Daniel Chapter 9 · Verse 6
Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמַ֙עְנוּ֙
Neither have we hearkened
H8085
שָׁמַ֙עְנוּ֙
Neither have we hearkened
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 16
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבְּרוּ֙
which spake
H1696
דִּבְּרוּ֙
which spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
7 of 16
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בְּשִׁמְךָ֔
in thy name
H8034
בְּשִׁמְךָ֔
in thy name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
8 of 16
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
וַאֲבֹתֵ֑ינוּ
and our fathers
H1
וַאֲבֹתֵ֑ינוּ
and our fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
12 of 16
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Nehemiah 9:34Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them.Daniel 9:10Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.Ezra 9:7Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
Historical Context
Israel's history included persistent prophetic ministry: Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others repeatedly warned of covenant violation consequences. Despite miracles, authoritative messages, and patient pleading, the nation generally ignored or persecuted prophets (1 Kings 19:10, Jeremiah 38:6, Matthew 23:29-31). 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 summarizes this pattern: "And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers...But they mocked the messengers of God...until there was no remedy."
Questions for Reflection
- How does rejection of divinely sent messengers demonstrate deeper rebellion than mere ignorance or moral failure?
- What does the comprehensive warning to all social levels teach about God's patience and humanity's accountability?
- How does Israel's prophetic rejection point forward to humanity's ultimate rejection of Christ, and His redemptive response?
Analysis & Commentary
Daniel's confession continues: "Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land." This adds another layer to Israel's guilt—not only did they violate God's revealed law, they rejected His sent messengers. The phrase "thy servants the prophets" emphasizes these were divinely authorized spokespersons, not self-appointed critics. Rejecting prophets meant rejecting God Himself (1 Samuel 8:7, Luke 10:16).
The comprehensive listing—"kings, princes, fathers, and all the people"—indicates that prophetic warning reached every level of society. No one could claim ignorance; all social classes heard divine warning yet chose disobedience. This aggravates guilt: willful rejection of repeatedly offered grace. The phrase "in thy name" emphasizes prophetic authority—these messengers spoke with divine commission, making their rejection particularly heinous.
This pattern recurs throughout redemptive history: God sends prophets, people reject them, judgment follows (Matthew 23:37). Christ, the final prophet (Hebrews 1:1-2), faced ultimate rejection, crucified by those He came to save. Yet His death accomplished salvation for all who receive Him (John 1:11-12). Daniel's confession of Israel's prophetic rejection points to humanity's greater rejection of Christ, yet also to God's redemptive response through the rejected cornerstone.