King James Version

What Does Daniel 9:11 Mean?

Daniel 9:11 in the King James Version says “Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Daniel 9:11 · KJV

Context

9

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

10

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.

11

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.

12

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.

13

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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Commentary

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/avar, crossed over) suggests deliberate boundary violation; 'departing' indicates intentional turning away; 'that they might not obey' reveals willful disobedience. Then Daniel connects present suffering to covenantal curse: '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.' The exile fulfilled Deuteronomy 28-30's covenant curses—foreign conquest, land loss, temple destruction, national scattering. Daniel recognizes this causal connection: covenant violation brought covenant curse. This demonstrates covenantal theology: God's promises include both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience; He keeps both aspects faithfully.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moses explicitly warned that covenant violation would bring curse—enemy conquest, land exile, temple destruction (Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28-30). These weren't arbitrary punishments but covenant stipulations Israel accepted at Sinai. The Babylonian exile precisely fulfilled these warnings: Jerusalem destroyed, temple razed, people exiled, land given to others. Daniel's prayer recognizes this covenantal framework: the exile wasn't random catastrophe but predicted, just consequence of covenant breaking. Yet the same passages promising curse also promised restoration upon repentance (Deuteronomy 30:1-10), giving Daniel hope that confession and intercession might move God to fulfill restoration promises. Church history shows similar patterns: persistent sin brings divine discipline; genuine repentance opens possibility of restoration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing consequences as covenant curses rather than random misfortune affect our response to suffering?
  2. What does God's faithfulness to both blessing and curse aspects of His covenant teach about His character?
  3. Why is understanding the covenantal basis for judgment crucial to proper confession?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְכָל1 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל2 of 22

“Yea all Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

עָֽבְרוּ֙3 of 22

“have transgressed”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֶת4 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּתוֹרַת֙5 of 22

“in the law”

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

וְס֕וֹר6 of 22

“even by departing”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

לְבִלְתִּ֖י7 of 22
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

שְׁמ֣וֹעַ8 of 22

“that they might not obey”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּקֹלֶ֑ךָ9 of 22

“thy voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

וַתִּתַּ֨ךְ10 of 22

“is poured”

H5413

to flow forth (literally or figuratively); by implication, to liquify

עָלֵ֜ינוּ11 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאָלָ֣ה12 of 22

“therefore the curse”

H423

an imprecation

וְהַשְּׁבֻעָ֗ה13 of 22

“upon us and the oath”

H7621

properly, something sworn, i.e., an oath

אֲשֶׁ֤ר14 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

כְּתוּבָה֙15 of 22

“that is written”

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

בְּתוֹרַת֙16 of 22

“in the law”

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

מֹשֶׁ֣ה17 of 22

“of Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

עֶֽבֶד18 of 22

“the servant”

H5650

a servant

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים19 of 22

“of God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

כִּ֥י20 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

חָטָ֖אנוּ21 of 22

“because we have sinned”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

לֽוֹ׃22 of 22
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 9:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 9:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 8:5-10Isaiah 1:4-6Deuteronomy 28:15-68Jeremiah 9:26Deuteronomy 32:19-42Deuteronomy 30:17-19

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