Daniel 9:20-23

Gabriel Brings an Answer

20 Now while I was 1speaking and praying, and 2confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God,
21 while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man 3Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the 4evening offering.
22 He gave me instruction and talked with me and said, "O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you insight with 5understanding.
23 "At the 6beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are 7highly esteemed; so give heed to the message and gain 8understanding of the vision.

Daniel 9:20-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DANIEL 9

This chapter contains a prayer of Daniel, and the answer to it. The time, occasion, and manner of his prayer, or circumstances of it, are observed, Da 9:1-3, the parts of it, an address unto God, under various suitable epithets and characters, Da 9:4 confession of sin, of his own, of the inhabitants of the land, kings, princes, and people, which are largely dwelt upon and exaggerated, Da 9:5-15 and petitions for mercy, Da 9:16-19, then the answer follows; the time when it was ordered and given, and the person by whom it was sent, are expressed, Da 9:20-23 who delivered to him the vision of the seventy weeks to be considered by him; in which both the work of the Messiah, and the time of his coming, are clearly pointed out, Da 9:24-27.

Cross References 8

  • 1. Psalms 145:18; Isaiah 58:9; Daniel 9:3; Daniel 10:12
  • 2. Isaiah 6:5
  • 3. Daniel 8:16; Luke 1:19, 26
  • 4. Exodus 29:39; 1 Kings 18:36; Ezra 9:4
  • 5. Daniel 8:16; Daniel 10:21; Zechariah 1:9
  • 6. Daniel 10:12
  • 7. Daniel 10:11, 19
  • 8. Matthew 24:15

Footnotes 6

  • [a]. Lit "causing to fall"
  • [b]. Lit "at the beginning"
  • [c]. Lit "was reaching;" or "touching"
  • [d]. Lit "wearied with weariness"
  • [e]. Lit "word went out"
  • [f]. Lit "desirable;" or "precious"
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