Daniel Chapter 9 – Commentary and Explanation
Okay, here we go—Daniel Chapter 9. If you’ve ever wanted to witness what true intercessory prayer looks like, this chapter right here will grab your heart. But not just that—this chapter gives us one of the most jaw-dropping prophecies in the whole Bible. I mean it. We’re not just talking symbols and dreams anymore—we’re stepping into actual years, predictions, and timelines that point directly to Jesus. Yup, Daniel 9 is that deep.
So, let’s take a walk through this chapter together. Coffee in hand? Bible open? Good. Let’s dive in.
Setting the Stage: The First Year of Darius (v.1-2)
“In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom—in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures…”
Right from the get-go, we get a time stamp. It's the first year of Darius—likely 539 B.C. Babylon has fallen, the Medes and Persians are now in control. Daniel is no young man anymore. He’s been in exile for about 66 years by now, maybe around 80 years old.
And what’s Daniel doing in this pivotal moment in history?
Reading the Bible.
Well, specifically the scroll of Jeremiah, where it says Jerusalem would lie desolate for seventy years (Jeremiah 25:11–12; 29:10). Daniel realizes, hey—it’s been almost 70 years! The time is nearly up!
You gotta love that. A prophet who reads prophecy. Instead of guessing or interpreting the signs in the clouds, Daniel goes straight to Scripture.
Daniel’s Heartfelt Prayer of Repentance (v.3-19)
This part right here? Whew. It’s powerful.
Verse 3 kicks it off: “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.”
You can feel the weight. Daniel doesn’t just toss up a quick prayer like, “Hey God, it’s been 70 years. Time to go home!” Nope. He humbles himself, deeply.
Let’s pause for a second—this man Daniel is probably the most righteous person alive at the time. God even refers to him in Ezekiel 14 as one of the top three most righteous men alongside Noah and Job. Yet look at how he prays:
“We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled…”
He includes himself with his people. He doesn’t stand outside their guilt. He stands in the gap.
Daniel’s prayer from verses 4 to 19 is one of the most incredible examples of intercessory prayer in all Scripture. He acknowledges God's righteousness and Israel’s unfaithfulness. He confesses their failure to listen to the prophets. He recognizes God’s justice in the exile, and yet he pleads for mercy—not because they deserve it, but because God is merciful.
That right there is gold. Let me quote one part that hits hard:
“O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay…”
Daniel isn't begging for blessings. He's pleading for restoration—for God's name, not his own comfort. What if our prayers looked like that?
Gabriel’s Arrival – Answer to Prayer (v.20–23)
Now here’s where it gets wild.
Daniel’s still praying when suddenly, the angel Gabriel shows up again. Yes, the same one who helped him understand the visions back in chapter 8. This time, Gabriel is flying in quickly to give Daniel “insight and understanding.”
Verse 23 is one of the most heartwarming lines in the whole book:
“As soon as you began to pray, a word went out… for you are highly esteemed.”
How amazing is that?
Before Daniel even finished praying, heaven had already started moving. God hears. He listens. And He values Daniel so much that He sends a direct message in response.
Let that sink in. Prayer moves heaven.
The Seventy ‘Sevens’ – Prophecy of All Prophecies (v.24–27)
Okay, deep breath. We’re about to step into one of the most debated and fascinating prophecies in the Bible.
Gabriel tells Daniel:
“Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression…”
Now, here’s the breakdown.
The word “sevens” (Hebrew: shabuim) most scholars take to mean seven years. So, seventy sevens = 490 years.
This is a prophetic timeline. And this is where it gets seriously mind-blowing.
Verse 24: The Purpose of the 490 Years
Six things are supposed to happen during these 490 years:
-
Finish transgression
-
Put an end to sin
-
Atone for wickedness
-
Bring in everlasting righteousness
-
Seal up vision and prophecy
-
Anoint the Most Holy Place
These aren’t just casual goals. This is talking about the grand sweep of redemptive history—from sin to salvation.
Verses 25–26: The First 69 Sevens
Here’s what Gabriel says:
“From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’”
So, that’s 7 + 62 = 69 sevens, or 483 years.
Let’s plug in the timeline.
Most scholars believe the “decree” to rebuild Jerusalem refers to the decree given by Artaxerxes in 457 B.C. (Ezra 7). If you count 483 years from that point (accounting for calendar differences), it brings you right to around 27 A.D.—the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.
That’s not a coincidence, y’all. That’s prophecy fulfilled with pinpoint accuracy.
And then verse 26 says:
“After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing…”
That's the crucifixion.
Still gives me chills.
Verse 27: The Final ‘Seven’
Then we get to the final “seven.” The 70th week.
This is where interpretations go in all kinds of directions. Some see this week as happening right after the 69th. Others see a gap, with the final seven years still in the future (like during the end times or tribulation).
Here’s what it says:
“He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.”
Let’s break that down.
Some believe the “he” here is Jesus, confirming the new covenant with His people. Halfway through the seven years—three and a half years in—He is crucified, and the need for sacrifice ends. No more temple needed. The veil tore. Done.
Others say the “he” refers to an Antichrist figure in the future who’ll make a false peace treaty and then break it midway through.
It really depends on your view of eschatology (end times), but either way—this verse packs serious prophetic weight.
Why This Chapter Is So Important
This chapter shows us two massive things:
1. The Power of Prayer
Daniel didn’t just understand the times; he responded with prayer. Deep, emotional, selfless prayer. He didn’t just sit back and say, “Well, God said 70 years, so let’s chill.” No—he interceded. He stepped in and pleaded for his people.
God loves when His people partner with His purposes through prayer.
2. God's Precision in Prophecy
The prophecy in Daniel 9 shows us God is not vague. He is specific. Timeframes, events, fulfillments—it all fits. Jesus didn’t show up randomly. He came right on time. And His death? Not a tragic accident. It was all part of the divine plan.
This gives us confidence. If God nailed the first 69 weeks, we can trust Him with the 70th. We can trust Him with our future too.
Final Thoughts
Daniel 9 is a pivot point in the book. It bridges Daniel’s burden for his people with God’s bigger redemptive plan. It shows us a man of prayer, a messenger from heaven, and a Messiah who was predicted centuries in advance.
When Daniel prayed, the heavens moved.
When Daniel sought understanding, God didn’t just answer—He gave him a sweeping look at salvation history.
And let’s not forget this—this is the same Daniel who lived in exile, served pagan kings, survived lions’ dens, interpreted dreams, and never stopped trusting God through it all.
He didn’t need visions or miracles in this chapter. He had Scripture. And that was enough to get him on his knees.
That’s a lesson right there.
Some Takeaways for Us Today:
-
Scripture fuels prayer. Daniel read Jeremiah, and it stirred him to action. Don’t just read—respond.
-
Repentance matters. Daniel confessed sins he didn’t even commit personally, because he saw himself as part of the whole. That’s humility.
-
God listens. Before the prayer was over, the answer was on its way.
-
Jesus is the centerpiece. The whole seventy-week prophecy points straight to Him.
-
Time matters. God doesn’t miss appointments. If He said it, He’ll do it—right on schedule.
Whew. That was Daniel 9.
Next chapter? We’re jumping into another wild vision involving a celestial being, a spiritual battle, and some serious angelic warfare.
But for now, take a breath. Maybe reread Daniel’s prayer. Let it wash over you. Because if there’s one thing we learn here—it’s that prayer still matters, prophecy still speaks, and God still moves when His people call on His name.
Comments