Daniel 9:20
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
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)
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)
Cross References
Psalms 145:18The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.Romans 3:23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;Isaiah 58:9Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;Isaiah 6:5Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.Isaiah 65:24And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.Psalms 32:5I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.Daniel 9:16O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.
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
- How does Daniel's example of identifying with his people's sin model corporate responsibility rather than self-righteous distancing?
- What does God's response before prayer concludes teach about His eagerness to answer those who earnestly seek Him?
Related Resources
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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.