Daniel 9:13

As [it is] written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.

As it is written {H3789} in the law {H8451} of Moses {H4872}, all this evil {H7451} is come {H935} upon us: yet made we not our prayer {H2470} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} our God {H430}, that we might turn {H7725} from our iniquities {H5771}, and understand {H7919} thy truth {H571}.

As written in the Torah of Moshe, this whole disaster came upon us. Yet we did not appease ADONAI our God by renouncing our wrongdoing and discerning your truth.

Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our iniquities and giving attention to Your truth.

As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet have we not entreated the favor of Jehovah our God, that we should turn from our iniquities, and have discernment in thy truth.

Context

Daniel 9:13 is part of a profound prayer offered by the prophet Daniel while in Babylonian exile. This prayer, recorded in Daniel chapter 9, follows Daniel's meditation on the prophecy of Jeremiah concerning the seventy years of desolation for Jerusalem. Daniel, recognizing that the seventy years were drawing to a close, pours out his heart in confession and intercession for his people, Israel. In this specific verse, Daniel acknowledges that the immense suffering and exile (the "evil" or calamity) that has befallen Judah is not random, but a direct fulfillment of the curses stipulated in the Law of Moses, a consequence of their persistent disobedience and failure to repent.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Prophetic Fulfillment: Daniel affirms that God's judgments are righteous and that the calamities are a direct consequence of the nation's actions, precisely as forewarned in the covenant law. This highlights God's faithfulness even in judgment.
  • Human Responsibility and Lack of Repentance: The verse emphasizes the people's failure to "turn from our iniquities" despite the clear warnings and the unfolding judgment. It points to a stubbornness of heart that prevented them from seeking God's forgiveness and restoration.
  • Spiritual Blindness to God's Truth: The phrase "and understand thy truth" indicates that beyond a mere lack of repentance, there was a failure to grasp the profound implications of God's revealed will and His covenant promises and warnings. They were not just disobedient, but spiritually unperceptive.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word translated "evil" in KJV (Hebrew: רָעָה, ra'ah) can refer to moral evil, but in this context, it primarily signifies calamity, disaster, or misfortune that comes as a result of wrongdoing. It underscores that the suffering was a deserved consequence.
  • "Iniquities" (Hebrew: עֲוֺן, avon) carries the sense of perversity, guilt, or punishment for sin. It speaks to the twistedness of their ways.
  • "Truth" (Hebrew: אֱמֶת, emet) denotes firmness, faithfulness, or reliability. Here, it refers to God's unchanging and reliable word, His covenant promises and warnings, which they failed to understand or heed.

Related Scriptures

Daniel's prayer echoes the sentiments found throughout the Old Testament concerning Israel's covenant relationship with God. For instance, the warnings of judgment for disobedience are clearly laid out in the Law of Moses, particularly in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. Daniel's confession of sin on behalf of his people is a powerful example of intercessory prayer, similar to the laments found in Psalms or the confessions of Ezra (Ezra 9:6-15) and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9:33). The failure to turn from iniquities is a recurring theme, emphasizing the importance of genuine repentance and seeking God's face.

Practical Application

Daniel 9:13 serves as a timeless reminder of several critical truths for believers today. First, it underscores that God is just and faithful, and there are consequences for disobedience, whether individual or corporate. Second, it highlights the vital importance of genuine repentance. It's not enough to suffer the consequences of sin; there must be a turning away from iniquity and a turning towards God. Third, the verse emphasizes the need to actively "understand thy truth." In an age of abundant information, believers must diligently study God's Word to comprehend His will, His character, and His ways, thereby avoiding spiritual blindness that leads to disobedience. This verse calls us to self-examination, confession, and a renewed commitment to living in accordance with God's revealed truth.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 28:15

    ¶ But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

  • Deuteronomy 28:68

    And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy [you].

  • Daniel 9:11

    Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that [is] written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

  • Isaiah 9:13

    For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.

  • Jeremiah 2:30

    In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.

  • Psalms 119:27

    Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

  • Jeremiah 5:3

    O LORD, [are] not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, [but] they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.

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