Daniel 9:5

KJV

We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:

KJV (with Strong's)

We have sinned {H2398}, and have committed iniquity {H5753}, and have done wickedly {H7561}, and have rebelled {H4775}, even by departing {H5493} from thy precepts {H4687} and from thy judgments {H4941}:

Complete Jewish Bible

We have sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly, rebelled and turned away from your mitzvot and rulings.

Berean Standard Bible

we have sinned and done wrong. We have acted wickedly and rebelled. We have turned away from Your commandments and ordinances.

American Standard Version

we have sinned, and have dealt perversely, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even turning aside from thy precepts and from thine ordinances;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 9:5 serves as a profound and comprehensive confession of sin, where the prophet Daniel, in solidarity with his people, acknowledges Israel's deep-seated rebellion against God. This verse encapsulates the nation's profound spiritual failure, detailing how they have collectively missed God's mark, perverted His ways, acted wickedly, and openly defied His divine commands and righteous decrees, leading to their current state of exile and judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 9:5 is an integral part of Daniel's extended prayer of confession and intercession found in [Daniel 9:3-19](/daniel/9-3-19 "Daniel's Prayer of Confession"). This prayer immediately follows Daniel's understanding, gleaned from [Jeremiah's prophecy](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of 70 Years"), that the seventy years of desolation for Jerusalem were drawing to a close. Daniel's prayer is not a demand but a humble plea rooted in a deep understanding of God's character and Israel's covenant obligations. The confession of sin in verse 5 sets the stage for Daniel's appeal to God's mercy and righteousness, paving the way for the angelic revelation concerning the seventy weeks that follows in [Daniel 9:20-27](/daniel/9-20-27 "Daniel 9:20-27 - The Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Daniel's prayer is offered during the Babylonian exile, a period of profound national humiliation for Israel. The people had been forcibly removed from their land, the Temple lay in ruins, and their sovereignty was lost—all consequences of their persistent disobedience to the Mosaic Covenant. Living in a foreign land, under Gentile rule, Daniel embodies the faithful remnant who understood that their suffering was not arbitrary but a direct result of their corporate sin, as warned in the covenant curses of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The act of public confession was a recognized practice in ancient Israel, often accompanying repentance and a turning back to God, especially during times of national crisis or fasting.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Daniel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **corporate responsibility**, as Daniel, though personally righteous, identifies himself with the sins of his nation ("we have sinned"). Secondly, it underscores the **seriousness and comprehensive nature of sin**, using a cascade of terms to emphasize Israel's pervasive rebellion against God's revealed will. This directly relates to the theme of **covenant faithfulness and judgment**, demonstrating that God's judgments (like the exile) are just consequences for covenant unfaithfulness, as seen throughout the historical narratives from [Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges") to [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "The Books of Kings"). Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **God's righteousness and mercy**, as Daniel's confession is an appeal to God's character, anticipating His willingness to forgive and restore, which is a foundational hope for the remnant, echoing themes found in [Isaiah 55:7](/isaiah/55-7 "Isaiah 55:7 - God's Abundant Pardon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sinned (Hebrew, _châṭâʼ'_):** This primary term for sin literally means "to miss the mark" or "to go astray." It speaks of failing to meet the standard of God's holy character and His revealed law. It encompasses both unintentional errors and deliberate transgressions, signifying a deviation from the path of righteousness God has laid out.
* **rebelled (Hebrew, _mârad'_):** This is a strong term denoting open defiance, insurrection, or revolt against a legitimate authority. When applied to God, it signifies a deliberate and intentional act of insubordination against His sovereignty and kingship. It moves beyond mere error to outright opposition and refusal to obey.
* **precepts (Hebrew, _mitsvâh'_):** Referring to God's specific commands, ordinances, or the Law collectively. These are the divine instructions given for righteous living and covenant faithfulness. Departing from these precepts means a willful disregard for God's explicit will and a rejection of the framework for life He has established for His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled":** This opening clause presents a powerful and cumulative confession of Israel's pervasive sinfulness. Each verb adds a layer of depth to the acknowledgment of guilt. "Sinned" (châṭâʼ) implies missing God's standard. "Committed iniquity" (ʻâvâh) suggests a twisting or perverting of what is right, indicating moral distortion. "Done wickedly" (râshaʻ) speaks of acting contrary to justice and righteousness, being guilty before God. Finally, "rebelled" (mârad) signifies open defiance and insurrection against God's authority. This progression shows a deep, intentional, and comprehensive departure from God's ways, encompassing both individual and corporate actions.
* **"even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments":** This second clause specifies the nature and essence of their sin: it was a direct abandonment of God's revealed will. "Precepts" (mitsvâh) refers to God's specific commands and the Law, while "judgments" (mishpâṭ) refers to His righteous decrees, statutes, and the just principles by which He governs. The phrase "departing from" (çûwr) emphasizes a deliberate turning away, a conscious choice to abandon the divine path. This highlights that Israel's sin was not merely a series of isolated acts but a fundamental rejection of God's covenant and His rightful claim as their sovereign Lord and Lawgiver.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 9:5 employs several potent **literary devices** to emphasize the gravity and comprehensive nature of Israel's sin. The most prominent is **Polysyndeton**, the repeated use of the conjunction "and" ("sinned, **and** have committed iniquity, **and** have done wickedly, **and** have rebelled"). This creates a sense of accumulation, building intensity and stressing the sheer volume and variety of their transgressions. Coupled with this is **Synonymic Parallelism**, where multiple terms are used to express similar concepts of sin ("sinned," "iniquity," "wickedly," "rebelled"). While similar, each word carries a distinct nuance, collectively painting a holistic picture of moral failure, from missing the mark to outright defiance. This progression also exhibits a form of **Climax**, moving from general sin to the more severe act of rebellion. Furthermore, the use of the first-person plural "We" throughout the prayer, despite Daniel's personal righteousness, exemplifies **Corporate Confession** and **Identification**, where an individual represents and takes on the guilt of the entire community, demonstrating solidarity and shared responsibility before God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 9:5 profoundly illustrates the biblical understanding of sin as both a failure to meet God's standard and an active rebellion against His authority. It underscores that God's commands are not arbitrary but are the very framework for righteousness and flourishing, and departure from them inevitably leads to judgment. Daniel's corporate confession highlights the interconnectedness of a people with their history and the consequences of collective disobedience. This deep acknowledgment of sin is a prerequisite for genuine repentance and for God's subsequent outpouring of grace and restoration, demonstrating that God's justice is always intertwined with His mercy for those who turn to Him in humility.

* [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")
* [Psalm 51:3-4](/psalms/51-3-4 "Psalm 51:3-4 - David's Confession of Sin")
* [Nehemiah 9:33](/nehemiah/9-33 "Nehemiah 9:33 - Confession of God's Righteousness in Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel's prayer in Daniel 9:5 offers a powerful paradigm for believers today, emphasizing the indispensable nature of genuine and comprehensive confession. It challenges us to move beyond superficial acknowledgments of wrongdoing to a deep, honest reckoning with the breadth and depth of our sin, both individually and corporately. Like Daniel, we are called to identify with the spiritual condition of our communities, churches, and nations, recognizing that collective failings also require collective repentance and intercession. Understanding sin as a departure from God's precepts and judgments elevates our appreciation for the seriousness of our transgressions and, consequently, the immeasurable grace and mercy extended to us through Christ. This verse reminds us that true spiritual renewal begins with humble confession and a turning back to God's perfect and righteous will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or your community's life do you need to make a more comprehensive and honest confession of sin, moving beyond superficial acknowledgment?**
* **How does understanding sin as a "rebellion" against God's "precepts and judgments" change your perspective on its seriousness and the necessity of repentance?**
* **How can you, like Daniel, embody corporate responsibility and intercede for the sins of your family, church, or nation, even if you feel personally righteous?**
* **What specific "precepts and judgments" of God might you or your community be "departing from" today, and what steps can be taken to return to His path?**

### FAQ
**Why does Daniel, a righteous man, include himself in the "we" when confessing the sins of Israel?**

Answer: Daniel's inclusion of himself in the "we" ("We have sinned...") is a profound demonstration of corporate solidarity and identification, rather than an admission of personal, active participation in the specific sins that led to the exile. As a faithful servant of God, Daniel was personally righteous, yet he understood that he was part of the covenant community. His prayer embodies the concept of corporate responsibility, where the destiny and spiritual state of the nation are shared by all its members. This selfless act of identification reflects a deep humility and empathy, acknowledging that he, too, was a descendant of those who had strayed, and that the consequences of national sin affected everyone. It also highlights the priestly and prophetic role of intercession, where the intercessor stands in the gap for their people, bearing their burden before God, much like Moses interceded for Israel in [Exodus 32:30-32](/exodus/32-30-32 "Exodus 32:30-32 - Moses' Intercession"). This act of corporate confession is a prerequisite for corporate repentance and the restoration of God's favor upon the entire community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 9:5, with its stark portrayal of human sin and rebellion against God's perfect law, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The cascading terms for sin—missing the mark, committing iniquity, doing wickedly, and rebelling—underscore humanity's utter inability to meet God's righteous standards or to cease its defiance. This deep-seated problem of sin, which led to Israel's exile and judgment, is precisely what the Messiah came to address. Jesus, the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilled all of God's precepts and judgments, living a life of absolute obedience where humanity had utterly failed. He then, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, bore the full weight of humanity's sin and rebellion, taking upon Himself the judgment that our departure from God's law deserved, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - The Suffering Servant"). Through faith in Christ, believers are not only forgiven for their individual and corporate sins, but are also imputed with His perfect righteousness, allowing them to stand blameless before God, as described in [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness"). Thus, the confession of sin in Daniel 9:5 points forward to the glorious truth that in Christ, the ultimate "departure from precepts and judgments" is overcome, and a new covenant of grace and forgiveness is established, enabling a true return to God's righteous path, as promised in [Hebrews 8:10-12](/hebrews/8-10-12 "Hebrews 8:10-12 - The New Covenant").

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

Malachi 3:7

¶ Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept [them]. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Daniel 9:11

Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that [is] written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

Daniel 9:15

And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

Isaiah 64:5

Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, [those that] remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.

Isaiah 64:7

And [there is] none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.

Psalms 106:6

¶ We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.

Psalms 18:21

For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.