Daniel 9:20

KJV

¶ 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;

KJV (with Strong's)

And whiles I was speaking {H1696}, and praying {H6419}, and confessing {H3034} my sin {H2403} and the sin {H2403} of my people {H5971} Israel {H3478}, and presenting {H5307} my supplication {H8467} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} my God {H430} for the holy {H6944} mountain {H2022} of my God {H430};

Complete Jewish Bible

While I was speaking, praying, confessing my own sin and the sin of my people Isra'el, and pleading before ADONAI my God for the holy mountain of my God -

Berean Standard Bible

While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and that of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the LORD my God concerning His holy mountain—

American Standard Version

And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before Jehovah my God for the holy mountain of my God;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 9:20 captures a profound moment of fervent prayer and intercession, where the prophet Daniel, deeply burdened by the desolation of Jerusalem and the sins of his people, pours out his heart before God. This verse serves as the immediate prelude to the pivotal "seventy weeks" prophecy, highlighting that divine revelation often follows a period of intense, humble, and corporate confession and supplication. Daniel's posture exemplifies a model of earnest devotion and identification with the spiritual state of his nation, seeking restoration not based on merit but on God's abundant mercy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 9:20 is the culminating statement of Daniel's extended prayer, which begins in [Daniel 9:3](/daniel/9-3 "Daniel's Prayer of Confession and Supplication") and extends through [Daniel 9:19](/daniel/9-19 "Daniel's Concluding Plea"). The preceding verses detail Daniel's deep humility, his confession of Israel's widespread sinfulness, and his earnest plea for God to act on behalf of Jerusalem and His holy name. This specific verse describes Daniel's state *at the very moment* of divine intervention, emphasizing the intensity and comprehensive nature of his intercession—encompassing speaking, praying, confessing both personal and national sin, and presenting a heartfelt supplication. It sets the stage for the immediate appearance of the angel Gabriel, who is dispatched in [Daniel 9:21](/daniel/9-21 "Gabriel Appears to Daniel") to deliver the monumental prophecy of the seventy weeks, a direct response to Daniel's earnest plea.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Daniel's prayer takes place during the Babylonian exile, specifically in the first year of Darius the Mede (likely around 539-538 BC), as noted in [Daniel 9:1](/daniel/9-1 "Daniel's Prayer Setting"). Daniel had been meditating on Jeremiah's prophecy concerning the [seventy years of desolation for Jerusalem](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah's Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile"). The seventy-year period was nearing its end, creating a sense of anticipation and urgency for Daniel. For the exiled Jews, Jerusalem, particularly the temple mount (the "holy mountain"), was the spiritual heart of their nation, symbolizing their covenant relationship with God and the hope of restoration. The destruction of the temple and the city was a profound national trauma, viewed as divine judgment for their disobedience. Daniel's prayer reflects the deep longing for the restoration of their homeland, the rebuilding of the temple, and the re-establishment of God's presence among His people, all within the framework of national repentance and divine promise.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Daniel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **earnest prayer and divine responsiveness**. Daniel's fervent and comprehensive prayer, encompassing speaking, praying, confessing, and supplicating, immediately precedes and directly precipitates a profound divine revelation, illustrating God's attentiveness to the sincere cries of His servants. Secondly, the verse highlights **corporate and personal confession of sin**. Daniel does not merely confess his own sins but deeply identifies with "the sin of my people Israel," demonstrating a profound understanding of shared responsibility and the necessity of national repentance for collective restoration, a theme also found in passages like [Nehemiah 1:6-7](/nehemiah/1-6-7 "Nehemiah's Prayer of Confession"). Thirdly, it emphasizes **intercession for God's people and holy places**. Daniel's focus on "the holy mountain of my God" (Jerusalem/Mount Zion) reveals his burden for the physical and spiritual restoration of God's dwelling place and His chosen people, reflecting a heart aligned with God's redemptive purposes for His covenant community, a concept echoed in the psalmist's prayer for Jerusalem in [Psalm 122:6](/psalm/122-6 "Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Praying (Hebrew, _pâlal'_ H6419):** This primitive root means "to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray." In Daniel's context, it signifies a deliberate, earnest act of communication with God, often implying a judicial or intercessory posture. It's not just speaking words, but engaging in a formal, intentional plea, much like presenting a case before a judge, seeking a favorable verdict or intervention. This highlights the serious and purposeful nature of Daniel's communion with God.
* **Confessing (Hebrew, _yâdâh'_ H3034):** Derived from the word for "hand," this root literally means "to use (i.e., hold out) the hand." It can mean to throw, but especially to revere or worship (with extended hands), and intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands). In this context, "confessing" implies an open, public acknowledgment of sin, often accompanied by gestures of humility and repentance. It's a full admission of guilt, not merely an intellectual assent, but a heartfelt owning of one's own and the nation's transgressions before God.
* **Sin (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_ H2403):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to miss the mark," refers to an "offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation." It encompasses both the act of transgression and its consequences. Daniel's use of "my sin and the sin of my people Israel" underscores a comprehensive understanding of human failure to meet God's standards, acknowledging both personal culpability and the collective guilt of the nation that led to their exile.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And whiles I [was] speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel":** This opening clause immediately draws the reader into the midst of Daniel's intense spiritual activity. The repetition of verbs—speaking, praying, confessing—emphasizes the comprehensive and continuous nature of his intercession. Daniel's confession is deeply personal ("my sin") yet profoundly corporate ("the sin of my people Israel"), demonstrating a profound identification with the collective spiritual state of his nation. This dual confession highlights his humility and his role as an intercessor who stands in the gap, acknowledging the shared responsibility for the national disobedience that led to their exile.
* **"and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God":** This phrase further elaborates on the nature of Daniel's prayer. "Presenting" (Hebrew, _nâphal'_ H5307, meaning "to fall" or "to present") suggests a posture of humility and earnestness, as if laying his request down before a superior. "Supplication" (Hebrew, _tᵉchinnâh'_ H8467) implies a plea for grace or mercy, a humble request acknowledging one's unworthiness and appealing solely to God's compassion and favor. The address "before the LORD my God" (using both YHWH, _Yᵉhôvâh'_ H3068, and _ʼĕlôhîym'_ H430) underscores the personal and covenantal relationship Daniel has with the sovereign God, to whom he directs his most earnest pleas.
* **"for the holy mountain of my God;":** The object of Daniel's intense prayer is explicitly stated: "the holy mountain of my God." This refers to Jerusalem, specifically Mount Zion, where the temple once stood. For Daniel, this was not merely a geographical location but the sacred center of God's covenant presence among His people. His intercession for the "holy mountain" signifies his deep concern for the restoration of Jerusalem, the rebuilding of the temple, and the re-establishment of God's dwelling place and glory among Israel, which had been desolate for seventy years. It reflects a profound spiritual burden for the restoration of God's honor and the welfare of His people's spiritual heritage.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** of the verbs "speaking, praying, and confessing" emphasizes the sustained and multifaceted nature of Daniel's spiritual engagement. This creates a sense of profound intensity and dedication. The use of **Parallelism** is evident in "my sin and the sin of my people Israel," highlighting Daniel's personal humility alongside his corporate identification. This structure underscores the dual nature of his confession. Furthermore, **Metonymy** is present in "the holy mountain of my God," where the mountain (Mount Zion/Temple Mount) stands in for the entire city of Jerusalem and its spiritual significance as the dwelling place of God's presence. This concise phrase effectively encapsulates Daniel's deep concern for the restoration of God's honor and the physical and spiritual well-being of His people's homeland.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 9:20 is a powerful testament to the efficacy of earnest, humble, and intercessory prayer, particularly when it includes both personal and corporate confession. It reveals that God is not only attentive to the cries of His people but often initiates His most profound revelations and redemptive acts in response to such fervent supplication. Daniel's prayer, rooted in a deep understanding of God's covenant promises and a profound burden for His people and His holy city, serves as a model for believers throughout history. It underscores the theological truth that while God's plans are sovereign, He invites and often waits for the participation of His people through prayer and repentance to bring those plans to fruition. This verse sets the stage for one of the most significant messianic prophecies in the Old Testament, demonstrating that divine revelation frequently follows a period of intense spiritual preparation and sincere seeking after God.

* [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "The Effective Prayer of a Righteous Person")
* [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "Confession and Forgiveness")
* [Nehemiah 1:6](/nehemiah/1-6 "Nehemiah's Prayer of Confession for Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 9:20 offers a timeless blueprint for approaching God in prayer, particularly in times of national or communal distress. Daniel's example challenges us to move beyond superficial requests to engage in deep, heartfelt intercession that encompasses both personal and corporate sin. His willingness to identify with "the sin of my people Israel" despite his own righteousness reminds us of the profound spiritual principle of standing in the gap for others, bearing their burdens, and acknowledging collective responsibility before a holy God. This kind of prayer is not merely a ritual but a transformative act that aligns our hearts with God's purposes, preparing us to receive His wisdom and participate in His redemptive work. It teaches us that true spiritual leadership often involves a profound burden for the spiritual state of our communities and a persistent, humble appeal to God's mercy for their restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or your community do you need to offer both personal and corporate confession before God?**
* **How might Daniel's comprehensive approach to prayer—speaking, praying, confessing, supplicating—deepen your own prayer life?**
* **What "holy mountains" (places, institutions, or people significant to God's kingdom) are you burdened to pray for today, and what specific supplications might you offer?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of Daniel confessing "my sin and the sin of my people Israel"?**

Answer: Daniel's dual confession is highly significant. It demonstrates his profound humility, acknowledging his own personal fallibility even as a righteous prophet. More importantly, it highlights the concept of corporate solidarity and identification. Daniel, though personally devout, recognized that he was part of a covenant community that had collectively sinned against God. By confessing "the sin of my people Israel," he was standing in the gap as an intercessor, bearing the burden of his nation's disobedience and appealing to God's mercy on their behalf. This act of corporate confession is a powerful biblical precedent for leaders and believers to identify with the spiritual state of their community or nation, acknowledging shared culpability before God and seeking His forgiveness and restoration for the whole. It underscores that God deals with both individuals and communities, and that collective repentance can lead to collective blessing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel's fervent intercession and corporate confession in [Daniel 9:20](/daniel/9-20 "Daniel's Prayer of Confession") find their ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Daniel, a righteous man, stood in the gap for a sinful people, confessing their transgressions and presenting supplication for their restoration. This foreshadows Christ, who is the perfect Intercessor and the only one truly able to bear the sins of His people. Unlike Daniel, who confessed his own sin alongside that of Israel, Jesus, being without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Jesus, Our High Priest, Without Sin")), offered Himself as the spotless Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His death on the cross was the ultimate act of atonement, taking away the sin of the world, fulfilling the need for the "sin offering" that Daniel's confession implicitly yearned for ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Christ's Atoning Sacrifice")). Furthermore, just as Daniel prayed for the restoration of the "holy mountain" (Jerusalem), Christ's work establishes a new, spiritual Jerusalem, the Church, where God's presence dwells not in a physical temple but in the hearts of believers ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "The Church as God's Dwelling Place")). Through Christ, believers are made righteous and given direct access to God, enabling them to approach Him with confidence, not based on their own merit or confession, but on the perfect intercession and atoning sacrifice of their Savior ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Boldness to Enter the Holy Place")).

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 145:18

The LORD [is] nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Daniel 9:3

And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

Daniel 9:4

¶ And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Isaiah 58:9

Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I [am]. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

Isaiah 6:5

¶ Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah 65:24

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.