Daniel 9:22

KJV

And he informed [me], and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he informed {H995} me, and talked {H1696} with me, and said {H559}, O Daniel {H1840}, I am now come forth {H3318} to give thee skill {H7919} and understanding {H998}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and explained things to me. He said, "I have come now, Dani'el, to enable you to understand this vision clearly.

Berean Standard Bible

He instructed me and spoke with me, saying: “O Daniel, I have come now to give you insight and understanding.

American Standard Version

And he instructed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee wisdom and understanding.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 9:22 marks a profound moment of divine intervention, where the angel Gabriel swiftly appears to the prophet Daniel, who is still engaged in fervent prayer. Gabriel's immediate purpose, as explicitly stated, is to impart to Daniel a supernatural capacity for "skill and understanding," enabling him to comprehend the intricate and vital prophetic revelations concerning God's redemptive plan for His people and the future of Jerusalem, particularly the timeline leading to the Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Daniel's deeply penitential and intercessory prayer in [Daniel 9:3-19](/daniel/9-3-19 "Daniel's Prayer of Confession and Intercession"). Daniel, having meditated on Jeremiah's prophecy of the [seventy years of desolation for Jerusalem](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah's Prophecy of Seventy Years of Desolation"), pours out his heart in confession on behalf of his people and fervent petition for God's mercy and restoration. The text highlights the immediacy of God's response, stating that "while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel... touched me about the time of the evening oblation" ([Daniel 9:21](/daniel/9-21 "Gabriel Appears to Daniel")). Thus, [Daniel 9:22](/daniel/9-22 "Gabriel Informs Daniel") serves as Gabriel's direct introduction and declaration of purpose, setting the stage for the groundbreaking "seventy weeks" prophecy that follows in [Daniel 9:24-27](/daniel/9-24-27 "The Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Daniel is living in exile, likely in Susa, Persia, during the reign of Darius the Mede, following the Babylonian captivity. The Jewish people are still dispersed, longing for their return to Jerusalem and the restoration of their temple and national identity. The seventy years of desolation prophesied by Jeremiah were nearing their end, creating a heightened sense of anticipation and anxiety among the exiles. In this context, prophetic revelation was not merely academic but profoundly relevant to the hopes, fears, and future of the covenant people. The cultural understanding of divine communication often involved angelic mediation, as seen throughout the Old Testament, where angels served as God's emissaries to deliver messages, provide guidance, and execute divine will.
* **Key Themes:** [Daniel 9:22](/daniel/9-22 "Gabriel Gives Daniel Understanding") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Daniel and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Responsiveness to Prayer**, demonstrating God's swift and direct answer to sincere, humble, and intercessory prayer, particularly when it aligns with His sovereign purposes. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Angelic Mediation**, showcasing angels as God's chosen instruments for conveying crucial divine revelation and insight to humanity, as Gabriel consistently does for Daniel (cf. [Daniel 8:16](/daniel/8-16 "Gabriel Appears to Daniel in a Vision")). Thirdly, it emphasizes the necessity of **Supernatural Understanding** for comprehending God's complex prophetic plans, indicating that such profound truths are not grasped through human intellect alone but require a divinely imparted "skill and understanding" to discern and interpret.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **informed (Hebrew, _bîyn'_):** From H995, meaning to separate mentally, distinguish, and thus to understand or discern. Here, it emphasizes the imparting of intellectual and spiritual comprehension by Gabriel to Daniel, enabling him to grasp complex divine truths. It implies a process of making clear and intelligible what was previously obscure.
* **talked (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** From H1696, a primitive root meaning to arrange, but figuratively used for speaking, declaring, or commanding. This highlights the direct, intentional, and authoritative communication from Gabriel to Daniel, not merely a casual conversation but a divinely ordained discourse designed to convey specific, vital information.
* **skill (Hebrew, _sâkal'_):** From H7919, meaning to be circumspect, intelligent, or to act prudently. It denotes practical wisdom and insight that leads to successful understanding and action. In this context, it refers to the divine enablement to interpret and apply prophetic revelation, suggesting a comprehensive grasp that allows for discernment and wise handling of the revealed truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he informed [me],"**: Gabriel initiates the divine communication, actively imparting knowledge and insight to Daniel, indicating a deliberate act of revelation.
* **"and talked with me,"**: This signifies direct, personal, and intentional communication, emphasizing the clarity and authority of the message being delivered, rather than a mere impression or vision.
* **"and said, O Daniel,"**: The direct address underscores the personal nature of this divine encounter and the specific recipient of this crucial revelation, highlighting Daniel's unique role as God's chosen prophet.
* **"I am now come forth"**: Gabriel's immediate arrival highlights the urgency and divine commission behind his appearance, indicating that his presence is not coincidental but purposeful and timely, directly in response to Daniel's prayer.
* **"to give thee skill and understanding."**: This states the explicit purpose of Gabriel's visit: to bestow upon Daniel a divinely-granted capacity for discernment and profound comprehension of God's intricate prophetic plan, particularly concerning the future of Israel and the Messiah, which would be impossible through human means alone.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to enhance its meaning and impact. The **Divine Messenger Motif** is central, with Gabriel serving as God's direct emissary, underscoring the divine origin and authority of the message. The **Direct Address** "O Daniel" creates a personal and intimate tone, drawing the prophet, and by extension the reader, into the immediacy of the divine encounter. The pairing of "skill and understanding" functions as a form of **Hendiatris** or **Emphasis**, where two distinct but related terms are used to convey a single, comprehensive idea—a profound, divinely-imparted intellectual and spiritual discernment. Furthermore, Gabriel's swift arrival and explicit declaration of purpose serve as powerful **Foreshadowing**, building anticipation for the detailed and complex prophecy of the seventy weeks that immediately follows, emphasizing its critical importance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 9:22 powerfully illustrates God's active engagement with His people and His commitment to revealing His sovereign plan. It underscores the principle that divine wisdom and understanding are not attained through human effort alone but are gracious gifts bestowed by God, often in response to earnest prayer. This revelation is not for Daniel's personal enlightenment only, but for the benefit of God's people, providing clarity and hope amidst uncertainty and exile. The immediate dispatch of Gabriel highlights God's attentiveness and the urgency of His prophetic word, affirming that He is a God who speaks and acts in history to fulfill His covenant promises. This divine communication prepares Daniel, and by extension, all who read his prophecy, for the profound truths concerning the Messiah and the culmination of redemptive history.

* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "God Reveals His Secret to His Servants")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "Ask God for Wisdom")
* [1 Corinthians 2:10-14](/1_corinthians/2-10-14 "The Spirit Reveals God's Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 9:22 offers profound encouragement for believers today, affirming that God desires to communicate with us and provide wisdom when we seek Him. Just as Daniel received divine understanding in response to his fervent prayer, we are invited to pray for spiritual insight and discernment, especially when seeking to comprehend God's Word or navigate challenging life circumstances. This verse reminds us that true understanding of spiritual truths is a gift from God, not merely a product of human intellect. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of humility and dependence, recognizing that our ability to grasp divine mysteries comes from His gracious revelation. As we engage in prayer and diligent study of Scripture, we can trust that God will illuminate our minds and hearts, enabling us to walk in His wisdom and fulfill His purposes in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Daniel's prayer in [Daniel 9](/daniel/9 "Daniel's Prayer and Gabriel's Revelation") inspire your own prayer life, particularly in seeking understanding of God's will?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking "skill and understanding" that only God can provide?**
* **How does the immediacy of Gabriel's arrival encourage you about God's responsiveness to prayer?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of divine revelation and our role in receiving it?**

### FAQ
**Who is "he" in this verse, and what is his significance?**

Answer: The "he" in [Daniel 9:22](/daniel/9-22 "Gabriel Informs Daniel") refers to the angel Gabriel, as explicitly stated in the preceding verse ([Daniel 9:21](/daniel/9-21 "Gabriel Appears to Daniel")). Gabriel is a significant divine messenger in the Bible, appearing to Daniel multiple times (e.g., [Daniel 8:16](/daniel/8-16 "Gabriel Appears to Daniel")) and later to Zechariah and Mary in the New Testament to announce the births of John the Baptist and Jesus ([Luke 1:19](/luke/1-19 "Gabriel Appears to Zechariah") and [Luke 1:26](/luke/1-26 "Gabriel Appears to Mary")). His significance lies in his role as God's direct envoy, delivering crucial prophetic and redemptive messages.

**Why does Gabriel emphasize "I am now come forth"?**

Answer: Gabriel's statement, "I am now come forth," emphasizes the immediacy and divine commission behind his appearance. It highlights that his arrival is not coincidental but a direct, purposeful, and swift response to Daniel's prayer ([Daniel 9:20](/daniel/9-20 "Daniel Prays")). This phrase underscores the urgency and importance of the message he is about to deliver, signaling that God's timing is precise and His communication is direct and intentional.

**What kind of "skill and understanding" is being given to Daniel?**

Answer: The "skill and understanding" imparted to Daniel is not merely intellectual knowledge but a divinely-granted capacity for spiritual discernment and prophetic comprehension. It refers specifically to the ability to grasp and interpret the complex prophetic timeline and events concerning Jerusalem, the coming of the Messiah, and the ultimate culmination of God's redemptive plan, as detailed in the "seventy weeks" prophecy that immediately follows in [Daniel 9:24-27](/daniel/9-24-27 "The Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks"). This understanding is supernatural, enabling Daniel to perceive truths otherwise hidden from human grasp.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 9:22, with Gabriel's mission to impart "skill and understanding" regarding God's prophetic plan, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The very prophecy Gabriel delivers to Daniel in [Daniel 9:24-27](/daniel/9-24-27 "The Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks") points directly to the coming of the Messiah, His atoning death, and the establishment of His everlasting kingdom. Christ Himself is the embodiment of all divine wisdom and understanding, for in Him "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:2-3](/colossians/2-2-3 "Christ, in Whom Are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge")). The revelation given to Daniel, though profound, was but a shadow of the ultimate revelation of God's character and plan found in Jesus, the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"). Just as Gabriel came to Daniel to open his understanding, so too did the resurrected Christ open the minds of His disciples to understand the Scriptures concerning Himself ([Luke 24:44-45](/luke/24-44-45 "Jesus Opens Their Understanding of the Scriptures")). Ultimately, all prophetic "skill and understanding" culminates in knowing Christ, for He is the [Alpha and Omega](/revelation/22-13 "Revelation 22:13 - Jesus, the Alpha and Omega"), the beginning and end of God's redemptive narrative.

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

Daniel 9:24

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Daniel 9:27

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Daniel 10:21

But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and [there is] none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

Daniel 8:16

And I heard a man's voice between [the banks of] Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this [man] to understand the vision.

Zechariah 1:9

Then said I, O my lord, what [are] these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these [be].

Zechariah 6:4

Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What [are] these, my lord?

Zechariah 6:5

And the angel answered and said unto me, These [are] the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.