Daniel 9:7
O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.
Original Language Analysis
הַצְּדָקָ֔ה
righteousness
H6666
הַצְּדָקָ֔ה
righteousness
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
3 of 25
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
בֹּ֥שֶׁת
belongeth unto thee but unto us confusion
H1322
בֹּ֥שֶׁת
belongeth unto thee but unto us confusion
Strong's:
H1322
Word #:
5 of 25
shame (the feeling and the condition, as well as its cause); by implication (specifically) an idol
הַפָּנִ֖ים
of faces
H6440
הַפָּנִ֖ים
of faces
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 25
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
כַּיּ֣וֹם
as at this day
H3117
כַּיּ֣וֹם
as at this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
7 of 25
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּ֑ה
H2088
לְאִ֤ישׁ
to the men
H376
לְאִ֤ישׁ
to the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 25
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
יְהוּדָה֙
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָה֙
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
10 of 25
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וּלְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י
and to the inhabitants
H3427
וּלְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י
and to the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
11 of 25
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
of Jerusalem
H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
of Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
12 of 25
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וּֽלְכָל
H3605
וּֽלְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֞ל
and unto all Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֞ל
and unto all Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
14 of 25
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְהָרְחֹקִ֗ים
and that are far off
H7350
וְהָרְחֹקִ֗ים
and that are far off
Strong's:
H7350
Word #:
16 of 25
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽאֲרָצוֹת֙
through all the countries
H776
הָֽאֲרָצוֹת֙
through all the countries
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
18 of 25
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִדַּחְתָּ֣ם
whither thou hast driven
H5080
הִדַּחְתָּ֣ם
whither thou hast driven
Strong's:
H5080
Word #:
20 of 25
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
שָׁ֔ם
H8033
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Psalms 44:15My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,Jeremiah 3:25We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.Deuteronomy 4:27And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.Daniel 9:8O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.Daniel 9:14Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.Romans 6:21What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.Amos 9:9For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.
Historical Context
By Daniel's time (538 BC), Jews were scattered throughout the Babylonian and emerging Persian Empires from Egypt to Persia. The "near and far off" described those who returned to Judah versus those remaining in dispersion. This scattered condition fulfilled Deuteronomy's covenant curses for persistent disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:64-68), demonstrating God's faithfulness to His word—both blessings and curses.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the contrast between God's righteousness and our shame establish proper foundation for seeking divine mercy?
- What does recognizing God's sovereign hand even in judgment ("whither thou hast driven them") teach about divine control over all circumstances?
- How does Christ bearing our shame on the cross provide the ultimate answer to humanity's "confusion of faces"?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Daniel continues: "O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee." The contrast is stark—"righteousness belongeth unto thee" but "unto us confusion of faces." God's righteousness remains unstained; Israel's shame is complete and visible ("confusion of faces" = disgrace, embarrassment).
The phrase "as at this day" anchors the confession in present reality—exile isn't theoretical but current disgrace witnessed by all. The comprehensive scope—"men of Judah...Jerusalem...all Israel...near...far off"—indicates the exile scattered the nation widely, fulfilling covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:64). Yet even in acknowledging dispersion, Daniel maintains hope by recognizing God's sovereign hand: "whither thou hast driven them." Though judgment resulted from sin, God sovereignly controlled even exile's details.
The final phrase—"because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee"—uses emphatic Hebrew construction (literally "in their unfaithfulness which they acted unfaithfully") stressing willful, knowing rebellion. This acknowledgment of deserved judgment provides proper foundation for seeking mercy—not denying guilt but confessing it fully while appealing to divine grace. Christ bore our "confusion of faces" (shame) on the cross, suffering public disgrace to restore our honor (Hebrews 12:2).