Daniel
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Daniel 9
Daniel 9
1In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans,
1In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;
Commentary · verse 1
2in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years whereof the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah the prophet, for the accomplishing of the desolations of Jerusalem, even seventy years.
2In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
Commentary · verse 2
Daniel understood by the books (Doctrine) the prophecy of Jeremiah concerning the seventy years: Jeremiah 25:11-12, and 29:10. "Understood by the books" was the cause of everything in this chapter. Daniel had his Doctrine right. Realize, Israel would have been in captivity over sixty years by this time, so Daniel could have been trying to figure out the year it would end.
3And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
4And I prayed unto Jehovah my God, and made confession, and said, Oh, Lord, the great and dreadful God, who keepeth covenant and lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments,
3And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
4And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;
Commentary · verses 3-4
Prayer Structure Review: Every prayer in the Bible that God answered followed this four-step structure:
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Recognize the prayer is to God.
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Build faith through referencing something God has done either through understanding or experience.
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Reference Justice.
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Make a request.
Commentary · verse 4
In verse 4, Daniel began to pray. Daniel recognized God (1st step) and built his faith (2nd step)...
5we have sinned, and have dealt perversely, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even turning aside from thy precepts and from thine ordinances; 6neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, that spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
5We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:
6Neither 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.
Commentary · verses 5-6
Daniel referenced Justice (3rd step) but...Israel was on the wrong side of Justice. How would Israel being on the negative side of Justice help Daniel get his request?
7O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of face, 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.
8O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.
9To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness; for we have rebelled against him; 10neither have we obeyed the voice of Jehovah our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
7O 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.
8O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.
9To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;
10Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
11Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even turning aside, that they should not obey thy voice: therefore hath the curse been poured out upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God; for we have sinned against him.
11Yea, 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.
Commentary · verse 11
Daniel stated all Israel deserved the curse they were experiencing.
12And 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.
13As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet have we not entreated the favor of Jehovah our God, that we should turn from our iniquities, and have discernment in thy truth.
12And 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.
13As 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.
Commentary · verses 12-13
Daniel referenced God's Word. Daniel had great understanding of God's Word.
14Therefore hath Jehovah watched over the evil, and brought it upon us; for Jehovah our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth, and we have not obeyed his voice.
14Therefore 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.
Commentary · verse 14
Short term evil from God brought long term creation. Every event against the Israelites that Daniel had mentioned, God did in response to Justice.
15And 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.
15And 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.
Commentary · verse 15
Daniel referenced God's Word to build faith, again. Daniel had continually shown God that Israel was on the wrong side of Justice. What could Daniel possibly ask for if Israel had zero to negative spiritual value?
16O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, let thine anger and thy wrath, I pray thee, 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 round about us.
16O 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.
Commentary · verse 16
The request: God turn His anger and wrath away from Jerusalem!
Why? Jerusalem was becoming a reproach to all the people outside of the Israelites because of the sins of the Israelites' fathers.
Remember, the purpose of the Dispensation of the Law (5th dispensation) was for God to reach the world through His Law, and the Israelites were supposed to be the example. Daniel was telling God the benefit to God for ceasing from His anger and wrath. Daniel was telling God to use His value to reach the people outside of Israel. Now we see why Daniel was praying this prayer backwards as it related to the 3rd step and the 4th step: Daniel was praying IN GOD'S place. Without Daniel's prayer, God would have continued to bring His anger and wrath until Justice had been equaled out. Now we see that Daniel's prayer was requesting that God not equal out Justice completely for God's benefit...that God retain this value to be equaled out later.
17Now therefore, O our God, hearken unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.
17Now 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.
Commentary · verse 17
Daniel asked God to reverse the desolation "for the Lord's sake."
18O 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’ sake.
18O 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.
Commentary · verse 18
Daniel asked God to hear and see how His city had been destroyed and to fix it for God's great mercies' sake, in order to reach the people outside of Israel.
19O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God, because thy city and thy people are called by thy name.
19O 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.
Commentary · verse 19
Daniel asked God to forgive and carry out this request for God's own sake. Daniel's prayer ended. He requested that God retain His value for God's benefit, to reach the people outside of Israel: the Gentiles.
20And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before Jehovah my God for the holy mountain of my God;
20And 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;
Commentary · verse 20
Daniel received an answer from Gabriel while he was still praying. Daniel definitely prayed well.
21yea, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
21Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
Commentary · verse 21
Gabriel again touched Daniel. This was a supernatural event.
22And he instructed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee wisdom and understanding.
22And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
Commentary · verse 22
Daniel was blessed with wisdom and understanding in response to his prayer.
23At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment went forth, and I am come to tell thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision.
23At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
Commentary · verse 23
Gabriel came forth at the beginning of the prayer. The response to this prayer was the greatest prophecy in the Bible (verses 24-27)…
24Seventy weeks are decreed upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.
24Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Commentary · verse 24
A "week" was a period of seven years.
- Seventy weeks = 490 years.
Daniel was told that Israel was being given 490 years to complete their dispensation, and bring in the Millennial Reign of the Messiah. This verse was focused on the Jews and Jerusalem (Dispensation of the Law). Notice, this list has still not been completed.
25Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the anointed one, the prince, shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: it shall be built again, with street and moat, even in troublous times.
25Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
Commentary · verse 25
The commandment to restore and build Jerusalem (which would be given by Cyrus according to Ezra 1) would begin the 490 years. Notice, there would be 483 years between the command and the Anointed One, the Christ. Notice also the temple was not being used for offerings. In Daniel 8, Daniel was told the offerings would cease in the temple. So, temple worship would need to be restored in order for it to be ceased, and the temple used for a gymnasium. Here, God specifically stated a commandment to rebuild the temple would be given.
26And after the threescore and two weeks shall the anointed one be cut off, and shall have nothing: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and even unto the end shall be war; desolations are determined.
26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
Commentary · verse 26
Daniel gave a time period for the Messiah!!!
This was an example of "complex prophecy."
- "Simple prophecy" was when God knew the causes that existed and simply stated the naturally resulting effects.
- "Complex prophecy" was when the causes that existed would eventually result in God having value through Justice and God stated His future decision of HOW He would respond to that value.
Notice, God did not state when the command would be given to build the temple. The causes were not in place well enough for God to specify a year. However, God knew the causes were in place for that command to eventually be given. In fact, God retaining value (according to Daniel's prayer) could have been used to make this commandment happen. God also knew that God removing His wrath and anger would result in Israel doing more sin (to the point of eventually turning the temple into a gymnasium) which would allow God to respond through Justice to the point of having Jesus be born and die according to God's timing...and eventually be able to respond through Justice to have a seven-year period of Tribulation that He could cut short with the battle of Armageddon. Every prophecy in the Bible was either simple prophecy or complex prophecy. It was important to know which type the prophecy was.
27And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one that maketh desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.
27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Commentary · verse 27
The "one week" was the "70th Week": the seven-year Tribulation. Notice, in between the time of the Christ and the "70th Week," there was another dispensation. The purpose of this dispensation was for God to directly reach out to the people outside of Israel: Dispensation of Grace, our current dispensation. Daniel prayed that God would cease His wrath and anger in order to reach the people outside of Israel. Gabriel's response to Daniel's prayer was to explain the circumstances of the 6th dispensation: the Dispensation of Grace in which God directly reaches out to people outside of Israel via the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within the individual...as well as the Holy Spirit being on all flesh.
Taking these last three chapters together, here was what we have learned about end times prophecy:
There will be four great world leaders (beasts) culminating in the fourth world leader who will bring peace for 3 1/2 years which will cause people to relax. During this time, the world's economy will prosper. Then, after 2300 days of offerings being given in the temple, this fourth world leader will commit a transgression that makes desolate in the temple and torment God's people for 3 1/2 years before God permanently defeats evil and establishes His Kingdom...seven years total. This fourth world leader will get power from ten smaller world leaders (beasts). There would be a dispensation that occurred before the seven-year period that brought about the completion of the Dispensation of the Law. The purpose of the 6th dispensation was for God to directly reach out to people outside of Israel. From the time the command to rebuild the temple would be given, the people of Israel had 490 years to complete their dispensation. There would be 483 years between the time of the command to rebuild the temple and the death of the Messiah. Then after the 6th dispensation, the final seven years (known as the "70th Week") would bring the completion of the 5th dispensation. This "70th Week" was the same seven-year period mentioned in conjunction with the fourth beast.
Again, Daniel 7-9 contained a lot of critical and complex prophetic information concerning the end times. Please take the time to reread this information if necessary. Also, please feel free to reach out to me with questions through the comments section below. Any discussion about Biblical end times prophecy ought to begin with these three chapters. If these three chapters are not understood, the rest of the references to end times prophecy in the Bible will only bring confusion.
Doctrines on this passage
The Medes took over Babylon. The events of this chapter took place after Daniel 5. According to the commentary for the Book of Esther, we know that Darius was the son of Ahasuerus and Esther. The next sentence showed the events of this chapter happened in the first year of Darius' reign over the Chaldeans. Whether Daniel had been put in the lion's den yet (Daniel 6) was not known.