Daniel 9:16

KJV

O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people [are become] a reproach to all [that are] about us.

KJV (with Strong's)

O Lord {H136}, according to all thy righteousness {H6666}, I beseech thee, let thine anger {H639} and thy fury {H2534} be turned away {H7725} from thy city {H5892} Jerusalem {H3389}, thy holy {H6944} mountain {H2022}: because for our sins {H2399}, and for the iniquities {H5771} of our fathers {H1}, Jerusalem {H3389} and thy people {H5971} are become a reproach {H2781} to all that are about {H5439} us.

Complete Jewish Bible

Adonai, in keeping with all your justice, please allow your anger and fury to be turned away from your city Yerushalayim, your holy mountain; because it is due to our sins and the wrongdoings of our ancestors that Yerushalayim and your people have become objects of scorn among everyone around us.

Berean Standard Bible

O Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, I pray that Your anger and wrath may turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all around us.

American Standard Version

O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, let thine anger and thy wrath, I pray thee, be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are round about us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 9:16 is a profound cry from Daniel, offered during the Babylonian exile, as he intercedes for Jerusalem and his people. This verse encapsulates his earnest appeal to God, not based on Israel's merit, but on God's inherent righteousness, pleading for divine anger and fury to be turned away from the desolate city. Daniel humbly acknowledges that their current state of ruin and public disgrace is a direct consequence of the cumulative sins and iniquities of both his generation and their ancestors.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial component of Daniel's extended prayer of confession and intercession, recorded in [Daniel chapter 9](/daniel/9 "Daniel's Prayer and the Seventy Weeks"). The prayer itself is prompted by Daniel's understanding, gleaned from [Jeremiah's prophecy](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah's Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile"), that the seventy years of Babylonian captivity were drawing to a close. Daniel's prayer, beginning in [Daniel 9:3](/daniel/9-3 "Daniel's Prayer Begins"), is a model of fervent, humble supplication, characterized by deep repentance and a profound identification with the corporate sin of Israel. Verse 16 specifically transitions from a general confession of sin and an appeal to God's character to a direct petition concerning Jerusalem's restoration and the removal of divine judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Daniel's prayer takes place around 538 BC, near the end of the 70-year Babylonian exile (c. 605-538 BC). Jerusalem had been utterly destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC, its temple razed, and its people deported. This period was one of profound national humiliation and spiritual crisis for the Jewish people. The city, once the glorious capital and the site of God's dwelling, was now a desolate ruin, a symbol of their unfaithfulness and God's righteous judgment. Surrounding nations would have viewed this desolation as evidence of Israel's God being weak or having abandoned His people, making their "reproach" (shame) a significant cultural and theological burden. Daniel's prayer reflects the deep longing for restoration and the understanding that their suffering was a direct consequence of covenant disobedience, as warned in passages like [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Consequences of Obedience and Disobedience") and [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Blessings and Curses for Israel").
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 9:16 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Daniel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Sovereignty of God** over history and nations, demonstrating that even national calamity is under His control and serves His purposes, often as judgment for sin. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Corporate Sin and Responsibility**, as Daniel confesses the collective iniquities of the nation, acknowledging that the actions of past generations have consequences for the present. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes **God's Righteousness and Justice**, asserting that His anger is not arbitrary but a just response to disobedience, yet it is also the very character trait to which Daniel appeals for mercy. Finally, it expresses a fervent **Hope for Restoration**, rooted in God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, despite the severity of the judgment. This hope is central to the prophetic messages of exile and return, as seen in [Isaiah 40](/isaiah/40 "Comfort for God's People") and [Jeremiah 30-33](/jeremiah/30 "Prophecies of Restoration").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây'_):** This emphatic form of the Hebrew word for "Lord" is used as a proper name for God, signifying His absolute sovereignty and mastership. Daniel's address to "Adonai" underscores his recognition of God's supreme authority and power, the very one capable of turning away judgment and restoring His people. It is a title of reverence and submission.
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be right" or "just," this term encompasses God's rectitude, justice, and moral virtue. Daniel appeals to God's righteousness not as a claim of Israel's deservingness, but as the very foundation of God's character that ensures He will act justly, which includes both judgment for sin and faithfulness to His covenant promises of restoration. It implies God's consistent adherence to His own perfect standards.
* **Reproach (Hebrew, _cherpâh'_):** This word conveys a strong sense of shame, disgrace, scorn, and public humiliation. It vividly describes the contempt and mockery that Jerusalem and the Jewish people faced from surrounding nations due to their desolate state. This "reproach" was a visible sign of God's judgment and the consequence of their unfaithfulness, highlighting the profound depth of their fallen condition.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O Lord, according to all thy righteousness,"**: Daniel begins his plea by invoking God's supreme authority ("O Lord") and grounding his request not in any merit of Israel, but solely in the unassailable character of God. His appeal to "all thy righteousness" is a profound theological statement, recognizing that God's justice is the basis for both judgment and mercy.
* **"I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain:"**: Here, Daniel makes his direct petition. He pleads for the cessation of God's intense wrath ("anger and thy fury") which has been poured out on Jerusalem. Referring to Jerusalem as "thy city" and "thy holy mountain" emphasizes its divine ownership and sacred status, appealing to God's honor and commitment to His chosen place.
* **"because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers,"**: Daniel provides the explicit reason for Jerusalem's desolation and God's judgment. He takes corporate responsibility, confessing "our sins" (referring to his generation's transgressions) and "the iniquities of our fathers" (acknowledging the cumulative, generational disobedience that led to their current plight). This demonstrates a deep understanding of the covenantal consequences of sin.
* **"Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us."**: This clause describes the dire consequence of their sin and God's judgment. Jerusalem, once glorious, and God's chosen people are now a source of public shame, disgrace, and mockery to the surrounding nations. This "reproach" is a painful indicator of their spiritual and physical desolation, serving as a powerful motivation for Daniel's intercession.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 9:16 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey the urgency and depth of Daniel's prayer. The address "O Lord" is a form of **apostrophe**, directly addressing God with reverence and earnestness. The use of **parallelism** is evident in the pairing of "anger and thy fury," emphasizing the intensity of divine wrath, and "our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers," highlighting the breadth of their corporate guilt. The phrase "thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain" uses **apposition** to underscore Jerusalem's sacred identity and its special relationship with God, even in its ruined state. Furthermore, the description of Jerusalem and its people becoming "a reproach" is a powerful use of **metonymy**, where the effect (reproach) stands for the cause (their desolation and humiliation), vividly portraying their public disgrace. The entire verse functions as a **supplication**, a humble and earnest appeal to a higher power, characteristic of lament and intercessory prayer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 9:16 profoundly illustrates the biblical principle that God's justice is inextricably linked to His covenant faithfulness. Daniel's prayer does not deny the severity of Israel's sin or the righteousness of God's judgment, but rather appeals to God's character as the ultimate basis for restoration. He understands that while sin brings forth divine anger, God's righteousness also compels Him to uphold His promises and ultimately redeem His people. This tension between divine wrath and redemptive purpose is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, demonstrating that God's justice is not merely punitive but also restorative, aimed at bringing His people back into right relationship with Him.

* [Nehemiah 9:2](/nehemiah/9-2 "Nehemiah's Confession of Corporate Sin")
* [Psalm 79:4](/psalm/79-4 "Psalm of Lament and Reproach")
* [Isaiah 64:9](/isaiah/64-9 "Isaiah's Prayer for God's Mercy and Restoration")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 9:16 offers a timeless model for how believers should approach God in times of personal or corporate crisis. It teaches us the profound importance of humility, confession, and intercession. Daniel, a righteous man, nonetheless identifies deeply with the sins of his people and his ancestors, acknowledging the cumulative impact of disobedience. This challenges us to consider our own complicity in societal or communal sin and to take responsibility for it before God. Furthermore, Daniel's prayer reminds us that true hope for restoration is not found in human merit or effort, but solely in the unchangeable character of God—His righteousness, mercy, and faithfulness to His promises. In our own lives, when we face consequences for our actions or witness the brokenness of the world, this verse calls us to turn to God with genuine repentance, trusting that His justice also paves the way for His compassion and healing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Daniel's willingness to confess "our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers" challenge my understanding of personal versus corporate responsibility for sin?**
* **In what ways might my community or nation be experiencing "reproach" today, and how does this verse guide my approach to intercession for them?**
* **How does appealing to God's "righteousness" as the basis for mercy deepen my understanding of His character?**
* **What specific "anger and fury" (consequences of sin) do I need to ask God to turn away from my life or circumstances, based on His righteousness?**

### FAQ
**Why does Daniel appeal to God's "righteousness" when confessing sin and asking for mercy? Isn't righteousness about judgment?**

Answer: Daniel's appeal to God's "righteousness" (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_) is a profound theological insight. While God's righteousness indeed demands justice for sin and leads to judgment (as seen in Jerusalem's desolation), it also encompasses His faithfulness to His covenant promises and His inherent moral rectitude. Daniel understands that God's character is consistent: He is righteous in judging sin, and He is righteous in keeping His word to restore His repentant people. Therefore, Daniel appeals to God's complete righteousness, trusting that this attribute, which necessitates judgment, also guarantees His redemptive action. It's an appeal to God's consistency and integrity, not to Israel's merit. This concept is echoed in [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "Confession and Forgiveness") where God is described as "faithful and just" (righteous) to forgive sins.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel's prayer in [Daniel 9:16](/daniel/9-16 "Daniel's Prayer for Jerusalem"), with its fervent plea for God's anger to be turned away due to the sins of the people, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "anger and fury" of God, justly poured out on humanity for its sins and the "iniquities of our fathers," was fully absorbed and propitiated by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. He became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, bearing the "reproach" and shame that was due to us. Just as Daniel appealed to God's righteousness, the New Testament reveals that God's righteousness is perfectly demonstrated in Christ's work, where He is both "just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" ([Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "God's Righteousness in Justification")). Through His death, the wrath of God against sin was appeased, and the way was opened for true restoration, not just of a city, but of humanity to God. The "holy mountain" of Jerusalem, which became a reproach, foreshadows the spiritual Jerusalem, the church, made holy and without reproach through Christ's blood ([Ephesians 5:27](/ephesians/5-27 "Christ's Love for the Church")). Thus, Daniel's desperate cry for divine anger to be "turned away" is answered definitively in the person and work of Jesus, who bore the full brunt of God's righteous judgment, offering eternal reconciliation and removing our reproach forever ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ Our Righteousness")).

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

Zechariah 8:3

Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.

Psalms 87:1

¶ A Psalm [or] Song for the sons of Korah. His foundation [is] in the holy mountains.

Psalms 87:3

Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.

Psalms 31:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

Daniel 9:20

¶ And whiles I [was] speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;

Joel 3:17

So shall ye know that I [am] the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.

Lamentations 2:15

All that pass by clap [their] hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, [saying, Is] this the city that [men] call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?