Daniel 9:9

To the Lord our God [belong] mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;

To the Lord {H136} our God {H430} belong mercies {H7356} and forgivenesses {H5547}, though we have rebelled {H4775} against him;

It is for Adonai our God to show compassion and forgiveness, because we rebelled against him.

To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, even though we have rebelled against Him

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness; for we have rebelled against him;

Daniel 9:9 is a profound declaration within Daniel's great prayer of confession, offered during the Babylonian exile. This verse beautifully articulates the core truth of God's character in the face of human sin and rebellion.

Context of Daniel 9:9

This verse is part of Daniel's earnest prayer (Daniel 9:3-19), offered around 538 BC. Daniel has been studying the prophecy of Jeremiah concerning the seventy years of desolation for Jerusalem (Jeremiah 29:10). As the end of this period of exile approaches, Daniel, representing his people, humbly acknowledges Israel's collective sin and rebellion against God's covenant and laws. His prayer is a model of intercession, confession, and reliance on God's unchanging nature.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Abundant Mercy and Forgiveness: The central message is that despite humanity's consistent failure and disobedience, God's nature is characterized by boundless mercy and readiness to forgive. Daniel doesn't plead based on Israel's merit, but solely on God's inherent goodness. This aligns with other scriptures emphasizing God's compassion, such as Psalm 103:8.
  • Human Rebellion: The phrase "though we have rebelled against him" serves as a stark acknowledgment of Israel's (and humanity's) sinful nature. It's a confession that their suffering and exile were a direct consequence of their turning away from God's commands. This confession of wrongdoing is crucial for receiving divine pardon, as seen in 1 John 1:9.
  • Foundation for Hope: For Daniel, recognizing God's merciful character provided the only basis for hope and restoration for his people. It's a powerful reminder that even in deep despair, hope is found in God's willingness to forgive.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translates the Hebrew words for "mercies" as rachamim (רַחֲמִים) and "forgivenesses" as selichot (סְלִחוֹת). The plural forms emphasize the vastness and manifold nature of God's compassion and pardoning power. Rachamim implies a deep, visceral compassion, often likened to a parent's tender love. Selichot refers specifically to the act of pardoning or overlooking a transgression, signifying God's willingness to remit the penalty for sin.

Practical Application

Daniel 9:9 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. It teaches us several vital lessons:

  • The Necessity of Confession: True repentance begins with an honest acknowledgment of our own rebellion against God, just as Daniel did.
  • Confidence in God's Character: We can approach God with confidence, knowing that His nature is to be merciful and forgiving, not punitive. This is a foundational truth of the Christian faith, reinforced by the Gospel message.
  • Hope Amidst Failure: Even when we fall short or rebel, the door to God's mercy and forgiveness is always open through Christ, enabling restoration and renewed relationship.

This verse serves as a timeless reminder that while our sin is real, God's grace and pardon are infinitely greater.

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.

  • Ephesians 1:6

    To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

  • Ephesians 1:8

    Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

  • 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.

  • Daniel 9:5

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

  • Psalms 86:15

    But thou, O Lord, [art] a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

  • Ephesians 2:4

    ¶ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

  • Ephesians 2:7

    That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

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