Daniel 10:18 — Word Study
WLCוַיֹּ֧סֶף וַיִּגַּע־ בִּ֛י כְּמַרְאֵ֥ה אָדָ֖ם וַֽיְחַזְּקֵֽנִי׃
BSAAgainyâçaph▸ [one more time, once more] [the one] with the likenessmarʼeh [appearance, form] of a manʼâdâm [Adam, humanity] touchednâgaʻ▸ [reached out to, struck] and strengthened mechâzaq▸ [empowered, gave me courage]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיֹּ֧סֶף | and he repeated | Verb, Hiphil, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| וַיִּגַּע־ | and he touched | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| בִּ֛י | me | Preposition, suffix |
| כְּמַרְאֵ֥ה | like [the] appearance of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| אָדָ֖ם | humankind | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וַֽיְחַזְּקֵֽנִי׃ | and he strengthened me | Verb piel sequential imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Again the one with the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. |
| KJV | Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, |
| ASV | Then there touched me again one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me. |
| YLT | 'And he addeth, and striketh against me, as the appearance of a man, and strengtheneth me, |
| WEB | Then one like the appearance of a man touched me again, and he strengthened me. |
| BBE | Then again one having the form of a man put his hand on me and gave me strength. |
The translations agree on the meaning of וַיֹּ֧סֶף as again — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is straightforward, with a main clause followed by a subordinate action, clearly indicating the sequence of events.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbיָסַף
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Daniel 10:18
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Daniel's Vision and Strengtheninggenerated
Daniel 10:18 describes a moment where a figure resembling a man touches Daniel, providing him with strength during a time of fear and weakness. This interaction emphasizes the divine support Daniel receives as he navigates his prophetic visions, similar to other moments in the book where God reassures His servant.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel 10:10–16 | Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. |
| 2 | Daniel 8:18 | While he was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me, helped me to my feet, |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 23:15 | While David was in Horesh in the Wilderness of Ziph, he saw that Saul had come out to take his life. |
| 4 | Job 16:5 | But I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation of my lips would bring relief. |
| 5 | Job 23:6 | Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — וַיֹּ֧סֶף, vai.Yo.sefgenerated
The verb יָסַף (yacaph) is a Hiphil form meaning to add or repeat an action. It suggests a continuation or increase, indicating that the angel is not only present but actively engaging with Daniel to provide further support.
This word is used frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often in contexts where something is being added or done again. In this verse, it highlights the angel's role in reinforcing Daniel's strength, suggesting a compassionate and ongoing divine intervention.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The study uses the Berean Standard Bible (BSB) as the base text, which has again for וַיֹּ֧סֶף.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The sentence is structured around three main verbs: וַיֹּ֧סֶף, וַיִּגַּע־, and וַֽיְחַזְּקֵֽנִי. The first verb introduces the action of repetition, while the following verbs describe the touch and the resulting strength given to Daniel.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the actions of the angel, with the subject implied and the verbs clearly delineating the sequence of events.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates וַיֹּ֧סֶף as προσέθηκε — he added — which carries a similar sense of repetition or continuation. This choice indicates a consistent understanding of the angel's role in providing strength to Daniel.
The use of ἥψατό for וַיִּגַּע־ emphasizes the physical touch that conveys both reassurance and empowerment.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Daniel 10:18 tells us that a figure resembling a man touched Daniel and strengthened him. This moment illustrates how God provides support and courage to His servants during times of fear and uncertainty.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The touch signifies a transfer of strength and reassurance, indicating divine support.
The word 'again' emphasizes that this is not the first time the angel has provided assistance to Daniel.
It reflects a recurring theme in Daniel where divine beings provide encouragement and strength to him during his visions.
It shows the importance of divine support in overcoming fear and weakness.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to seek divine strength and support?
- How can I be more aware of the ways God may be encouraging me during difficult times?
- What does it mean to me that God sends help when I feel weak?
- How can I share the message of strength and encouragement with others who are struggling?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers offer insights on this verse, discussing the encouragement and strength that comes from divine encounters.
"And he strengthened me." For whenever the Word has made us of good hope with regard to the future, we are able also readily to hear His voice.Early Church Fathers on Daniel 10 →
He meant, “Do not be in distress at all; for I did not come to harm you but to make known to you what you desired to know. Cast off your fear, be brave, and be strong.” And the deed followed word.Early Church Fathers on Daniel 10 →
When the strength of our life fails and we leave behind all earthly glory, so that we are no longer strong in it, then we receive the power from God, as Christ stretches out his hand upon us and says, “Be bold and strong.”Early Church Fathers on Daniel 10 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Daniel 10:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThen there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man,.... Or one like a man again touched him; the same that touched him before, Daniel 10:16, perhaps Gabriel, since he uses the same
Read John Gill on Daniel 10 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThen there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man. It was gradually that Daniel recovered his strength.
Read Robert Jamieson on Daniel 10 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleDaniel needed a second touch, and another word of encouragement, before he could hear and bear the angel’ s words as to the vision and prophecy; and now, being fortified by degrees, he hath got courage.
Read Matthew Poole on Daniel 10 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsDaniel 10:18 Then there came again and touched me [one] like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,Ver. 18. Then there came again and touched me.] Not all at once, but by four degrees, was Daniel raised: (1.) He is set upon his knees and palms of his hands, an emblem of prayer; (2.) He is caused to stand upon his feet, though trembling and silent; (3.) His mouth is opened to speak, though not without much weakness, fears, and sorrows; (4.) He is fully strengthened here. God loves to hold his praying people long in request. He is also "a God of judgment" - one that well understandeth when and how to bestow his favours; "Blessed are all they that wait for him."
Read John Trapp on Daniel 10 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges10–18. Daniel is gradually revived and reassured.
Read Cambridge on Daniel 10 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThen there came again, and touched me ... - The same one is here referred to doubtless who is mentioned in Daniel 10:16 - the angel.
Read Albert Barnes on Daniel 10 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible18, 19. Once more the angel strengthens him by a touch and comforts him with tender words.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Daniel 10 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Again the one with the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me.
Then one like the appearance of a man touched me again, and he strengthened me.
Again the one with the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me.
Then the one who appeared to be a human being touched me again and strengthened me.
Tyndale line
Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
Then there touched me again one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me.
Then there touched me again one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me.
Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
Then there came againe, and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
Strictly literal
Then there touched me again one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me;
'And he addeth, and striketh against me, as the appearance of a man, and strengtheneth me,
And he adds, and strikes against me, as the appearance of a man, and strengthens me,
Then there touched me again something like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me;
Again the one with an appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me.
From the Latin
Therefore he that looked like a man touched me again, and strengthened me.
Simplified
Once again the one who looked like a human being touched me and restored my strength.
Then again one having the form of a man put his hand on me and gave me strength.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in this verse, with all six words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls, while damaged, also reflect the same words, though some were supplied by an editor due to the condition of the manuscript.
וַיֹּ֧סֶף וַיִּגַּע־ בִּ֛י כְּמַרְאֵ֥ה אָדָ֖ם וַֽיְחַזְּקֵֽנִי׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[ויסף] [ויגע] [ב׳י] [כמראה] [אדם] [ויחזק׳ני]
nothing on the leather here — 6 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Daniel 10:18
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
יָסַף (yacaph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to add or increase. It can denote actions like joining oneself to something or continuing to do a task. The entries indicate its use in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, with nuances of doing something again or augmenting an amount.
יָסַף 214 vb. add
Qal add
Niph.
join (intr.), join oneself to
be joined, added to
Hiph.
add
sq. inf. add to do = do again or more
sq. Impf.
sq. Impf. asynd.
base
H3254 יָסַף add . add
. . join (intr.), join oneself to
. be joined, added to
. . add
. . sq. inf. add to do = do again or more
. sq. Impf.
. sq. Impf. asynd.
3254 yacaph yaw-saf'
a primitive root; to add or augment (often adverbial, to
continue to do a thing):--add, X again, X any more, X cease, X
come more, + conceive again, continue, exceed, X further, X
gather together, get more, give more-over, X henceforth,
increase (more and more), join, X longer (bring, do, make,
much, put), X (the, much, yet) more (and more), proceed
(further), prolong, put, be (strong-) er, X yet, yield.
יָסַף (ya.saph) — to add: again.
: again/continue/more[instances]
1) to add, increase, do again
1a) (Qal) to add, increase, do again
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to join, join oneself to
1b2) to be joined, be added to
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to add, increase
1c2) to do more, do again
יָסַף (ya.saph) — to add.
: add/more[amount]
1) to add, increase, do again
1a) (Qal) to add, increase, do again
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to join, join oneself to
1b2) to be joined, be added to
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to add, increase
1c2) to do more, do again
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vhw3ms
נָגַע (naga`) is a Hebrew verb meaning to touch, reach, or strike. It encompasses a range of actions from physical contact to figurative implications like arriving or acquiring. The word can also denote being stricken or defeated, particularly in battle or by disease. The entries indicate various grammatical forms, including Qal, Niph, Piel, Pual, and Hiphil, each with specific nuances.
נָגַע 150 vb. touch, reach, strike
Qal
touch
of י׳ touching earth, mountains, etc.
nearly = strike, pass. stricken
touch = harm
reach, extend to
Niph. be stricken, defeated (in battle), i.e. feign to be so
Pi. strike (with leprosy, 2 acc.)
Pu. be stricken by diseases
Hiph. cause to touch; reach, approach, arrive
base
H5060 נָגַע touch, reach, strike .. . touch
. of י׳ touching earth, mountains, etc.
. nearly = strike, pass. stricken
. touch = harm
. reach, extend to
. be stricken, defeated (in battle), i.e. feign to be so
. strike (with leprosy, 2 acc.)
. be stricken by diseases
. cause to touch; reach, approach, arrive
5060 naga` naw-gah'
a primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon
(for any purpose; euphem., to lie with a woman); by
implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire);
violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.):--beat,
(X be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near
(nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite,
strike, touch.
נָגַע (na.ga) — to touch.
1) to touch, reach, strike
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to touch
1a2) to strike
1a3) to reach, extend to
1a4) to be stricken
1a4a) stricken (participle)
1b) (Niphal) to be stricken, be defeated
1c) (Piel) to strike
1d) (Pual) to be stricken (by disease)
1e) (Hiphil) to cause to touch, reach, approach, arrive
1e1) to cause to touch, apply
1e2) to reach, extend, attain, arrive, come
1e3) to approach (of time)
1e4) to befall (of fate)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs
מַרְאֶה (mar'eh) refers to sight, appearance, or vision, encompassing both physical and supernatural aspects of what is seen. It can denote a phenomenon, spectacle, or the power of seeing. The word is derived from a root meaning to see, and it covers a range of meanings related to visual perception.
מַרְאֶה 102 n.m. sight, appearance, vision
sight, phenomenon, spectacle
appearance
appearance, sight, vision
in gen. what is seen
specif. a (supernat.) vision
sight, vision = power of seeing (and enjoying), late
base
H4758 מַרְאֶה sight, appearance, vision . . sight, phenomenon, spectacle
. appearance
. appearance, sight, vision
. in gen. what is seen
. specif. a (supernat.) vision
. sight, vision = power of seeing (and enjoying), late
4758 mar'eh mar-eh'
from 7200; a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance
(the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if
handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks), or (mental) a
vision:--X apparently, appearance(-reth), X as soon as
beautiful(-ly), countenance, fair, favoured, form, goodly, to
look (up) on (to), look(-eth), pattern, to see, seem, sight,
visage, vision.
see HEBREW for 07200
מַרְאֶה (mar.eh) — appearance.
1) sight, appearance, vision
1a) sight, phenomenon, spectacle, appearance, vision
1b) what is seen
1c) a vision (supernatural)
1d) sight, vision (power of seeing)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אָדָם (adam) refers to 'man' or 'mankind,' encompassing both individual humans and the species as a whole. It is also the name of the first man in the Bible, Adam, who is mentioned in various verses, including Genesis 2:19. The term can denote a city in the Jordan valley as well. The entries indicate a range of meanings, but there is no significant disagreement among them.
אָדָם 560 n.m. Gn 1:27 man, mankind
a man = human being
coll. man, mankind
n.pr.m. Adam, first man (without art.)
n.pr.loc. city in Jordan valley (as built?)
base
H120 אָדָם man, mankind . a man = human being
. coll. man, mankind
120 'adam aw-dawm'
from 119; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the
species, mankind, etc.):--X another, + hypocrite, + common
sort, X low, man (mean, of low degree), person.
see HEBREW for 0119
אָדָם (a.dam) — man.
1) man, mankind
1a) man, human being
1b) man, mankind (much more frequently intended sense in OT)
1c) Adam, first man
1d) city in Jordan valley
אָדָם (a.dam) — the man (Adam).
The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19;
married to Eve (H2332);
father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33;
Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121)
man, human being
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
The Hebrew word חָזַק (chazaq) means to be strong or to strengthen. It encompasses a range of meanings including to support, encourage, and make firm, as well as to seize or hold fast. The word can be used in various forms, such as to strengthen oneself or to display strength. There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.
חָזַק 291 vb. be or grow firm, strong, strengthen
Qal
intrans. be or grow strong
transit. only strengthened him not
Pi.
make strong (physically)
strengthen the hands (acc.) of anyone, sustain, encourage
make strong = bold, encourage
make firm
make rigid, hard, i.e. perverse, obstinate, harden
Hiph.
make strong, strengthen
make firm, the kingdom
display strength
make severe, of battle
support
= repair
prevail
esp. take or keep hold of, seize, grasp
Hithp.
strengthen oneself
put forth strength, use one's strength
withstand
hold strongly with
base
H2388 חָזַק be or grow firm, strong, strengthen .. intrans. be or grow strong
. transit. only strengthened him not
. . make strong (physically)
. strengthen the hands (acc.) of anyone, sustain, encourage
. make strong = bold, encourage
. make firm
. make rigid, hard, i.e. perverse, obstinate, harden
. . . make strong, strengthen
. make firm, the kingdom
. display strength
. make severe, of battle
. support
. = repair
. prevail
. esp. take or keep hold of, seize, grasp
. . strengthen oneself
. put forth strength, use one's strength
. withstand
. hold strongly with
2388 chazaq khaw-zak'
a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong
(figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help,
repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer:--aid,
amend, X calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant,
constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly),
encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make
hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play
the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered,
repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be
stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold),
be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand.
חָזַק (cha.zaq) — to strengthen: strengthen.
: strengthen/support/encourage
1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be strong, grow strong
1a1a) to prevail, prevail upon
1a1b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure
1a1c) to press, be urgent
1a1d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense)
1a1e) to be severe, be grievous
1a2) to strengthen
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to make strong
1b2) to restore to strength, give strength
1b3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage
1b4) to make strong, make bold, encourage
1b5) to make firm
1b6) to make rigid, make hard
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to make strong, strengthen
1c2) to make firm
1c3) to display strength
1c4) to make severe
1c5) to support
1c6) to repair
1c7) to prevail, prevail upon
1c8) to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support
1c9) to hold, contain
1d) (Hithpael)
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff — Verb piel sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHc/Vpw3ms/Sp1bs