Daniel 9:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

NIV: We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.

NASB: Moreover, we have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, our leaders, our fathers, and all the people of the land.

CSB: We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, leaders, fathers, and all the people of the land.

NLT: We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land.

God made His general will for the people of Israel clear; He warned them of what would happen if they disobeyed (Deuteronomy 28:25, 48–50). As the nation drifted away, the Lord sent messengers in the form of prophets. Sadly, both the rulers and the people rejected those spokesmen. Daniel declares this as part of his confessing prayer (Daniel 9:3–5), inspired by his realization that Israel's captivity might be nearing an end (Daniel 9:1–2).

One example of Israel's rejection of God comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 30. Hezekiah invited the nation to come and celebrate Passover in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 30:1). Messengers sent to spread that word in Ephraim and Manasseh (2 Chronicles 30:6) were mocked and ignored (2 Chronicles 30:10). Only a few outside of Judah responded to the call (2 Chronicles 30:11). Many of the kings of Judah and Israel rejected the faith of David and Solomon, instead following an evil path (1 Kings 15—16; 2 Kings 8—16).

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.