King James Version

What Does Daniel 9:12 Mean?

Daniel 9:12 in the King James Version says “And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Daniel 9:12 · KJV


Context

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

14

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.


Commentary

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 His word, even the hard aspects. The description of judgment as 'great evil' and unprecedented 'under the whole heaven' emphasizes Jerusalem's destruction severity: temple razed, city burned, population exiled, monarchy ended. Yet this wasn't divine cruelty but just response to covenant violation. The verse paradoxically praises God's faithfulness: He keeps His word, including warnings. This reflects mature spirituality: recognizing God's justice in our suffering rather than questioning His character.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem's 586 BC destruction was catastrophic: Nebuchadnezzar burned the temple, destroyed the walls, executed royal family, exiled leadership, and left only the poorest residents. For Israel, this represented comprehensive judgment—loss of land, temple, monarchy, and national independence. Ancient Near Eastern peoples understood such defeat as indicating their god's weakness or abandonment. Yet Israel's prophets (particularly Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel) reframed it: this fulfilled Yahweh's covenant warnings, demonstrating His justice and faithfulness to His word. The exile wasn't Yahweh's defeat but His disciplinary judgment. This interpretation preserved Israel's faith: rather than abandoning Yahweh for seemingly more powerful gods, they acknowledged His righteous judgment and hoped for promised restoration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing God's faithfulness in fulfilling warnings paradoxically strengthen rather than weaken faith?
  2. What does acknowledging judgment as 'great evil' while also affirming God's justice teach about holding both truths simultaneously?
  3. Why is it spiritually mature to praise God's word-keeping even when His words were warnings we experienced?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיָּ֜קֶם1 of 23

And he hath confirmed

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

אֶת2 of 23
H853

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

דְּבָר֣יוֹ׀3 of 23

his words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁר4 of 23
H834

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

דִּבֶּ֣ר5 of 23

which he spake

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

עָלֵ֗ינוּ6 of 23
H5921

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

וְעַ֤ל7 of 23
H5921

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

שְׁפָט֔וּנוּ8 of 23

against us and against our judges

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 23
H834

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

שְׁפָט֔וּנוּ10 of 23

against us and against our judges

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

לְהָבִ֥יא11 of 23

us by bringing

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עָלֵ֖ינוּ12 of 23
H5921

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

רָעָ֣ה13 of 23

evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

גְדֹלָ֑ה14 of 23

upon us a great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

אֲשֶׁ֣ר15 of 23
H834

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

לֹֽא16 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נֶעֶשְׂתָ֖ה17 of 23

as hath been done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

תַּ֚חַת18 of 23
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

כָּל19 of 23
H3605

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

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם20 of 23

for under the whole heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר21 of 23
H834

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

נֶעֶשְׂתָ֖ה22 of 23

as hath been done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃23 of 23

upon Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine


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 9:12 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 9:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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