Daniel 9 4

Daniel 9:4 kjv

And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

Daniel 9:4 nkjv

And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments,

Daniel 9:4 niv

I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: "Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

Daniel 9:4 esv

I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

Daniel 9:4 nlt

I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: "O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands.

Daniel 9 verses

Daniel 9 4 meaning

Daniel 9:4 describes the initial address of Daniel's pivotal prayer during the Babylonian exile. He begins by humbly appealing to God, acknowledging His supreme majesty and faithfulness. Daniel identifies God as "the great and awesome God," emphasizing His power and worthiness of reverence. The verse establishes the foundational basis for the rest of Daniel's prayer by declaring God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His steadfast love (hesed) towards those who love Him and diligently obey His divine laws. This confession sets the stage for Daniel's subsequent confession of Israel's national sin, grounding his appeal in God's immutable character and promises, not in Israel's merit.

Daniel 9 4 Context

Daniel 9:4 introduces Daniel's profoundly significant prayer, uttered during a critical juncture in the Babylonian exile, approximately in the first year of Darius the Mede (circa 538 BC). Having been in exile for nearly seventy years, Daniel had been studying the prophecies of Jeremiah, particularly the seventy-year desolation for Jerusalem (Jer 25:11-12; Jer 29:10). Understanding that this period was nearing its end, Daniel turns to God in fervent prayer and intercession, deeply convicted by his people's sins and God's promised restoration. This verse, therefore, sets the theological stage for Daniel's lengthy confession of national sin, as he approaches God, not based on Israel's merit, but on the enduring character and promises of God Himself. It reflects a deep understanding of covenant theology, the sovereignty of God, and the necessity of national repentance in the face of divine promises.

Daniel 9 4 Word analysis

• And I prayed (וָאֶתְפַּלְלָה - va'etpallellah): The Hebrew verb palal means to pray, intercede, or mediate. It carries the nuance of engaging with God, often with a sense of pleading or bringing a cause before Him, indicating earnest and intentional communication.
• to the LORD (לַיהוָה - l'YHWH): Refers to the sacred, unutterable four-letter name of God, YHWH (often pronounced Yahweh). This is God's covenant name, signifying His personal, relational, and unchanging nature towards Israel, emphasizing His redemptive activity.
• my God (אֱלֹהַי - Elohai): From Elohim, a general Hebrew term for God, but with the possessive suffix 'my,' denoting a deeply personal and intimate relationship Daniel shared with the divine, even amidst national crisis. It highlights trust and reliance.
• and made confession (וָאֶתְוַדֶּה - va'etvaddheh): The verb yada in this reflexive stem implies confessing one's sins, admitting fault, or acknowledging guilt, not merely saying "sorry," but an open, public acknowledgment of wrongdoing before God, a necessary precursor to repentance.
• and said (וָאֹמְרָה - va'omerah): A simple, direct verbal declaration, introducing the specific content of Daniel's prayer and address to God.
• O Lord (אֲדֹנָי - Adonai): A reverential title meaning 'Master' or 'Sovereign,' commonly used by the Jews to refer to YHWH. It emphasizes God's authority and Daniel's submission and humble recognition of God's supreme rulership.
• the great (הַגָּדוֹל - hag'gadol): Signifies immense power, majesty, and prominence. It emphasizes God's supreme status, transcending all other powers, aligning with descriptions of God as creator and sustainer of the universe.
• and awesome God (וְהַנּוֹרָא אֵל - v'hanora El): Nora (awesome) describes something that inspires dread, reverence, or fear due to its immense power, holiness, and majesty. El is another general, strong Hebrew word for God, often used in contexts emphasizing divine power and authority. This combined phrase conveys God's fearsome, majestic, and holy character.
• who keeps covenant (שֹׁמֵר הַבְּרִית - shomer hab'rit): Highlights God's absolute faithfulness (shomer - keeper) to His solemn agreements (berit - covenant) with His people, specifically the Mosaic Covenant. This attribute is crucial as it assures Daniel that God's promises of blessing and restoration for the penitent are dependable.
• and steadfast love (וְהַחֶסֶד - v'ha'chesed): Often translated as loving-kindness, mercy, or loyal love. Hesed denotes a persistent, gracious, and loyal love and commitment, particularly within the framework of a covenant relationship. It speaks of God's goodness and compassion that extends beyond legal requirement, even in the face of human unfaithfulness.
• with those who love him (לְאֹהֲבָיו - l'ohavayv): Emphasizes a reciprocal relationship. Love for God is demonstrated by wholehearted devotion and a willing submission to His will, not mere affection, but a lifestyle of allegiance.
• and keep his commandments (וּלְשֹׁמְרֵי מִצְוֹתָיו - ul'shomrey mitzvotayv): This phrase explicitly links the internal attitude of love with the external action of obedience. Keeping the mitzvot (commandments) is the tangible evidence of genuine love for God and active participation in the covenant.

Word Groups Analysis:

• "And I prayed... and made confession... and said": This progression illustrates the sequence of Daniel's interaction with God: an internal act of prayer and confession that culminates in vocalized speech, presenting his petition. It demonstrates sincerity and deliberation in approaching God.
• "to the LORD my God... O Lord": Daniel skillfully navigates between the intimate covenant name "LORD my God" (YHWH Elohai), acknowledging his personal relationship and the basis of the covenant, and the respectful title "O Lord" (Adonai), emphasizing God's sovereignty and supreme authority, underscoring humility in his petition.
• "the great and awesome God": This is a powerful, standard biblical descriptor (e.g., Deut 10:17, Neh 1:5) emphasizing God's unparalleled power, majesty, and holiness. It sets a tone of profound reverence and highlights that Daniel is addressing the Supreme Being of the universe.
• "who keeps covenant and steadfast love": This fundamental theological pairing describes God's unchanging nature and method of interaction with humanity, particularly within His chosen people. It underscores that God's faithfulness (covenant) and merciful grace (hesed) are the bedrock upon which any hope for restoration rests, despite human failings.
• "with those who love him and keep his commandments": This clarifies the conditional aspect of experiencing the fullness of God's covenant blessings and steadfast love. It’s for those who actively participate in the covenant by demonstrating both internal devotion ("love him") and external obedience ("keep his commandments"), showing a comprehensive and holistic commitment.

Daniel 9 4 Bonus section

• Model for Prayer: Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 is often regarded as a classic model for intercessory prayer, particularly because of its structure: moving from adoration (v. 4), to confession (vv. 5-15), to supplication based on God's character and glory (vv. 16-19), rather than personal merit.
• God's Holiness vs. Accessibility: The phrase "great and awesome God" (a phrase seen throughout Deuteronomy and Nehemiah) speaks to God's holiness and transcendent power, making Him fearsome. Yet, the parallel with "keeps covenant and steadfast love" demonstrates His immanence and gracious accessibility to His people. This tension reveals the unique nature of the God of Israel.
• Reciprocity in Covenant: While God's character (keeping covenant and hesed) is the ultimate foundation, the condition "with those who love him and keep his commandments" highlights the expected response from humanity within the covenant. This is not about earning salvation but about participating in the relationship God offers, confirming that obedience is the fruit of true love.

Daniel 9 4 Commentary

Daniel 9:4 is a masterclass in beginning a prayer, especially one of intercession and confession. Daniel's immediate posture is one of profound worship and adoration. Before listing any sins or requests, he elevates God's character. He acknowledges God as "the great and awesome God," establishing a foundation of awe and reverence, critical for any effective prayer. He then appeals not to Israel's worthiness, which was clearly lacking, but to God's inherent, unchanging faithfulness, specifically highlighting that God "keeps covenant and steadfast love." This hesed (steadfast love/loyal love) is crucial—it's God's unwavering commitment within the covenant, extended despite human shortcomings. The qualification "with those who love him and keep his commandments" defines the ideal recipient of these blessings, subtly underscoring Israel's failure in this regard, while still affirming God's standard. Daniel’s appeal is therefore rooted entirely in who God is and what God has promised, providing the secure basis for his ensuing confession and plea for mercy and restoration. It is a prayer grounded in theology, not emotion.