Daniel 9 20

Daniel 9:20 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;

Daniel 9:20 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,

Daniel 9:20 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?

Daniel 9:20 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,

Daniel 9:20 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.

Daniel 9 verses

Daniel 9 20 Meaning

Daniel, while confessing his sin and the sin of his people, is interrupted in his prayer by the angel Gabriel. This verse marks the beginning of Gabriel’s profound prophecy concerning seventy weeks, which outlines future historical and eschatological events centered around God’s people, Israel, and the coming Messiah. Gabriel confirms that his coming is decreed and predetermined by divine authority to bring about ultimate righteousness and fulfill ancient prophecies.

Daniel 9 20 Context

Daniel 9 records a prayer of confession and supplication by the prophet Daniel. He is praying concerning the seventy years of exile for Judah mentioned by Jeremiah. While he is praying, the angel Gabriel appears to him, not just to provide an answer, but to deliver a significant prophetic revelation. This revelation, known as the prophecy of the seventy weeks, begins immediately after Daniel's prayer for understanding and forgiveness for his people. The historical context is the period following the return of some Jews from Babylonian exile, yet still under foreign domination, with Jerusalem's walls still in ruins.

Daniel 9 20 Word Analysis

• And (Hebrew: וְ – ve): A common conjunction, linking Daniel's ongoing prayer to Gabriel's arrival and message.

• while (Hebrew: עֹוד – ʿōd): Signifies continuance, indicating the prayer was ongoing.

• I (Hebrew: אֲנִי – ʾăni): Personal pronoun, emphasizing Daniel's direct involvement.

• was (Hebrew: הָיָה – hāyâ): Verb indicating past existence or state.

• praying (Hebrew: מִתְפַּלֵּל – mitpalleil): Niphal participle of פָּלַל (pālal), meaning "to pray," "intercede," or "judge." Here, it's an active, continuous state.

• and (Hebrew: וְ – ve): Conjunction.

• confessing (Hebrew: לְהִתְוַדֹּות – ləhîṯwaḏōṯ): Infinitive of common Hebrew verb וּדָא (wāḏâ), meaning "to confess," "acknowledge," or "give thanks." Here, it's linked with sin, emphasizing confession.

• my (Hebrew: שֶׁלִּי – šellî): Possessive pronoun.

• sin (Hebrew: חַטָּאתִי – ḥaṭṭāʾṯî): Noun חֵטְא (ḥēṭʾ), meaning "sin," "error," or "missing the mark." The singular form refers to his personal transgressions.

• and (Hebrew: וְ – ve): Conjunction.

• the (Hebrew: אֶת – ʾeṯ): Direct object marker.

• sin (Hebrew: חַטָּאת – ḥaṭṭāʾṯ): Noun again, used collectively here.

• of (Hebrew: עַם – ʿam): Noun עַם (ʿām), meaning "people" or "nation."

• my (Hebrew: שֶׁלִּי – šellî): Possessive pronoun.

• people (Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל – Yiśrāʾēl): The specific nation of Israel.

• and (Hebrew: וְ – ve): Conjunction.

• my (Hebrew: שֶׁלִּי – šellî): Possessive pronoun.

• making (Hebrew: נָתַן – nāṯan): Verb "to give," "to put," "to set."

• supplication (Hebrew: תְּחִנָּתִי – ṯəḥinnāṯî): Noun חִנָּה (ḥinnâ), meaning "grace," "favor," or "supplication." Here, it’s Daniel’s plea.

• before (Hebrew: לִפְנֵי – lifnê): Preposition indicating position or presence.

• the (Hebrew: ה – ha): Definite article.

• Lord (Hebrew: יְהוָה – YHWH): The personal name of God.

• my (Hebrew: שֶׁלִּי – šellî): Possessive pronoun.

• God (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים – ʾĕlōhîm): Hebrew plural form of God, often used to denote God's majesty and power, or used collectively for deity.

• for (Hebrew: עַל – ʿal): Preposition indicating "concerning," "about," or "upon."

• my (Hebrew: שֶׁלִּי – šellî): Possessive pronoun.

• holy (Hebrew: קֹדֶשׁ – qōḏeš): Noun קֹדֶשׁ (qōḏeš), meaning "holy," "sacred."

• mountain (Hebrew: הַר – har): Noun, usually "mountain," but here, in reference to "the holy mountain," it signifies Mount Zion or Jerusalem.

• of (Hebrew: ה – ha): Definite article.

• God (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים – ʾĕlōhîm): Referring to God.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people": This phrase captures Daniel's posture of humility and deep empathy with his nation's corporate sin and failure before God. It shows a prophetic understanding of collective responsibility.
  • "making supplication... before the Lord my God": This highlights the direct and intimate relationship Daniel has with God. His prayer is not a generic plea but a personal appeal to his covenantal God.
  • "for the holy mountain of God": This phrase points to the object of Daniel’s concern – Jerusalem, the site of God’s presence and worship, which is in disarray and under foreign power.

Daniel 9 20 Bonus Section

The appearance of Gabriel directly after Daniel’s prayer highlights the principle that genuine intercession and confession are often met with direct divine communication and revelation. This encounter foreshadows how Christ, the ultimate intercessor, fulfills the needs of God’s people. Gabriel's explicit identification and his purpose in coming show that heavenly beings are sent to convey God’s specific plans. The structure of this chapter—Daniel’s prayer leading into Gabriel's prophecy—reinforces the interplay between human prayer and divine sovereignty in God’s unfolding plan for humanity.

Daniel 9 20 Commentary

Daniel's prayer, marked by confession and intercession for his people, immediately draws divine intervention. The angel Gabriel appears, signifying that God heard Daniel's heartfelt prayer. The phrase "and while I was praying" indicates that God's response was prompt, interrupting the prayer not to dismiss it, but to provide a detailed revelation of His future plan. This is a profound assurance that God’s timing is precise and that He reveals His will to those who seek Him diligently. The emphasis on confessing "my sin and the sin of my people" is crucial; Daniel identifies himself with his nation, mirroring a key characteristic of biblical leadership and prophetic ministry. His prayer for "the holy mountain of God" (Jerusalem and its Temple) reflects his deep concern for God’s honor and His people's covenantal standing. This verse sets the stage for the detailed seventy-week prophecy, connecting the confession of sin to the divine provision of ultimate redemption through the Messiah.