About Daniel

Daniel demonstrates faithfulness in exile while receiving visions of God's sovereignty over all kingdoms of history.

Author: DanielWritten: c. 535 BCReading time: ~3 minVerses: 27
SovereigntyFaithfulnessProphecyKingdomsPersecutionDeliverance

King James Version

Daniel 9

27 verses with commentary

Daniel's Prayer

In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; which: or, in which he

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KJV Study Commentary

Chapter 9 opens with chronological and political markers: 'In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans.' This dates to 539 BC, immediately after Babylon's fall to Medo-Persian forces. The detail 'made king' indicates Darius was appointed by higher authority (possibly Cyrus). This historical precision grounds the co...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

IX. (1) On Darius the Mede see *Excursus D.* **Was made king.**—The phrase corresponds with “took the kingdom” (Daniel 5:31), and shows that Darius was not king by his own right, but that he received his authority from another—*i.e.,* Cyrus.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**11. Gammadims--**rather, as the Tyrians were Syro-Phoenicians, from a Syriac root, meaning daring, "men of daring" [Ludovicus De Dieu]. It is not likely the keeping of watch "in the towers" would have been entrusted to foreigners. Others take it from a Hebrew root, "a dagger," or short sword (Jud 3:16), "short-swordsmen."

In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

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KJV Study Commentary

Daniel's study of Scripture leads to prayer: 'In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.' Daniel studied 'books' (plural, possibly Jeremiah and other prophets) understanding that Jeremiah's seventy-year prophecy (Jeremiah 25:11...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) **Understood.—**He gave special attention to Jeremiah’s prophecy of the seventy years of the Captivity. Two passages occur in that prophet’s writings where the duration of the Captivity is mentioned (Jeremiah 25:11; Jeremiah 29:10), to the former of which Daniel refers (see especially Daniel 9:9; Daniel 9:11-12). It will be observed that there existed at this time a collection of sacred books,...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12. Tarshish--**Tartessus in Spain, a country famed for various metals, which were exported to Tyre. Much of the "tin" probably was conveyed by the Phoenicians from Cornwall to Tarshish. **traded in thy fairs--**"did barter with thee" [Fairbairn]; from a root, "to leave," something left in barter for something else.

And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

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KJV Study Commentary

The phrase "I set my face unto the Lord God" uses Hebrew idiom for determined, focused seeking. The word <em>sim panim</em> (שִׂים פָּנִים, "set face") indicates resolute intention and persistent pursuit. Daniel's comprehensive approach to seeking God—"by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes"—demonstrates earnest spiritual intensity. "Prayer" (<em>tefillah</em>, תְּפִלָ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) **I set my face.**—Comp. Daniel 6:11. Probably he prayed, as on that occasion, with his face towards Jerusalem. The prayer of Daniel bears some resemblance to those offered by Ezra and Nehemiah, while that of Baruch resembles it much more closely. (On this see *Excursus F.*)

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**13. Javan--**the Ionians or Greeks: for the Ionians of Asia Minor were the first Greeks with whom the Asiatics came in contact. **Tubal ... Meshech--**the Tibareni and Moschi, in the mountain region between the Black and Caspian Seas. **persons of men--**that is, as slaves. So the Turkish harems are supplied with female slaves from Circassia and Georgia. **vessels--**all kinds of articles....
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And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

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KJV Study Commentary

Daniel begins his prayer: "I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments." The address "the great and dreadful God" combines reverent awe (recognizing God's transcendent majesty and power) with appropriate fear (acknowledging His holiness and justice)....
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) **The covenant.—**See Exodus 19:5.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14. Togarmah--**Armenia: descended from Gomer (Ge 10:3). Their mountainous region south of the Caucasus was celebrated for horses. **horsemen--**rather, "riding-horses," as distinct from "horses" for chariots [Fairbairn].

We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:

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KJV Study Commentary

Daniel's confession continues: "We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments." The piling up of terms—"sinned...iniquity...wickedly...rebelled"—emphasizes comprehensive guilt from multiple angles. "Sinned" (<em>chata</em>, חָטָא) means missing the mark; "iniquity" (<em>avah</em>, עָוָה) denotes mo...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5) **We have sinned.—**It has been remarked that four stages of sin are pointed out by the prophet, corresponding to the four different words which he uses. “Sin” refers especially to sins of deed, “committing iniquity” to sins of word, “done wickedly” to sins of thought, “rebelled” implies the person against whom the sin has been committed. The whole result of sin under these several aspects is ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**15. Dedan--**near the Persian Sea: thus an avenue to the commerce of India. Not the Dedan in Arabia (Eze 27:20), as the names in the context here prove, but the Dedan sprung from Cush [Bochart], (Ge 10:7). **merchandise of thine hand--**that is, were dependent on thee for trade [Fairbairn]; came to buy the produce of thy hands [Grotius]. **a present--**literally, "a reward in return"; a pric...
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Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

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KJV Study Commentary

Daniel's confession continues: "Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land." This adds another layer to Israel's guilt—not only did they violate God's revealed law, they rejected His sent messengers. The phrase "thy servants the prophets" emphasizes these were divinely authorized sp...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) **Neither have we hearkened.—**The aggravation of guilt. All God’s warnings have been unheeded by high and low alike, by all to whom they were addressed.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

16. "Syria was thy mart for the multitude," &amp;c. For "Syria" the Septuagint reads "Edom." But the Syrians were famed as merchants. **occupied--**old English for "traded"; so in Lu 19:13. **agate--**Others translate, "ruby," "chalcedony," or "pearls."

O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. belongeth: or, thou hast

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KJV Study Commentary

Daniel continues: "O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee." The contrast is stark—"righteousness belongeth unt...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7) **Righteousness.—**The absolute righteousness of God appears distinct and clear in spite of the chastisement from which the nation suffers. Meanwhile, the humble looks of the devout part of the nation show that it feels the present shame and confusion. **All the countries.—**See Isaiah 11:11-12. In the midst of his sorrow for the past, the mind of the prophet recurs unconsciously to the great ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**17. Minnith ... Pannag--**names of places in Israel famed for good wheat, wherewith Tyre was supplied (1Ki 5:9, 11; Ezr 3:7; Ac 12:20); Minnith was formerly an Ammonite city (Jud 11:33). "Pannag" is identified by Grotius with "Phenice," the Greek name for "Canaan." "They traded ... wheat," that is, they supplied thy market with wheat. **balm--**or, "balsam."

O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.

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KJV Study Commentary

Daniel's prayer acknowledges comprehensive shame: 'O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.' The Hebrew בֹּשֶׁת פָּנִים (<em>boshet panim</em>, shame/confusion of face) depicts humiliation and disgrace. Daniel includes all levels of society—kings, princes, fathers (ancestors)—recognizing corporate guilt spanni...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(8) **Confusion of face.**—Repeated from Daniel 9:7, so as to bring into stronger contrast the mercy of God (Daniel 9:9) with the righteousness” mentioned in Daniel 9:7. St. Jerome well remarks, “*Post sententiam judicantis provocat eum ad clementiam.”* The absolute mercy and forgiveness of God is implied by the article in this verse, just as His absolute righteousness is in Daniel 9:7.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**18. Helbon--**or Chalybon, in Syria, now Aleppo; famed for its wines; the Persian monarchs would drink no other.

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;

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KJV Study Commentary

Daniel balances acknowledgment of deserved judgment with appeal to divine character: 'To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him.' The plural 'mercies' (רַחֲמִים/<em>rachamim</em>, compassions) and 'forgivenesses' (סְלִחוֹת/<em>selichot</em>, pardons) emphasize God's abundant readiness to forgive. The concessive 'though we have rebelled' acknowledges ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**19. Dan also--**None of the other places enumerated commence with the copula ("also"; Hebrew, ve). Moreover, the products specified, "cassia, calamus," apply rather to places in Arabia. Therefore, Fairbairn translates, "Vedan"; perhaps the modern Aden, near the straits of Bab-el-man-deb. Grotius refers it to Dana, mentioned by Ptolemy. **Javan--**not the Greeks of Europe or Asia Minor, but of ...
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Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.

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KJV Study Commentary

Daniel continues confessing Israel's disobedience: 'Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.' This specifies the rebellion—not merely abstract sin but concrete covenant violation. The phrase 'obeyed the voice' emphasizes personal divine communication; 'walk in his laws' indicates lifestyle obedience; 'set before...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**20. Dedan--**in Arabia; distinct from the Dedan in Eze 27:15 (see on Eze 27:15). Descended from Abraham and Keturah (Ge 25:3) [Bochart]. **precious clothes--**splendid coverlets.

Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

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KJV Study Commentary

Daniel acknowledges comprehensive rebellion: 'Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice.' The word 'all' indicts both northern and southern kingdoms—comprehensive national failure. 'Transgressed' (עָבַר/<em>avar</em>, crossed over) suggests deliberate boundary violation; 'departing' indicates intentional turning away; 'that they might not obey...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11) **The curse.**—The passages in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, to which Daniel refers, had already been noticed by Isaiah (Isaiah 1), as having received a partial fulfilment in his times. It remains for Daniel to realise the complete “pouring” out of the curse. It is poured out like a torrent of rain (see Exodus 9:33); as the fire melts the silver (Ezekiel 22:20-22), so does the curse...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**21. Arabia--**the nomadic tribes of Arabia, among which Kedar was pre-eminent. **occupied with thee--**literally, "of thy hand," that is, they traded with thee for wares, the product of thy hand (see on Eze 27:15, 16).

And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.

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KJV Study Commentary

Daniel acknowledges God's justice in judgment: 'And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.' The phrase 'confirmed his words' means fulfilled His prophetic warnings—every threatened consequence materialized. God proved faithful to ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12) **Our judges.—**Used in a wide sense to signify kings, princes, and rulers generally. (Comp. Hosea 7:7.)

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**22. Sheba ... Raamah--**in Arabia. **chief of ... spices--**that is, best spices (De 33:15). Obtained from India and conveyed in caravans to Tyre.

As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. made: Heb. intreated we not the face of the, etc

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KJV Study Commentary

Daniel acknowledges that suffering fulfilled prophecy yet produced insufficient repentance: 'As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.' The judgment was exactly as Moses warned, yet it didn't automatically produce repentance—'yet made we not our prayer.' ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(13) **Made we not our prayer.—**The reference is, as in Daniel 9:6, to the conduct of the nation from the first. There had been plenty of external show of praying, as appears from Isaiah 1 and elsewhere, but these prayers were of no effect on account of their formalism. The conditions of acceptable prayer are implied in the closing words of the verse “turning from iniquity, and wisdom in the trut...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**23. Haran--**the dwelling-place of Abraham in Mesopotamia, after he moved from Ur (Ge 11:31). **Canneh--**Calneh, an Assyrian city on the Tigris; the Ctesiphon of the Greeks (Ge 10:10). **Eden--**probably a region in Babylonia (see Ge 2:8). **Chilmad--**a compound; the place designated by Ptolemy "Gaala of Media." The Chaldee version interprets it of Media. Henderson refers it to Carmanda,...
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Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.

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KJV Study Commentary

Daniel continues: 'Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.' The phrase 'watched upon the evil' depicts God's careful execution of warned judgment—not hasty or excessive but measured and just. The affirmation 'the LORD our God is righteous in all his works' praises God's ch...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(14) **Watched.**—By the use of this word it seems that Daniel is again referring to the prophecies of Jeremiah. (See Jeremiah 1:12, &c.) He prays that as all the curses foretold by that prophet have been poured upon the nation, so also the release from the Captivity, which was also promised by him, may be accomplished also.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**24. all sorts of things--**Hebrew, "perfections"; exquisite articles of finery [Grotius]. **clothes--**rather, "mantles" or "cloaks"; literally, "wrappings." For "blue," Henderson translates, "purple." **chests of rich apparel, bound with cords--**treasures or repositories of damask stuffs, consisting of variegated threads woven together in figures [Henderson]. **cedar--**The "chests" were...
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And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. gotten: Heb. made thee a name

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KJV Study Commentary

Daniel appeals to historical precedent: 'And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day: we have sinned, we have done wickedly.' He references the Exodus—Israel's defining deliverance and God's great demonstration of power. The phrase 'gotten thee renown' acknowledges that God's reputation is at s...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(15) **Thou hast brought.—**The mention of past mercies moves Daniel to pray that future mercies may be granted. His language is founded partly upon Jeremiah 32:17-23, and partly upon Isaiah 63:11-16. The Babylonian exile is frequently compared by Isaiah (*e.g.,* Isaiah 51:9-10) to Egyptian bondage. Daniel reproduces the thought in this verse.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**25. sing of thee--**personification; thy great merchant ships were palpable proofs of thy greatness. Others translate from a different Hebrew root, "were thy (mercantile) travellers." Fairbairn translates, "Were thy walls." But the parallelism to "thou wast glorious" favors English Version, "sing of thee."

O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.

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KJV Study Commentary

Daniel's intercession intensifies: 'O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.' He appeals to God's righteousness (not Israel's) as basis for mercy—paradoxically...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(16) **Righteousness.—**Those acts of Jehovah which evince His righteousness, or His faithfulness to His promises. Mount Zion, the “holy mountain,” holds a very important place in prophecy. It is the outward visible sign of the stability of God’s promises to David, the “sure mercies of David,”’ as well as the centre of all that is Holy in the kingdom of God. (See Psalm 68:15-16; Psalm 132:13-14; I...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

26. In contrast to her previous greatness, her downfall is here, by a sudden transition, depicted under the image of a vessel foundering at sea. **east wind--**blowing from Lebanon, the most violent wind in the Mediterranean (Psa 48:7). A Levanter, as it is called. Nebuchadnezzar is meant. The "sea" is the war with him which the "rowers," or rulers of the state vessel, had "brought" it into, to ...
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Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.

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KJV Study Commentary

Daniel's petition becomes more direct: 'Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.' The word 'now' indicates urgency and transition from confession to petition. The request for God to 'hear' and for His face to 'shine upon' the desolate sanctuary uses covenantal language from...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(17) **Cause thy face to shine.—**See Numbers 6:25. The meaning is “let thy works show the fulfilment of “thy Word.” **For the Lord’s sake**.—Comp. Daniel 9:19, “because Thou art the Lord.” Never does prayer rise higher, than when the soul humbly appeals to God as the sovereign lord of all, and patiently waits for Him to do as He pleases. (Comp. Psalm 44:9-26.)

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

27. The detailed enumeration implies the utter completeness of the ruin. **and in all thy company--**"even with all thy collected multitude" [Henderson].

O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. which: Heb. whereupon thy name is called present: Heb. cause to fall

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KJV Study Commentary

Daniel's prayer approaches its climax: "O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies." The parallel imperatives—"incline...hear...open...behold"—urgently petition divine attention. The phrase "our desolations" refere...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**28. The suburbs--**the buildings of Tyre on the adjoining continent.

O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

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KJV Study Commentary

Daniel's prayer concludes with urgent petition: "O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name." The repeated "O Lord" (three times) creates emphatic urgency through direct address. The rapid imperatives—"hear...forgive...hearken...do...defer not"—pile up petitions demonstrating desperate earnestne...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

29. So on the downfall of spiritual Babylon (Re 18:17, &amp;c.). **shall stand upon ... land--**being cast out of their ships in which heretofore they prided themselves.

The Seventy Weeks

And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;

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KJV Study Commentary

While Daniel prays, God sends response: 'And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God.' This sets context for Gabriel's arrival (v. 21). The phrase 'whiles I was speaking' indicates God answered before Daniel finished praying (cf. Isaiah 65:24). The confession inc...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(20) **Whiles I was speaking.—**The answer to Daniel’s prayer. He had not even finished his prayer when the answer came. The angel Gabriel, whom he had seen (Daniel 8:16), comes to him, and reveals to him the mystery of the seventy weeks.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**30. against thee--**rather, "concerning thee."

Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even 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 oblation. swiftly: Heb. with weariness, or, flight

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KJV Study Commentary

While Daniel prays, divine response comes: "Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even 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 oblation." The phrase "whiles I was speaking" emphasizes that Gabriel arrived before Daniel finished praying—God responds even before petition concludes (Isaiah 65:24). This demo...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(21) **Being caused to fly swiftly.—**A very difficult expression, occurring only here. The Authorised Version follows the LXX. and Theodotion. The rendering has been defended on the ground that the word translated “swiftly” comes from a root meaning “to fly.” and is literally rendered by *flight.* Thus “caused to fly in flight” means “caused to fly swiftly.” The marginal version “with weariness” ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**31. utterly bald--**literally, "bald with baldness." The Phoenician custom in mourning; which, as being connected with heathenish superstitions, was forbidden to Israel (De 14:1).

And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. to: Heb. to make thee skilful of

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KJV Study Commentary

Gabriel explains his mission: "And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding." The angel's purpose—providing "skill and understanding"—indicates God's desire to illuminate His servants about divine purposes. The Hebrew <em>sekel</em> (שֵׂכֶל, "skill") suggests insight, prudence, and practical wisdom; <em>binah</em> (בִּינָה, "u...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(22) **He informed me**—*i.e.*, gave me understanding (as Daniel 9:2, Daniel 8:16). The angel gave Daniel understanding in the perplexing words of Jeremiah, showing him that what affected his people was a period of seventy weeks that were yet to come, rather than seventy years which were already passed.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**32. take up--**lift up. **the destroyed--**a destroyed one. Literally, (as opposed to its previous bustle of thronging merchants and mariners, Eze 27:27), "one brought to death's stillness." **in ... midst of ... sea--**insular Tyre.

At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. commandment: Heb. word greatly: Heb. a man of desires

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KJV Study Commentary

Gabriel reveals God's regard for Daniel: 'At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.' The phrase 'at the beginning' shows God initiated response immediately when Daniel began praying. Gabriel's mission—'I am come to shew thee'—indicates divine commitment to giv...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(23) **The commandment.**—The marginal version is to be preferred, which points to the revelation which follows Daniel 9:24-27. The title “greatly beloved” occurs again (Daniel 10:11; Daniel 10:19). It implies that Daniel was worthy of this proof of God’s love. St. Jerome compares (2Samuel 12:25) Jedidiah.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**33. out of the seas--**brought on shore out of the ships. **filledst--**didst supply plentifully with wares. **enrich ... kings--**with the custom dues levied on the wares.

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. finish: or, restrain make an: or, seal up prophecy: Heb. prophet

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city</strong> (שָׁבֻעִים שִׁבְעִים נֶחְתַּךְ עַל־עַמְּךָ וְעַל־עִיר קָדְשֶׁךָ)—The Hebrew <em>shavu'im shiv'im</em> (שָׁבֻעִים שִׁבְעִים, "seventy weeks") literally means "seventy sevens," interpreted as seventy weeks of years (490 years). The verb <em>nechtak</em> (נֶחְתַּךְ, "determined/decreed") means "cut off" or "decisivel...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(24) **Seventy weeks.—**Great difficulty is experienced in discovering what sort of weeks is intended. Daniel 9:25-27 are sufficient to show that ordinary weeks cannot be meant. Possibly, also, the language (Daniel 10:2, margin “weeks of days”) implies that “weeks of days” are not intended here. On the other hand, it is remarkable that in Leviticus 25:1-10 the word week should not have been used t...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**34. In the time when ... shall ... shall--**Now that thou art broken (wrecked) ... thy merchandise ... are fallen [Maurer].

Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. be built: Heb. return and be built wall: or, breach, or, ditch troublous: Heb. strait of

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KJV Study Commentary

The prophecy provides chronological specifics: 'Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.' The decree to rebuild Jerusalem begins the countdown. 'Messiah the Prince' (Hebrew: mashi...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(25) **Know therefore.—**The difficulty of this verse is considerably increased by the principal accent in the Hebrew text being placed after the words “seven weeks.” According to the present punctuation, the translation is “Unto an Anointed one a prince shall be seven weeks, and during sixty and two weeks [Jerusalem] shall be built up” . . . This is opposed (1) to ancient translations except the ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**35. isles--**seacoasts.

And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. but: or, and shall have nothing desolations: or, it shall be cut off by desolations

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KJV Study Commentary

The prophecy foretells tragedy: 'And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.' 'Messiah be cut off' predicts His death. 'Not for himself' indicates substitutionary atonement—dyi...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(26) **After threescore and two weeks.—**These words can only mean that in the seventieth week the Anointed one shall be cut off. Observe the care with which the seventy weeks are arranged in a series of the form 7 + 62 + 1. During the period of seven weeks Jerusalem is to be rebuilt. The “troublous times” are not to be restricted to this period, but may apply to the sixty-two weeks which follow. ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**36. hiss--**with astonishment; as in 1Ki 9:8.

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. the covenant: or, a covenant for the: or, with the abominable armies the desolate: or, the desolator

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KJV Study Commentary

The final week contains disputed elements: 'And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease.' Interpretation divides on 'he'—Messiah or Antichrist? Messianic view sees Christ confirming new covenant through His ministry (3.5 years) and apostles (3.5 years), with His death ending temple sacrifices' efficac...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(27) **And he shall confirm.—**The subject of the sentence is ambiguous. Theod. makes it to be “one week.” LXX. “the covenant;” others take it to be the Antichristian prince spoken of in the last verse, an opinion which derives some support from Daniel 7:25. According to this interpretation, the covenant refers to the agreement which the prince makes with the large number of persons who become apo...
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