Daniel 9 1

Daniel 9:1 kjv

In 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;

Daniel 9:1 nkjv

In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans?

Daniel 9:1 niv

In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom?

Daniel 9:1 esv

In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans ?

Daniel 9:1 nlt

It was the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, who became king of the Babylonians.

Daniel 9 verses

Daniel 9 1 Meaning

Daniel understood from the sacred writings, specifically Jeremiah's prophecy, the predetermined time for the desolation of Jerusalem. This understanding signifies Daniel's diligent study and his deep spiritual sensitivity to God's word and His sovereign plan. The phrase "understood from the books" highlights the importance of studying Scripture to grasp God's timing and purposes, even in periods of judgment and exile.

Daniel 9 1 Context

This verse introduces chapter 9 of Daniel, marking a significant shift in Daniel's focus. Following the fall of Babylon and the rise of the Medo-Persian Empire, Daniel finds himself serving under King Darius. The narrative then turns to Daniel's personal prayer and prophetic revelation concerning the future of his people and Jerusalem. The seventy years of Babylonian exile mentioned by Jeremiah were nearing their completion, prompting Daniel to deeply reflect and seek understanding from God's prophetic word.

Daniel 9 1 Word Analysis

• "In": Indicates a temporal setting.
• "the first year": Pinpoints a specific commencement. This marks a crucial temporal marker within the reign of a new empire.
• "of Darius": Identifies the ruling monarch. Darius the Mede (likely referring to Cyaxares II or Gobryas) is significant as the king who conquered Babylon.
• "the son of Ahasuerus": Provides lineage for Darius. "Ahasuerus" is a Persian/Median name, potentially Xerxes I or a predecessor.
• "of the seed of the Medes": States Darius's ethnic origin. The Medes, along with the Persians, formed the new ruling power.
• "who was made king": Emphasizes that his kingship was established. This wasn't necessarily inherited but granted or installed, signifying a new geopolitical reality.
• "over the kingdom": Denotes the dominion over which he ruled.
• "of the Chaldeans": Specifies the empire that was conquered and whose kingdom Darius now ruled. The Chaldeans refer to the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
• "In the first year of his reign": Reiterates the specific temporal point for the ensuing events, setting the stage for the interpretation of prophetic timelines.
• "I": Daniel's personal involvement and active role.
• "Daniel": The prophet's name.
• "understood from the books": This crucial phrase implies that Daniel possessed and studied sacred texts, specifically the prophecies concerning the duration of Jerusalem's desolation.
  • "understood": The Hebrew word is biyn (בִּין), meaning to discern, perceive, or have insight. It suggests a supernatural impartation of understanding.
  • "from the books": The plural "books" might refer to collected scrolls of prophetic writings, including Jeremiah's. This highlights the importance of studying God's written word for prophetic discernment.
• "the number of years": Refers to a specific duration, emphasizing the chronological nature of prophecy.
• "according to the word of the LORD": Acknowledges divine origin and authority. The understanding was not human speculation but based on God's revelation.
• "by the mouth of Jeremiah the prophet": Directly attributes the prophecy to Jeremiah, referencing a specific prophetic oracle.
• "that seventy years must be completed": States the duration of Jerusalem's desolation as foretold by Jeremiah. This 70-year period is a key interpretive anchor.
• "for the devastation of Jerusalem": Specifies the subject of the prophecy—the period of Jerusalem's destruction and abandonment.

Daniel 9 1 Bonus Section

The understanding of the seventy years, based on Jeremiah 25:11-12 and 2 Chronicles 36:21-22, refers to the period from the destruction of the First Temple and Jerusalem in 586 BC until the decree of Cyrus in 538 BC allowing the Jews to return. This marks the first phase of fulfilling the seventy years, with subsequent returns occurring. Daniel's accurate understanding of this timeline would deeply affect his subsequent prayer and the prophecy of the seventy "weeks" (70 x 7 years) revealed to him later in the chapter, a prophecy that extends to the first coming of the Messiah. This initial understanding serves as a foundation for a much larger prophetic revelation concerning God's redemptive plan for His people and His holy city. The phrase "understood from the books" also emphasizes the continuity of divine revelation; new dispensations and understandings build upon previous scriptural teachings.

Daniel 9 1 Commentary

Daniel, a faithful servant in a new world order, meticulously studied God's promises and pronouncements. He identified the fulfillment of Jeremiah's seventy-year prophecy regarding Jerusalem's desolation by observing the timing of King Darius's reign. This act of diligent study and discernment empowered Daniel to intercede effectively for his people. The verse underscores that understanding God's prophetic timetable, derived from Scripture, is a prerequisite for effective prayer and intercession during times of national crisis or restoration. Daniel's insight wasn't just intellectual; it was a spiritual discernment granted by God.