en_tn/tNotes/Daniel/Daniel_09.md

Daniel 9

Daniel 9:1

General Information:

Chapters 7 and 8 were not in chronological order. They happened while Belshazzar was still the king. Chapter 9 now returns to the events of the reign of Darius who became king in chapter 6.

It was Ahasuerus who had been made king over the realm of the Babylonians

This is background information about who Ahasuerus was. The UDB places this in parentheses to make that clear. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background)

who had been made king over the realm of the Babylonians

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "who became king over the realm of the Babylonians" or "who conquered the Babylonians" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

over the realm

"over the country" or "over the kingdom"

Daniel 9:2

Yahweh

This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.

there would be seventy years until Jerusalem's abandonment would end

"from the time Jerusalem was destroyed, it would remain in ruins for 70 years" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-numbers)

abandonment

this means no one would help or rebuild Jerusalem during that time

Daniel 9:3

I turned my face to the Lord God

Here "face" represents Daniel's attention. Alternate translation: "I focused my attention on the Lord God" or "I directed my thoughts toward the Lord God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

to seek him

Those who want to know Yahweh and please him are spoken of as if they are literally seeking to find Yahweh. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

fasting, wearing sackcloth, and sitting in ashes

These are symbolic acts of repentance and sorrow. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)

Daniel 9:4

I made confession of our sins

"I confessed our sins"

you are the one who keeps the covenant and is faithful to love those

"you do what what you said you would do in your covenant, and you faithfully love those"

Daniel 9:5

General Information:

Daniel continues praying to the Lord about the people of Israel.

We have sinned and have done what is wrong

These two phrases express one idea in two different ways for emphasis. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)

We have acted wickedly and we have rebelled

These two phrases express one idea in two different ways for emphasis. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)

your commands and decrees

The words "commands" and "decrees" share similar meanings and refer to the whole law. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)

Daniel 9:6

We have not listened to your servants

Here "not listened" means they did not obey their message. Alternate translation: "We have not obeyed the message of your prophets" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

spoke in your name

Here "name" refers to God's authority. Alternate translation: "spoke with your authority" or "spoke as your representative" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

the people of the land

Here "land" refers to Israel. Alternate translation: "the Israelite people"

Daniel 9:7

General Information:

Daniel continues praying to the Lord about the people of Israel.

To you, Lord, belongs righteousness

Being righteous is spoken of as if "righteousness" were an object that belongs to Yahweh. The abstract noun "righteousness" can be stated as "righteous." Alternate translation: "Lord, you are righteous" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)

To us today, however, belongs shame on our faces—for the people

Being ashamed is spoken of as if "shame" were an object that belongs to people. The abstract noun "shame" can be stated as "ashamed." Alternate translation: "But as for us, we are ashamed of what we have done—the people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)

To us today

The word "us" includes Daniel and the Israelites, but it does not include God. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)

belongs shame on our faces

This idiom means their shame is visible to all. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

because of the great treachery that we committed against you

"because we greatly betrayed you" or "because we were very unfaithful to you"

Daniel 9:8

General Information:

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Daniel 9:9

General Information:

Daniel continues praying to the Lord about the people of Israel.

To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness

Having these traits is spoken of as if they belonged to the Lord. Alternate translation: "The Lord our God is compassionate and forgives" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Daniel 9:10

We have not obeyed the voice of Yahweh our God

Here "voice" refers to the commands that Yahweh spoke. Alternate translation: "We have not obeyed what Yahweh told us to do" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

Daniel 9:11

turned aside

The words "turned aside" mean that Israel stopped obeying God's laws. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

that are written in the law of Moses

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "that Moses wrote about in the law" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

have been poured out on us

The abundance of the curse and the oath are spoken of as if they were poured out like water. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "you have brought upon us" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

Daniel 9:12

General Information:

Daniel continues praying to the Lord about the people of Israel.

For under the whole of heaven

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: "For in the whole world" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

there has not been done anything

"nothing has been done." This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "nothing has happened" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

what has been done to Jerusalem

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "what you have done to Jerusalem" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

Daniel 9:13

As it is written in the law of Moses

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "As Moses wrote in the law" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

turning away from our iniquities

Here stopping evil activity is spoken of as turning away from them. Alternate translation: "stopping our evil actions" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

Daniel 9:14

Yahweh has kept the disaster ready

"Yahweh has prepared this disaster"

we have not obeyed his voice

Here "voice" refers to the things that Yahweh commanded. Alternate translation: "we have not done what he told us to do" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

Daniel 9:15

with a mighty hand

Here "mighty hand" is a metonym for strength. Alternate translation: "with great strength" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

you have made a famous name for yourself, as in this present day

"you caused people to know how great you are, as you still do today"

still we sinned; we have done wicked things

These two clauses mean basically the same thing and are used together to emphasize how bad sin is. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)

we sinned; we have done wicked things

Daniel and Israel sinned and did wicked things, but "we" does not include God. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)

Daniel 9:16

your anger and your wrath

The words "anger" and "wrath" mean basically the same thing and emphasize how terrible God's anger is when he acts on it. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)

your holy mountain

This mountain may be holy because God's temple is there. Alternate translation: "the mountain where your holy temple is"

our sins ... our ancestors

Here "our" refers to Daniel and Israel, but not to God. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)

an object of scorn

"a target of disrespect"

Daniel 9:17

Now

This does not mean "at this moment", but it is a way to show that the next phase in Daniel's prayer is about to start.

your servant ... his pleas for mercy

The words "your servant" and "his" here refer to Daniel. He speaks about himself in the third person as a sign of respect for God. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)

pleas for mercy

"requests for mercy"

make your face shine on

The writer speaks of Yahweh acting favorably as if Yahweh's face shone a light. Alternate translation: "act kindly toward" or "act with favor toward" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

your sanctuary

This refers to the temple in Jerusalem.

Daniel 9:18

open your ears and listen

To "open the ears" is an idiom that means to listen. These two phrases means the same thing and emphasize Daniel's desire for God to listen to his prayer. Alternate translation: "please listen" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)

open your eyes and see

To "open the eyes" is an idiom that means to see. These two phrases means the same thing and emphasize Daniel's desire for God to pay attention to his prayer. Alternate translation: "notice us" or "pay attention" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)

is called by your name

Here "name" represents ownership. Alternate translation: "is your city" or "belongs to you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

Daniel 9:19

do not delay

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "act quickly"

Daniel 9:20

my people Israel

"the people of Israel to whom I belong"

Daniel 9:21

the man Gabriel

This is the same angel Gabriel who appeared in the form of a man in Daniel 8:16. Alternate translation: "Gabriel, who appeared as a man" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

in the vision at the first

This may refer to the first vision that Daniel had while he was awake. Alternate translation: "in the previous vision" or "in the vision I saw before" or "in a vision before"

flew down to me in rapid flight

"flew down to me quickly"

at the time of the evening sacrifice

The Jewish people sacrificed to God each evening just before the sun went down.

Daniel 9:22

insight and understanding

The words "insight" and "understanding" mean the same thing and emphasize that Gabriel will help Daniel to understand the message completely. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)

Daniel 9:23

the order was given

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God gave the order" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

consider this word

"think about this message"

the revelation

This refers back to the prophesy of Jeremiah in Daniel 9:2.

Daniel 9:24

Seventy sevens are decreed for your people and your holy city to

God decreed that he would do the things in this verse for the people and the holy city.

Seventy sevens

This is not the normal way the Israelites counted. If possible, try to translate in a way that preserves this use of the number seven. Alternate translation: "Seventy times seven years"

your people and your holy city

The word "your" here refers to Daniel. The people are the Israelites and the holy city is Jerusalem. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)

to end the guilt and put an end to sin

The idea is repeated to emphasize how certain it is that this will happen. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)

to carry out the vision

Here "carry out" is an idiom that means to accomplish. Alternate translation: "to accomplish the vision" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

the vision and the prophecy

These words in this context mean the same thing. They ensure Daniel that Jeremiah's vision was indeed a prophecy. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)

Daniel 9:25

and sixty-two sevens

This is not the normal way the Israelites counted. If possible, try to translate in a way that preserves this use of the number seven. Alternate translation: "seven times seven years ... and sixty-two times seven years"

Know and understand

These words are used together to make the importance clear. Alternate translation: "You must clearly understand" or "You must know for sure" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)

the anointed one

Anointing is a symbolic act to show that someone is chosen. Alternate translation: "the person that God anoints" or "the person that God chooses" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)

seven sevens ... and sixty-two sevens

These added together are 69 of the 70 sevens spoken of in verse 24.

Jerusalem will be rebuilt

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "People will rebuild Jerusalem" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

moat

a deep ditch around a city or building, usually with water in it

the times of distress

"a time of great trouble"

Daniel 9:26

sixty-two sevens

This is not the normal way the Israelites counted. If possible, try to translate in a way that preserves this use of the number seven. See how you translated this number in Daniel 9:25. Alternate translation: "sixty-two times seven"

the anointed one will be destroyed and will have nothing

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people will destroy the anointed one and he will have nothing" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

the anointed one

Anointing is a symbolic act to show that someone is chosen. See how you translated this title in Daniel 9:25. Alternate translation: "the person that God anoints" or "the person that God chooses"

a coming ruler

This is a foreign ruler, not "the anointed one." Alternate translation: "a foreign ruler who will come" or "a powerful ruler who will come"

Its end will come with a flood

The army will destroy the city and the holy place just as a flood destroys things. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Desolations have been decreed

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God has decreed ruin for the city and sanctuary" or "God has declared that the enemy army will destroy everything" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

Daniel 9:27

He will ... he will

This refers to the coming ruler who will destroy the anointed one.

one seven ... In the middle of the seven

Here "seven" is used to refer to a period of seven years. Alternate translation: "seven years ... Halfway through the seven years"

put an end to

"stop" or "halt"

the sacrifice and the offering

These words basically mean the same thing. The repetition is to show that the ruler will prevent all types of sacrifices. Alternate translation: "all forms of sacrificing" or "every type of offering" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)

the wing of abominations

This may refer to the defensive structures on top of the walls of the temple, which are called "abominations" because they are full of idols. Alternate translation: "the walls of the temple that are full of abominations" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

someone who makes desolate

"a person who completely destroys"

A full end and destruction are decreed to be poured out

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God has decreed that he will pour out a full end and destruction" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

A full end and destruction

These two words or expressions are basically the same. They emphasize how serious and complete the destruction will be. Alternate translation: "Complete destruction" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)

the one who has made the desolation

"the person who caused the destruction"