4. God’s response to Daniel’s prayer 9:20-23God began responding to Daniel’s prayer as soon as he began praying (cf. Daniel 9:19; Luke 11:10-13). Clearly, the prayer recorded in the preceding verses is only a summary of what the prophet prayed, since he prayed long and hard (Daniel 9:21). read more
Daniel’s concern for God’s reputation (Daniel 9:4-14) doubtless made him special to God (Daniel 9:23). The vision that God had sent Gabriel to convey constituted an answer to Daniel’s prayer. It revealed what would happen to the Jews."For the first time in the book Daniel’s initiative occasions a revelation." [Note: Baldwin, p. 162.] read more
The Seventy WeeksIn the first year of Darius the Mede, Daniel, studying the prophetical books, finds that Jeremiah has predicted that the desolation of Jerusalem will last for seventy years (Daniel 9:1-2). He prays, confessing the great sin of Israel, and entreating God to have mercy on His people (Daniel 9:3-19), Thereupon the angel Gabriel explains to him (Daniel 9:20-24) that Jeremiah’s seventy years are seventy ’weeks,’ or ’sevens,’ of years (=490 years), which are to be made up of (7+62+1)... read more
(23) The commandment.—The marginal version is to be preferred, which points to the revelation which follows Daniel 9:24-27. The title “greatly beloved” occurs again (Daniel 10:11; Daniel 10:19). It implies that Daniel was worthy of this proof of God’s love. St. Jerome compares (2 Samuel 12:25) Jedidiah. read more
Daniel 9:3 Fasting is an indispensable condition of a good life; but in fasting, as in self-control in general, the question arises, With what shall we begin? How to fast, how often to eat, what to eat, what to avoid eating? And as we can do no work seriously without regarding the necessary order of sequence, so also we cannot fast without knowing where to begin with what to commence self-control in food. Fasting! and even an analysis of how to fast, and where to begin the very notion of it... read more
THE SEVENTY WEEKSTHIS chapter is occupied with the prayer of Daniel, and with the famous vision of the seventy weeks which has led to such interminable controversies, but of which the interpretation no longer admits of any certainty, because accurate data are not forthcoming.The vision is dated in the first year of Darius, the son of Achashverosh, of the Median stock. We have seen already that such a person is unknown to history. The date, however, accords well in this instance with the... read more
CHAPTER 9 The Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks 1. The time and occasion of Daniel’s prayer (Daniel 9:1-2 ) 2. The prayer (Daniel 9:3-19 ) 3. The answer and the prophecy of the seventy weeks (Daniel 9:20-27 ) Daniel 9:1-2 . It was in the first year of Darius, of the seed of the Medes, that Daniel understood by the sacred writings of his people, especially by the prophecy of Jeremiah, that the end of the years of the captivity was at hand. The promises in the Word of God led him at once to... read more
THE SEVENTY WEEKS Thus far in Daniel we have been dealing with the prophetic history of the times of the Gentiles, but now we return to that of his own people, the Jews. Note the time and circumstances, Daniel 9:1-2 . The prophet is studying such books of the Old Testament as he possessed, especially Jeremiah, and knows the seventy years captivity nears its end, therefore he is moved to offer one of the most notable prayers in the Bible. This prayer is divisible into confession, Daniel... read more
Observe the gracious condescension of the man Gabriel. (I say the man Gabriel, because I wish to use the very same name as the Scripture.) Supposing him to have been a created angel, his kindness in his message deserves our thanks. We know that angels are ministering spirits, and commissioned by our Lord God to our good. Hebrews 1:14 ; Psalms 34:7 . But supposing, (what I confess I am rather inclined to believe,) that this man Gabriel was the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh! Reader! contemplate his love!... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Daniel 9:23
23. At the beginning of thy supplications, c.—The promulgation of the divine decree was made in heaven to the angels as soon as Daniel began to pray. came forth—from the divine throne so Daniel 9:22. thou art greatly beloved—literally, "a man of desires" (compare Ezekiel 23:6; Ezekiel 23:12); the object of God's delight. As the apocalyptic prophet of the New Testament was "the disciple whom Jesus loved," so the apocalyptic prophet of the Old Testament was "greatly beloved" of God. the... read more