Daniel 9:5 (KJV)

What does Daniel 9:5 mean?

Daniel 9:5 is a confession where Daniel admits that he and his people have sinned in several ways, including breaking God’s laws, acting wickedly, and turning away from God’s commands and decisions. Daniel is openly acknowledging the many ways the people have failed to live according to what God asked of them.

Daniel is speaking to God in prayer during the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon. He is not just talking about his own actions, but representing the whole nation’s guilt. This verse is part of a larger prayer where Daniel is honest about the people’s disobedience, showing humility and a clear understanding of why they are experiencing hardship.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 9:5

• "sinned" (חָטָא, ḥāṭā’): This word often means missing the mark or failing to meet a standard, highlighting that the people have fallen short of what God expected.
• "committed iniquity" (עָוָה, ‘āwâ): This word suggests a twisting or bending of what is right, pointing to actions that are not just mistakes but morally crooked.
• "done wickedly" (רָשַׁע, rāsha‘): This term refers to acting in a way that is morally wrong or evil, emphasizing deliberate wrongdoing.
• "rebelled" (מָרַד, mārad): This word means to actively resist or oppose authority, stressing that the people’s actions were not just passive mistakes but open defiance.
• "departing" (סוּר, sûr): This word means turning aside or moving away, showing that the people have intentionally left the path set by God.
• "precepts" (מִצְוָה, mitsvah): This refers to God’s specific commands, underlining that the people have ignored clear instructions.
• "judgments" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): This word means God’s decisions or rulings, highlighting that the people have disregarded God’s standards for justice.

Why Daniel 9:5 matters

• Daniel’s confession uses several different words for wrongdoing, showing a deep and thorough acknowledgment of guilt rather than a vague or general apology.
• The verse clarifies that the exile was not just bad luck or injustice, but a direct result of the people’s repeated and varied disobedience to God’s clear instructions.
• This honest confession sets the tone for the rest of Daniel’s prayer, emphasizing humility and responsibility before asking God for mercy.