Daniel 9:4
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; | And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments, | And I prayed unto Jehovah my God, and made confession, and said, Oh, Lord, the great and dreadful God, who keepeth covenant and lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments, |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedDaniel has read in Jeremiah that Jerusalem's ruin would last seventy years, so he turns to God in prayer with fasting. Verse 4 opens his confession by praising God as great, awe-inspiring, and faithful to his covenant. Only then does he confess Israel's sin and plead for mercy on Jerusalem. Daniel 9:2Daniel 9:3Daniel 9:4Daniel 9:5Daniel 9:16
SpeakingDaniel speaks in the first person, telling how he prayed to "the LORD my God." Daniel 9:2Daniel 9:4Daniel overview
ToThe prayer is spoken to God himself. The book records it for God's people in exile and after it. Daniel 9:4Daniel overview
Also involvedDaniel prays for his people Israel, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who have been scattered for their sin. Daniel 9:7Daniel 9:20
Daniel begins by naming who God is: the great and dreadful God who keeps his covenant and mercy to those who love him and keep his commandments. These words echo God's own promise in the Ten Commandments of "shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." Against this faithful God, Daniel then confesses, "We have sinned." Daniel 9:4Exodus 20:6Deuteronomy 5:10Daniel 9:5
Daniel was in Babylon, in the realm of the Chaldeans, then ruled by Darius. Jerusalem and its sanctuary lay desolate far away. Daniel 9:1Daniel overviewDaniel 9:17
The eventsThe prayer takes place in the first year of Darius the Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans after Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians. In that year Daniel understood from books the number of years Jeremiah had foretold for Jerusalem's desolations. Daniel 9:1Daniel 9:2Daniel overview
WrittenTraditional: written by Daniel in the 500s BC. Scholarly: many critical scholars date the book's final form to about 167-164 BC, under Antiochus IV, while others hold to the 500s BC date. Daniel overview
HereDaniel grounds his plea in God's character before he confesses. He asks for help not because of Israel's righteousness but because of God's great mercies. Daniel 9:4Daniel 9:9Daniel 9:18
In the whole of ScriptureThe verse draws on how God revealed himself to Moses as one "keeping mercy for thousands" who will still not clear the guilty. Daniel holds both sides: God is righteous in the judgment that fell on Jerusalem, and to him belong mercies and forgivenesses. God answers the prayer by sending Gabriel with the word of the seventy weeks. Exodus 34:6Exodus 34:7Daniel 9:9Daniel 9:14Daniel 9:21Daniel 9:24
For readersDaniel's prayer shows how to come to God in confession: start with who God is, then own the sin honestly, then ask for mercy for his name's sake. Jeremiah's prayer also opens by praising God's great power. Daniel 9:4Daniel 9:5Daniel 9:19Jeremiah 32:17Daniel overview
- mercyחֶ֫סֶד
The lexicon glosses this word here as "covenant loyalty" and defines it as goodness, kindness, and faithfulness. In the verse it stands beside "covenant," and Exodus 34:7 speaks of God "keeping mercy for thousands." Strong's H2617ADaniel 9:4Exodus 34:7
- covenantבְּרִית
The word means covenant, alliance, or pledge, including a divine ordinance between God and man. Daniel appeals to the bond God himself made, whose curses Israel has suffered for breaking it. Strong's H1285Daniel 9:11
- dreadfulיָרֵא
Glossed here as "awesome," the word comes from "to fear, revere," and can mean to be held in awe or to inspire reverence. God is called "dreadful" in the sense of one to be revered. Strong's H3372H
- keepingשָׁמַר
The word means to keep, guard, or observe, including keeping a covenant or commands. God is the one who keeps the covenant faithfully, while Israel confesses it departed from his precepts. Strong's H8104GDaniel 9:4Daniel 9:5
Takeaway
Before Daniel confesses sin, he declares that God is great, awe-inspiring, and faithful to his covenant. His hope rests on God's character, not on his people's record. Daniel 9:4Daniel 9:18
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 I prayed ! | וָֽאֶתְפַּֽלְלָ֛ה | va-'et-pa-LAH | H6419 | to prayפָּלַל (pa.lal) 1) to intervene, interpose, pray 1a) (Piel) to mediate, judge 1b)(Hithpael) 1b1) to intercede 1b2) to pray |
| to Yahweh | לַיהוָ֥ה | la-YAH-weh | H3068G | Lordאֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| God my | אֱלֹהַ֖י | 'e-lo-HAI | H0430G | Godאֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| and I confessed | וָאֶתְוַדֶּ֑ה | va-'et-va-DEH | H3034 | to praiseיְדָא (ye.da) (Aphel) to praise, give thanks Aramaic of ya.dah (יָדָה "to give thanks" H3034) |
| and I said ! | וָאֹֽמְרָ֗ה | va-'o-me-RAH | H0559 | to sayאָמַר (a.mar) 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560) |
| I beg you | אָנָּ֤א | 'a-NA' | H0577 | Please!אָֽנָּ֫א (an.na) ah now! I/we beseech you, oh now!, pray now! (participle of entreaty usually followed by the imperative verb) |
| O Lord | אֲדֹנָי֙ | 'a-do-NAI | H0136 | Lordאֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| the God | הָאֵ֤ל | ha-'EL | H0410G | Godאֵל (el) This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| the great | הַגָּדוֹל֙ | ha-ga-dOl | H1419A | great: largeגָּדוֹל (ga.dol) adj 1) great 1a) large (in magnitude and extent) 1b) in number 1c) in intensity 1d) loud (in sound) 1e) older (in age) 1f) in importance 1f1) important things 1f2) great, distinguished (of men) 1f3) God Himself (of God) subst 1g) great things 1h) haughty things 1i) greatness Also means: ga.dol (גָּדוֹל ": old" H1419K) § Haggedolim = "the great one" (CLBL) Haggedolim, the great man?, father of Zabdiel |
| and the awesome | וְהַנּוֹרָ֔א | ve-ha-no-RA' | H3372H | to fearיָרֵא (ya.re) : frightening(DANGER) 1) to fear, revere, be afraid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fear, be afraid 1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed 1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared 1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe 1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe 1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify 2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour |
| [who] keeps | שֹׁמֵ֤ר | sho-MER | H8104G | to keep: obeyשָׁמַר (sha.mar) : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded … |
| the covenant | הַבְּרִית֙ | ha-be-RIT | H1285 | covenantבְּרִית (be.rit) 1) covenant, alliance, pledge 1a) between men 1a1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man) 1a2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects) 1a3) agreement, pledge (man to man) 1a4) alliance (of friendship) 1a5) alliance (of marriage) 1b) between God and man 1b1) alliance (of friendship) 1b2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges) 2) (phrases) 2a) covenant making 2b) covenant keeping 2c) covenant violation |
| and the covenant loyalty | וְֽהַחֶ֔סֶד | ve-ha-CHE-sed | H2617A | kindnessחֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) goodness, kindness, faithfulness |
| to [those who] love him | לְאֹהֲבָ֖יו | le-'o-ha-VAV | H0157G | to love: loverאָהֵב (a.hav) : lover 1) to love 1a) (Qal) 1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual 1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom 1a3) human love for or to God 1a4) act of being a friend 1a4a) lover (participle) 1a4b) friend (participle) 1a5) God's love toward man 1a5a) to individual men 1a5b) to people Israel 1a5c) to righteousness 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) lovely (participle) 1b2) loveable (participle) 1c) (Piel) 1c1) friends 1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers) 2) to like Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H) |
| and to [those who] keep | וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י | u-le-sho-me-REI | H8104G | to keep: obeyשָׁמַר (sha.mar) : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded … |
| of commandments his | מִצְוֹתָֽיו׃ | mitz-vo-TAV | H4687 | commandmentמִצְוָה (mits.vah) 1) commandment 1a) commandment (of man) 1b) the commandment (of God) 1c) commandment (of code of wisdom) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.