Daniel 9:3 kjv
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
Daniel 9:3 nkjv
Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
Daniel 9:3 niv
So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.
Daniel 9:3 esv
Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
Daniel 9:3 nlt
So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.
Daniel 9 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel 9:3 | I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and petition, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. | Daniel 6:10 (Daniel's prayer habit) |
| Daniel 9:4-5 | I prayed to the Lord my God, confessing, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love for those who love him, and keeps covenant for those who love him and keep his commandments; we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, and turned aside from your commandments and your rules. | Leviticus 26:40-42 (Covenant and confession) |
| Leviticus 26 | The consequences of obedience and disobedience are detailed, including restoration upon repentance. | Deuteronomy 4:29-31 (Return to God leads to mercy) |
| 1 Kings 8:46-47 | Solomon's prayer at the temple, including confession of sin and seeking mercy. | 1 Kings 8:46-47 (Confession and appeal for mercy) |
| Nehemiah 1:6 | Nehemiah's prayer of confession and intercession for Israel's sin. | Nehemiah 1:6-7 (Similar pattern of confession) |
| Psalm 51 | David's prayer of repentance after his sin with Bathsheba. | Psalm 51:1-4 (Confession and acknowledgement) |
| Isaiah 53:4-6 | Prophecy of the Suffering Servant who bears the iniquities of many. | Isaiah 53:5-6 (Suffering Servant bearing sin) |
| Jeremiah 3:13 | God's call for Israel to confess their iniquity and return. | Jeremiah 3:13 (Call to confess iniquity) |
| Luke 18:9-14 | The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, highlighting humble confession. | Luke 18:13-14 (Humble confession is justified) |
| Acts 2:38 | Peter's exhortation to repent and be baptized. | Acts 2:38 (Repentance as a response to truth) |
| 1 John 1:9 | The assurance of forgiveness upon confession of sins. | 1 John 1:9 (Forgiveness through confession) |
| Daniel 9:18 | Daniel asks God to look upon the desolation of Jerusalem for His own sake. | Daniel 9:18 (Appeal to God's name/glory) |
| Exodus 20:5-6 | God as a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children. | Exodus 20:5-6 (God's justice and mercy) |
| Joshua 1:8 | The importance of meditating on God's law day and night. | Joshua 1:8 (Meditation on God's word) |
| Psalm 32:5 | David speaks of confessing his sin to God and receiving forgiveness. | Psalm 32:5 (Confession brings absolution) |
| Lamentations 3:39-40 | Though one suffers for his sin, should a living man complain? | Lamentations 3:39-40 (Acceptance of consequence) |
| Matthew 11:20-24 | Jesus rebukes cities that did not repent. | Matthew 11:20-24 (Rebuke for lack of repentance) |
| Romans 5:18-19 | Justification through the obedience of Christ. | Romans 5:18-19 (Sin and righteousness) |
| 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 | Godly sorrow leads to repentance and salvation. | 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 (Godly sorrow and repentance) |
| 1 Peter 4:7 | Be sober-minded and self-controlled for the purposes of prayer. | 1 Peter 4:7 (Diligence in prayer) |
Daniel 9 verses
Daniel 9 3 Meaning
Daniel's prayer in this verse signifies his deep personal repentance and confession, aligning himself and his people with the sins committed. It's a recognition of collective transgression against God's covenant and a humble submission to divine judgment, driven by a profound understanding of God's righteousness and a desire for divine mercy.
Daniel 9 3 Context
Chapter 9 of Daniel opens with Daniel's study of the prophecies of Jeremiah, which spoke of Jerusalem's desolation for seventy years. Understanding this prophecy prompted Daniel to engage in intense prayer and repentance. He identifies the time period with the desolation of Jerusalem as revealed by Jeremiah. This prayer is a significant turning point, initiating the series of prophecies concerning the seventy "weeks" (years) that would transpire before the coming of the Messiah. The prayer is offered in the context of the Babylonian exile, specifically around the time of Darius the Mede's reign.
Daniel 9 3 Word Analysis
- וַאֲנִי֙ (wa'aniy): "And I." This pronoun emphasizes Daniel's personal involvement and initiative in approaching God.
- הִפְנֵ֣יתִי (hiphnetiy): "turned," "set my face." This is the Qal perfect tense of the verb פָּנָה (panah), meaning to turn, look, or set one's face towards. It signifies a deliberate and focused act of directing his attention and intent towards God. This verb also appears in Genesis 19:17 in a similar context of purposeful turning away from danger and towards safety (though here it's towards God).
- אֶל־ (el): "unto," "to." A preposition indicating direction.
- אֲדֹנָ֣י (Adonai): "Lord." A Hebrew word for God, often translated as "Lord" or "Master," indicating sovereignty and authority. It's a common appellation for God, emphasizing His rule.
- אֱלֹהִ֔ים (Elohim): "God." A general Hebrew word for God, used here in combination with Adonai to form a title that emphasizes both His sovereign Lordship and His divine nature.
- לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֥ל (lehitpallel): "to pray." The infinitive Niphal form of the verb פָּלַל (palal), meaning to intercede or pray. The Niphal conjugation here indicates a reflexive or reciprocal action, "to pray for oneself" or "to pray."
- וּלְבַקֵּ֖שׁ (ub'vaqesh): "and to seek," "and to ask." The conjunctive "vav" followed by the Qal infinitive of בָּקַשׁ (baqash), meaning to seek, desire, or ask for.
- בִּתְפִלָּ֥ה (bitphillah): "with prayer." The preposition "beth" (with, in) followed by תְּפִלָּה (tephillah), "prayer."
- וּתְחִנָּ֑ה (uth'khinnah): "and petition," "and supplication." The conjunctive "vav" followed by תְּחִנָּה (t'khinnah), meaning favor, supplication, or entreaty. This word highlights a humble and earnest plea. It often implies asking for favor based on need.
- וּבְצֹ֖ום (uv'tsohm): "and with fasting." The conjunctive "vav" followed by the preposition "beth" and צֹום (tsohm), "fasting." Fasting was a recognized expression of mourning, repentance, and seeking God's intervention.
- וּבִשַׂ֥ק (uvissaq): "and with sackcloth." The conjunctive "vav" followed by the preposition "beth" and שַׂק (saq), "sackcloth." Sackcloth was a coarse material typically worn as a sign of grief, humility, or penitence.
- וָאֵֽפֶר (va'epher): "and ashes." The conjunctive "vav" and אֵפֶר (epher), "ashes." Ashes were also a traditional symbol of mourning, humility, and repentance.
- Words-group analysis: The entire phrase "with prayer and petition, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes" describes a posture of deep contrition and earnest seeking of God. This combination represents a holistic approach to spiritual discipline, engaging the body, mind, and spirit in humility and dependence on God. This parallels practices seen throughout Scripture, such as those of David (Psalm 51) and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1). The physical expressions (fasting, sackcloth, ashes) underscore the seriousness of Daniel's confession and his recognition of the gravity of his people's sins.
Daniel 9 3 Bonus Section
Daniel's prayer here is significant because it's not just a personal expression but also serves as a catalyst for divine revelation. His earnest pursuit of God in this manner is directly linked to the prophecy of the Seventy Weeks given by the angel Gabriel, which provides a detailed prophetic timeline for God's redemptive plan involving Israel and the Messiah. This connection emphasizes that sincere repentance and intercession can unlock deeper understanding of God's purposes. The sorrow unto salvation mentioned in 2 Corinthians 7:10 is beautifully illustrated in Daniel's heartfelt plea, leading to prophetic insight rather than despair.
Daniel 9 3 Commentary
Daniel's prayer here is a model of genuine repentance. He doesn't offer excuses but rather embraces his people's sins as his own, acknowledging shared responsibility. The use of fasting, sackcloth, and ashes are outward manifestations of an inner state of sorrow and humility. This act of setting his face to God signifies a complete focus of his devotion and a singular purpose in his intercession, prioritizing God's will and seeking divine restoration despite dire circumstances. His comprehensive approach highlights the importance of integrating heartfelt devotion with tangible acts of humility in approaching the Almighty.