Daniel 9:18
O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.
Original Language Analysis
הַטֵּ֨ה
incline
H5186
הַטֵּ֨ה
incline
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
1 of 25
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
אֱלֹהַ֥י׀
O my God
H430
אֱלֹהַ֥י׀
O my God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
2 of 25
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אָזְנְךָ֮
thine ear
H241
אָזְנְךָ֮
thine ear
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
3 of 25
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
וּֽשֲׁמָע֒
and hear
H8085
וּֽשֲׁמָע֒
and hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
4 of 25
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
פְּקַ֣חה
open
H6491
פְּקַ֣חה
open
Strong's:
H6491
Word #:
5 of 25
to open (the senses, especially the eyes); figuratively, to be observant
עֵינֶ֗יךָ
thine eyes
H5869
עֵינֶ֗יךָ
thine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
6 of 25
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וּרְאֵה֙
and behold
H7200
וּרְאֵה֙
and behold
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
7 of 25
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
שֹֽׁמְמֹתֵ֔ינוּ
our desolations
H8074
שֹֽׁמְמֹתֵ֔ינוּ
our desolations
Strong's:
H8074
Word #:
8 of 25
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
וְהָעִ֕יר
and the city
H5892
וְהָעִ֕יר
and the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
9 of 25
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִקְרָ֥א
which is called
H7121
נִקְרָ֥א
which is called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
11 of 25
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
שִׁמְךָ֖
by thy name
H8034
שִׁמְךָ֖
by thy name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
12 of 25
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
עָלֶ֑יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֑יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּ֣י׀
H3588
כִּ֣י׀
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
צִדְקֹתֵ֗ינוּ
thee for our righteousnesses
H6666
צִדְקֹתֵ֗ינוּ
thee for our righteousnesses
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
17 of 25
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
מַפִּילִ֤ים
for we do not present
H5307
מַפִּילִ֤ים
for we do not present
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
19 of 25
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
21 of 25
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
כִּ֖י
H3588
כִּ֖י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
22 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
23 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Isaiah 37:17Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God.Jeremiah 36:7It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD, and will return every one from his evil way: for great is the anger and the fury that the LORD hath pronounced against this people.Jeremiah 25:29For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts.2 Kings 19:16LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.Jeremiah 15:16Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.Jeremiah 14:7O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.Ezekiel 36:32Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.
Historical Context
Jerusalem's destruction (586 BC) and temple's burning devastated Israel physically and spiritually. The city "called by God's name" lay in ruins, seeming to contradict divine promises. Daniel prayed around 538 BC as the seventy years neared completion, seeking restoration based on God's mercy and name, not Israel's merit. Cyrus's decree allowing return (Ezra 1:1-4) answered this prayer.
Questions for Reflection
- How does appealing to God's glory and name rather than personal merit model proper prayer priorities?
- What does renouncing dependence on "our righteousnesses" teach about the sole ground for approaching God in prayer?
- How does this prayer pattern point to Christ's righteousness as our only access to God's throne?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Daniel's prayer approaches its climax: "O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies." The parallel imperatives—"incline...hear...open...behold"—urgently petition divine attention. The phrase "our desolations" references Jerusalem's ruins, appealing to God's compassion for His people's suffering.
The crucial phrase—"the city which is called by thy name"—grounds the petition in God's own glory. Jerusalem bore God's name; its desolation reflected on His reputation among nations (cf. Ezekiel 36:20-23). Daniel appeals not primarily to Israel's suffering but to God's honor—He must act to vindicate His name. This demonstrates proper prayer priority: God's glory above personal comfort. Christ taught this pattern: "Hallowed be thy name...thy kingdom come" precedes "give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:9-11).
The final disclaimer—"we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies"—explicitly renounces works-righteousness. Daniel, though personally righteous (Ezekiel 14:14), doesn't appeal to merit but to divine mercy alone. This models Reformed soteriology: salvation by grace through faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ's righteousness, not our own, provides access to God's throne (Hebrews 10:19-22).