Daniel 9:20 While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and that of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the LORD my God concerning His holy mountain--

◄ Daniel 9:20 ►

New International Version
While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the LORD my God for his holy hill—

New Living Translation
I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the LORD my God for Jerusalem, his holy mountain.

English Standard Version
While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the LORD my God for the holy hill of my God,

Berean Standard Bible
While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and that of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the LORD my God concerning His holy mountain—

King James Bible
And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;

New King James Version
Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God,

New American Standard Bible
While I was still speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the LORD my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God,

NASB 1995
Now while I was speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God,

NASB 1977
Now while I was speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God,

Legacy Standard Bible
Now while I was speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before Yahweh my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God,

Amplified Bible
While I was still speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God,

Christian Standard Bible
While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the LORD my God concerning the holy mountain of my God—

Holman Christian Standard Bible
While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before Yahweh my God concerning the holy mountain of my God—

American Standard Version
And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before Jehovah my God for the holy mountain of my God;

Contemporary English Version
I was still confessing my sins and those of all Israel to the LORD my God, and I was praying for the good of his holy mountain,

English Revised Version
And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I continued to pray, confessing my sins and the sins of my people Israel. I humbly placed my request about my God's holy mountain in front of the LORD my God.

Good News Translation
I went on praying, confessing my sins and the sins of my people Israel and pleading with the LORD my God to restore his holy Temple.

International Standard Version
"While I was still speaking in prayer, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and placing my request in the presence of the LORD my God on behalf of the holy mountain of God—

Majority Standard Bible
While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and that of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the LORD my God concerning His holy mountain—

NET Bible
While I was still speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and presenting my request before the LORD my God concerning his holy mountain--

New Heart English Bible
While I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God,

Webster's Bible Translation
And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin, and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;

World English Bible
While I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before Yahweh my God for the holy mountain of my God—

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And while I am speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin, and the sin of my people Israel, and causing my supplication to fall before my God YHWH, for the holy mountain of my God,

Young's Literal Translation
And while I am speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin, and the sin of my people Israel, and causing my supplication to fall before Jehovah my God, for the holy mount of my God,

Smith's Literal Translation
And I yet speaking and praying and confessing my sins, and the sins of my people Israel, and causing my supplication to fall before Jehovah my God for the holy mountain of my God;

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Now while I was yet speaking, and praying, and confessing my sins, and the sins of my people of Israel, and presenting my supplications in the sight of my God, for the holy mountain of my God:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And while I was still speaking and praying and confessing my sins, and the sins of my people, Israel, and offering my prayers in the sight of my God, on behalf of the holy mountain of my God,

New American Bible
I was still praying to the LORD, my God, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, presenting my petition concerning the holy mountain of my God—

New Revised Standard Version
While I was speaking, and was praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God on behalf of the holy mountain of my God—

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And while I was yet praying and confessing my offenses and the offenses of my people Israel and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And while I prayed and confessed my debts and the debts of my people, Israel, and I lay my supplication before LORD JEHOVAH, God, concerning the holy mountain of my God

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And while I was yet speaking, and praying, and confessing my sins and the sins of my people Israel, and bringing my pitiful case before the Lord my God concerning the holy mountain;

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Gabriel's Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks
20While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and that of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the LORD my God concerning His holy mountain— 21while I was still praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Nehemiah 1:4-11
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. / Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments, / let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned. ...

Ezra 9:5-15
At the evening offering, I got up from my humiliation with my tunic and cloak torn, and I fell on my knees, spread out my hands to the LORD my God, / and said: “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens. / From the days of our fathers to this day, our guilt has been great. Because of our iniquities, we and our kings and priests have been delivered into the hands of the kings of the earth and subjected to the sword and to captivity, to pillage and humiliation, as we are this day. ...

Jeremiah 29:12-14
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. / You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. / I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore you from captivity and gather you from all the nations and places to which I have banished you, declares the LORD. I will restore you to the place from which I sent you into exile.”

2 Chronicles 7:14
and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Psalm 32:5
Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

Psalm 66:18-20
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. / But God has surely heard; He has attended to the sound of my prayer. / Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld from me His loving devotion!

Isaiah 65:24
Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear.

1 Kings 8:33-34
When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and they return to You and confess Your name, praying and pleading with You in this temple, / then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel. May You restore them to the land You gave to their fathers.

1 Kings 8:47-50
and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’ / and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray to You in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name, / then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, their prayer and petition, and may You uphold their cause. ...

Leviticus 26:40-42
But if they will confess their iniquity and that of their fathers in the unfaithfulness that they practiced against Me, by which they have also walked in hostility toward Me— / and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them into the land of their enemies—and if their uncircumcised hearts will be humbled and they will make amends for their iniquity, / then I will remember My covenant with Jacob and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Luke 18:13-14
But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ / I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Acts 10:30-31
Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this, the ninth hour. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me / and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been remembered before God.

Matthew 6:6-8
But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. / And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. / Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Treasury of Scripture

And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;

whiles.

Daniel 10:2
In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.

Psalm 32:5
I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Psalm 145:18
The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

confessing.

Daniel 9:4
And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

Ecclesiastes 7:20
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Isaiah 6:5
Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

for.

Daniel 9:16
O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.

Psalm 137:5,6
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning…

Isaiah 56:7
Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

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Daniel 9

1. Daniel, considering the time of the captivity,
3. makes confession of sins,
16. and prays for the restoration of Jerusalem.
20. Gabriel informs him of the seventy weeks.

Berean Study Bible

While I was speaking
This phrase indicates the immediacy and continuity of Daniel's communication with God. The Hebrew root for "speaking" is "דָּבַר" (dabar), which often implies not just verbal communication but a deeper, purposeful dialogue. Daniel's speaking is not a mere recitation but a heartfelt engagement with God, reflecting the intimate relationship between the prophet and the Divine. This sets a precedent for believers to approach God with sincerity and openness, trusting that He listens attentively.

praying
The act of praying here is derived from the Hebrew word "פָּלַל" (palal), which means to intercede or mediate. Daniel's prayer is an intercessory one, standing in the gap for his people. This highlights the role of prayer as a powerful tool for advocacy and intervention, encouraging believers to pray not only for personal needs but also for the needs of others, especially the community of faith.

confessing my sin
Confession is a critical component of Daniel's prayer, rooted in the Hebrew "יָדָה" (yadah), meaning to acknowledge or confess. Daniel's admission of sin demonstrates humility and self-awareness, recognizing his own shortcomings before a holy God. This act of confession is essential for spiritual growth and restoration, reminding believers of the importance of repentance in maintaining a right relationship with God.

and the sin of my people Israel
Daniel not only confesses his own sins but also those of his people, Israel. This collective confession underscores the concept of corporate responsibility and solidarity within the community of faith. The Hebrew word for sin, "חֵטְא" (chet), signifies a missing of the mark, a deviation from God's standards. Daniel's identification with his people's sins exemplifies a deep sense of unity and shared accountability, urging believers to intercede for their communities and seek communal repentance.

presenting my petition
The phrase "presenting my petition" comes from the Hebrew "נָפַל" (naphal), meaning to fall or to lay down, and "תְּחִנָּה" (teḥinnah), meaning supplication or plea. Daniel's act of presenting his petition is one of humility and earnestness, laying his requests before God with a heart full of faith and dependence. This teaches believers the importance of approaching God with reverence and trust, confident that He hears and responds to our supplications.

before the LORD my God
This phrase emphasizes the personal relationship Daniel has with God, using the covenant name "Yahweh" (יְהוָה) and the possessive "my God" (אֱלֹהַי, Elohai). It reflects a deep, personal connection and commitment to the God of Israel. For believers, this highlights the privilege of having a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, encouraging them to approach Him with confidence and intimacy.

for His holy hill
The "holy hill" refers to Jerusalem, specifically Mount Zion, which holds significant spiritual and historical importance as the site of the temple. The Hebrew "קֹדֶשׁ" (qodesh) for "holy" signifies something set apart for God's purposes. Daniel's focus on the holy hill underscores the centrality of worship and the presence of God among His people. It serves as a reminder for believers to prioritize God's presence and purposes in their lives, seeking His glory above all else.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20) Whiles I was speaking.--The answer to Daniel's prayer. He had not even finished his prayer when the answer came. The angel Gabriel, whom he had seen (Daniel 8:16), comes to him, and reveals to him the mystery of the seventy weeks.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 20, 21. - And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God; yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. All the versions are practically in agreement with the Massoretic text, save that none of them gives the hophal meaning, "caused to fly swiftly;" the nearest approach being in the Septuagint, in which we have τάχει φερόμενος. All, however, derive the word from יָעַפ, "to fly;" another etymology is possible from יָעַפ. As to the meaning of this word, there is a difference of opinion, Gesenius holding that it means "wearied out" - a meaning unsuited to the subject or to the context, though in accordance with the use of the word elsewhere. Meinbold would connect this word with the preceding clause, and refer it to Daniel, "when I was faint." The main difficulty is the succeeding word. Furst suggests that it means "shining in splendour" - a meaning perfectly suited to the circumstances, but for which there seems little justification in etymology from cognate tongues. Furst suggests a transposal from יָפַע. Winer gives it, "celeriter ivit, cucurrit." This view is taken by Hitzig, yon Lengerke, and Havernick. Ver. 20 is largely an expansion of the first clause of ver. 21. Whiles I was speaking, and praying. (comp. Genesis 24:15, "And it came to pass, before he had done speaking"). This shows the rapidity of the Divine answer to prayer; even before we ask, "our Father knows what things we have need of." The man Gabriel. The name Gabriel, as mentioned above, means "Hero of God;" and the word here translated "man" is the ordinary word for "man," 'ish. It may be remarked that in Scripture angels are always "men;" never, as in modern art and poetry, "women." Whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning. This really means "whom I had seen previously in vision," the reference being to Daniel 8:16. Being caused to fly swiftly. As above mentioned, there is considerable difficulty in deciding which meaning is to be taken as the correct. Kliefoth's and Meinhold's view would be the simplest, if there were any certainty that יעפ means "faintness." Touched me about the time of the evening oblation. Daniel is so absorbed in his devotions that not till Gabriel touched him did he recognize the presence of an an gel-visitant. The time of the evening offering does not imply that those offerings were made in Babylon, but simply that, through the half-century that had intervened since the capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar the sacred hour had been kept in remembrance, not impossibly as being one consecrated to prayer. Daniel had been using this season to make known his request and petition to God. "Oblation," minhah, the bloodless meat offering (Leviticus 2:1, 4, 14).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

While
וְע֨וֹד (wə·‘ō·wḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

I
אֲנִ֤י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

was speaking,
מְדַבֵּר֙ (mə·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

praying,
וּמִתְפַּלֵּ֔ל (ū·miṯ·pal·lêl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray

confessing
וּמִתְוַדֶּה֙ (ū·miṯ·wad·deh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3034: To throw, at, away, to revere, worship, to bemoan

my sin
חַטָּאתִ֔י (ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

and [that]
וְחַטַּ֖את (wə·ḥaṭ·ṭaṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

of my people
עַמִּ֣י (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

and presenting
וּמַפִּ֣יל (ū·map·pîl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

my petition
תְּחִנָּתִ֗י (tə·ḥin·nā·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8467: Favor, supplication for favor

before
לִפְנֵי֙ (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

my God
אֱלֹהַ֔י (’ĕ·lō·hay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

concerning
עַ֖ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

[His]
אֱלֹהָֽי׃ (’ĕ·lō·hāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

holy
קֹ֥דֶשׁ (qō·ḏeš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

hill—
הַר־ (har-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

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OT Prophets: Daniel 9:20 While I was speaking and praying (Dan. Da Dn)