Albert Barnes Commentary Daniel 7:16

"I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things." — Daniel 7:16 (ASV)

I came near unto one of them that stood by - That is, to one of the angels who appeared to stand near the throne (Daniel 7:10). Compare Daniel 8:13; Zechariah 4:4–5; Revelation 7:13. It was natural for Daniel to suppose that the angels who were seen encircling the throne would be able to give him information on the subject, and the answers which Daniel received show that he was not mistaken in his expectation. God has often employed angels to communicate important truths to people, or has made them the medium of communicating his will. Compare Revelation 1:1; Acts 7:53; Hebrews 2:2.

So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things - He explained the meaning of the symbols, so that Daniel understood them. It would seem probable that Daniel has not recorded all that the angel communicated respecting the vision, but he has preserved so much that we may understand its general signification.