Daniel 9:23

ESV 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.

NIV 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:

NASB 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.

CSB 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:

NLT 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.

KJV 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.

NKJV 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:

What does Daniel 9:23 mean?

This verse pays Daniel a significant compliment. After seeing the fall of Babylon, Daniel saw information in the writings of Jeremiah which suggested Israel's exile was close to ending (Daniel 9:1–2; Jeremiah 29:10–14). He began to pray for his people's forgiveness and restoration (Daniel 9:3). In the middle of his prayers, the angel Gabriel appeared with a promise of greater understanding (Daniel 9:21–22). Gabriel indicates he was sent because Daniel is "greatly loved" by God.

In one manner, this sets Daniel apart as a unique man. Through his long years in captivity (Daniel 1:1–7), he had remained faithful to the Lord (Daniel 1:8; 6:5). His example of faith and dedication is among the greatest recorded in the Bible. John, one of Jesus' disciples, described himself as "loved" by Jesus (John 13:23). All who have close fellowship with God are greatly loved by Him (Ephesians 2:4–5; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 3:1).

According to this verse, Gabriel was assigned to his tasks as soon as Daniel started praying. Daniel's prior visions and interpretations focused primarily on Gentile nations (Daniel 2:19–20; 7:1; 8:1). These were also filled with deep symbolism and required help to interpret (Daniel 7:16; 8:15–16). What Gabriel is about to explain, however, is relatively direct (Daniel 9:24). His message will still include metaphor but can be more simply understood. Gabriel's message regards Israel's future, framed in terms of seventy "weeks" of time.

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