Daniel 9:3-12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 9:11

Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law ,.... Even God's professing people, on whom he had bestowed distinguishing favours and blessings, and gave them such a law as no other people had, and yet they transgressed it; not a few, or the greatest part only, but the whole body of them: and indeed there is no man that lives without sin, or the transgression of the law, in thought, word, or deeds; no, not a just man; but these transgressed the law in a very heinous manner, both the first as well... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 9:12

And he hath confirmed his words which he spake against us ,.... That is, he hath made good his threatenings of wrath and vengeance, in case of disobedience to his law: and against our judges that judged us ; kings, and inferior governors, that ruled over them, who perverted justice, and did not execute righteous judgment; and against them the Lord performed what he threatened: by bringing upon us a great evil ; the desolation of the whole land, the destruction of Jerusalem; the death... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 9:3

I set my face - to seek by prayer - He found that the time of the promised deliverance could not be at any great distance; and as he saw nothing that indicated a speedy termination of their oppressive captivity, he was very much afflicted, and earnestly besought God to put a speedy end to it; and how earnestly he seeks, his own words show. He prayed, he supplicated, he fasted, he put sackcloth upon his body, and he put ashes upon his head. He uses that kind of prayer prescribed by Solomon in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 9:4

Keeping the covenant - Fidelity and truth are characteristics of God. He had never yet broken his engagements to his followers, and was ever showing mercy to men. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 9:7

All Israel, that are near, and that are far off - He prays both for Judah and Israel. The latter were more dispersed, and had been much longer in captivity. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 9:9

Mercies and forgivenesses - From God's goodness flow God's mercies; from his mercies, forgivenesses. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 9:11

Therefore the curse is poured upon us - It is probable that he alludes here to the punishment of certain criminals by pouring melted metal upon them; therefore he uses the word תתך tittach . it is poured out, like melted metal, for this is the proper meaning of the root נתך nathach . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 9:3

Verse 3 When they were cast out and dispersed throughout the various countries of the earth, it seemed as if the covenant of God had been abolished, and as if there was no further advantage in deriving their origin from those holy fathers to whom their land had been promised. For the purpose of meeting these temptations, God fixed beforehand a set time for their exile, and Daniel now recurs to this prediction. He adds, Then I raised my face It is properly אתנה, ath-neh, I placed; but as some... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 9:4

Verse 4 Here Daniel relates the substance of his prayer. He says, He prayed and confessed before God The greatest part of this prayer is an entreaty that God would pardon his people. Whenever we ask for pardon, the testimony of repentance ought to precede our request. For God announces that he will be propitious and easily entreated when men seriously and heartily repent. (Isaiah 58:9.) Thus confession of guilt is one method of obtaining pardon; and for this reason Daniel fills up the greater... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 9:5

Verse 5 Daniel here continues his confession of sin. As we have already stated, he ought to begin here, because we must remark in general the impossibility of our pleasing God by our prayers, unless we approach him as criminals, and repose all our hopes on his mercy. But there was a special reason for the extraordinary nature of the Prophet’s prayers, and his use of fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. This was the usual method of confession by which Daniel united himself with the rest of the people,... read more

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