We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:

DANIEL 9:5KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“iniquity” Hebrew H5753 · used in 17 verses

  • 1 Samuel 20:30 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
  • 2 Chronicles 6:37 Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;
  • Proverbs 12:8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

“rebelled” Hebrew H4775 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 14:4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
  • 2 Kings 18:20 Thou sayest,(but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
  • Nehemiah 9:26 Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.

“wickedly” Hebrew H7561 · used in 34 verses

  • Exodus 22:9 For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
  • Job 9:29 If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?
  • Psalms 37:33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.