Dan 9:18-19 | TNotes | STEP | 9:18 because of your mercy: God’s compassionate and merciful character gave Daniel hope (cp. Exod 34:6 ; Jon 4:1-3 ; Mic 6:8 ).

a9:18►

bExod 34:6►

cJon 4:1-3►

dMic 6:8►

e9:19►

fEzra 1:1-4►

gEzra 6:15►

hNeh 1:9►

iExod 5:22–6:1►

‏ Daniel 9:18-19

9:18 ^a because of your mercy: God’s compassionate and merciful character gave Daniel hope (cp. Exod 34:6 ^b; Jon 4:1-3 ^c; Mic 6:8 ^d).
9:19 ^e 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 ^f). The new Temple in Jerusalem was completed in 515 BC (Ezra 6:15 ^g). 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 ^h) and his people, Israel (Exod 5:22–6:1 ⁱ).