Daniel 9:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the Lord my God for the holy hill of my God,

NIV: While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill—

NASB: While I was still speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the Lord my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God,

CSB: While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the Lord my God concerning the holy mountain of my God—

NLT: I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the Lord my God for Jerusalem, his holy mountain.

KJV: 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;

NKJV: Now while I was speaking, 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,

To this point in the passage, Daniel has been praying for Israel's restoration. The fall of Babylon and information recorded in the book of Jeremiah led him to believe the Jewish peoples' captivity was nearly over (Daniel 9:1–2; Jeremiah 29:10–14). Following these leads, Daniel began to pray fervently for Israel (Daniel 9:3–4). This included corporate confession, admitting to the sins of the people of Israel (Daniel 9:5–14). Though Daniel was renowned as a holy and faithful man (Daniel 1:8; 6:5), he was not morally perfect. Here, he specifically mentions his own sin.

Daniel's mentions both speaking and praying. This could refer to both silent and audible prayers, or to speaking to God and then more specifically to interceding, or it could possibly include other forms of worship. He spoke about the desolations that had fallen on God's people and on Jerusalem: the site of "the holy hill" of the temple. He also spoke about the sins God's people had committed despite the warnings given in the Law and the admonitions of the prophets.

Daniel's prayers serve as models for believers today. Believers ought to speak, telling the Lord what is happening in and around them. They should speak about God's righteousness, mercy, and grace. They should speak about their concerns and problems. They should confess their sins, and they should petition God to act in such a way that brings honor and glory to Him. In His teaching about prayer, Jesus told His disciples to revere God's name, to ask for His kingdom to come, and to petition Him for daily bread, forgiveness, and protection from temptation. The apostle Paul counsels us to pray in every situation with supplication, thanksgiving, and requests (Philippians 4:6).

Daniel 9:20–23 comes in response to Daniel's heartfelt prayers on behalf of his people (Daniel 9:3–19). The angel Gabriel arrives on a mission to provide Daniel with greater understanding. After this brief introduction, Gabriel will relate one of the most famous prophecies in the Bible. His message depicts the fate of Israel and gives insight into the end times.

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.