Daniel 9:17

KJV

Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now therefore, O our God {H430}, hear {H8085} the prayer {H8605} of thy servant {H5650}, and his supplications {H8469}, and cause thy face {H6440} to shine {H215} upon thy sanctuary {H4720} that is desolate {H8076}, for the Lord's {H136} sake.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, our God, listen to the prayer and pleadings of your servant; and cause your face to shine on your desolated sanctuary, for your own sake.

Berean Standard Bible

So now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine upon Your desolate sanctuary.

American Standard Version

Now therefore, O our God, hearken unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 9:17 is a poignant plea from Daniel, embedded within his profound prayer of confession and intercession for Jerusalem and his people during the Babylonian exile. It encapsulates his fervent desire for God to restore His favor and presence to the desolate sanctuary in Jerusalem, appealing not to Israel's merit but solely to God's own character and glory. This verse highlights the deep spiritual yearning for divine intervention and the re-establishment of God's dwelling place among His people, grounded in a humble recognition of God's sovereignty and faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 9:17 is a crucial component of Daniel's extensive prayer in [Daniel 9](/daniel/9 "Daniel's Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks"). This prayer immediately follows Daniel's contemplation of Jeremiah's prophecy regarding the seventy years of desolation for Jerusalem ([Daniel 9:2](/daniel/9-2 "Daniel's Understanding of Jeremiah's Prophecy")). Recognizing that this period is nearing its end, Daniel pours out a deeply penitential and intercessory prayer on behalf of his people, Israel. The prayer begins with confession of national sin ([Daniel 9:5-11](/daniel/9-5-11 "Israel's Confession of Sin")), acknowledges God's righteous judgment ([Daniel 9:12-14](/daniel/9-12-14 "God's Righteous Judgment")), and then transitions into earnest supplication for restoration based on God's character and promises ([Daniel 9:15-19](/daniel/9-15-19 "Daniel's Earnest Supplication")). Verse 17 specifically focuses on the restoration of the sanctuary, a central symbol of God's presence and covenant with Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prayer in [Daniel 9](/daniel/9 "Daniel's Prayer and the Seventy Weeks Prophecy") takes place around 538 BC, near the end of the 70-year Babylonian captivity, as prophesied by Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 25:11-12](/jeremiah/25-11-12 "Jeremiah's Prophecy of Seventy Years")). Jerusalem and its Temple had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC, leaving the holy city and its sanctuary in ruins. For the Jewish people, the Temple was not merely a building but the focal point of their religious life, the place where God's presence (Shekinah glory) was believed to dwell, and where atonement for sins was made. Its desolation was a profound symbol of God's judgment on their disobedience and the brokenness of their covenant relationship. Daniel's prayer reflects the deep spiritual and emotional anguish of a people separated from their land and their sacred center, yearning for the restoration of their worship and God's manifest presence among them.
* **Key Themes:** The broader themes in [Daniel 9](/daniel/9 "Daniel's Prayer and the Seventy Weeks Prophecy") that Daniel 9:17 contributes to include **corporate confession and repentance**, as Daniel identifies with the sins of his people despite his own righteousness. It underscores the theme of **divine justice and faithfulness**, acknowledging God's right to judge while simultaneously appealing to His covenant promises and merciful character. The verse also highlights the **importance of intercessory prayer**, demonstrating how a righteous individual can stand in the gap for their nation. Most significantly, it emphasizes the **centrality of God's glory and name** as the ultimate basis for divine action, as Daniel appeals "for the Lord's sake," not for Israel's merit. This aligns with the broader biblical principle that God acts for the sake of His own name, as seen in [Ezekiel 36:22](/ezekiel/36-22 "God acts for His holy name's sake").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This plural form, often used with the article, specifically refers to the supreme God of Israel. Its use here, "O our God," emphasizes Daniel's personal and communal relationship with the one true God, acknowledging His ultimate authority and power as the recipient of their fervent prayer. It underscores the unique covenant relationship between God and His people, even in their state of exile and desolation.
* **shine (Hebrew, _ʼôwr'_):** Derived from a primitive root meaning "to be luminous" or "to make light," this word in the causative sense "cause to shine" carries significant theological weight. When applied to God's face, as in this verse, it is an idiom for divine favor, blessing, and manifest presence. It implies a lifting of judgment, a restoration of warmth, and a clear demonstration of God's benevolent disposition, much like the sun breaking through clouds after a storm. Daniel desires God's active, visible blessing upon His sanctuary.
* **sanctuary (Hebrew, _miqdâsh'_):** This term refers to a consecrated thing or place, specifically the Temple in Jerusalem. It signifies a holy place set apart for God's dwelling and worship. Daniel's plea for God's face to shine upon His "sanctuary that is desolate" highlights the profound spiritual and physical ruin of the Temple, which was the epicenter of Israel's covenant relationship with God. The restoration of the sanctuary was synonymous with the restoration of God's presence and the proper worship of His name among His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications":** This opening clause establishes the urgent and intimate nature of Daniel's plea. "Now therefore" indicates a logical progression from the preceding confession and acknowledgment of God's righteousness. Addressing God as "our God" emphasizes the covenant relationship. "Hear the prayer... and his supplications" is a double appeal for God to listen attentively and respond to his earnest, humble petitions, recognizing Daniel's position as a devoted servant.
* **"and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate":** This is the core request, a profound longing for God's manifest favor and presence to return to the ruined Temple. The idiom "cause thy face to shine" signifies divine blessing, approval, and active intervention, implying a reversal of the judgment that led to the sanctuary's desolation. Daniel is not merely asking for physical rebuilding but for the spiritual re-inhabitation and blessing of the holy place.
* **"for the Lord's sake."**: This concluding phrase is the crucial theological anchor of Daniel's prayer. It reveals the ultimate basis for his petition: not Israel's merit, worthiness, or past righteousness, but solely for the sake of God's own glory, reputation, and covenant faithfulness. Daniel appeals to God's character, His promises, and His commitment to His own name, trusting that God will act to uphold His own honor in the eyes of the nations.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 9:17 employs several powerful literary devices. **Personification** is evident in the phrase "cause thy face to shine," attributing a human characteristic (a face that can shine) to God, conveying the idea of His benevolent and active presence. This is also a form of **Anthropomorphism**, describing God in human terms to make His actions comprehensible. The concept of "shining" is a **Metaphor** for divine favor, blessing, and manifest presence, contrasting sharply with the "desolate" state of the sanctuary, which itself is a **Symbol** of Israel's broken relationship with God and the absence of His glory. The repetition of "prayer" and "supplications" (from the root H8469, _tachănûwn_) emphasizes the earnestness and intensity of Daniel's **Intercession**. Finally, the concluding phrase "for the Lord's sake" functions as a powerful **Rhetorical Appeal**, grounding the entire petition not in human merit but in the unassailable character and glory of God Himself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 9:17 profoundly illustrates the nature of biblical prayer, particularly intercession rooted in God's character rather than human deserving. Daniel's appeal for God's face to shine upon the desolate sanctuary is a cry for the restoration of divine favor and presence, a theme deeply embedded in Israel's theological tradition. It underscores the belief that God's glory is intrinsically tied to His dwelling place among His people. This prayer, made during a time of national judgment, exemplifies how true repentance and humble supplication pave the way for God's mercy, demonstrating that God's actions are ultimately driven by His own righteous nature and commitment to His covenant promises, not by human performance.

* [Numbers 6:25-26](/numbers/6-25-26 "The Priestly Blessing")
* [Psalm 80:3](/psalm/80-3 "Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!")
* [Psalm 79:9](/psalm/79-9 "Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name!")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 9:17 offers a profound model for contemporary believers, calling us to a deeper, more God-centered approach to prayer. Just as Daniel was burdened by the desolation of God's sanctuary and the spiritual state of his people, we too should cultivate a heart that grieves over the brokenness in our world—whether it's the spiritual apathy in our communities, the decline of moral values, or the suffering of the marginalized. Our prayers should transcend personal needs, rising to fervent intercession for God's manifest presence and favor to shine upon His church and the world. This means praying not primarily for our comfort or success, but for God's glory to be revealed, for His kingdom to come, and for His will to be done. Our confidence in prayer should never rest on our own righteousness or worthiness, but solely on the unchanging character of God, His boundless mercy, and His faithfulness to His own name. We appeal to Him "for the Lord's sake," trusting that He will act in accordance with His perfect wisdom and love, bringing light into desolate places and restoring what is broken for the sake of His own honor.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "desolate places" (spiritual or physical) in your life, community, or the world is God calling you to pray for?**
* **How does Daniel's emphasis on "for the Lord's sake" challenge or deepen your understanding of the basis for your own prayers?**
* **In what ways can you seek God's "face to shine" upon your church or ministry, desiring His manifest presence and favor above all else?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of Daniel praying for the "sanctuary that is desolate"?**

Answer: The "sanctuary that is desolate" refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians. For Daniel and the Jewish people, the Temple was the physical manifestation of God's dwelling place among them and the center of their worship and national identity. Its desolation symbolized God's judgment on their sins and the perceived absence of His favor. Daniel's prayer for the sanctuary to be restored and for God's "face to shine" upon it was not just a request for a building to be rebuilt, but a profound yearning for the restoration of God's active presence, blessing, and covenant relationship with His people. It was a prayer for spiritual revival and the re-establishment of proper worship, recognizing that the physical state of the Temple reflected the spiritual state of the nation.

**Why does Daniel appeal "for the Lord's sake" rather than for Israel's sake?**

Answer: Daniel's appeal "for the Lord's sake" (or "for your own sake," depending on translation) is a crucial theological point. It demonstrates that Daniel understood the ultimate basis for God's action. He wasn't appealing to Israel's merit, their past righteousness, or any inherent worthiness on their part, because he had just confessed their profound sinfulness ([Daniel 9:5-11](/daniel/9-5-11 "Israel's Confession of Sin")). Instead, Daniel appealed to God's own character, His glory, His reputation among the nations, and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. This aligns with many other biblical prayers (e.g., [Psalm 79:9](/psalm/79-9 "Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name!"), [Isaiah 48:11](/isaiah/48-11 "For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it")). Daniel recognized that God's honor was at stake; if His people remained in desolation, it might appear to the surrounding nations that their God was either powerless or unfaithful. Therefore, Daniel asks God to act for the sake of His own great name and glory, demonstrating His power and faithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel's prayer for God's "face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Daniel longed for the restoration of a physical temple, the New Testament reveals that Jesus Himself is the true Temple of God, the place where God's presence fully dwells among humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "Jesus, the Temple")). Through Christ, God's face, once hidden by sin and judgment, now shines forth with the full radiance of His glory and grace ([2 Corinthians 4:6](/2_corinthians/4-6 "God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ")). The desolation that plagued the Old Covenant sanctuary due to human sin is overcome by Christ's perfect sacrifice, which cleanses and consecrates a new, spiritual temple—the body of believers, the Church ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone")). Christ's intercession, far surpassing Daniel's, is eternal and perfect ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them")). Thus, God's favor shines upon His people not through a rebuilt structure, but through the indwelling Holy Spirit, made possible by Christ, "for the Lord's sake"—indeed, for the sake of the Son, who perfectly glorified the Father ([John 17:4](/john/17-4 "I have glorified you on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do")).

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

Psalms 80:19

Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Lamentations 5:18

Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.

Psalms 80:7

Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

2 Corinthians 1:20

For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Psalms 80:3

Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Psalms 119:135

¶ Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

John 16:24

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.