דניאל, פרק י׳, פסוק ח׳

Experiencing an overwhelming prophetic vision exacts a heavy physical and mental toll on the human body. Left completely alone to face an awe-inspiring and deeply shaking sight, Daniel undergoes a total collapse of his physical and mental systems, finding himself entirely unable to contain the sheer intensity of the revelation. The primary approach among commentators is that Daniel simply could not maintain his endurance. His vital energy abandoned him, and he was powerless to stop it from draining away or to gather enough stamina to withstand the sight [רש"י, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

A deeper look at this collapse divides his loss of power into three distinct layers of human existence. First, he loses the basic physical strength of his material body. Next, he loses his intellectual capacity, which is viewed as his personal glory. Finally, his emotional and spiritual strength completely breaks down. Under normal circumstances, when a prophet's physical body weakens, their spiritual faculties strengthen in preparation to receive a prophecy. In this instance, however, the power of the revelation is so massive that even Daniel's spiritual forces are entirely nullified, leaving him completely unprepared to receive the divine message [מלבי"ם].

The loss of his glory can be understood in a few complementary ways. The primary approach among commentators is that this refers to his physical appearance; the natural dignity and color of his face are stripped away [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, this loss is viewed as something internal and spiritual. It represents the inner radiance and splendor that Daniel deeply longed to achieve through reaching a state of divine inspiration [יוסף אבן יחיא]. Instead of granting him that hoped-for radiance, the overwhelming force of the vision distorts his glory into ruin and destruction [רש"י, אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Ultimately, rather than elevating his state, the heavy burden of the revelation shatters his physical form, leaving his life force nearly extinguished [יוסף אבן יחיא].