דניאל, פרק ח׳, פסוק ט״ו

Daniel experiences a deeply unsettling prophetic encounter, leaving him with a profound need to decode the mysteries revealed to him. He actively seeks clarity, hoping for a heavenly explanation to make sense of the events unfolding before his eyes [רש"י, מצודת דוד וביאור שטיינזלץ].

His request for understanding is highly specific. He does not ask for an explanation of the auditory messages he received during the prophecy, as his own intellect has already grasped those details. He fully comprehends the spoken elements: that the High Priest will rise to power, the daily sacrifice will be abolished, the Temple will ultimately face destruction, and a specific period of time will pass [המלבי"ם]. Instead, his desire for clarity focuses entirely on the visual symbols he witnessed, specifically the true identities of the ram, the goat, and the other striking images.

In direct response to his plea for insight, a figure with a human appearance suddenly stands before him. The primary approach among commentators identifies this human-like being as an angel [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Based on the events that immediately follow, this messenger is understood to be the angel Gabriel [מצודת דוד והמלבי"ם]. However, a contrasting perspective offers a much more direct encounter, suggesting that the figure watching over Daniel and appearing in the form of a man is none other than God Himself [יוסף אבן יחיא].