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Daniel 9:2

in Daniel 9

in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the sacred books, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years whereof the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah the prophet, for the accomplishing of the desolations of Jerusalem, even seventy years.

KJV

In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

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This verse in Daniel 9

Commentary

11 notes on this verse

A commentator

Jerome

St. Jerome, Commentary on Daniel, CHAPTER NINE · Written before 420.

Verse 2. "I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years concerning which the word of the Lord had come to the prophet Jeremiah, that seventy years would be accomplished for the desolation of Jerusalem." Jeremiah had predicted seventy years for the desolation of the Temple (Jeremiah 29:1-10), at the end of which the people would again return to Judaea and build the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. But this fact did not render Daniel careless, but rather encouraged him to pray that God might through his supplications fulfil that which He had graciously promised.

This site's exposition

over the kingdom of the Chaldeans

on Daniel 9:1-2

Daniel dates this to the first year of Darius, “a Mede by descent,” whom no single monument names. That year Daniel “understood from the sacred books” that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years, as the LORD told Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10).

This site's exposition

understood from the sacred books

Adam Clarke found the word of the LORD to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 25:12 and 29:10 and thought Daniel had a copy of it. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown rendered the sacred books as letters. Albert Barnes noted that critics had used the word books to question whether Daniel was genuine.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers1 voice

A commentator

Hippolytus of Rome

Commentary on Daniel 4.28.1-3 · Written before 235.

proposed

And so since even the angel Gabriel, just as it is understood by us, described these things in this way to the prophet, these things also happened and all these things are plainly recorded in the Maccabees, let us also see what he says in the vision of the weeks. For in this way, after reading the book of Jeremiah the prophet, in which it is written that the Most Holy Place is to be desolate seventy years, [Jeremiah 25:11] in fasts and petitions, he made confessions and asked that the people would quickly return from captivity to the city of Jerusalem. And so in this way he describes this and says, "In the first year of Darius son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, who reigned over the kingdom of the Chaldeans, I, Daniel, understood in the books the number of years for the completion of the desolation of Jerusalem, that is seventy years, as the word of the Lord came upon Jeremiah the prophet. And I gave my face to the Lord my God, to seek in prayer and supplications, with fastings and in sackcloth. And I prayed to the Lord my God and I confessed and I said, 'Lord, great and wonderful God who keeps your covenant and has mercy to those who love you and to those who keep your commandments, we have sinned, we did wrong, we were lawless, and we departed, and turned from your commandments and from your laws and we did not obey your slaves, the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings and our chiefs and our fathers and all the people of the land. To you Lord be righteousness and unto us be shame of face as on this day to the men of Judah and to those who dwell in Jerusalem.'" [Daniel 9:1-7]

The Medieval Church2 voices

A commentator

Bede

BOOK ON THE MEANING OF TIME 66 · Written before 735.

proposed

Darius, the son of Astyages, who destroyed the Babylonian Empire with the help of his kinsmen Cyrus, was sixty-two years old when he attacked Babylon. He is called by another name by the Greeks. He took the prophet Daniel and led him into the middle …

A commentator

Ishodad of Merv

COMMENTARY ON DANIEL 9:2 · Written before 850.

proposed

When the time fixed for the captivity is completed, Daniel begins to pray for the return; indeed, he had not dared to pray [to that purpose] before that moment, in order not to press God needlessly and in order not to hear the word that …

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

In the first year of his reign,....

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

It was proper for Daniel to have his eye upon God's mercy now that he was to lay before him the miseries of his people, and upon God's covenant now that he was to sue for the performance of a promise. Note, We should, in prayer, look both at God's greatness and his goodness, his majesty and mercy in conjunction.
3 more voices on this verse

The Nineteenth Century3 voices

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

I Daniel understood by books - The prophecy referred to here is found Jer 25:12; Jer 29:10. The people must have been satisfied of the Divine inspiration of Jeremiah, or his prophecies would not have been so speedily collected nor so carefully preserved. It appears that there was a copy of them then in Daniel’s hands.

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

proposed

understood by books--rather, "letters," that is, Jeremiah's letter (Jer 29:10) to the captives in Babylon; also Jer 25:11, 12; compare 2Ch 36:21; God's promises are the ground on which we should, like Daniel, rest sure hope; not so as to make our prayers needless, but rather to encourage them.

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase

I Daniel understood by books - By the sacred books, and especially by the writings of Jeremiah. It has been made a ground of objection to the genuineness of Daniel that he mentions “books” in this place (ספרים sephârı̂ym) as if there were at that time a collection of the sacred books, or as if they had been enrolled together in a volume. The objection is, that the writer speaks as if the canon of the Scriptures was completed, or that he uses such language as the Hebrews did when the canon of the Scriptures was finished, and thus betrays himself. See Bertholdt, “Commentary” p. 78. Compare DeWette, “Einl.” Section 13. This objection has been examined by Hengstenberg, “Beitrag.” pp. 32-35. It is sufficient to reply to it, that there is every probability that the Jews in Babylon would be in possession of the sacred books of their nation, and that, though the canon of the Scriptures was not yet completed, there would exist private collections of those writings. The word used here by Daniel is just such as he would employ on the supposition that he referred to a private collection of the writings of the prophets. Compare Lengerke, in loc. See the Introduction, where the objection is examined. The number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah - The number of the years in respect to which the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah; that is, which he had revealed to Jeremiah. The “books” referred to, therefore, were evidently a collection of the writings of Jeremiah, or a collection which embraced his writings. That he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem - That Jerusalem would so long lie waste. This was expressly declared by Jeremiah Jer 25:11-12: “And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. […]

The words behind it

21 Hebrew words

Every Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

  • בִּשְׁנַ֤תin year

    bishnatH8141 →877 times

  • אַחַת֙one

    ʾachatH259 →971 times

  • לְמָלְכ֔וֹof reigning his

    lemalekhoH4427 →

  • אֲנִי֙I

    ʾaniH589 →874 times

  • דָּֽנִיֵּ֔אלDaniel

    daniyelH1840 →24 times

  • בִּינֹ֖תִיI observed

    binotiH995 →170 times

  • בַּסְּפָרִ֑יםin the scrolls

    basefarimH5612 →186 times

  • מִסְפַּ֣ר[the] number of

    misparH4557 →

  • הַשָּׁנִ֗יםthe years

    hashanimH8141 →877 times

  • אֲשֶׁ֨רwhich

    ʾasherH834 →5497 times

  • הָיָ֤הit came

    hayahH1961 →3559 times

  • דְבַר־[the] word of

    devar-H1697 →1440 times

  • יְהוָה֙Yahweh

    yahwehH3068 →6520 times

  • אֶל־to

    ʾel-H413 →5510 times

  • יִרְמִיָ֣הJeremiah

    yirmiyahH3414 →

  • הַנָּבִ֔יאthe prophet

    hanavi'H5030 →314 times

  • לְמַלֹּ֛אותto complete

    lemalotH4390 →

  • לְחָרְב֥וֹתto [the] ruins of

    lecharevotH2723 →

  • יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖םJerusalem

    yerushalimH3389 →643 times

  • שִׁבְעִ֥יםseventy

    shivimH7657 →

  • שָׁנָֽה׃year[s]

    shanahH8141 →877 times

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Jeremiah 29:10For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place.19 worksJeremiah 25:11–12And this whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.17 works2 Chronicles 36:21So the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest all the days of the desolation, until seventy years were completed, in fulfillment of the word of the LORD through Jeremiah.14 worksZechariah 7:5“Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for these seventy years, was it really for Me that you fasted?11 worksRevelation 1:3Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near.9 works2 Peter 1:19–21We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.7 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
Ezra 1:1In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows:7 worksMicah 3:12Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge.6 worksIsaiah 6:11–12Then I asked: “How long, O Lord?” And He replied: “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left unoccupied and the land is desolate and ravaged,5 worksJeremiah 25:18to make them a ruin, an object of horror and contempt and cursing, as they are to this day—Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, its kings and officials;5 worksJeremiah 7:34I will remove from the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem the sounds of joy and gladness and the voices of the bride and bridegroom, for the land will become a wasteland.”5 worksIsaiah 64:10Your holy cities have become a wilderness. Zion has become a wasteland and Jerusalem a desolation.5 worksZechariah 1:12Then the angel of the LORD said, “How long, O LORD of Hosts, will You withhold mercy from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which You have been angry these seventy years?”5 worksHabakkuk 3:2O LORD, I have heard the report of You; I stand in awe, O LORD, of Your deeds. Revive them in these years; make them known in these years. In Your wrath, remember mercy!5 worksJeremiah 25:12But when seventy years are complete, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, declares the LORD, and I will make it an everlasting desolation.5 worksPsalms 79:1–2The nations, O God, have invaded Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple and reduced Jerusalem to rubble.4 worksLamentations 1:1How lonely lies the city, once so full of people! She who was great among the nations has become a widow. The princess of the provinces has become a slave.4 worksJeremiah 27:7All nations will serve him and his son and grandson, until the time of his own land comes; then many nations and great kings will enslave him.4 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Revelation 1:3

    Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near.

    it leads to

    • Luke 11:28

      But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

    • Revelation 22:10

      Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of prophecy in this book, because the time is near.

    • Romans 13:11

      And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

    • 1 Peter 4:7

      The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.

    • Proverbs 8:34

      Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.

  • Through

    2 Chronicles 36:21

    So the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest all the days of the desolation, until seventy years were completed, in fulfillment of the word of the LORD through Jeremiah.

    it leads to

    • Zechariah 1:12

      Then the angel of the LORD said, “How long, O LORD of Hosts, will You withhold mercy from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which You have been angry these seventy years?”

      Reached by 2 separate paths from here.

    • Jeremiah 29:10

      For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place.

    • Leviticus 26:34–35

      Then the land shall enjoy its Sabbaths all the days it lies desolate, while you are in the land of your enemies. At that time the land will rest and enjoy its Sabbaths.

Where this verse is studied

About Daniel

Daniel among the Exiles, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
Daniel among the Exiles, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
Daniel: the study guide →Read Daniel 9 →
This page draws on 11 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes on the Book of Daniel; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, BOOK ON THE MEANING OF TIME 66; Carl Friedrich Keil, Biblical Commentary on the Book of Daniel; Hippolytus of Rome, Commentary on Daniel 4.28.1-3; Ishodad of Merv, COMMENTARY ON DANIEL 9:2; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jerome, St. Jerome, Commentary on Daniel, CHAPTER NINE; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.

Read on in Daniel 9 →