ScriptureDepth's study of Daniel 9
“To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness; for we have rebelled against him.”
Daniel 9:9
Daniel confesses the rebellion of Israel, acknowledging that mercies and forgiveness belong to Yahweh, which is vital for his plea for restoration of 'Jerusalem'.
What Daniel 9 is about
Daniel was in the first year of Darius's reign over the Chaldeans. He understood from the books that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years (vv. 1-2). Daniel prayed to Yahweh with fasting and repentance, confessing the sins of Israel (vv. 3-6). He acknowledged that their confusion came from their rebellion against God (vv. 7-11). Daniel recognized God's justice in allowing the curses from Moses's law to fall upon them (vv. 12-14). He pleaded for mercy, asking God to restore Jerusalem for His own sake (vv. 15-19). While praying, the angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel, bringing him wisdom and understanding (vv. 20-23). Gabriel revealed the prophecy of seventy weeks for the people and the holy city, including details about the Anointed One and the future destruction of the city (vv. 24-27).
The prophecy foretells of future desolation and restoration linked to the people and the holy city.
Daniel 9 at a glance
- Daniel 9:1–2Daniel's Context and Understanding
- Daniel 9:3–6Daniel's Prayer of Confession
- Daniel 9:7–11Acknowledging Sin and Confusion
- Daniel 9:12–14Recognition of God's Justice
- Daniel 9:15–19Plea for Mercy and Restoration
- Daniel 9:20–23Angel Gabriel's Arrival
- Daniel 9:24–27Seventy Weeks Prophecy
Key verse: Daniel 9:9
One thing to notice
The prophecy of the seventy weeks in vv. 24-27 includes a timeline with specific events. It mentions 'seven weeks and sixty-two weeks' in v. 25, and 'one week' in v. 27, which relates to the covenant and sacrifices.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Daniel 9 (WEB)
Daniel's Context and Understanding Daniel 9:1–2
1Verse 1. In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the offspring of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans, 2Verse 2. in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years about which Yahweh’s word came to Jeremiah the prophet, for the accomplishing of the desolations of Jerusalem, even seventy years.
Daniel's Prayer of Confession Daniel 9:3–6
3Verse 3. I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and petitions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4Verse 4. I prayed to Yahweh my God, and made confession, and said, “Oh, Lord, the great and dreadful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5Verse 5. we have sinned, and have dealt perversely, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even turning aside from your precepts and from your ordinances. 6Verse 6. We haven’t listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
Acknowledging Sin and Confusion Daniel 9:7–11
7Verse 7. “Lord, righteousness belongs to you, but to us confusion of face, as it is today; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, who are near, and who are far off, through all the countries where you have driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against you. 8Verse 8. Lord, to us belongs confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. 9Verse 9. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness; for we have rebelled against him. 10Verse 10. We haven’t obeyed Yahweh our God’s voice, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
11Verse 11. Yes, all Israel have transgressed your law, turning aside, that they should not obey your voice. “Therefore the curse and the oath written in the law of Moses the servant of God has been poured out on us; for we have sinned against him.
Recognition of God's Justice Daniel 9:12–14
12Verse 12. He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us, and against our judges who judged us, by bringing on us a great evil; for under the whole sky, such has not been done as has been done to Jerusalem. 13Verse 13. As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil has come on us. Yet have we not entreated the favor of Yahweh our God, that we should turn from our iniquities, and have discernment in your truth. 14Verse 14. Therefore Yahweh has watched over the evil, and brought it on us; for Yahweh our God is righteous in all his works which he does, and we have not obeyed his voice.
Plea for Mercy and Restoration Daniel 9:15–19
15Verse 15. “Now, Lord our God, who has brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have gotten yourself renown, as it is today; we have sinned. We have done wickedly. 16Verse 16. Lord, according to all your righteousness, let your anger and please let your wrath be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a reproach to all who are around us. 17Verse 17. “Now therefore, our God, listen to the prayer of your servant, and to his petitions, and cause your face to shine on your sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.
18Verse 18. My God, turn your ear, and hear. Open your eyes, and see our desolations, and the city which is called by your name; for we do not present our petitions before you for our righteousness, but for your great mercies’ sake. 19Verse 19. Lord, hear. Lord, forgive. Lord, listen and do. Don’t defer, for your own sake, my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”
Angel Gabriel's Arrival Daniel 9:20–23
20Verse 20. While I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before Yahweh my God for the holy mountain of my God; 21Verse 21. yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening offering. 22Verse 22. He instructed me, and talked with me, and said, Daniel, “I have now come to give you wisdom and understanding. 23Verse 23. At the beginning of your petitions the commandment went out, and I have come to tell you; for you are greatly beloved. Therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision.
Seventy Weeks Prophecy Daniel 9:24–27
24Verse 24. “Seventy weeks are decreed on your people and on your holy city, to finish disobedience, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy. 25Verse 25. “Know therefore and discern that from the going out of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem to the Anointed One, the prince, will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be built again, with street and moat, even in troubled times. 26Verse 26. After the sixty-two weeks the Anointed One will be cut off, and will have nothing. The people of the prince who come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end will be with a flood, and war will be even to the end. Desolations are determined.
27Verse 27. He will make a firm covenant with many for one week. In the middle of the week he will cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. On the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, and that determined, wrath will be poured out on the desolate.”
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Daniel 9
repentance
Daniel confesses the sins of himself and his people in his prayer, stating in verse 5, 'we have sinned, and have dealt perversely, and have done wickedly.' He acknowledges the collective failure to heed God's commandments, expressing deep remorse for their actions. Throughout his prayer, he calls for recognition of their transgressions and a turning back to God, as seen in verse 13, 'Yet have we not entreated the favor of Yahweh our God.'
Explore repentance in the Bible →divine mercy
Throughout Daniel's confession, he appeals to God's mercy, particularly noted in v. 9 where he states, 'To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness.' Despite acknowledging their sins, he pleads for God's compassion towards Jerusalem and His people, emphasizing that their petitions are made for 'your great mercies’ sake' in v. 18. This focus on divine mercy underlines the hope for restoration despite their failures.
prophecy
The chapter includes a significant prophetic revelation through Gabriel, who delivers a message about 'seventy weeks' in vv. 24-27. This prophecy outlines a timeline for the future of Jerusalem and the coming of the 'Anointed One,' suggesting a divine plan for reconciliation and restoration. The detailed timeline and events leading to the end of sins indicate the seriousness of the prophecy and its implications for the future.
faithfulness
Daniel appeals to God's faithfulness in his prayer, particularly in v. 4 where he acknowledges God as 'the great and dreadful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness.' His plea for mercy is grounded in the understanding of God's unchanging nature and promises. This theme is woven throughout the chapter as Daniel recalls God's past actions, highlighting the contrast between God's faithfulness and Israel's unfaithfulness.
Chapter outline
How Daniel 9 unfolds
Daniel 9:1–2 Daniel's Context and Understanding
In the first year of Darius, Daniel 'understood by the books' the 'number of the years' for the 'accomplishing of the desolations of Jerusalem,' which was 'seventy years' (vv. 1-2).
Daniel 9:3–6 Daniel's Prayer of Confession
Daniel 'set my face to the Lord God' with 'prayer and petitions,' and he 'made confession,' saying, 'we have sinned,' and 'haven’t listened to your servants the prophets' (vv. 3-6).
Daniel 9:7–11 Acknowledging Sin and Confusion
Daniel acknowledges that 'to us belongs confusion of face' for 'the men of Judah' and 'to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers,' as he states that 'we have sinned against you' (vv. 7-11).
Daniel 9:12–14 Recognition of God's Justice
Daniel recognizes that the calamities faced by Jerusalem are just consequences of their disobedience, as foretold in the law of Moses, affirming God's righteousness in administering justice (vv. 12-14).
Daniel 9:15–19 Plea for Mercy and Restoration
He pleads for God's mercy, asking for forgiveness and restoration for Jerusalem, emphasizing that their petitions are based on God's grace rather than their own righteousness (vv. 15-19).
Daniel 9:20–23 Angel Gabriel's Arrival
While praying, the angel Gabriel arrives to provide Daniel with wisdom and understanding about the timing and significance of the future events concerning his people (vv. 20-23).
Daniel 9:24–27 Seventy Weeks Prophecy
Gabriel shares the prophecy of the seventy weeks, detailing a timeline for events leading to reconciliation and the coming of the Anointed One, alongside warnings of destruction (vv. 24-27).
Key verses
Daniel 9:9Daniel confesses the rebellion of Israel, acknowledging that mercies and forgiveness belong to Yahweh, which is vital for his plea for restoration of 'Jerusalem'.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Daniel 9
- observeIn v3, what actions does Daniel take as he seeks the Lord God?
- observeWhat specific sins does Daniel confess in vv. 5-6?
- interpretGabriel's message in v23 states Daniel is 'greatly beloved'; what does this imply about Daniel's relationship with God?
- interpretThe promise of 'seventy weeks' in v24: how do these weeks relate to Israel's timeline and redemption?
- applyWhen have you sought God's mercy in a situation like Daniel's prayer in v19?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Daniel 9
- Nehemiah 1Daniel 9:4 and Nehemiah 1:5Both declare God's covenant faithfulness: Daniel 9:4 says, 'who keeps covenant and loving kindness,' while Nehemiah 1:5 says, 'who keeps covenant and loving kindness.'
- Matthew 24Daniel 9:27 and Matthew 24:15Both reference the abomination of desolation: Daniel 9:27 mentions, 'the wing of abominations will come,' while Matthew 24:15 states, 'the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel.'
- Nehemiah 9Daniel 9:3 and Nehemiah 9:2Both feature seeking God with confession: Daniel 9:3 says, 'with fasting and sackcloth and ashes,' while Nehemiah 9:2 describes, 'and confessed their sins.'
- Daniel 10Daniel 9:20 and Daniel 10:12Both mention prayer and divine response: Daniel 9:20 says, 'while I was speaking, and praying,' while Daniel 10:12 states, 'your words were heard.'
- Jeremiah 29Daniel 9:3 and Jeremiah 29:10Both speak of God's promises after seventy years: Daniel 9:3 says, 'to seek by prayer and petitions,' while Jeremiah 29:10 declares, 'I will visit you.'
- James 5Daniel 9:20 and James 5:16Both emphasize prayer and confession: Daniel 9:20 says, 'confessing my sin and the sin of my people,' while James 5:16 states, 'Confess your offenses to one another.'
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Where to go from here
- Daniel: the whole bookDaniel opens in 605 BC with young Judean nobles deported to Babylon and pressed into Nebuchadnezzar's service.
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 268Day 268 of 365: Daniel 7–9.
- FaithWhat the Bible says about faith, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
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