, the book called by his name appears not among the prophets, but among "the writings," between Esther and Ezra. The Greek version placed it between the major and the minor prophets, and this has determined its position in modern versions. The book is both like and unlike the prophetic books. It is like them in its passionate belief in the overruling Providence of God and in the sure consummation of His …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Daniel 8:15 NIVDaniel 8:15 NLTDaniel 8:15 ESVDaniel 8:15 NASBDaniel 8:15 KJV
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