Understanding Daniel 8:17

Daniel 8:17 states: "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." This verse occurs in a profound context within the Book of Daniel, where divine revelations concerning future events are imparted.

Summary of Daniel 8:17 Meaning

This verse captures the moment of fear and reverence experienced by Daniel upon encountering a supernatural being. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the visions God revealed to him, particularly those related to the end times.

Insights from Public Domain Commentaries

• Matthew Henry:

  Henry highlights Daniel’s fear as a natural response to the divine presence. He underscores the message that understanding the visions requires a heart opened by God’s Spirit.

• Albert Barnes:

  Barnes notes the significance of Daniel being commanded to understand. He suggests that the understanding of prophetic visions is of utmost importance in conveying God's message to humanity, especially regarding the latter days.

• Adam Clarke:

  Clarke emphasizes that the “time of the end” mentioned in this verse points to eschatological themes. He interprets the passage as a call for deeper insight into the mysteries of God’s timeline for the world.

Bible Cross-References Related to Daniel 8:17

For better comprehension of this verse, the following cross-references may provide additional insight:

• Daniel 12:4 - Discusses the sealing of the vision until the time of the end.
• Revelation 22:10 - Suggests that the revelation concerning the end must be shared and not sealed.
• Habakkuk 2:2-3 - Reveals the importance of making vision plain for understanding God’s timing.
• Matthew 24:15 - References Daniel’s prophecies in the context of the end times.
• 1 Peter 1:10-12 - Discusses the prophets' inquiry into the salvation that was to come, paralleling the desire for understanding prophetic messages.
• Isaiah 46:10 - Emphasizes God's control over the end from the beginning, hinting at the importance of divine understanding.
• 1 Corinthians 2:10 - Describes how God reveals deep things to His followers, connecting with Daniel’s revelation experiences.

Thematic Bible Verse Connections

Many themes arise from the interaction depicted in Daniel 8:17:

• Fear of God: The reaction of Daniel represents a significant theme in Scripture where individuals experience awe in the divine presence.
• Revelation and Understanding: The necessity to comprehend prophetic messages is a recurring subject, illustrating why individuals are called to seek wisdom and discernment.
• End Times Prophecies: Daniel's vision touches on eschatological themes that link to other biblical teachings concerning the last days.

Cross-Referencing Bible Study Methods

For those wanting to deepen their understanding through cross-referencing:

1. Use a Bible concordance to find related verses.

2. Engage in a cross-reference Bible study to link themes and connect insights from different books of the Bible.

3. Study Thematic Bible connections to explore how verses like Daniel 8:17 intertwine with ideas from both the Old and New Testaments.

Inter-Biblical Dialogue

This verse serves as a dialogue point between the prophetic literature in the Old Testament and its revelations in the New Testament, informing our understanding of biblical prophecy as a cohesive theme throughout scripture.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Daniel 8:17 encapsulates significant themes of fear, understanding, and the divine purpose laid out across biblical texts. The cross-referencing of scripture enriches our study and reveals the interconnectedness of God’s message throughout the Bible.