Daniel 8:17 Meaning and Explanation
“So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Gabriel approaches; Daniel falls down in fear, and is told to understand, for the vision belongs to the time of the end.
What Does Daniel 8:17 Mean?
As Gabriel draws near, Daniel is overcome and falls on his face, the natural response of a mortal before heavenly glory. The angel addresses him as 'son of man,' a phrase marking his frail humanity, and bids him understand, for the vision reaches to 'the time of the end.' What Daniel sees is not only for his day but stretches toward the consummation of all things.
Fear before the holy is fitting, yet it is not where God leaves His servant. The first word after Daniel falls is 'Understand,' an invitation to rise from dread into knowing. God does not reveal in order to crush but to teach. And by setting the vision toward the end, heaven assures the trembling prophet that history is moving toward an appointed close, held firmly in the hand of God who alone knows the end from the beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel 8:17
What does Daniel 8:17 mean?
Gabriel approaches; Daniel falls down in fear, and is told to understand, for the vision belongs to the time of the end.