Daniel 8:17-18

Daniel 8:17-18

[17] So he came  near  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.  [18] Now as he was speaking  with me, I was in a deep sleep  on my face  toward the ground:  but he touched  me, and set 

What does Daniel 8:17-18 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Gabriel"s approach made Daniel so fearful that he prostrated himself on the ground (cf. Daniel 2:46; Daniel 10:9-10; Daniel 10:15; Ezekiel 1:28; Ezekiel 3:23; Ezekiel 44:4; Revelation 1:17). The title "son of man" indicates humanity, and here, in contrast to Gabriel, it stressed Daniel"s human weakness (cf. Daniel 7:13; Ezekiel 2:1; et al.).
"It suggests both solemnly and encouragingly the awesomeness and the honor of an ordinary human being hearing this man of God address him ..." [1]
Gabriel introduced his interpretation by explaining that it concerned "the time of the end" or the end times (cf. Daniel 8:19). The vision dealt with events yet future from Daniel"s viewpoint in history. "The time of the end" in Daniel is similar to future references to "the Day of the Lord" in the other prophets. It can refer to a more immediate future day, or to an eschatological day, depending on the context. Daniel"s response to Gabriel"s awesome presence and words was that he fainted. [2] The Hebrew word "denotes a coma-like state of deep sleep brought about by supernatural agency, especially in connection with visionary experiences ..." [3] Gabriel proceeded to revive the prophet, and to prepare him to receive the remainder of the interpretation.