King James Version

What Does Daniel 9:7 Mean?

Daniel 9:7 in the King James Version says “O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to t...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. belongeth: or, thou hast”

Daniel 9:7 · KJV

Context

5

We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:

6

Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

7

O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. belongeth: or, thou hast

8

O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.

9

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;

Read Daniel 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Daniel continues: "O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee." The contrast is stark—"righteousness belongeth unto thee" but "unto us confusion of faces." God's righteousness remains unstained; Israel's shame is complete and visible ("confusion of faces" = disgrace, embarrassment).

The phrase "as at this day" anchors the confession in present reality—exile isn't theoretical but current disgrace witnessed by all. The comprehensive scope—"men of Judah...Jerusalem...all Israel...near...far off"—indicates the exile scattered the nation widely, fulfilling covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:64). Yet even in acknowledging dispersion, Daniel maintains hope by recognizing God's sovereign hand: "whither thou hast driven them." Though judgment resulted from sin, God sovereignly controlled even exile's details.

The final phrase—"because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee"—uses emphatic Hebrew construction (literally "in their unfaithfulness which they acted unfaithfully") stressing willful, knowing rebellion. This acknowledgment of deserved judgment provides proper foundation for seeking mercy—not denying guilt but confessing it fully while appealing to divine grace. Christ bore our "confusion of faces" (shame) on the cross, suffering public disgrace to restore our honor (Hebrews 12:2).

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Historical & Cultural Context

By Daniel's time (538 BC), Jews were scattered throughout the Babylonian and emerging Persian Empires from Egypt to Persia. The "near and far off" described those who returned to Judah versus those remaining in dispersion. This scattered condition fulfilled Deuteronomy's covenant curses for persistent disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:64-68), demonstrating God's faithfulness to His word—both blessings and curses.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the contrast between God's righteousness and our shame establish proper foundation for seeking divine mercy?
  2. What does recognizing God's sovereign hand even in judgment ("whither thou hast driven them") teach about divine control over all circumstances?
  3. How does Christ bearing our shame on the cross provide the ultimate answer to humanity's "confusion of faces"?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
לְךָ֤1 of 25
H0
אֲדֹנָי֙2 of 25

“O Lord”

H136

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

הַצְּדָקָ֔ה3 of 25

“righteousness”

H6666

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

וְלָ֛נוּ4 of 25
H0
בֹּ֥שֶׁת5 of 25

“belongeth unto thee but unto us confusion”

H1322

shame (the feeling and the condition, as well as its cause); by implication (specifically) an idol

הַפָּנִ֖ים6 of 25

“of faces”

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

כַּיּ֣וֹם7 of 25

“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

הַזֶּ֑ה8 of 25
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לְאִ֤ישׁ9 of 25

“to the men”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

יְהוּדָה֙10 of 25

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וּלְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י11 of 25

“and to the inhabitants”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם12 of 25

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וּֽלְכָל13 of 25
H3605

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֞ל14 of 25

“and unto all Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

הַקְּרֹבִ֣ים15 of 25

“that are near”

H7138

near (in place, kindred or time)

וְהָרְחֹקִ֗ים16 of 25

“and that are far off”

H7350

remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)

בְּכָל17 of 25
H3605

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

הָֽאֲרָצוֹת֙18 of 25

“through all the countries”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר19 of 25
H834

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

הִדַּחְתָּ֣ם20 of 25

“whither thou hast driven”

H5080

to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)

שָׁ֔ם21 of 25
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

בְּמַעֲלָ֖ם22 of 25

“them because of their trespass”

H4604

treachery, i.e., sin

אֲשֶׁ֥ר23 of 25
H834

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

מָֽעֲלוּ24 of 25

“that they have trespassed”

H4603

properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., treacherously

בָֽךְ׃25 of 25
H0

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 9:7 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 9:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 4:27Daniel 9:8Daniel 9:14Jeremiah 2:26-27Psalms 44:15Jeremiah 3:25

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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