Daniel 9:6

KJV

Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

KJV (with Strong's)

Neither have we hearkened {H8085} unto thy servants {H5650} the prophets {H5030}, which spake {H1696} in thy name {H8034} to our kings {H4428}, our princes {H8269}, and our fathers {H1}, and to all the people {H5971} of the land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our leaders, our ancestors and to all the people of the land.

Berean Standard Bible

We have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, leaders, and fathers, and to all the people of the land.

American Standard Version

neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, that spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 9:6 is a pivotal confession within Daniel's profound prayer, where he humbly acknowledges the collective failure of Israel, from its leaders to its common people, to obey God's voice as delivered by His prophets. This verse underscores the deep-seated rebellion and spiritual deafness that led to the nation's judgment and exile, highlighting a persistent pattern of disobedience despite God's faithful communication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Daniel's extended prayer of confession and supplication found in [Daniel 9:3-19](/daniel/9-3-19 "Daniel's Prayer of Confession and Supplication"). Immediately preceding this, Daniel has already confessed that Israel has "sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments" ([Daniel 9:5](/daniel/9-5 "Daniel 9:5 - Confession of Rebellion")). Verse 6 specifically elaborates on *how* that rebellion manifested: through a refusal to heed God's direct messengers. The subsequent verses continue to detail the dire consequences of this disobedience, leading to the "curse and to the oath that is written in the law of Moses" ([Daniel 9:11](/daniel/9-11 "Daniel 9:11 - The Curse and Oath Poured Out")). The prayer itself is prompted by Daniel's understanding of Jeremiah's prophecy regarding the seventy-year exile ([Daniel 9:2](/daniel/9-2 "Daniel 9:2 - Daniel's Understanding of Jeremiah's Prophecy")), setting the stage for a deep reflection on national sin and the justice of God's judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Daniel's prayer takes place during the Babylonian exile, specifically in the first year of Darius the Mede's reign, around 539 BC. The Jewish people had been in captivity for nearly 70 years, a direct consequence of their persistent idolatry and disobedience to the Mosaic Covenant. The "prophets" mentioned in the verse refer to a long line of divine messengers—like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others—who, for centuries, had warned Israel about the consequences of their sin and called them to repentance. Culturally, kings and princes held immense authority, yet even they, along with the "fathers" (representing elders and heads of households) and "all the people of the land," were implicated in this widespread spiritual rebellion. The land itself, Jerusalem and Judah, lay desolate, a tangible symbol of God's judgment for their unfaithfulness.
* **Key Themes:** [Daniel 9](/daniel/9 "Daniel 9 - Daniel's Prayer and the Seventy Weeks") is rich with several key themes. **Corporate Confession** is central, as Daniel, though personally righteous, identifies deeply with the sins of his nation, embodying true intercessory prayer. The verse highlights the pervasive **Disobedience to God's Word**, emphasizing that Israel's failure was not merely ignorance but an active refusal to "hearken" to divine commands delivered through the prophets. This persistent rejection underscores the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Judgment**, where God's warnings, outlined in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")), were indeed fulfilled. Finally, the verse implicitly points to **God's Persistent Grace and Communication**, as He continually sent messengers despite His people's stubbornness, demonstrating His desire for their repentance and restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hearkened (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ_):** This verb (H8085) signifies more than just auditory perception; it implies listening with attention, understanding, and, crucially, obedience. When Daniel states "Neither have we hearkened," he is confessing a profound spiritual deafness and a willful refusal to comply with God's revealed will. It encapsulates Israel's persistent pattern of hearing God's commands and warnings through His prophets but choosing not to act upon them.
* **prophets (Hebrew, _nâbîyʼ_):** The term (H5030) denotes an inspired person, one who speaks on behalf of God. These were God's appointed spokesmen, delivering divine messages, warnings, and calls to repentance directly from the Lord. The phrase "spake in thy name" further emphasizes their divine authority and the authenticity of their message.
* **fathers (Hebrew, _ʼâb_):** This word (H1) refers to ancestors, elders, and heads of households. Its inclusion alongside "kings" and "princes" signifies that the disobedience was not limited to any single class or generation but was a deep-seated, generational problem that permeated the entire societal structure, from the earliest leaders to the present.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets":** This clause forms the core confession, identifying the fundamental failure: a stubborn refusal to listen and obey God's appointed messengers. The term "servants" (H5650, _ʻebed_) emphasizes the prophets' role as instruments of God's will, making the rejection of their message a direct rejection of God Himself.
* **"which spake in thy name":** This phrase validates the authority of the prophets' message. They were not speaking their own opinions or political agendas, but delivering the very word of God, imbued with His authority and character (H8034, _shêm_). To disregard them was to disregard the Lord who sent them.
* **"to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land":** This comprehensive list highlights the pervasive nature of the disobedience. It was not confined to a specific group or class but was a systemic failure. "Kings" (H4428, _melek_) and "princes" (H8269, _sar_) represent the governmental and judicial authorities; "fathers" (H1, _ʼâb_) represent the familial and generational leadership; and "all the people of the land" (H5971, _ʻam_; H776, _ʼerets_) signifies the entire populace, leaving no segment of society exempt from this corporate rebellion against God's revealed will.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices. **Anaphora** is subtly present in the repeated "our" ("our kings, our princes, and our fathers"), emphasizing the collective and pervasive nature of the sin across all societal strata. **Synecdoche** is used where "kings, princes, fathers, and all the people" stand for the entire nation of Israel, illustrating that no part of the body politic was innocent. The phrase "spake in thy name" functions as a powerful **Metonymy**, where "name" represents God's authority, character, and presence. This underscores that the rejection of the prophets was a direct affront to God Himself. The entire verse, as part of a larger prayer, is an act of profound **Confession**, serving as a rhetorical device to acknowledge guilt and express repentance before God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 9:6 powerfully articulates a recurring theological theme throughout the Old Testament: the persistent rebellion of Israel against God's revealed will, despite His faithful and repeated attempts to communicate through His prophets. This verse underscores the gravity of spiritual deafness and the consequences of rejecting divine authority. It highlights the principle that God holds His people accountable for the light they have received, and that widespread disobedience, even across generations and societal levels, inevitably leads to judgment, as seen in the Babylonian exile. Yet, within this confession, there is also an implicit recognition of God's enduring patience, as He continually sent messengers, demonstrating His desire for His people to return to Him.

* [Jeremiah 7:25-26](/jeremiah/7-25-26 "Jeremiah 7:25-26 - God Sent Prophets, But Israel Did Not Hearken")
* [2 Chronicles 36:15-16](/2_chronicles/36-15-16 "2 Chronicles 36:15-16 - God's Patience and Israel's Rejection of His Messengers")
* [Nehemiah 9:26](/nehemiah/9-26 "Nehemiah 9:26 - Nehemiah's Confession of Rejecting Prophets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel's confession in Daniel 9:6 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. First, it calls us to a deep and honest self-assessment regarding our responsiveness to God's Word. Just as God sent prophets to ancient Israel, He speaks to us today primarily through the inspired Scriptures and through faithful teaching and preaching. Are we merely hearers, or are we "doers of the word, and not hearers only" ([James 1:22](/james/1-22 "James 1:22 - Be Doers of the Word"))? Second, Daniel's example of corporate confession reminds us that our spiritual responsibility extends beyond individual sin. We are part of families, churches, and nations, and we are called to acknowledge and repent of collective failures, seeking God's mercy for shared culpability. This verse challenges us to consider how our communities, and even our societies, might be failing to "hearken" to God's timeless truths, and to pray for repentance and revival, understanding that ignoring divine warnings inevitably leads to undesirable consequences, while genuine repentance opens the door to restoration and God's abundant grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or your community's life might there be a failure to "hearken" (listen and obey) God's Word?**
* **How can you cultivate a greater posture of obedience and responsiveness to the Scriptures in your daily life?**
* **What role do you believe corporate confession plays in the spiritual health of a church or nation today?**

### FAQ

**Why does Daniel confess the sins of "our kings, our princes, and our fathers" when he himself was righteous?**

Answer: Daniel's confession is a profound example of **corporate solidarity** and **intercessory prayer**. While Daniel was personally righteous, he deeply identified with his people, Israel, and their covenant relationship with God. He recognized that the nation's suffering (the Babylonian exile) was a direct consequence of generations of collective disobedience, as outlined in the Mosaic Covenant (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). By including himself ("we") and all levels of society, Daniel demonstrates humility, takes responsibility for the collective spiritual heritage, and stands in the gap for his people, seeking God's mercy and restoration on their behalf. This is not an admission of personal guilt for specific acts of his ancestors but a profound act of empathy and spiritual leadership, acknowledging the shared identity and destiny of the covenant people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 9:6, with its lament over Israel's failure to "hearken unto thy servants the prophets," finds its ultimate and poignant fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament prophets, whom Israel rejected, consistently pointed forward to the coming Messiah, the ultimate "prophet like unto Moses" ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - A Prophet Like Moses")). When Jesus came, speaking "in thy name" with unparalleled authority, He was met with the same, if not greater, rejection by the very people He came to save. The religious leaders and many among "all the people of the land" ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")) refused to "hearken" to His words, despite His miraculous deeds and perfect life. This persistent spiritual deafness culminated in their cry, "Crucify him!" ([Luke 23:21](/luke/23-21 "Luke 23:21 - Crucify Him!")). Yet, it is precisely this rejection that paved the way for God's greater plan of salvation. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, He perfectly fulfilled the righteous demands of the Law that Israel failed to keep, and He became the one through whom all who believe, regardless of their past disobedience, can now truly "hearken" to God's voice and receive forgiveness and new life ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Speaks Through His Son"); [John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice")). He is the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King, whose perfect obedience stands in stark contrast to Israel's historical rebellion, offering a path to reconciliation for all who turn to Him.

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

2 Chronicles 36:15

And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:

2 Chronicles 36:16

But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till [there was] no remedy.

Daniel 9:10

Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.

Jeremiah 44:4

Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending [them], saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.

Jeremiah 44:5

But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods.

Luke 20:10

And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent [him] away empty.

Luke 20:12

And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast [him] out.