CHAPTER IX _Daniel, understanding from the prophecies of Jeremiah that the_ seventy _years' captivity was now terminating, pours out his_ _soul in fervent prayer to God, and earnestly supplicates pardon_ _and restoration for his captive people_, 1-12. _When thus supplicating God in behalf of Is... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Daniel 9:2. _I DANIEL UNDERSTOOD BY BOOKS_] The prophecy referred to here is found Jeremiah 25:12; Jeremiah 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... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Daniel 9:3. _I SET MY FACE - TO SEEK BY PRAYER_] He found that the time of the promised deliverance could not be at any great distance; and as he saw nothing that indicated a speedy termination of their oppressive captivity, he was very much afflicted, and earnestly besought God to put a speed... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Daniel 9:4. _KEEPING THE COVENANT_] Fidelity and truth are characteristics of God. He had never yet broken his engagements to his followers, and was ever showing _mercy_ to men.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Daniel 9:7. _ALL ISRAEL_, THAT ARE _NEAR, AND_ THAT ARE _FAR OFF_] He prays both for _Judah_ and _Israel_. The latter were more dispersed, and had been much longer in captivity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Daniel 9:9. _MERCIES AND FORGIVENESSES_] From God's _goodness_ flow God's _mercies_; from his _mercies, forgivenesses_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Daniel 9:11. _THEREFORE THE CURSE IS POURED UPON US_] It is probable that he alludes here to the punishment of certain criminals by pouring _melted metal_ upon them; therefore he uses the word תתך _tittach, it is poured out_, like melted metal, for this is the proper meaning of the root נתך _n... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _THE LORD WATCHED UPON THE EVIL_] In consequence of our manifold rebellions he hath now watched for an opportunity to bring these calamities upon us.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _AND CAUSE THY FACE TO SHINE_] Give us proof that thou art reconciled to us.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 19. _THY CITY AND THY PEOPLE ARE CALLED BY THY NAME._] The _holy city_, the _city of the great King_. I think it scarcely possible for any serious man to read these impressive and pleading words without feeling a measure of the prophet's earnestness.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Daniel 9:21. _THE MAN GABRIEL_] Or the angel Gabriel, who had appeared to me as a _man_. איש ish is the same here as _person_ - the person _Gabriel_. _BEING CAUSED TO FLY SWIFTLY_] God hears with delight such earnest, humble, urgent prayers; and sends the _speediest_ answer. Gabriel himself w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Daniel 9:24. _SEVENTY WEEKS ARE DETERMINED_] This is a most important prophecy, and has given rise to a variety of opinions relative to the proper mode of explanation; but the chief difficulty, if not the only one, is to find out the time from which these _seventy_ _weeks_ should be _dated_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Daniel 9:25. _FROM THE GOING FORTH OF THE COMMANDMENT TO RESTORE AND_ _TO BUILD JERUSALEM_] The foregoing events being all accomplished by Jesus Christ, they of course determine the prophecy to him. And if we reckon back _four hundred and ninety_ years, we shall find the time of the going fort... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Daniel 9:26. _AND THE PEOPLE OF THE PRINCE THAT SHALL COME SHALL_ _DESTROY THE CITY AND THE SANCTUARY_] By the "prince" _Titus_, the son of _Vespasian_, is plainly intended; and "the people of that prince" are no other than the _Romans_, who, according to the prophecy, _destroyed the sanctuary... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Daniel 9:27. _AND FOR THE OVERSPREADING OF ABOMINATIONS HE SHALL_ _MAKE IT DESOLATE_] This clause is remarkably obscure. כנף שקוצים משמם _kenaph shikkutsim meshomem_, "And upon the wing of abominations causing amazement." This is a literal translation of the place; but still there is no deter... [ Continue Reading ]