Daniel 9:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.

NIV: As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision:

NASB: At the beginning of your pleas the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, because you are highly esteemed; so pay attention to the message and gain understanding of the vision.

CSB: At the beginning of your petitions an answer went out, and I have come to give it, for you are treasured by God. So consider the message and understand the vision:

NLT: The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision.

KJV: At 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.

NKJV: At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision:

This verse pays Daniel a significant compliment. After seeing the fall of Babylon, Daniel saw information in the writings of Jeremiah which suggested Israel's exile was close to ending (Daniel 9:1–2; Jeremiah 29:10–14). He began to pray for his people's forgiveness and restoration (Daniel 9:3). In the middle of his prayers, the angel Gabriel appeared with a promise of greater understanding (Daniel 9:21–22). Gabriel indicates he was sent because Daniel is "greatly loved" by God.

In one manner, this sets Daniel apart as a unique man. Through his long years in captivity (Daniel 1:1–7), he had remained faithful to the Lord (Daniel 1:8; 6:5). His example of faith and dedication is among the greatest recorded in the Bible. John, one of Jesus' disciples, described himself as "loved" by Jesus (John 13:23). All who have close fellowship with God are greatly loved by Him (Ephesians 2:4–5; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 3:1).

According to this verse, Gabriel was assigned to his tasks as soon as Daniel started praying. Daniel's prior visions and interpretations focused primarily on Gentile nations (Daniel 2:19–20; 7:1; 8:1). These were also filled with deep symbolism and required help to interpret (Daniel 7:16; 8:15–16). What Gabriel is about to explain, however, is relatively direct (Daniel 9:24). His message will still include metaphor but can be more simply understood. Gabriel's message regards Israel's future, framed in terms of seventy "weeks" of time.

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.