Daniel 9:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him.

NIV: All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. "Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you.

NASB: Indeed, all Israel has violated Your Law and turned aside, not obeying Your voice; so the curse has gushed forth on us, along with the oath which is written in the Law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against Him.

CSB: All Israel has broken your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. The promised curse written in the law of Moses, the servant of God, has been poured out on us because we have sinned against him.

NLT: All Israel has disobeyed your instruction and turned away, refusing to listen to your voice. 'So now the solemn curses and judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured down on us because of our sin.

KJV: Yea, 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.

NKJV: Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him.

This is part of Daniel's prayer of confession (Daniel 9:3–4). This is corporate confession: on behalf of Israel. Daniel is not associated with a particular sin, let alone something as drastic as idolatry (Daniel 1:8; 6:5). However, he fully identifies with his people using terms such as "we" and "our." Daniel confessed that Israel was guilty of widespread sin and rebellion. He will later admit that he is not perfect (Daniel 9:20). God had promised consequences for Israel's national sins; Daniel's own experiences were part of the fulfillment of those prophecies (2 Kings 17:1–8; Jeremiah 25:7–11; Daniel 1:1–7).

In the Law of Moses—the first five books of the Jewish Scriptures—God clearly stated what would happen if Israel betrayed their true Lord and followed evil. Moses was explicit about the blessings coming to a faithful people (Deuteronomy 28:1–6). He was just as blunt about the terrible results that would follow disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15–24, 48–50; 29:25). Through Moses, the Lord warned: "And as the LORD took delight in doing you good and multiplying you, so the LORD will take delight in bringing ruin upon you and destroying you. And you shall be plucked off the land that you are entering to take possession of it. And the LORD will scatter you among all peoples" (Deuteronomy 28:63–64). This was fulfilled in the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities.

Daniel 9:1–19 records a prayer of confession on behalf of God's rebellious people; Daniel includes himself by using terms such as "us" and "we." After the fall of Babylon, Daniel sees evidence in the writings of Jeremiah that Israel's exile may be nearing an end. He prays for forgiveness and restoration, referring to God as righteous, merciful, and forgiving. This prayer leads to an appearance from the angel Gabriel. Gabriel will deliver a prophetic message about Israel's future.

Darius became king when Babylon fell to Medo-Persia. Daniel compared this to writings from Jeremiah, and realized the exile of Israel was almost over. As he prayed for God's intervention, the angel Gabriel arrived to provide further explanation. Gabriel's prophecy ties the arrival of an "anointed one," or "Messiah," or "Christ," to a moment in history followed by a set interval of time. This prediction includes dire moments for Israel and Jerusalem.

This chapter forms part of the prophetic section of Daniel's writing. After confessing the sins of both Israel and his own life, Daniel received a visit from the angel Gabriel. Gabriel revealed a message about Israel's then-future. This includes reference to the arrival of Christ and information about the still-future end times. Chapter 10 begins the last of Daniel's prophetic messages.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.