Daniel Chapter 8 · Verse 27

Authorized King James Version

Study PDF

And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

Original Language Analysis

וַאֲנִ֣י H589
וַאֲנִ֣י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 1 of 15
i
דָנִיֵּ֗אל And I Daniel H1840
דָנִיֵּ֗אל And I Daniel
Strong's: H1840
Word #: 2 of 15
daniel or danijel, the name of two israelites
נִהְיֵ֤יתִי fainted H1961
נִהְיֵ֤יתִי fainted
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 3 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וְנֶֽחֱלֵ֙יתִי֙ and was sick H2470
וְנֶֽחֱלֵ֙יתִי֙ and was sick
Strong's: H2470
Word #: 4 of 15
properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat
יָמִ֔ים certain days H3117
יָמִ֔ים certain days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 5 of 15
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וָאָק֕וּם afterward I rose up H6965
וָאָק֕וּם afterward I rose up
Strong's: H6965
Word #: 6 of 15
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
וָאֶֽעֱשֶׂ֖ה and did H6213
וָאֶֽעֱשֶׂ֖ה and did
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 7 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מְלֶ֣אכֶת business H4399
מְלֶ֣אכֶת business
Strong's: H4399
Word #: 9 of 15
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ the king's H4428
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ the king's
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 10 of 15
a king
וָאֶשְׁתּוֹמֵ֥ם and I was astonished H8074
וָאֶשְׁתּוֹמֵ֥ם and I was astonished
Strong's: H8074
Word #: 11 of 15
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 12 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַמַּרְאֶ֖ה at the vision H4758
הַמַּרְאֶ֖ה at the vision
Strong's: H4758
Word #: 13 of 15
a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),
וְאֵ֥ין H369
וְאֵ֥ין
Strong's: H369
Word #: 14 of 15
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
מֵבִֽין׃ but none understood H995
מֵבִֽין׃ but none understood
Strong's: H995
Word #: 15 of 15
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand

Analysis & Commentary

The chapter concludes: "And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business." Daniel's physical collapse demonstrates the overwhelming nature of divine revelation. Receiving prophetic visions wasn't pleasant entertainment but physically and emotionally exhausting work. The verb "fainted" (Hebrew: nehyeh, נִהְיֵה) suggests being exhausted, worn out, devastated. "Was sick certain days" indicates extended recovery time—visions of future persecution and evil's apparent triumph took severe toll.

Yet Daniel recovered and returned to duty: "rose up, and did the king's business." This models faithful perseverance despite spiritual and emotional burden. Daniel didn't use his prophetic gifting as excuse to neglect daily responsibilities. He served pagan kings faithfully while remaining God's prophet—demonstrating that spiritual calling doesn't excuse ordinary duties. Faithfulness in mundane tasks accompanies extraordinary spiritual experiences. True holiness combines prophetic vision with faithful workplace service.

"I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it" reveals Daniel's isolation. Despite receiving interpretation, full comprehension eluded him—the 383-year gap until fulfillment meant he wouldn't see vindication in his lifetime. Yet he remained faithful despite incomplete understanding. This models faith—trusting God's purposes even when we don't fully comprehend them, persevering in obedience despite unanswered questions. Christ perfectly fulfilled this pattern—faithfully obeying unto death, trusting Father's purposes He couldn't yet fully see.

Historical Context

Daniel's continued service to Babylonian and Persian kings while maintaining prophetic calling demonstrates vocational integration. He didn't retreat from secular employment into isolated spirituality, but engaged culture while remaining distinct. This model influenced Jewish communities during later persecution—they maintained dual identity as citizens and covenant people, serving earthly rulers while prioritizing divine allegiance. Daniel's example encouraged faithful cultural engagement without compromise, a pattern Christians continue following today.

Questions for Reflection