Daniel 9:12

And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.

And he hath confirmed {H6965} his words {H1697}, which he spake {H1696} against us, and against our judges {H8199} that judged {H8199} us, by bringing {H935} upon us a great {H1419} evil {H7451}: for under the whole heaven {H8064} hath not been done {H6213} as hath been done {H6213} upon Jerusalem {H3389}.

He carried out the threats he spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us disaster so great that under all of heaven, nothing has been done like what has been done to Yerushalayim.

You have carried out the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us a great disaster. For under all of heaven, nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem.

And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil; for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.

Commentary

Commentary on Daniel 9:12

Daniel 9:12 is a profound confession within Daniel's extended prayer, acknowledging God's righteous judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. It speaks to the devastating consequences of national disobedience and the unwavering faithfulness of God to His spoken word, both in promise and warning.

Context

This verse is part of Daniel's great prayer of confession and intercession recorded in Daniel chapter 9. Daniel, living in the Babylonian exile, has understood from the prophecies of Jeremiah that the seventy years of desolation for Jerusalem were nearing their end. Instead of demanding release, Daniel humbly confesses the sins of his people, recognizing that their suffering was a direct fulfillment of God's warnings. He acknowledges that the "great evil" โ€“ the destruction of Jerusalem, the Temple, and the exile โ€“ was a just consequence for their persistent rebellion against God's covenant.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Faithfulness: The phrase "he hath confirmed his words" highlights God's unyielding commitment to His pronouncements. He is not merely a God of mercy but also of justice, upholding His warnings with the same certainty as His promises. This speaks to God's immutable character and reliability.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The "great evil" brought upon Jerusalem was a direct result of the nation's and its leaders' ("our judges that judged us") widespread departure from God's laws. This judgment was foretold in the covenant stipulations, particularly the curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26.
  • Unparalleled Judgment: The declaration "for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem" emphasizes the extraordinary severity and uniqueness of the calamity that befell the holy city. This was not just another historical event; it was a divine act of judgment of immense scale and sorrow, serving as a stark warning to all nations.
  • Confession and Humility: Daniel's prayer models genuine repentance, where the afflicted acknowledge God's righteousness in their suffering, taking responsibility for their sin rather than blaming God or circumstances.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "confirmed" is qum (ืงื•ึผื), meaning "to rise up," "to establish," or "to fulfill." Here, it powerfully conveys that God actively brought about what He had spoken, making His words stand firm and become reality. The phrase "great evil" translates from ra'ah gedolah (ืจึธืขึธื” ื’ึผึฐื“ื•ึนืœึธื”), which signifies a profound calamity, disaster, or affliction, often with the underlying sense of a morally deserved consequence. It's not just misfortune but a severe judgment.

Practical Application

Daniel 9:12 serves as a timeless reminder of God's justice and His unwavering commitment to His word.

  • Accountability: It highlights that individuals and nations are accountable to God for their actions. Disobedience carries real, often severe, consequences.
  • God's Character: It deepens our understanding of God as both merciful and just. He is faithful to His warnings just as He is faithful to His promises. This should inspire both reverence and trust.
  • The Call to Repentance: Like Daniel, we are called to acknowledge our own sins and the sins of our communities, confessing them before God and seeking His mercy and restoration. This verse underscores the necessity of humble repentance for healing and renewal.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 5:9

    And I will do in thee that which I have not done, and whereunto I will not do any more the like, because of all thine abominations.

  • Lamentations 1:12

    ยถ [Is it] nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted [me] in the day of his fierce anger.

  • Isaiah 44:26

    That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:

  • Lamentations 2:13

    What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach [is] great like the sea: who can heal thee?

  • Lamentations 2:17

    The LORD hath done [that] which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused [thine] enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.

  • Job 12:17

    He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.

  • Ezekiel 13:6

    They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made [others] to hope that they would confirm the word.
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