Daniel 9:2
In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
Original Language Analysis
אַחַת֙
In the first
H259
אַחַת֙
In the first
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
לְמָלְכ֔וֹ
of his reign
H4427
לְמָלְכ֔וֹ
of his reign
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
3 of 21
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
בִּינֹ֖תִי
understood
H995
בִּינֹ֖תִי
understood
Strong's:
H995
Word #:
6 of 21
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
בַּסְּפָרִ֑ים
by books
H5612
בַּסְּפָרִ֑ים
by books
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
מִסְפַּ֣ר
the number
H4557
מִסְפַּ֣ר
the number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
8 of 21
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָיָ֤ה
H1961
הָיָ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
דְבַר
whereof the word
H1697
דְבַר
whereof the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
12 of 21
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יִרְמִיָ֣ה
came to Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמִיָ֣ה
came to Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
15 of 21
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
לְמַלֹּ֛אות
that he would accomplish
H4390
לְמַלֹּ֛אות
that he would accomplish
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
17 of 21
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
לְחָרְב֥וֹת
in the desolations
H2723
לְחָרְב֥וֹת
in the desolations
Strong's:
H2723
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation
Cross References
Jeremiah 29:10For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.2 Chronicles 36:21To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.Zechariah 7:5Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?Revelation 1:3Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.Ezra 1:1Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,Micah 3:12Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.Isaiah 64:10Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.Acts 8:34And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?Psalms 119:24Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.Jeremiah 27:7And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son's son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him.
Historical Context
Jerusalem fell in 586 BC; seventy years later (516 BC) the temple was rebuilt, though debate exists whether counting from 605 BC (first deportation) reaches 539 BC (Babylon's fall) or 538 BC (Cyrus's decree allowing return). Daniel, deported in 605 BC, had lived almost the entire seventy years in exile. Jeremiah's scrolls evidently circulated among exiles (Jeremiah 29 was a letter to exiles). Daniel's access to prophetic writings shows Scripture's importance in exile for maintaining faith and hope.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Daniel's example teach that understanding biblical prophecy should lead to prayer rather than passive speculation?
- What does his Scripture study during exile teach about the Bible's role sustaining faith and hope in difficult circumstances?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Daniel's study of Scripture leads to prayer: 'In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.' Daniel studied 'books' (plural, possibly Jeremiah and other prophets) understanding that Jeremiah's seventy-year prophecy (Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10) was nearing completion. This demonstrates that biblical prophecy isn't fatalistic—understanding God's promises led Daniel to prayer, not passive waiting. Scripture study prompted intercession for prophecy's fulfillment.