Daniel 9:23
New International Version
As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision:

New Living Translation
The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision.

English Standard Version
At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.

Berean Standard Bible
At the beginning of your petitions, an answer went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly precious. So consider the message and understand the vision:

King James Bible
At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

New King James Version
At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision:

New American Standard Bible
At the beginning of your pleas the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, because you are highly esteemed; so pay attention to the message and gain understanding of the vision.

NASB 1995
“At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed; so give heed to the message and gain understanding of the vision.

NASB 1977
“At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed; so give heed to the message and gain understanding of the vision.

Legacy Standard Bible
At the beginning of your supplications the word was issued, so I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed; so understand the message and gain understanding in what has appeared.

Amplified Bible
At the beginning of your supplications, the command [to give you an answer] was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly regarded and greatly beloved. Therefore consider the message and begin to understand the [meaning of the] vision.

Christian Standard Bible
At the beginning of your petitions an answer went out, and I have come to give it, for you are treasured by God. So consider the message and understand the vision:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
At the beginning of your petitions an answer went out, and I have come to give it, for you are treasured by God. So consider the message and understand the vision:

American Standard Version
At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment went forth, and I am come to tell thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision.

Contemporary English Version
God thinks highly of you, and at the very moment you started praying, I was sent to give you the answer.

English Revised Version
At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment went forth, and I am come to tell thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As soon as you began to make your request, a reply was sent. I have come to give you the reply because you are highly respected. So study the message, and understand the vision.

Good News Translation
When you began to plead with God, he answered you. He loves you, and so I have come to tell you the answer. Now pay attention while I explain the vision.

International Standard Version
Because you're highly regarded, the answer was issued when you began your prayer, and I've come to tell you. Pay attention to my message and you'll understand the vision.

Majority Standard Bible
At the beginning of your petitions, an answer went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly precious. So consider the message and understand the vision:

NET Bible
At the beginning of your requests a message went out, and I have come to convey it to you, for you are of great value in God's sight. Therefore consider the message and understand the vision:

New Heart English Bible
At the beginning of your petitions the commandment went forth, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision.

Webster's Bible Translation
At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

World English Bible
At the beginning of your petitions the commandment went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved. Therefore consider the matter and understand the vision.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
at the commencement of your supplications the word has come forth, and I have come to declare [it], for you [are] greatly desired, and understand concerning the matter, and consider concerning the appearance.

Young's Literal Translation
at the commencement of thy supplications hath the word come forth, and I have come to declare it, for thou art greatly desired, and understand thou concerning the matter, and consider concerning the appearance.

Smith's Literal Translation
In the beginning of thy supplications the word came forth, and I came to announce; for thou art desires: and understand thou in the word, and consider in the sight.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
From the beginning of thy prayers the word came forth: and I am come to shew it to thee, because thou art a man of desires: therefore do thou mark the word, and understand the vision.

Catholic Public Domain Version
At the beginning of your prayers, the message came forth, yet I have come to explain it to you because you are a man who is seeking. Therefore, you must pay close attention to the message and understand the vision.

New American Bible
When you began your petition, an answer was given which I have come to announce, because you are beloved. Therefore, mark the answer and understand the vision.

New Revised Standard Version
At the beginning of your supplications a word went out, and I have come to declare it, for you are greatly beloved. So consider the word and understand the vision:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
At the beginning of your prayer, the word came forth and I have come to make it known to you; for you are greatly beloved; therefore discern the matter and understand the vision.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
At the beginning of your prayer the response went out and I have come to show you, because you are pleasing. Understand the response and consider the vision
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
At the beginning of thy supplications a word went forth, and I am come to declare it; for thou art greatly beloved; therefore look into the word, and understand the vision.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
At the beginning of thy supplication the word came forth, and I am come to tell thee; for thou art a man much beloved: therefore consider the matter, understand the vision.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Gabriel's Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks
22He instructed me and spoke with me, saying: “O Daniel, I have come now to give you insight and understanding. 23At the beginning of your petitions, an answer went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly precious. So consider the message and understand the vision: 24Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to stop their transgression, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.…

Cross References
Daniel 10:11-12
He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man who is highly precious. Consider carefully the words that I am about to say to you. Stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had said this to me, I stood up trembling. / “Do not be afraid, Daniel,” he said, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.

Daniel 10:19
“Do not be afraid, you who are highly precious,” he said. “Peace be with you! Be strong now; be very strong!” As he spoke with me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”

Luke 1:19
“I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.

Luke 1:28
The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Acts 10:4
Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.

Acts 10:31
and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been remembered before God.

Matthew 18:10
See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.

Revelation 1:1
This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John,

Revelation 22:6
Then the angel said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must soon take place.”

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

Jeremiah 29:12-13
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.

Psalm 32:5-6
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 / Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near.

Psalm 34:15
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.

Proverbs 15:8
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.


Treasury of Scripture

At the beginning of your supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show you; for you are greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

the beginning.

Daniel 10:12
Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

commandment.

Daniel 10:11,19
And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling…

Luke 1:28
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

greatly beloved.

Song of Solomon 7:10
I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.

Ezekiel 24:16
Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down.

Ezekiel 26:12
And they shall make a spoil of thy riches, and make a prey of thy merchandise: and they shall break down thy walls, and destroy thy pleasant houses: and they shall lay thy stones and thy timber and thy dust in the midst of the water.

understand.

Matthew 24:15
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

Jump to Previous
Beginning Beloved Command Commandment Commencement Consider Dearly Declare Esteemed First Forth Gain Greatly Heed Highly Issued Loved Matter Message Petitions Prayer Shew Show Soon Supplications Thought Understand Understanding Vision Word
Jump to Next
Beginning Beloved Command Commandment Commencement Consider Dearly Declare Esteemed First Forth Gain Greatly Heed Highly Issued Loved Matter Message Petitions Prayer Shew Show Soon Supplications Thought Understand Understanding Vision Word
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.














At the beginning of your petitions
Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 is a profound intercession for his people, Israel, during their Babylonian exile. The phrase indicates that God responds to sincere prayer promptly. This reflects the biblical principle that God hears and answers the prayers of the righteous (Psalm 34:15). Daniel's prayer was characterized by confession, supplication, and a deep understanding of God's promises.

an answer went out
This suggests the immediacy of God's response to Daniel's prayer. It highlights the divine initiative in communication with humanity. The answer is delivered by the angel Gabriel, emphasizing the importance of angelic messengers in God's plan (Luke 1:19). This also underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and the fulfillment of God's purposes.

and I have come to tell you
Gabriel's role as a messenger is crucial here. His appearance to Daniel signifies the importance of the message. Gabriel is also seen in the New Testament, announcing the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1:11-38), linking the Old and New Testament revelations.

for you are highly precious
Daniel is described as "highly precious" or "greatly beloved," indicating his esteemed status before God. This reflects the biblical theme of God's favor towards those who are faithful and righteous (Proverbs 3:3-4). Daniel's life of integrity and devotion sets a standard for believers.

So consider the message
Gabriel urges Daniel to pay careful attention to the message, highlighting the importance of understanding divine revelation. This is a call to discernment and wisdom, which are recurring themes in the wisdom literature of the Bible (Proverbs 2:1-5).

and understand the vision
Understanding the vision is crucial for Daniel, as it pertains to the future of Israel and God's redemptive plan. This vision includes the prophecy of the seventy weeks, which is significant in eschatological studies. It points to the coming of the Messiah and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises (Daniel 9:24-27). The call to understand echoes the biblical emphasis on seeking wisdom and insight (James 1:5).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Daniel
A prophet and a man of prayer, known for his faithfulness and wisdom. He is the recipient of the vision and message.

2. Gabriel
An angel sent by God to deliver messages to Daniel. He is known for bringing clarity and understanding of divine visions.

3. Jerusalem
The city central to Daniel's prayers and the focus of the prophetic visions concerning its future.

4. The Vision
A divine revelation given to Daniel concerning the future of Israel and the coming of the Messiah.

5. The Petition
Daniel's prayer and supplication to God, seeking understanding and intervention for his people.
Teaching Points
The Power of Prayer
Daniel's experience underscores the importance of earnest and persistent prayer. God hears and responds to the prayers of His faithful servants.

Being Esteemed by God
Daniel is described as "highly esteemed," which is a result of his faithfulness and dedication to God. Believers are encouraged to live lives that are pleasing to God.

Understanding God's Messages
Just as Daniel was instructed to "consider the message and understand the vision," believers should seek to understand God's Word and His will for their lives.

Divine Timing
The phrase "at the beginning of your petitions" indicates that God’s response is timely and often begins even as we start to pray. Trust in God’s perfect timing.

Role of Angels
Gabriel’s role as a messenger highlights the reality of spiritual beings who serve God and assist in His plans. Believers can be assured of God’s provision and protection through His angels.(23) The commandment.--The marginal version is to be preferred, which points to the revelation which follows Daniel 9:24-27. The title "greatly beloved" occurs again (Daniel 10:11; Daniel 10:19). It implies that Daniel was worthy of this proof of God's love. St. Jerome compares (2Samuel 12:25) Jedidiah.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
At the beginning
בִּתְחִלַּ֨ת (biṯ·ḥil·laṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8462: A commencement, rel, original

of your petitions,
תַּחֲנוּנֶ֜יךָ (ta·ḥă·nū·ne·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8469: Supplication for favor

an answer
דָבָ֗ר (ḏā·ḇār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

went out,
יָצָ֣א (yā·ṣā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

and I
וַאֲנִי֙ (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

have come
בָּ֣אתִי (bā·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to tell [you],
לְהַגִּ֔יד (lə·hag·gîḏ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

for
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you [are]
אָ֑תָּה (’āt·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

highly precious.
חֲמוּד֖וֹת (ḥă·mū·ḏō·wṯ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2530: To desire, take pleasure in

So consider
וּבִין֙ (ū·ḇîn)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand

the message
בַּדָּבָ֔ר (bad·dā·ḇār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

and understand
וְהָבֵ֖ן (wə·hā·ḇên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand

the vision:
בַּמַּרְאֶֽה׃ (bam·mar·’eh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4758: Sight, appearance, vision


Links
Daniel 9:23 NIV
Daniel 9:23 NLT
Daniel 9:23 ESV
Daniel 9:23 NASB
Daniel 9:23 KJV

Daniel 9:23 BibleApps.com
Daniel 9:23 Biblia Paralela
Daniel 9:23 Chinese Bible
Daniel 9:23 French Bible
Daniel 9:23 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Daniel 9:23 At the beginning of your petitions (Dan. Da Dn)
Daniel 9:22
Top of Page
Top of Page