I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
Parallel translations
- WEB I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
- BSB I approached one of those who were standing there, and I asked him the true meaning of all this. So he told me the interpretation of these things:
- NKJV I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things:
- NASB I approached one of those who were standing by and began requesting of him the exact meaning of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things:
- NLT So I approached one of those standing beside the throne and asked him what it all meant. He explained it to me like this:
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Daniel approaches a heavenly attendant to ask the meaning of the vision, and is given the interpretation. God graciously provides understanding to those who seek it.
Overview
Rather than speculate, Daniel turns to one standing by in the vision for the true interpretation. This pattern of being granted explanation by an angelic guide is common in apocalyptic Scripture. It models humble dependence on God for understanding, and points forward to the Spirit whom Christ gives to lead His people into truth.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Rev 7:13–14And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
- Dan 7:10A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
- Rev 5:5And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
- Zech 2:3And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,
- Dan 10:11–12And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
- Zech 1:8–11I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.
- Zech 3:7Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
- Dan 10:5–6Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
- Dan 8:13–16Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?
- Dan 9:22And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
- Dan 12:5–6Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Daniel sees the stone cut without hands that shatters the kingdoms, and 'one like a son of man' given everlasting dominion — titles and visions Jesus claims as his own.
How Daniel 7:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.