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:
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.
- KJV 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.
- 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:
- 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 7:13–14One of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and from where did they come?”
- Dan 7:10A fiery stream issued and came out from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
- Rev 5:5One of the elders said to me, “Don’t weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals.”
- Zech 2:3Behold, the angel who talked with me went out, and another angel went out to meet him,
- Dan 10:11–12He said to me, Daniel, you man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright; for am I now sent to you. When he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling.
- Zech 1:8–11“I had a vision in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in a ravine; and behind him there were red, brown, and white horses.
- Zech 3:7“Yahweh of Armies says: ‘If you will walk in my ways, and if you will follow my instructions, then you also shall judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you a place of access among these who stand by.
- Dan 10:5–6I lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, whose thighs were adorned with pure gold of Uphaz:
- Dan 8:13–16Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who spoke, How long shall be the vision about the continual burnt offering, and the disobedience that makes desolate, to give both the sanctuary and the army to be trodden under foot?
- Dan 9:22He instructed me, and talked with me, and said, Daniel, I have now come to give you wisdom and understanding.
- Dan 12:5–6Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on the river bank on this side, and the other on the river bank on that side.
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.