Dan 9:15-19 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Dan 9:15-19: 9:15-19 Daniel cried out for God to rescue his people and end the Exile, relying on God’s mercy and God’s desire to honor his own name. Daniel’s prayer is among the great intercessory prayers of God’s Old Testament people (see also Exod 32:11-14 ; Ezra 9:1-15 ; Neh 9:1-37 ). 9:15 God could bring lasting honor to his name by rescuing his people from exile in Babylonia, just as he did when he rescued them from Egypt (cp. Ezek 36:19-24 ).

Summary for Dan 9:15-19: 9:15-19 ^a Daniel cried out for God to rescue his people and end the Exile, relying on God’s mercy and God’s desire to honor his own name. Daniel’s prayer is among the great intercessory prayers of God’s Old Testament people (see also Exod 32:11-14 ^b; Ezra 9:1-15 ^c; Neh 9:1-37 ^d). 9:15 ^e God could bring lasting honor to his name by rescuing his people from exile in Babylonia, just as he did when he rescued them from Egypt (cp. Ezek 36:19-24 ^f).
9:16 ^g mock Jerusalem and your people: God’s name was dishonored when his chosen city and his chosen people were ridiculed because of their helplessness before their enemies, making it appear that their God was helpless (9:19 ^h; cp. Ezek 36:19-20 ⁱ).
9:17 ^j For your own sake: That is, for God’s own honor (9:19 ^k).
9:18 ^l because of your mercy: God’s compassionate and merciful character gave Daniel hope (cp. Exod 34:6 ^m; Jon 4:1-3 ⁿ; Mic 6:8 ^o).
9:19 ^p listen and act! ... do not delay: Daniel prayed this prayer in 539 BC (see study note on 9:1). Shortly thereafter (in 538 BC), King Cyrus gave his decree allowing the Jewish people to return to Judea (Ezra 1:1-4 ^q). The new Temple in Jerusalem was completed in 515 BC (Ezra 6:15 ^r). God returned the Israelites from exile in response to their prayers and repentance, just as the Exile had been his response to his people’s sins and rebellion.

• your people and your city bear your name: God’s reputation was associated with Jerusalem (Neh 1:9 ^s) and his people, Israel (Exod 5:22–6:1 ^t).