King James Version

What Does Daniel 9:18 Mean?

Daniel 9:18 in the King James Version says “O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy ...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Daniel 9:18 · KJV

Context

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

19

O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

20

And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Daniel's prayer approaches its climax: "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." The parallel imperatives—"incline...hear...open...behold"—urgently petition divine attention. The phrase "our desolations" references Jerusalem's ruins, appealing to God's compassion for His people's suffering.

The crucial phrase—"the city which is called by thy name"—grounds the petition in God's own glory. Jerusalem bore God's name; its desolation reflected on His reputation among nations (cf. Ezekiel 36:20-23). Daniel appeals not primarily to Israel's suffering but to God's honor—He must act to vindicate His name. This demonstrates proper prayer priority: God's glory above personal comfort. Christ taught this pattern: "Hallowed be thy name...thy kingdom come" precedes "give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:9-11).

The final disclaimer—"we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies"—explicitly renounces works-righteousness. Daniel, though personally righteous (Ezekiel 14:14), doesn't appeal to merit but to divine mercy alone. This models Reformed soteriology: salvation by grace through faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ's righteousness, not our own, provides access to God's throne (Hebrews 10:19-22).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem's destruction (586 BC) and temple's burning devastated Israel physically and spiritually. The city "called by God's name" lay in ruins, seeming to contradict divine promises. Daniel prayed around 538 BC as the seventy years neared completion, seeking restoration based on God's mercy and name, not Israel's merit. Cyrus's decree allowing return (Ezra 1:1-4) answered this prayer.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does appealing to God's glory and name rather than personal merit model proper prayer priorities?
  2. What does renouncing dependence on "our righteousnesses" teach about the sole ground for approaching God in prayer?
  3. How does this prayer pattern point to Christ's righteousness as our only access to God's throne?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
הַטֵּ֨ה1 of 25

“incline”

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

אֱלֹהַ֥י׀2 of 25

“O my 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

אָזְנְךָ֮3 of 25

“thine ear”

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

וּֽשֲׁמָע֒4 of 25

“and hear”

H8085

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

פְּקַ֣חה5 of 25

“open”

H6491

to open (the senses, especially the eyes); figuratively, to be observant

עֵינֶ֗יךָ6 of 25

“thine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וּרְאֵה֙7 of 25

“and behold”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

שֹֽׁמְמֹתֵ֔ינוּ8 of 25

“our desolations”

H8074

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

וְהָעִ֕יר9 of 25

“and the city”

H5892

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

אֲשֶׁר10 of 25
H834

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

נִקְרָ֥א11 of 25

“which is called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שִׁמְךָ֖12 of 25

“by thy name”

H8034

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

עָלֶ֑יהָ13 of 25
H5921

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

כִּ֣י׀14 of 25
H3588

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

לֹ֣א15 of 25
H3808

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

עַל16 of 25
H5921

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

צִדְקֹתֵ֗ינוּ17 of 25

“thee for our righteousnesses”

H6666

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

אֲנַ֨חְנוּ18 of 25
H587

we

מַפִּילִ֤ים19 of 25

“for we do not present”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

תַּחֲנוּנֵ֙ינוּ֙20 of 25

“our supplications”

H8469

earnest prayer

לְפָנֶ֔יךָ21 of 25

“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

כִּ֖י22 of 25
H3588

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

עַל23 of 25
H5921

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

רַחֲמֶ֥יךָ24 of 25

“mercies”

H7356

compassion (in the plural)

הָרַבִּֽים׃25 of 25

“but for thy great”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

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 9:18 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 9:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 37:17Jeremiah 36:72 Kings 19:16Jeremiah 25:29Ezekiel 36:32Jeremiah 15:16

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