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 9:1 sets the precise historical and chronological context for the profound prophetic revelations that follow in the chapter. It establishes that Daniel's pivotal understanding and prayer occurred in the first year of Darius the Mede's reign, marking the immediate aftermath of Babylon's fall to the Medo-Persian empire. This specific dating highlights the divinely orchestrated transition of world powers and signals the nearing fulfillment of the seventy-year prophecy concerning Jerusalem's desolation, as foretold by Jeremiah.

Daniel 9 1 Context

Daniel chapter 9 is a pivotal point in the book, providing the setting for Daniel's great intercessory prayer and the famous seventy-weeks prophecy. Verse 1 grounds these profound spiritual and prophetic events in a specific historical moment. The "first year of Darius" refers to the immediate period after the fall of Babylon, vividly described in Daniel chapter 5, where Belshazzar's kingdom was "divided and given to the Medes and Persians." This shift marked the end of the 70-year Babylonian captivity, a duration foretold by the prophet Jeremiah. Daniel, recognizing this precise timing, dedicated himself to understanding Jeremiah's prophecies and seeking God in fervent prayer for his people and the desolation of Jerusalem. Historically, this reign would have occurred around 539-538 BC, transitioning into the full reign of Cyrus the Great, who would eventually issue the decree for the Jews' return to Jerusalem.

Daniel 9 1 Word analysis

• In the first year:
  • This is a highly precise chronological indicator (Heb. bi-shnat achath).
  • Significance: It establishes the exact historical moment, crucial for dating prophetic fulfillment and Daniel's subsequent understanding of Jeremiah's seventy-year prophecy.
  • It points to Daniel's meticulous record-keeping, essential for verifying prophetic accuracy.
• of Darius (דָּרְיָוֶשׁ - Dariyavēsh):
  • The name identifies the immediate ruler following the conquest of Babylon.
  • Significance: While historically debated, he is generally understood as a Median official or sub-king installed by Cyrus over Babylon, serving as an interim ruler. This underscores God's control over rulers, even temporary ones, as a mechanism for fulfilling prophecy.
• the son of Ahasuerus (בֶּן־אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ - ben-ʾAḥashvērôš):
  • Ahasuerus here is not the Persian king in the book of Esther.
  • Significance: This paternal link serves to establish Darius's lineage and legitimacy within the Median royal or noble house, emphasizing his direct connection to the Median side of the Medo-Persian empire.
• of the lineage of the Medes (מִזֶּרַע מָדַי - mi-zeraʿ Māday):
  • Emphasizes his ethnic and national identity.
  • Significance: Directly links to the prophecies in Isaiah (13:17) and Jeremiah (51:11) that specifically mention the Medes as instrumental in Babylon's overthrow. It highlights the fulfillment of prophetic word concerning specific nations.
• who was made king (אֲשֶׁר הָמְלַךְ - ʾasher homlakh):
  • The Hebrew verb is in the Hophal stem (passive causative), indicating that he "was caused to be king" or "was made to rule."
  • Significance: This crucial grammatical nuance implies that his kingship was not an inherited right or the result of his own initiative, but rather he was appointed, probably by Cyrus the Persian. It powerfully conveys divine sovereignty over human leadership, demonstrating that even earthly kings derive their authority ultimately from God.
• over the realm of the Chaldeans:
  • "Chaldeans" refers to the Babylonians.
  • Significance: This specifies the territory over which Darius ruled, namely the recently conquered Babylonian Empire. It marks the complete transfer of dominion from Babylon to Medo-Persia, fulfilling prophecies of its downfall and setting the stage for the exiles' potential return.

Daniel 9 1 Bonus section

The historical identity of "Darius the Mede" has been a subject of significant scholarly debate for centuries. Unlike other historical figures in Daniel, "Darius the Mede" is not easily identified in contemporary secular records as an independent sovereign ruler between the fall of Babylon and the full establishment of Cyrus's Persian Empire. Various theories exist, none without challenges:

• He is Cyrus the Great: Some scholars suggest "Darius" (meaning "Holder of the Scepter" or "Royal") was a title taken by Cyrus for his administration in Babylon, especially during the transition, to secure the loyalty of the Median populace (who were influential allies). The Median lineage would further support this idea of a political strategy by Cyrus.
• He is a Viceroy/Sub-king under Cyrus: This is a widely held view among those who affirm Daniel's historical accuracy. Darius could have been a Median general or governor (like Gubaru/Ugbaru, known from cuneiform inscriptions) appointed by Cyrus to manage the newly conquered territory of Babylonia for a period before Cyrus solidified his own direct rule. The phrase "made king" (passive voice) in the Hebrew strongly supports the idea of an appointed, rather than inherited, rulership.
• He is Cyaxares II: Xenophon's Cyropaedia mentions a Median king named Cyaxares II, son of Astyages, ruling over Media and accepting Cyrus as his general. Some biblical scholars attempted to connect this figure to Darius the Mede, but Cyropaedia is more a historical novel than a factual account, making this identification tenuous.

Despite the debates, the theological significance remains clear: this transition marked the end of the Babylonian exile, confirming God's faithfulness to His prophetic word and setting the stage for the greater revelations concerning Jerusalem's future and the coming Messiah.

Daniel 9 1 Commentary

Daniel 9:1 serves as a foundational timestamp, anchoring the subsequent prophecies and Daniel's prayer within the broader sweep of God's redemptive plan for Israel and the nations. The meticulous dating to "the first year of Darius the Mede" highlights the precision of God's timing in history, demonstrating the direct fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy regarding the end of the seventy-year Babylonian captivity. The mention of Darius being "of the lineage of the Medes" and "made king" subtly reinforces that human political power is subject to divine orchestration. God is actively governing who reigns and over what territories, aligning even imperial successions with His sovereign will. This specific context provides the catalyst for Daniel's spiritual engagement, propelling him to understand God's timetable and seek Him in profound intercession, setting the stage for one of the Bible's most significant messianic prophecies.