King James Version

What Does Daniel 9:16 Mean?

Daniel 9:16 in the King James Version says “O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Je...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Daniel 9:16 · KJV

Context

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.

18

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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Commentary

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, the same righteousness that justly judged can mercifully restore. The request is specific: remove anger from Jerusalem, God's city and holy mountain. The motivation is God-centered: 'thy city,' 'thy holy mountain,' 'thy people'—emphasizing covenant relationship. The concern is that Israel's judgment has become 'reproach to all that are about us,' potentially bringing dishonor to God's name. This covenant argumentation appeals to God's glory, promises, and character rather than claiming Israel deserves relief.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem's destruction and Judah's exile made them objects of scorn among surrounding nations (Psalm 44:13-14, 79:4, Lamentations 2:15-16). Ancient Near Eastern peoples interpreted defeat as indicating divine weakness. Babylon's conquest of Judah seemed to vindicate Marduk over Yahweh. Yet the prophets reframed this: the exile demonstrated Yahweh's justice and covenant faithfulness; eventual restoration would demonstrate His power and mercy. Daniel's prayer appeals to this framework: let restoration vindicate Your name and character. The appeal to 'thy righteousness' encompasses both justice and faithfulness—God's righteousness includes keeping covenant promises, both warnings and restoration. Church history shows similar patterns: God's people's condition affects witness to surrounding culture; renewal demonstrates God's character and draws others to Him.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can God's righteousness be basis for mercy rather than only for judgment?
  2. What does emphasizing 'thy city,' 'thy holy mountain,' 'thy people' teach about covenant argumentation in prayer?
  3. Why is concern for God's reputation among watching nations a legitimate prayer motivation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
אֲדֹנָ֗י1 of 20

“O Lord”

H136

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

כְּכָל2 of 20
H3605

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

צִדְקֹתֶ֙ךָ֙3 of 20

“according to all thy righteousness”

H6666

rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)

יָֽשָׁב4 of 20

“be turned away”

H7725

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

נָ֤א5 of 20
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אַפְּךָ֙6 of 20

“I beseech thee let thine anger”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

וַחֲמָ֣תְךָ֔7 of 20

“and thy fury”

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

מֵעִֽירְךָ֥8 of 20

“from thy city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֧ם9 of 20

“Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

הַר10 of 20

“mountain”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

קָדְשֶׁ֑ךָ11 of 20

“thy holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

כִּ֤י12 of 20
H3588

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

בַחֲטָאֵ֙ינוּ֙13 of 20

“because for our sins”

H2399

a crime or its penalty

וּבַעֲוֺנ֣וֹת14 of 20

“and for the iniquities”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ15 of 20

“of our fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֧ם16 of 20

“Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְעַמְּךָ֛17 of 20

“and thy people”

H5971

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

לְחֶרְפָּ֖ה18 of 20

“are become a reproach”

H2781

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

לְכָל19 of 20
H3605

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

סְבִיבֹתֵֽינוּ׃20 of 20

“to all that are about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

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 9:16 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 9:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 8:3Psalms 87:1-3Psalms 31:1Daniel 9:20Joel 3:17Psalms 71:2

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Daniel 9 →

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