Daniel 9:8

O Lord, to us [belongeth] confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.

O Lord {H136}, to us belongeth confusion {H1322} of face {H6440}, to our kings {H4428}, to our princes {H8269}, and to our fathers {H1}, because we have sinned {H2398} against thee.

Yes, ADONAI, shame falls on us, our kings, our leaders and our ancestors; because we sinned against you.

O LORD, we are covered with shame—our kings, our leaders, and our fathers—because we have sinned against You.

O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.

Daniel 9:8 is a poignant verse from Daniel’s remarkable prayer of confession, uttered during the Babylonian exile. It reveals the prophet's deep humility and profound understanding of Israel's spiritual state before God.

Context

This verse is part of Daniel's passionate prayer recorded in Daniel 9:3-19. Daniel, having understood from the book of Jeremiah that the 70 years of desolation for Jerusalem were drawing to a close, intercedes on behalf of his people. His prayer is not merely a personal plea but a profound act of corporate confession, acknowledging the sins of the entire nation, from its leaders to its ancestors. He recognizes that the dire circumstances of their exile are a direct consequence of their collective disobedience to God's covenant.

Key Themes

  • Corporate Guilt and Confession: The repeated use of "us," "our kings," "our princes," and "our fathers" underscores the idea of shared responsibility for sin across generations and leadership. Daniel doesn't exempt himself or his contemporaries but identifies with the accumulated transgressions of the nation. This highlights the importance of the practice of corporate confession.
  • Shame and Humiliation: The phrase "confusion of face" powerfully conveys a sense of deep shame, disgrace, and public humiliation. It signifies the loss of honor and the overwhelming embarrassment that comes from being exposed in one's sin and facing its consequences, especially before a holy God.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse explicitly links their state of shame and suffering ("confusion of face") to their rebellion: "because we have sinned against thee." It serves as a stark reminder that disobedience to God's commands inevitably leads to negative outcomes, both individually and nationally.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "confusion of face" is bōsheth pānîm (בֹּשֶׁת פָּנִים). This literally means "shame of faces" or "disgrace of face." It is a vivid idiom describing profound embarrassment, humiliation, and dishonor. It contrasts sharply with the idea of having one's face shine with God's favor or approval (Psalm 4:6).

Practical Application

Daniel 9:8 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Humility in Acknowledging Sin: It encourages us to cultivate a spirit of humility, recognizing not only our personal sins but also the collective sins of our communities, nations, and even past generations.
  • The Reality of Consequences: The verse reminds us that sin has consequences, often leading to shame, brokenness, and separation from God's blessings. Ignoring or downplaying sin only prolongs suffering.
  • Pathway to Restoration: Daniel's prayer demonstrates that the path to spiritual restoration and renewed favor with God begins with honest, heartfelt confession and repentance. This confession is not just an admission of guilt but a turning away from sin and a turning back to God.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 9:6

    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.

  • Daniel 9:7

    O Lord, righteousness [belongeth] unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, [that are] near, and [that are] far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.

  • Lamentations 3:42

    ¶ We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.

  • Jeremiah 14:20

    We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, [and] the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.

  • Lamentations 1:7

    Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the adversaries saw her, [and] did mock at her sabbaths.

  • Lamentations 1:8

    Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: all that honoured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness: yea, she sigheth, and turneth backward.

  • Lamentations 1:18

    The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.

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