Daniel Chapter 9 · Verse 20

Authorized King James Version

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And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;

Original Language Analysis

וְע֨וֹד H5750
וְע֨וֹד
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 1 of 18
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
אֲנִ֤י H589
אֲנִ֤י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 2 of 18
i
מְדַבֵּר֙ And whiles I was speaking H1696
מְדַבֵּר֙ And whiles I was speaking
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 3 of 18
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וּמִתְפַּלֵּ֔ל and praying H6419
וּמִתְפַּלֵּ֔ל and praying
Strong's: H6419
Word #: 4 of 18
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
וּמִתְוַדֶּה֙ and confessing H3034
וּמִתְוַדֶּה֙ and confessing
Strong's: H3034
Word #: 5 of 18
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
וְחַטַּ֖את and the sin H2403
וְחַטַּ֖את and the sin
Strong's: H2403
Word #: 6 of 18
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
וְחַטַּ֖את and the sin H2403
וְחַטַּ֖את and the sin
Strong's: H2403
Word #: 7 of 18
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
עַמִּ֣י of my people H5971
עַמִּ֣י of my people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 8 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 9 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וּמַפִּ֣יל and presenting H5307
וּמַפִּ֣יל and presenting
Strong's: H5307
Word #: 10 of 18
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
תְּחִנָּתִ֗י my supplication H8467
תְּחִנָּתִ֗י my supplication
Strong's: H8467
Word #: 11 of 18
graciousness; causatively, entreaty
לִפְנֵי֙ before H6440
לִפְנֵי֙ before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 12 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֣ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 13 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהָֽי׃ my God H430
אֱלֹהָֽי׃ my God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 14 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
עַ֖ל H5921
עַ֖ל
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
הַר mountain H2022
הַר mountain
Strong's: H2022
Word #: 16 of 18
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
קֹ֥דֶשׁ for the holy H6944
קֹ֥דֶשׁ for the holy
Strong's: H6944
Word #: 17 of 18
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
אֱלֹהָֽי׃ my God H430
אֱלֹהָֽי׃ my God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 18 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

Analysis & Commentary

While Daniel prays, God sends response: 'And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God.' This sets context for Gabriel's arrival (v. 21). The phrase 'whiles I was speaking' indicates God answered before Daniel finished praying (cf. Isaiah 65:24). The confession includes personal ('my sin') and corporate ('sin of my people') dimensions. His intercession for 'the holy mountain' (temple mount/Jerusalem) shows covenant concern for God's reputation and dwelling place.

Historical Context

Jewish prayer practice included confession, repentance, and supplication. Daniel's prayer (v. 4-19) exemplifies corporate confession where righteous individuals identify with their people's sin. The 'holy mountain' refers to Mount Zion/Jerusalem where the temple stood (now destroyed). Ancient Near Eastern religion closely linked gods with specific locations; Daniel's concern for God's dwelling place among His people reflects covenant theology where God's presence among Israel demonstrated His choice of them as His people.

Questions for Reflection