Daniel 9:10

KJV

Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.

KJV (with Strong's)

Neither have we obeyed {H8085} the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068} our God {H430}, to walk {H3212} in his laws {H8451}, which he set {H5414} before {H6440} us by {H3027} his servants {H5650} the prophets {H5030}.

Complete Jewish Bible

We didn't listen to the voice of ADONAI our God, so that we could live by his laws, which he presented to us through his servants the prophets.

Berean Standard Bible

and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God to walk in His laws, which He set before us through His servants the prophets.

American Standard Version

neither have we obeyed the voice of Jehovah our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 9:10 serves as a poignant confession within Daniel’s profound prayer, articulating Israel’s deep-seated and persistent corporate disobedience. It highlights the nation's collective failure to heed the explicit commands of the LORD their God, specifically by refusing to live according to His laws and by rejecting the divine warnings and instructions delivered faithfully through His appointed servants, the prophets. This verse underscores the profound spiritual rebellion that led to the covenant curses and the subsequent Babylonian exile, acknowledging God's justice in their suffering while simultaneously setting the stage for an appeal to His mercy and faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 9:10 is an integral part of Daniel's extensive prayer of confession and intercession, spanning from [Daniel 9:3](/daniel/9-3 "Daniel's Prayer of Confession and Intercession") to [Daniel 9:19](/daniel/9-19 "Daniel's Prayer Concludes"). This prayer is initiated by Daniel's understanding, gleaned from Jeremiah's prophecy, that the seventy years of desolation for Jerusalem were nearing their completion ([Daniel 9:2](/daniel/9-2 "Daniel's Understanding of Jeremiah's Prophecy")). Following a powerful invocation of God's character and righteousness, Daniel moves into a detailed confession of Israel's sin, using the collective "we" to identify deeply with his people's transgressions. Verse 10 specifically details the nature of their disobedience: a refusal to obey God's direct voice and to walk in His laws, which were clearly communicated through the prophets. This confession builds upon the prior acknowledgment of their sin and sets the stage for Daniel's subsequent plea for restoration based on God's character and covenant promises.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Daniel's prayer is the Babylonian exile, a period of profound national humiliation and spiritual reflection for the Jewish people. This exile was understood by faithful Israelites, like Daniel, as the direct consequence of their persistent covenant unfaithfulness. According to the Mosaic Covenant, particularly as outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Covenant Blessings and Curses"), disobedience to God's laws would result in severe curses, including scattering among the nations and the desolation of their land. For centuries leading up to the exile, God had sent numerous prophets (e.g., Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Amos) to call Israel back to repentance, warn them of impending judgment, and remind them of their covenant obligations. The cultural context reveals a society that, despite having the Law and prophetic guidance, repeatedly chose idolatry, injustice, and spiritual apathy, demonstrating a profound disregard for the divine authority and the unique relationship God had established with them as His chosen people.
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 9:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Daniel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **corporate sin and responsibility**. Daniel, though personally righteous, fully identifies with the collective guilt of his nation, demonstrating a profound understanding of Israel's corporate identity before God. Secondly, the verse underscores the **gravity of covenant disobedience**. The "laws" mentioned are the stipulations of the Mosaic Covenant, which were foundational to Israel's national and spiritual well-being. Their failure to "walk in" these laws was not merely a lapse but a fundamental rejection of their covenant relationship with Yahweh, leading directly to the judgments foretold in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Consequences of Disobedience in Deuteronomy"). Thirdly, it emphasizes **God's relentless faithfulness in sending His prophets** and Israel's tragic **rejection of prophetic warnings**. God did not leave His people without guidance; He actively "set before us" His laws through "his servants the prophets." This theme resonates throughout the Old Testament, culminating in the lament found in [2 Chronicles 36:16](/2_chronicles/36-16 "Israel's Rejection of God's Messengers"), which describes how Israel "mocked the messengers of God, despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD rose against his people until there was no remedy."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **obeyed (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** (H8085) This word means "to hear intelligently," often implying attention, obedience, or consent. In this context, it signifies a deliberate refusal to listen and comply with God's commands. It's not merely a lack of hearing, but an active rejection of the authority inherent in the divine voice.
* **walk (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** (H3212) A primitive root meaning "to walk," used both literally and figuratively. Here, it is used figuratively to describe one's conduct, lifestyle, or manner of living. To "walk in his laws" means to live in accordance with them, to order one's life by divine precepts. The negation "neither have we obeyed... to walk" indicates a complete deviation from God's prescribed path for life.
* **prophets (Hebrew, _nâbîyʼ'_):** (H5030) Derived from a root meaning "to call aloud," this term refers to an inspired man or woman, one specifically called by God to deliver His message. The prophets served as God's direct spokespersons, conveying His will, warnings, and promises. Their rejection was tantamount to rejecting God Himself, as their words were considered "the voice of the LORD."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God,"**: This opening clause establishes the core accusation: a fundamental failure to listen to and comply with the direct, authoritative communication of Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. The phrase "the voice of the LORD our God" (Hebrew: *qôl Yᵉhôvâh ʼĕlôhîym*) emphasizes the personal and relational aspect of their rebellion. It wasn't just a failure to follow rules, but a refusal to submit to the very word of the One who had redeemed them and entered into covenant with them. The use of "we" signifies Daniel's corporate identification with the nation's sin.
* **"to walk in his laws,"**: This clause specifies the practical manifestation of their disobedience. The "laws" (Hebrew: *tôwrâh*) refer to the comprehensive body of divine instruction given through Moses, encompassing moral, civil, and ceremonial statutes. To "walk in" these laws means to live a life consistently guided by them, to embody their principles in daily conduct. The failure to do so indicates a systemic and pervasive disregard for God's revealed will, moving beyond mere occasional transgression to a lifestyle of rebellion.
* **"which he set before us by his servants the prophets."**: This final clause highlights God's faithfulness and Israel's inexcusable culpability. God did not leave His people without clear guidance; He "set before" them His laws, making them accessible and understandable. Crucially, this divine instruction was mediated "by his servants the prophets" (Hebrew: *ʻebed nâbîyʼ*). The prophets were God's chosen messengers, faithfully delivering His word, warnings, and calls to repentance. Israel's failure to obey was therefore not due to ignorance or lack of divine communication, but to a deliberate and persistent rejection of God's gracious provision through His appointed spokespersons.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 9:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Confession**, where Daniel articulates the nation's sin with profound humility and specificity. This is amplified by **Corporate Identification**, as Daniel, a righteous individual, uses the first-person plural "we" ("Neither have *we* obeyed") to fully align himself with the collective guilt of Israel, demonstrating solidarity and shared responsibility rather than self-righteousness. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism** in its structure, linking the failure to "obey the voice of the LORD" with the failure "to walk in his laws," emphasizing that true obedience is demonstrated through practical adherence to divine precepts. Furthermore, there is a clear element of **Contrast** between God's consistent faithfulness in sending "his servants the prophets" to "set before us" His laws, and Israel's consistent unfaithfulness in rejecting those very messages. This highlights the inexcusable nature of their disobedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 9:10 is a powerful theological statement about the nature of sin as disobedience to God's revealed will and the consequences thereof. It underscores the biblical truth that God's laws are not arbitrary but are given for the well-being and flourishing of His people, and that persistent rebellion against them inevitably leads to divine judgment. Daniel's prayer, and this verse in particular, serves as a model of corporate confession, recognizing that the sins of a community can bring about collective consequences, and that true repentance involves acknowledging this shared culpability. It also highlights God's unwavering commitment to communicate His will, even when His people are disobedient, demonstrating His patience and desire for their return.

* [Deuteronomy 30:19-20](/deuteronomy/30-19-20 "Choose Life Through Obedience")
* [Jeremiah 7:23-26](/jeremiah/7-23-26 "Israel's Disobedience to God's Voice")
* [James 1:22-25](/james/1-22-25 "Be Doers of the Word")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 9:10 calls believers today to a profound self-examination regarding our own obedience to God's voice and His laws. Just as Israel had the clear pronouncements of God through the prophets, we have the complete and living Word of God in the Bible, illuminated by the Holy Spirit. This verse challenges us to consider whether we are truly "walking in His laws" or merely hearing them without active application. It invites us to cultivate a posture of humility and corporate responsibility, recognizing that the spiritual health of our communities and nations is intrinsically linked to our collective obedience to God. Furthermore, it reminds us that God's commands are not burdensome but are pathways to life and blessing, and that our failure to heed them carries significant consequences, both individually and corporately. This should motivate us to diligently study, internalize, and live out the truths of Scripture, allowing them to shape every aspect of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or our community's life do we, like ancient Israel, struggle to "obey the voice of the LORD our God"?**
* **How diligently do I "walk in His laws," and what practical steps can I take to better align my daily life with God's revealed will?**
* **Am I truly heeding the "prophets" of today – God's Word, faithful preaching, and the Spirit's conviction – or am I prone to ignore divine warnings and instructions?**

### FAQ

**What does Daniel mean by "the voice of the LORD our God" in this context?**

Answer: In Daniel 9:10, "the voice of the LORD our God" refers to the direct, authoritative, and personal communication of God to His people. This "voice" encompasses not only the explicit commands and statutes given through Moses in the Law (the *Torah*) but also the ongoing divine messages, warnings, and calls to repentance delivered by God's chosen messengers, the prophets. It signifies God's active engagement with Israel, revealing His will and expectations, and holding them accountable to the covenant relationship He established with them. It implies a living, active word that demands a response of obedience, as seen throughout the Old Testament where God speaks directly to His people and through His appointed spokespersons.

**Why does Daniel confess "we" instead of "they" if the sins were committed by previous generations?**

Answer: Daniel's use of "we" (corporate identification) instead of "they" is a profound theological and spiritual act. It demonstrates a deep understanding of the corporate solidarity of Israel and the enduring consequences of sin across generations. Daniel recognizes that he, as a member of the covenant community, shares in the legacy of their disobedience and its resulting judgment (the exile). This type of confession acknowledges that the nation's identity and destiny are intertwined, and that the present generation bears the weight of past unfaithfulness while also being responsible for their own continued sin. It's a humble and righteous act that avoids self-righteousness, fully embracing his place within the fallen community and laying the groundwork for a plea for corporate restoration based on God's mercy rather than human merit. This corporate solidarity is a recurring theme in biblical prayers of confession, such as those found in [Nehemiah 9](/nehemiah/9 "Nehemiah's Prayer of Confession") and [Ezra 9](/ezra/9 "Ezra's Prayer of Confession").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 9:10, with its lament over Israel's failure to obey God's voice and walk in His laws as revealed through the prophets, profoundly foreshadows the necessity and perfection of Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant, with its laws and prophetic warnings, exposed humanity's utter inability to perfectly obey God ([Romans 8:3](/romans/8-3 "The Law Weakened by the Flesh")). Israel's repeated failure to "walk in his laws" demonstrated the need for a new and better covenant, one where God's law would be written on the heart, not just on stone tablets ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "The New Covenant") and [Hebrews 8:8-12](/hebrews/8-8-12 "The New Covenant is Superior")). Jesus, as the ultimate Prophet, perfectly embodied and fulfilled the Law ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Jesus Fulfills the Law")), not only teaching it but living it without blemish. He is the very "voice of the LORD" made flesh, the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")). His life of perfect obedience stands in stark contrast to Israel's disobedience, and through His atoning sacrifice, He takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing the means for a new humanity to truly "walk in his laws" by the power of the Holy Spirit. All the prophets, whose words Israel rejected, ultimately pointed to Him and His redemptive work ([Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Jesus Explains the Scriptures")). Thus, in Christ, the failure lamented in Daniel 9:10 is overcome, and true obedience becomes possible for those who are in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 9:6

Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

2 Kings 18:12

Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, [and] all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear [them], nor do [them].

Nehemiah 9:13

Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:

Nehemiah 9:17

And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou [art] a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.

Ezra 9:10

And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,

Ezra 9:11

Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness.

2 Kings 17:13

Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, [and by] all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments [and] my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.