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.