Daniel 9:19
O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.
Original Language Analysis
שְׁמָ֙עָה֙
hear
H8085
שְׁמָ֙עָה֙
hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 18
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וַעֲשֵׂ֖ה
and do
H6213
וַעֲשֵׂ֖ה
and do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
7 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אַל
not
H408
אַל
not
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
8 of 18
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תְּאַחַ֑ר
defer
H309
תְּאַחַ֑ר
defer
Strong's:
H309
Word #:
9 of 18
to loiter (i.e., be behind); by implication to procrastinate
לְמַֽעֲנְךָ֣
H4616
לְמַֽעֲנְךָ֣
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
אֱלֹהַ֔י
for thine own sake O my God
H430
אֱלֹהַ֔י
for thine own sake O my God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
11 of 18
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
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שִׁמְךָ֣
by thy name
H8034
שִׁמְךָ֣
by thy name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
13 of 18
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
נִקְרָ֔א
are called
H7121
נִקְרָ֔א
are called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
14 of 18
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עִירְךָ֖
for thy city
H5892
עִירְךָ֖
for thy city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
16 of 18
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
Cross References
Daniel 9:18O 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.Luke 11:8I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.Amos 7:2And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.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.Jeremiah 14:9Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.Ephesians 3:10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,Ephesians 1:12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.Numbers 14:19Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.
Historical Context
Daniel prayed this around 538 BC, near the seventy years' completion. His passionate urgency may reflect knowledge that the prophesied time approached, increasing confidence that God would soon act. Indeed, Cyrus's decree followed shortly (Ezra 1:1-4), demonstrating that biblically-informed, passionate prayer preceded and perhaps influenced the timing of divine deliverance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the repeated direct address and piled-up imperatives model passionate urgency in prayer?
- What does appealing to God's glory ("for thine own sake") rather than human merit teach about effective prayer theology?
- How should biblical promises increase confidence and urgency in prayer, as Daniel's awareness of the seventy years fueled passionate petition?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Daniel's prayer concludes with urgent petition: "O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name." The repeated "O Lord" (three times) creates emphatic urgency through direct address. The rapid imperatives—"hear...forgive...hearken...do...defer not"—pile up petitions demonstrating desperate earnestness. This isn't casual request but fervent pleading for immediate divine action.
The phrase "defer not, for thine own sake" appeals to God's self-interest—His own glory requires acting to restore His people and city. Daniel doesn't primarily argue Israel deserves mercy but that God's reputation demands intervention. The final clause—"thy city and thy people are called by thy name"—repeats the earlier appeal (v. 18): these bear God's name, making their condition reflect on Him. This theological insight grounds effective prayer: appealing to God's glory, not human merit.
This urgent prayer pattern appears throughout Scripture: Moses (Exodus 32:11-13), Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:15-19), Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:6-12). Each appeals to God's glory and promises, not human worthiness. Christ taught similar urgency in the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), encouraging believers to pray persistently until God answers. Daniel models passionate, theologically grounded intercession that moves heaven.