King James Version

What Does Daniel 9:13 Mean?

Daniel 9:13 in the King James Version says “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,... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Daniel 9:13 · KJV


Context

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.

15

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


Commentary

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.' This is sobering: even severe discipline doesn't guarantee heart change. The proper response ('turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth') hadn't been Israel's default reaction. Daniel's current prayer partly remedies this, but he acknowledges decades of exile passed without appropriate corporate repentance. This teaches that God's discipline opens opportunity for repentance but doesn't coerce it; humans can remain hard even under judgment. Genuine repentance requires both divine initiative and human response.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The exile lasted approximately 70 years (586-516 BC). During this period, various responses emerged: some Jews assimilated into Babylonian culture; some maintained identity but didn't deeply repent; a remnant (like Daniel, Ezekiel, and those who eventually returned) responded with genuine repentance and renewed commitment. Daniel's confession likely represents this faithful remnant's perspective: recognizing that as a whole, Israel hadn't properly responded to judgment with deep repentance. The historical lesson is stark: divine discipline, however severe, doesn't automatically produce spiritual renewal. God's people can waste suffering rather than learning from it. The exile's goal was restoration of relationship with God; achieving that required not just enduring punishment but genuinely turning from sin.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why doesn't even severe divine discipline automatically produce repentance?
  2. What's the difference between enduring suffering and learning from it?
  3. How can we examine whether we're properly responding to God's discipline in our lives?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר1 of 20
H834

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

כָּתוּב֙2 of 20

As it is written

H3789

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

בְּתוֹרַ֣ת3 of 20

in the law

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

מֹשֶׁ֔ה4 of 20

of Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֵ֛ת5 of 20
H853

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

כָּל6 of 20
H3605

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

הָרָעָ֥ה7 of 20

all this evil

H7451

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

הַזֹּ֖את8 of 20
H2063

this (often used adverb)

בָּ֣אָה9 of 20

is come

H935

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

עָלֵ֑ינוּ10 of 20
H5921

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

וְלֹֽא11 of 20
H3808

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

חִלִּ֜ינוּ12 of 20

upon us yet made we not our prayer

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

אֶת13 of 20
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

פְּנֵ֣י׀14 of 20

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֣ה15 of 20

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ16 of 20

our 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

לָשׁוּב֙17 of 20

that we might turn

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

מֵֽעֲוֹנֵ֔נוּ18 of 20

from our iniquities

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וּלְהַשְׂכִּ֖יל19 of 20

and understand

H7919

to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent

בַּאֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃20 of 20

thy truth

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness


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 9:13 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 9:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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