And when he had spoken such words to me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
I set.
Daniel 10:9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
Daniel 8:18 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 me upright.
Ezekiel 24:27 In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
I set my face toward the ground
Daniel's reaction of bowing his face to the ground is a sign of humility and reverence, common in biblical encounters with the divine or angelic beings. This posture is seen in other scriptural accounts, such as Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:6) and John in Revelation (Revelation 1:17). It reflects the overwhelming nature of divine presence and the human response of awe and submission.
and became speechless
Daniel's inability to speak signifies the profound impact of the vision and the message he is receiving. This mirrors other biblical instances where individuals are rendered speechless in the presence of divine revelation, such as Zechariah in Luke 1:20. It underscores the theme of human limitation in the face of God's majesty and the weight of prophetic revelation.
• The “he” is the glorious messenger who began addressing Daniel in verse 11. The ongoing speech underscores that Daniel’s experience is not a fleeting impression but a sustained revelation straight from God’s throne (cf. Daniel 10:11–12; Revelation 1:10–11).
• Scripture often notes the power of heaven-sent words to overpower human strength—think of the disciples on the road to Emmaus who said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road?” (Luke 24:32).
• Because every word of God proves true (Proverbs 30:5), Daniel’s immediate reaction validates both the authority and the literal accuracy of the revelation he is hearing.
• Daniel’s posture signals reverence and submission. Like Ezekiel who “fell on [his] face” before the glory of the LORD (Ezekiel 1:28), Daniel acknowledges the infinite gap between the Creator and the creature.
• Bowing low is the instinctive response of saints who encounter divine majesty—Isaiah cried, “Woe to me, for I am ruined!” (Isaiah 6:5), and John “fell at His feet as though dead” (Revelation 1:17).
• This humble stance also mirrors the call of James 4:10: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” Daniel’s lowered face anticipates God’s lifting him up in verse 18.
• Daniel’s inability to speak highlights human frailty when confronted with the supernatural. Job reached the same point: “I am unworthy—how can I reply to You? I put my hand over my mouth” (Job 40:4).
• Silence before God is not emptiness but awe-filled worship (Habakkuk 2:20). Even Zechariah was rendered speechless until God’s word was fulfilled (Luke 1:20).
• The moment foreshadows the promise that every mouth will one day be silenced before the righteous judgment of God (Romans 3:19), reinforcing the seriousness of heaven’s message to Daniel.
Daniel 10:15 shows a faithful servant overwhelmed by the living word of God. The ongoing heavenly speech, Daniel’s face to the ground, and his loss of words collectively paint a vivid picture of reverent submission. The verse reminds us that when God speaks, the only fitting first response is humble, speechless awe, trusting that He will strengthen and raise up those who bow before Him.
(15) I set my face.--The conduct of Daniel described in this verse is not to be ascribed to his fear, for that had been already driven away (Daniel 10:12), but to his reverence for the majestic person who was before him, and to the gratitude that he felt for the answer to his prayer. (Comp. Daniel 9:3-4.)Verse 15. - And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb. The versions agree with the above. I set my face toward the ground does not mean that Daniel again fell prostrate, but that his eyes naturally sought the ground. And I became dumb. Not to be regarded as equivalent to "I remained silent," though there is nothing in the narrative to indicate that Daniel had been speaking; he may have had the sensation of paralyzed vocal cords. Certainly the verb 'alam means "to be dumb," although, as with ourselves, this phrase dots not mean always physiological dumbness, but simply a silence which, from shyness or fear, one is unable to break. This is the meaning the versions attach to it. The opinion we indicate finds support in the dumbness of Zacharias, the father of John Baptist, after Gabriel appeared to him, and, still more, in what is related in the following verse.