At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

DANIEL 9:23KJV
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Daniel 9:23 (KJV)

What does Daniel 9:23 mean?

Daniel 9:23 says that as soon as Daniel began to pray, God sent a message, and the angel Gabriel came to explain it to him because Daniel was highly valued by God. Gabriel urges Daniel to pay close attention and understand the message and the vision he is about to receive.

In this verse, the angel Gabriel is speaking directly to Daniel after Daniel’s prayer of confession and request for understanding. Gabriel explains that Daniel’s prayers were heard right away, and that God considers Daniel greatly beloved. The verse sets the stage for Gabriel to reveal an important prophecy, emphasizing Daniel’s favored status and the importance of what is about to be shared.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 9:23

  • "Supplications" (תְּחִנָּה, teḥinnah) refers to earnest, humble prayers or pleas. This word highlights the sincerity and depth of Daniel’s prayer, showing why God responded so quickly.
  • "Beloved" (חָמוּד, ḥamud) means precious or highly valued. Gabriel’s use of this word shows Daniel’s special standing before God, which is why he receives this message.
  • "Understand" and "consider" (בִּין, bin) both come from the same Hebrew root, meaning to discern or pay careful attention. Gabriel is not just giving information; he is urging Daniel to think deeply about what he is about to hear.

Why Daniel 9:23 matters

  • Daniel 9:23 shows that God responds to sincere prayer, sometimes even before the prayer is finished, which highlights the closeness between Daniel and God.
  • The verse emphasizes Daniel’s special status as "greatly beloved," which helps explain why Daniel receives such detailed revelations in this book.
  • This verse marks a turning point in the chapter, as it introduces the explanation of the vision that follows, connecting Daniel’s prayer to God’s answer through Gabriel.

Where else these words appear

“supplications” Hebrew H8469 · used in 18 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 6:21 Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.
  • Psalms 86:6 Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
  • Jeremiah 3:21 A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God.

“beginning” Hebrew H8462 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 13:3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
  • Ruth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
  • Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

“beloved” Hebrew H2532 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 27:15 And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:
  • Isaiah 2:16 And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.
  • Daniel 11:8 And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.

“vision” Hebrew H4758 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
  • Deuteronomy 28:34 So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.
  • Ezekiel 1:27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.