King James Version

What Does Daniel 9:15 Mean?

Daniel 9:15 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Daniel 9:15 · KJV

Context

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

16

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.

17

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.

Read Daniel 9 full chapter

Commentary

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 stake: His name became famous through redeeming Israel. The appeal is implicit: will God allow His name to be dishonored through Israel's continued exile? This represents covenant argumentation: not claiming merit but appealing to God's character, promises, and reputation. The concluding 'we have sinned, we have done wickedly' maintains humility—Daniel isn't presuming on God's grace but acknowledging continued unworthiness while appealing to divine mercy.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Exodus was Israel's foundational deliverance—liberation from Egyptian slavery through miraculous plagues, Red Sea crossing, wilderness provision, and covenant establishment at Sinai. This event defined Israel's identity and revealed Yahweh's character to surrounding nations. Egypt's defeat and Israel's deliverance made Yahweh's name known worldwide (Exodus 15:14-16, Joshua 2:10). Daniel's appeal assumes God's concern for His reputation: nations watching Israel's exile might conclude Yahweh was weak or faithless. Yet the prophets clarified: the exile demonstrated God's justice, not weakness; restoration would demonstrate His mercy and covenant faithfulness. Church history shows similar patterns: God's people's condition affects His reputation among watching nations; corporate repentance and revival vindicate His name.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does appealing to God's reputation and past faithfulness differ from claiming personal merit?
  2. What does the Exodus reference teach about proper use of salvation history in prayer?
  3. Why is it appropriate to remind God of His past works while acknowledging present unworthiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְעַתָּ֣ה׀1 of 18
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אֲדֹנָ֣י2 of 18

“And now O Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ3 of 18

“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

אֲשֶׁר֩4 of 18
H834

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

הוֹצֵ֨אתָ5 of 18

“forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֶֽת6 of 18
H853

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

עַמְּךָ֜7 of 18

“thy people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

מֵאֶ֤רֶץ8 of 18

“out of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֙יִם֙9 of 18

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

בְּיָ֣ד10 of 18

“hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

חֲזָקָ֔ה11 of 18

“with a mighty”

H2389

strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)

וַתַּֽעַשׂ12 of 18

“and hast gotten”

H6213

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

לְךָ֥13 of 18
H0
שֵׁ֖ם14 of 18

“thee renown”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

כַּיּ֣וֹם15 of 18

“as at this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּ֑ה16 of 18
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

חָטָ֖אנוּ17 of 18

“we have sinned”

H2398

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

רָשָֽׁעְנוּ׃18 of 18

“we have done wickedly”

H7561

to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate

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 9:15 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 9:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 9:10Daniel 9:5Exodus 14:18Exodus 32:11Exodus 6:1Nehemiah 1:10

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Daniel 9 →

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