Daniel 9:2

KJV

In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

KJV (with Strong's)

In the first {H259} year {H8141} of his reign {H4427} I Daniel {H1840} understood {H995} by books {H5612} the number {H4557} of the years {H8141}, whereof the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came to Jeremiah {H3414} the prophet {H5030}, that he would accomplish {H4390} seventy {H7657} years {H8141} in the desolations {H2723} of Jerusalem {H3389}.

Complete Jewish Bible

in the first year of his reign, I, Dani'el, was reading the Scriptures and thinking about the number of years which ADONAI had told Yirmeyah the prophet would be the period of Yerushalayim's desolation, seventy years.

Berean Standard Bible

in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the sacred books, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.

American Standard Version

in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years whereof the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah the prophet, for the accomplishing of the desolations of Jerusalem, even seventy years.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 9:2 presents the prophet Daniel, in the first year of Darius the Mede's reign, diligently studying sacred texts. Through this study, he gains a profound understanding of the specific timeline for Jerusalem's desolation, recognizing that the seventy-year period prophesied by Jeremiah was nearing its completion. This realization serves as the catalyst for Daniel's subsequent prayer of confession and intercession, setting the stage for the pivotal revelation of the seventy weeks.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 9:2 immediately follows the account of Babylon's fall to the Medo-Persians and the establishment of Darius the Mede's rule, marking a significant shift in world empires as foretold in earlier visions (e.g., [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of Empires")). This verse transitions the narrative from prophetic visions received by Daniel to his profound engagement with existing written prophecy. It sets the stage for Daniel's extended prayer in [Daniel 9:3-19](/daniel/9-3-19 "Daniel's Prayer of Confession and Intercession") and the subsequent angelic visitation and revelation of the "seventy weeks" prophecy in [Daniel 9:20-27](/daniel/9-20-27 "Daniel's Vision of the Seventy Weeks"). The verse highlights Daniel's active pursuit of understanding God's revealed will, rather than passively awaiting new revelation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is approximately 539-538 BC, in Babylon, shortly after the city's conquest by Cyrus the Great, operating under the figurehead Darius the Mede (possibly a satrap or another name for Cyrus). The Jewish people had been in Babylonian exile for nearly 70 years, a period of immense suffering and longing for return to their homeland. Daniel himself was an elderly man, having served in the Babylonian court for decades. The "books" Daniel studied would have been the prophetic scrolls available to him, likely including the writings of Jeremiah, which would have been preserved and revered by the exilic community. The concept of "seventy years" was a well-known prophetic period within the Jewish consciousness, representing a divinely appointed time of judgment and purification.

* **Key Themes:** This verse underscores several crucial themes. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Revelation and Human Understanding**, showcasing that God's sovereign plan is not only revealed but also intended to be understood by His people through diligent study of His Word. Daniel's "understanding by books" highlights that spiritual insight often comes through careful engagement with established scripture, as seen in [Psalm 119:105](/psalms/119-105 "Psalm 119:105 - Your Word is a Lamp"). Secondly, it points to **Prophetic Fulfillment and God's Sovereignty**, as the nearing completion of Jeremiah's prophecy demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promises and His absolute control over the course of history, even amidst the desolation of His people and city (cf. [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")). Finally, the verse highlights the **Importance of Scripture** as the primary means by which God communicates His will and timing, inspiring faithful response and intercession, much like the Bereans who "examined the Scriptures daily" in [Acts 17:11](/acts/17-11 "Acts 17:11 - The Bereans Search the Scriptures").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Daniel (Hebrew, _Dânîyêʼl'_):** From the Hebrew words meaning "judge" and "God," signifying "God is my judge" or "Judge of God." This name is highly significant as it reflects the character and role of the prophet himself. Daniel, throughout his life, stood as a faithful witness and interpreter of God's judgment and righteous decrees, even in a pagan court. Here, he acts as one who discerns God's judgment and timing through diligent study.
* **books (Hebrew, _çêpher'_):** This term refers to "writings," "scrolls," or "documents." It explicitly indicates that Daniel's understanding was not a new, direct revelation or vision at this moment, but rather a profound insight gained from a careful and scholarly examination of existing written prophecies. This emphasizes the authority and sufficiency of God's written Word as a source of divine truth and understanding for His people.
* **desolations (Hebrew, _chorbâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "drought" or "dryness," this word signifies "desolation," "destruction," or a "waste place." It vividly describes the ruined state of Jerusalem and the temple following the Babylonian conquest. The use of this term underscores the severity of God's judgment upon His people for their disobedience, yet it also sets the stage for the promised restoration, as the period of desolation was divinely appointed and finite.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the first year of his reign":** This temporal marker precisely dates Daniel's realization to the initial period of Darius the Mede's rule, placing it around 539-538 BC, shortly after the fall of Babylon. This specific timing is crucial as it indicates the nearing completion of the seventy-year exile, prompting Daniel's urgent inquiry.
* **"I Daniel understood by books the number of the years":** This clause reveals Daniel's active engagement with scripture. The phrase "understood by books" (Hebrew: _bi'sfarim_) indicates that his comprehension came from a diligent study of written prophecies, not a new vision. He was discerning a specific numerical period—"the number of the years"—which refers to the duration of Jerusalem's desolation. This highlights the importance of intellectual and spiritual engagement with God's revealed Word.
* **"whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet":** This identifies the precise source of Daniel's understanding: the prophetic writings of Jeremiah. It confirms the intertextual nature of Daniel's study, linking his current understanding directly to previous divine revelation given through another prophet. This emphasizes the unity and continuity of God's prophetic message throughout history.
* **"that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem":** This final clause specifies the content of Jeremiah's prophecy that Daniel understood: a divinely decreed period of "seventy years" for Jerusalem's "desolations." This refers to the period of the Babylonian captivity and the ruined state of the city and temple, a consequence of Judah's sin and a fulfillment of God's judgment. Daniel's understanding that this period was to "accomplish" (or "be completed") signaled that the time for restoration was at hand.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 9:2 is rich in literary devices that enhance its theological significance. **Intertextuality** is prominent, as Daniel explicitly references and engages with the prophecy of Jeremiah, demonstrating the interconnectedness of biblical revelation and the importance of studying the whole counsel of God. This verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, as Daniel's understanding of the seventy years of desolation directly precedes and sets the stage for the much larger and more complex "seventy weeks" prophecy in the latter part of the chapter, which extends God's redemptive timeline far beyond the immediate return from exile. Furthermore, there is an element of **Divine Sovereignty** conveyed through the precise numerical prophecy and its nearing fulfillment, emphasizing God's meticulous control over historical events and His faithfulness to His word, even in judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 9:2 serves as a profound theological anchor, demonstrating God's meticulous sovereignty over history and His faithfulness to His prophetic word. Daniel's diligent study and subsequent understanding of Jeremiah's prophecy highlight that God's plans are not arbitrary but are revealed and can be comprehended by those who diligently seek Him in His Word. This verse underscores the principle that divine revelation often builds upon prior revelation, with later prophets and believers gaining insight into the unfolding of God's eternal purposes. The completion of the seventy years of desolation signifies the end of a specific period of judgment and the impending dawn of restoration, revealing God's ultimate desire to bless and restore His people, even after severe discipline. This understanding then compels Daniel into a deep prayer of confession and intercession, illustrating the proper human response to discerning God's will and timing.

* [Jeremiah 25:11-12](/jeremiah/25-11-12 "Jeremiah 25:11-12 - The Seventy Years of Desolation")
* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - God's Promise of Return After Seventy Years")
* [2 Chronicles 36:21](/2_chronicles/36-21 "2 Chronicles 36:21 - Fulfillment of the Sabbath Rest for the Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 9:2 offers a powerful model for believers today. In an age of information overload and spiritual distraction, Daniel's example calls us to a disciplined and prayerful engagement with God's written Word. His "understanding by books" reminds us that profound spiritual insight often comes not from dramatic visions, but from diligent, persistent study of the Scriptures. This deep dive into God's truth should lead, as it did for Daniel, to a clearer understanding of God's character, His purposes, and His timing. Such understanding should then prompt us to prayer, confession, and intercession for our communities and the world, aligning our hearts with God's will. Just as Daniel recognized the nearing fulfillment of a specific prophecy, we too are called to discern the signs of the times through the lens of Scripture, living with hope and urgency in light of God's ultimate redemptive plan. Our study should not be merely academic but transformative, leading to a deeper walk with God and a more fervent pursuit of His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How diligently do I engage with God's Word, and what is my primary motivation for doing so?**
* **In what ways does my understanding of biblical prophecy influence my prayer life and my actions?**
* **What "desolations" in my life or in the world am I called to intercede for, trusting in God's sovereign timing and restorative power?**

### FAQ
**What "books" did Daniel study to understand the prophecy?**

Answer: While the text doesn't specify every book, it explicitly states that Daniel understood "whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet." This strongly indicates that Daniel was studying the prophetic scrolls of Jeremiah, particularly passages like [Jeremiah 25:11-12](/jeremiah/25-11-12 "Jeremiah 25:11-12 - The Seventy Years of Desolation") and [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - God's Promise of Return After Seventy Years"), which clearly foretold the seventy-year period of Babylonian captivity and Jerusalem's desolation. This suggests that the prophetic writings of Jeremiah were preserved and accessible to the exilic community in Babylon.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel's understanding of the seventy years of desolation and the impending restoration of Jerusalem, while significant for Israel's immediate future, ultimately points to a far greater and more profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The end of the physical exile and the return to the land foreshadow the spiritual liberation from the bondage of sin and death that Christ accomplishes for all who believe, as declared in [John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - The Son Sets You Free"). The "desolations of Jerusalem" find their ultimate resolution not merely in a rebuilt city, but in the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city of God, where Christ reigns eternally and where there will be no more sorrow or death, as vividly described in [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Jerusalem Descends")). Jesus himself is the ultimate "Word of the LORD" (cf. [John 1:1,14](/john/1-1-14 "John 1:1,14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the one through whom God speaks His final and most complete revelation, fulfilling all the Law and the Prophets (cf. [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law and Prophets")). Daniel's diligent study of the written word to understand God's plan prefigures the Christian's reliance on the inspired Scriptures to comprehend the person and work of Christ, who is the culmination and fulfillment of all God's promises and prophetic timelines (cf. [Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - Christ Fulfills All Scripture")).

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

Jeremiah 29:10

For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

Jeremiah 25:11

And this whole land shall be a desolation, [and] an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

Jeremiah 25:12

And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, [that] I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.

2 Chronicles 36:21

To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: [for] as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.

Revelation 1:3

¶ Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.

Zechariah 7:5

Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh [month], even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, [even] to me?

2 Peter 1:19

¶ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: