Daniel 9:21
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. | while I was still praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. | yea, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedWhile Daniel is still praying and confessing Israel's sin, the angel Gabriel, whom he had seen in an earlier vision, comes and touches him at the time of the evening offering. Gabriel has come to give Daniel understanding. He then brings the message of the seventy weeks. Daniel 9:20Daniel 9:21Daniel 9:22Daniel 9:23Daniel 9:24
SpeakingDaniel tells this in the first person, as he does throughout chapters 7-12. Daniel overviewDaniel 9:2Daniel 9:21
ToThe book is written for God's people in exile and after it. Daniel overview
Also involvedGabriel is the one who comes to Daniel. He is the same messenger who was told to make Daniel understand the vision in chapter 8. Daniel 9:21Daniel 8:16
Daniel's long prayer for Jerusalem and the desolate sanctuary is answered before he finishes. Gabriel reaches him and says the command went out "at the beginning of thy supplications." He has come to show Daniel the matter because he is "greatly beloved." Daniel 9:16Daniel 9:17Daniel 9:19Daniel 9:20Daniel 9:21Daniel 9:23
The chapter does not say where Daniel prayed. The book places him in Babylon, serving under Babylonian and then Persian kings. Daniel overviewDaniel 9:1
The eventsIt happens in the first year of Darius the Mede, after Babylon fell. Gabriel arrives about the time of the evening offering. Daniel 9:1Daniel 9:21Daniel overview
WrittenTraditional view: Daniel wrote the book in the 500s BC. Scholarly view: many critical scholars date its final form to about 167-164 BC, while others keep the 500s BC date. Daniel overview
HereThe verse shows that God heard Daniel's prayer at once and sent his messenger while Daniel was still speaking. Gabriel came to give him "skill and understanding." Daniel 9:21Daniel 9:22Daniel 9:23
In the whole of ScriptureA theme of Daniel is that God reveals secrets to those who seek him. Here that happens after prayer, confession and trust in God's promise through Jeremiah. Hebrews calls angels ministering spirits sent to serve the heirs of salvation. Daniel overviewDaniel 9:2Daniel 9:3Hebrews 1:14
For readersGabriel came about the time of the evening offering, the hour the law set for the evening lamb, even though the sanctuary lay desolate. Elijah also prayed at the time of the evening sacrifice. Daniel asked for God's great mercies, not his own righteousness, and the answer went out at the beginning of his prayer. Daniel 9:17Daniel 9:18Daniel 9:21Daniel 9:23Exodus 29:391 Kings 18:36
Christians read this differently
The lexicon glosses the words behind "being caused to fly swiftly" as "wearied" and "with weariness." One reading holds that they describe Gabriel coming in swift flight, as the KJV has it. Another holds that they describe Daniel's own weariness, much as he later says he "retained no strength" (10:16). Daniel 9:21Strong's H3286Strong's H3288Daniel 10:16
- Gabrielגַּבְרִיאֵל
The name is given as "warrior of God" or "man of God." He is the angel God sends with important messages. He appears to Daniel in 8:16 and later says he stands in the presence of God (Luke 1:19). Strong's H1403Daniel 8:16Luke 1:19
- manאִישׁ
The word means a man or a human being. Daniel calls Gabriel "the man," though Gabriel is the angel God sends with messages. In Daniel 10 Daniel likewise describes one who touched him as "like the appearance of a man." Strong's H0376GStrong's H1403Daniel 9:21Daniel 10:18
- touchedנָגַע
The word means to touch or reach. In one form it also means to approach or arrive, and the lexicon glosses it "[was] approaching" here. In Daniel 10 one "like the appearance of a man" touches Daniel and strengthens him. Strong's H5060Daniel 10:16Daniel 10:18
- oblationמִנְחָה
The word means a gift or offering to God, including a grain offering. The law set an offering for the evening (Exodus 29:39), and 1 Kings 18:36 also marks a time by the evening sacrifice. Here it marks the hour Gabriel came, though the sanctuary lay desolate. Strong's H4503GDaniel 9:21Daniel 9:17Exodus 29:391 Kings 18:36
Takeaway
God answered Daniel's humble prayer while he was still praying. He sent Gabriel about the time of the evening offering to give him understanding. Daniel 9:21Daniel 9:22Daniel 9:23
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
The world around the text
About 605-536 BC. King of Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC). Where Daniel lived and served for about seventy years. The capital of the Babylonian empire, on the Euphrates south of modern Baghdad, in the land the Bible calls Shinar and Chaldea.
Who ruled
- King of BabylonNebuchadnezzar605-562 BC
The king who besieged Jerusalem, carried Daniel and the temple vessels to Babylon, and later destroyed the city and temple. His own building inscriptions boast of the Babylon he built. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 24:12 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 25:1Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- Last king of Babylon, and his son who ruled in his placeNabonidus and Belshazzar556-539 BC
Nabonidus spent about ten years at the oasis of Tema in Arabia and left his son Belshazzar to rule in Babylon. That is why Belshazzar could only offer Daniel the place of "third ruler in the kingdom": he was himself second. Daniel 5:1Daniel 5:7Daniel 5:29Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Verse Account of Nabonidus
- Received the kingdom after Babylon fellDarius the MedianFrom 539 BC
Daniel says he "took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old" and set 120 princes over it. Records outside the Bible do not name him; he has been identified with Gubaru, the governor Cyrus set over Babylon, or with Cyrus himself. Daniel 5:31Daniel 6:1Daniel 9:1Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)
- King of PersiaCyrus559-530 BC
He united the Medes and Persians, took Babylon in 539 BC, and let the exiles go home to rebuild the temple, as Isaiah had named him beforehand. Daniel 1:21Daniel 6:28Daniel 10:1Ezra 1:1-4Isaiah 44:28-45:1Cyrus Cylinder
- King of JudahJehoiakim609-598 BC
Judah's king when Daniel was taken. Jeremiah warned him and his people that the land would serve Babylon seventy years. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 23:36-24:6Jeremiah 25:1-11
What was happening, 612 BC to 167 BC
- 612 BCWarNineveh falls
Babylon and the Medes destroyed Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, as Nahum and Zephaniah had foretold. Babylon became the great power of the region. Nahum 3:7Zephaniah 2:13Fall of Nineveh Chronicle (ABC 3)
- 605 BCWarBattle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar defeated Pharaoh Necho of Egypt at Carchemish on the Euphrates, in Jehoiakim's fourth year. The same year he came against Jerusalem and took the first captives, Daniel among them. Jeremiah 46:2Daniel 1:1-4Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 597 BCWarJerusalem surrenders
Nebuchadnezzar took King Jehoiachin, his nobles and craftsmen to Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel went into exile with them. 2 Kings 24:10-17Ezekiel 1:2Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 586 BCWarJerusalem and the temple destroyed
Babylon's army burned the temple and the city and broke down its walls. Daniel later prays over "the desolations of Jerusalem" and asks God to shine on his "sanctuary that is desolate." 2 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 52:12-14Daniel 9:2Daniel 9:17
- c. 575 BCBuildingBabylon rebuilt in splendor
Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt Babylon with great walls, palaces and the blue-glazed Ishtar Gate, and his inscriptions praise his own work. Compare his boast: "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built?" Daniel 4:30Nebuchadnezzar's East India House InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 1.178-183
- 562 BCRulersNebuchadnezzar dies
His son Evil-merodach became king and released Jehoiachin of Judah from prison. 2 Kings 25:27-30Jeremiah 52:31-34
- c. 553-543 BCRulersNabonidus leaves Babylon to Belshazzar
King Nabonidus stayed at Tema in Arabia for about ten years, and the yearly New Year festival in Babylon was not held. Belshazzar governed in Babylon. Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Daniel 5:1Daniel 7:1
- 550 BCWarCyrus unites the Medes and Persians
Cyrus of Persia defeated Astyages king of the Medes, joining the two peoples in one kingdom. Daniel's vision names the ram's two horns as "the kings of Media and Persia," the higher coming up last. Daniel 8:3Daniel 8:20Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.127-130
- October 539 BCWarBabylon falls to Cyrus
Cyrus's army entered Babylon without a long siege. Herodotus says the people were feasting when the city was taken. Daniel records that "in that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain." Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.191Cyrus Cylinder
- 538 BCGod's peopleCyrus lets the exiles return
In his first year over Babylon, Cyrus proclaimed that the Jews could go back and build the LORD's house in Jerusalem. Daniel "continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus." Ezra 1:1-42 Chronicles 36:22-23Daniel 1:21Cyrus Cylinder
- c. 536 BCGod's peopleThe temple's foundation is laid
The returned exiles rebuilt the altar and laid the foundation of the temple. In the third year of Cyrus, Daniel was still in the east, mourning and praying. Ezra 3:1-11Daniel 10:1-3
- 334-331 BCWarAlexander the Great conquers Persia
Alexander of Macedon crossed into Asia and overthrew the Persian empire within four years. Daniel 8:21 names the rough goat as "the king of Grecia" and its great horn as "the first king." Daniel 8:5-8Daniel 8:21Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 1-3
- 323-301 BCWarAlexander's empire is divided
Alexander died young, and after twenty years of war his generals divided his empire, chiefly into four kingdoms. Daniel 8:22 says "four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power." Daniel 8:8Daniel 8:22Daniel 11:4Diodorus Siculus, Library 18-20Plutarch, Demetrius 28-30
- 167 BCWarAntiochus IV defiles the temple
The Greek king Antiochus IV banned Jewish worship and set up a pagan altar on the altar of burnt offering. 1 Maccabees calls it "the abomination of desolation." Two centuries later Jesus spoke of "the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet" as still to come. 1 Maccabees 1:54-59Josephus, Antiquities 12.5.4Matthew 24:15
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records of these years (the Babylonian Chronicles, the Cyrus Cylinder, Nebuchadnezzar's inscriptions) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Diodorus, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| and still | וְע֛וֹד | ve-'od | H5750 | stillעוֹד (od) subst 1) a going round, continuance adv 2) still, yet, again, besides 2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence) 2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition) 2c) again 2d) still, moreover, besides Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751) |
| I | אֲנִ֥י | 'a-NI | H0589 | meאֲנָא (a.na) I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis) Aramaic of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589) |
| [was] speaking | מְדַבֵּ֖ר | me-da-BER | H1696G | to speak: speakדָבַר (da.var) : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight |
| in the prayer | בַּתְּפִלָּ֑ה | ba-te-fi-LAH | H8605 | prayerתְּפִלָּה (te.phil.lah) 1) prayer 1a) prayer 1b) pray a prayer 1c) house of prayer 1d) hear prayer 1e) in Ps titles (of poetic or liturgical prayer) |
| and the man | וְהָאִ֣ישׁ | ve-ha-'ISH | H0376G | manאִישׁ (ish) : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective) |
| Gabriel | גַּבְרִיאֵ֡ל | gav-ri-'EL | H1403 | Gabrielגַּבְרִיאֵל (gav.ri.el) Gabriel = "warrior of God" or "man of God" an archangel; the angel God used to send messages of great importance to man; sent to Daniel, to Zacharias, and to Mary Also named: Gabriēl (Γαβριήλ "Gabriel" G1043) |
| whom | אֲשֶׁר֩ | 'a-SHER | H0834A | whichאֲשֶׁר (a.sher) A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when |
| I had seen | רָאִ֨יתִי | ra-'I-ti | H7200G | to see: seeרָאָה (ra.ah) : see/show 1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to see 1a2) to see, perceive 1a3) to see, have vision 1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out 1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish 1a6) to look at, gaze at 1a7) to provide, choose 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to appear, present oneself 1b2) to be seen 1b3) to be visible 1c) (Pual) to be seen 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to see, show 1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at 1e) (Hophal) … |
| in the vision | בֶחָז֤וֹן | ve-cha-ZON | H2377 | visionחֱזוּ (che.zev) 1) vision, appearance 1a) vision 1b) appearance |
| at the beginning | בַּתְּחִלָּה֙ | ba-te-chi-LAH | H8462 | beginningתְּחִלָּה (te.chil.lah) 1) beginning, first 1a) the first time 1b) from the beginning, in the beginning (with prep) |
| wearied | מֻעָ֣ף | mu-'AF | H3286 | to faintיָעֵף (ya.aph) 1) to be or grow weary, be fatigued, be faint 1a) (Qal) to be or grow weary, be fatigued, be faint 1b) (Hophal) wearied (participle) |
| with weariness | בִּיעָ֔ף | bi-'AF | H3288 | wearinessיְעָף (ye.aph) weariness, fatigue, faintness |
| [was] approaching | נֹגֵ֣עַ | no-GE-a' | H5060 | to touchנָגַע (na.ga) 1) to touch, reach, strike 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to touch 1a2) to strike 1a3) to reach, extend to 1a4) to be stricken 1a4a) stricken (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be stricken, be defeated 1c) (Piel) to strike 1d) (Pual) to be stricken (by disease) 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to touch, reach, approach, arrive 1e1) to cause to touch, apply 1e2) to reach, extend, attain, arrive, come 1e3) to approach (of time) 1e4) to befall (of fate) |
| to me | אֵלַ֔י | 'e-LAI | H0413 | to(wards)אֶל (el) 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to) |
| about [the] time of | כְּעֵ֖ת | ke-'ET | H6256 | timeעֵת (et) 1) time 1a) time (of an event) 1b) time (usual) 1c) experiences, fortunes 1d) occurrence, occasion |
| [the] offering of | מִנְחַת־ | min-chat- | H4503G | offeringמִנְחָה (min.chah) : offering/sacrifice 1) gift, tribute, offering, present, oblation, sacrifice, meat offering 1a) gift, present 1b) tribute 1c) offering (to God) 1d) grain offering |
| [the] evening | עָֽרֶב׃ | 'A-rev | H6153 | eveningעֶ֫רֶב (e.rev) 1) evening, night, sunset 1a) evening, sunset 1b) night |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.