Dan 9:4-19 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Dan 9:4-11: 9:4-11 God’s faithfulness contrasted sharply with his people’s unfaithfulness and rebellion. When Daniel confessed the sins of his people, he included himself among them (9:5 ), though he had lived a laudatory life (see thematic note for Community Identity at end of chapter). Daniel prayed the equivalent of a high priestly prayer on behalf of his people, using many quotations from and allusions to the Torah, prophets, and psalms. 9:4 the Lord (Hebrew Yahweh ): The covenant name of God (Exod 6:2-3 ; 20:2 ) is found in Daniel only in this chapter. • God is faithful to his covenant with his people who love ... and obey him (cp. Exod 34:6-7 ; Deut 7:9 ; Rom 8:28 ). God’s unfailing love (Hebrew khesed , elsewhere translated “grace,” “mercy,” “kindness”) is his fundamental nature that is the cause of faith, hope, and worship throughout the Bible (see Num 14:18 ; Neh 9:17 ; Pss 108:4 ; 136:1-26 ; Jon 2:4 ; 1 Jn 4:7-8 ).

Summary for Dan 9:4-11: 9:4-11 ^a God’s faithfulness contrasted sharply with his people’s unfaithfulness and rebellion. When Daniel confessed the sins of his people, he included himself among them (9:5 ^b), though he had lived a laudatory life (see thematic note for Community Identity at end of chapter). Daniel prayed the equivalent of a high priestly prayer on behalf of his people, using many quotations from and allusions to the Torah, prophets, and psalms. 9:4 ^c the Lord (Hebrew Yahweh): The covenant name of God (Exod 6:2-3 ^d; 20:2 ^e) is found in Daniel only in this chapter.

• God is faithful to his covenant with his people who love ... and obey him (cp. Exod 34:6-7 ^f; Deut 7:9 ^g; Rom 8:28 ^h). God’s unfailing love (Hebrew khesed, elsewhere translated “grace,” “mercy,” “kindness”) is his fundamental nature that is the cause of faith, hope, and worship throughout the Bible (see Num 14:18 ⁱ; Neh 9:17 ^j; Pss 108:4 ^k; 136:1-26 ^l; Jon 2:4 ^m; 1 Jn 4:7-8 ⁿ).
9:5 ^o Daniel used four different words meaning sin: The people had sinned (literally missed the mark), done wrong (i.e., committed a bent or twisted act), rebelled against the covenant, and scorned (literally turned away from) the Lord’s instructions.
9:6 ^p God’s servants the prophets were his specially called and inspired spokesmen (9:10 ^q; Deut 18:15-22 ^r; 2 Kgs 17:23 ^s; 21:10-15 ^t; Jer 7:25 ^u; 25:4 ^v).
Summary for Dan 9:7-14: 9:7-14 ^w Lord, you are in the right: God orchestrated the Exile as a judgment on unfaithful Israel (9:11-14 ^x). God had given ample warning that it would happen (see Deut 28:36-37 ^y, 49-68 ^z).
9:12 ^aa God’s act of driving Israel into exile for breaking his covenant was unique in all of history. Israel’s exodus from Egypt, their exile, and their return from Babylon are still unequaled (see also Jer 29:10 ^ab).
9:13 ^ac Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses is summarized in Lev 26 ^ad and Deut 27–28 ^ae. When the people entered into the covenant they swore to be obedient, calling down curses on themselves if they failed (see Exod 24:7-8 ^af; Josh 8:34-35 ^ag).
Summary for Dan 9:15-19: 9:15-19 ^ah 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 ^ai; Ezra 9:1-15 ^aj; Neh 9:1-37 ^ak). 9:15 ^al 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 ^am).
9:16 ^an 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 ^ao; cp. Ezek 36:19-20 ^ap).
9:17 ^aq For your own sake: That is, for God’s own honor (9:19 ^ar).
9:18 ^as because of your mercy: God’s compassionate and merciful character gave Daniel hope (cp. Exod 34:6 ^at; Jon 4:1-3 ^au; Mic 6:8 ^av).
9:19 ^aw 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 ^ax). The new Temple in Jerusalem was completed in 515 BC (Ezra 6:15 ^ay). 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 ^az) and his people, Israel (Exod 5:22–6:1 ^ba).