O 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.

DANIEL 9:16KJV
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Daniel 9:16 (KJV)

What does Daniel 9:16 mean?

Daniel 9:16 is a prayer where Daniel pleads with God to turn away His anger and fierce judgment from Jerusalem because of the people's sins and those of their ancestors. Daniel asks God to act according to His righteousness, recognizing that Jerusalem and its people have become a disgrace among the surrounding nations.

Daniel is speaking directly to God during the time of exile, after Jerusalem has been destroyed and many Israelites have been taken captive. Daniel’s prayer is deeply aware of the nation’s guilt and the consequences they face. He appeals to God’s character ("righteousness") rather than any merit of the people, and he acknowledges the shame that has come upon Jerusalem because of persistent wrongdoing.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 9:16

  • "righteousness" (צְדָקוֹת, tsedaqot): This word refers to God’s just and faithful character. Daniel appeals to God’s own standards of rightness, not the people’s.
  • "anger" (אַף, aph) and "fury" (חֵמָה, chemah): These words highlight the intensity of God’s response to sin—both a settled anger and a burning wrath. Daniel recognizes both as deserved but asks for them to be turned away.
  • "reproach" (חֶרְפָּה, cherpah): This word means disgrace or shame. Daniel admits that Jerusalem and its people are viewed with contempt by others, underlining the depth of their humiliation.

Why Daniel 9:16 matters

  • Daniel’s prayer clarifies that he does not blame God for the suffering but instead confesses that the people’s own sins and those of their ancestors brought about this judgment.
  • The verse emphasizes that Daniel’s hope for mercy is grounded in God’s righteousness, not in any claim of innocence or worthiness from the people.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing Daniel’s humility and honesty before God, setting the tone for the rest of his prayer and God’s eventual response.

Where else these words appear

“sins” Hebrew H2399 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 41:9 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
  • Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
  • Psalms 51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

“reproach” Hebrew H2781 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 30:23 And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:
  • Psalms 71:13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.
  • Jeremiah 31:19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.

“fury” Hebrew H2534 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 27:44 And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away;
  • Psalms 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
  • Lamentations 2:4 He hath bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all that were pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire.

“righteousness” Hebrew H6666 · used in 150 verses

  • Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
  • Psalms 103:6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
  • Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.