O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.

DANIEL 9:7KJV
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Daniel 9:7 (KJV)

What does Daniel 9:7 mean?

Daniel 9:7 says that God alone is truly righteous, while the people of Judah, Jerusalem, and all Israel are left in shame and disgrace because of their unfaithfulness. Daniel recognizes that their scattered condition and suffering are the direct result of their own wrongdoing against God.

Daniel is praying to God on behalf of his people during their exile. He openly admits that God is just and right, but the people—both those nearby and those far away—are experiencing "confusion of faces," which means deep shame or humiliation. Daniel is not blaming God for their troubles; instead, he is confessing that their exile happened because they broke faith with God.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 9:7

  • "Righteousness" (צְדָקָה, tsedaqah) means uprightness or moral rightness. Daniel is stressing that God’s character and actions are always just, even when people suffer consequences.
  • "Confusion" (בֹּשֶׁת, boshet) and "faces" (פָּנִים, panim) together form a phrase meaning public shame or disgrace. The verse paints a picture of people unable to lift their heads because of guilt.
  • "Driven" (נָדַח, nadach) refers to being scattered or exiled. Daniel is acknowledging that God allowed the people to be dispersed among many countries as a result of their actions.
  • "Trespass" (מַעַל, maal) and "trespassed" (מָעַל, maal) both point to a serious breach of trust or faithfulness, not just a simple mistake but a willful turning away from God.

Why Daniel 9:7 matters

  • Daniel 9:7 helps clarify that the suffering and exile of Israel were not random or unfair; Daniel sees them as the just outcome of the people's choices, highlighting God's fairness.
  • The verse connects personal and national shame directly to unfaithfulness, showing that Daniel is not making excuses but is honestly confessing guilt.
  • This verse sets the tone for Daniel’s prayer of confession, emphasizing humility and responsibility before asking God for mercy later in the chapter.