Daniel 9:12 Study Bible: He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us, and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing on us a great calamity; for under the whole heaven such has not been done as has been done on Jerusalem.

◄ Daniel 9:12 ►

You have carried out the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us a great disaster. For under all of heaven, nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem.

Study Bible

He has carried out His words
This phrase emphasizes the faithfulness and sovereignty of God in fulfilling His promises and warnings. The Hebrew root for "carried out" is "qum," which means to establish or confirm. This highlights God's active role in history, ensuring that His words come to pass. Historically, this reflects the fulfillment of prophecies given to Israel, demonstrating that God's declarations are not idle but are executed with precision.

that He spoke against us
Here, the phrase underscores the direct communication from God to His people, often through prophets. The Hebrew word for "spoke" is "dabar," which implies a formal declaration. This indicates that the warnings given to Israel were not mere suggestions but authoritative pronouncements. The historical context involves the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where blessings and curses were clearly outlined in the Law (Deuteronomy 28).

and against our rulers
This phrase points to the accountability of leaders before God. The Hebrew term for "rulers" is "sar," which can refer to princes or officials. It highlights that those in authority are not exempt from God's judgment. Historically, Israel's leaders often led the nation into idolatry and disobedience, and thus they were specifically mentioned in the prophetic warnings.

by bringing upon us a great disaster
The "great disaster" refers to the severe consequences of Israel's disobedience, such as the Babylonian exile. The Hebrew word for "disaster" is "ra'ah," which can mean evil or calamity. This reflects the seriousness of turning away from God and the inevitable judgment that follows. Archaeologically, the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC serves as a tangible reminder of this fulfillment.

under the whole heaven
This phrase suggests the universality and visibility of the judgment. The Hebrew "tachat kol-hashamayim" implies that the disaster was not hidden but evident to all nations. This serves as a testimony to God's justice and power, reinforcing that His actions are not confined to a small region but are recognized globally.

nothing like this has ever been done
This emphasizes the unprecedented nature of the judgment. The phrase suggests that the calamity was unparalleled in its severity and impact. Historically, the fall of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile were indeed catastrophic events for the Jewish people, marking a significant turning point in their history.

to Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the city of God, holds a central place in biblical history. The mention of Jerusalem here underscores the gravity of the judgment, as it was the spiritual and political heart of Israel. The city's destruction symbolized the breaking of the covenant relationship due to persistent disobedience. Scripturally, Jerusalem is often seen as a microcosm of God's relationship with His people, making its judgment particularly poignant.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Daniel
A prophet and a man of prayer, Daniel is the author of the book. He is known for his unwavering faith and his role as a leader among the exiles in Babylon.

2. Jerusalem
The holy city of the Israelites, which faced destruction and exile as a consequence of the people's disobedience to God.

3. The Exile
The period when the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon, a significant event in Jewish history that fulfilled prophetic warnings due to their unfaithfulness.

4. Rulers
Refers to the leaders of Israel who were also subject to the consequences of the nation's disobedience.

5. God's Judgment
The disaster mentioned is a direct result of God's judgment upon Israel for their sins, as foretold by the prophets.

Teaching Points

The Seriousness of Sin
Sin has real consequences, both individually and corporately. The exile serves as a historical reminder of the seriousness with which God views disobedience.

God's Faithfulness to His Word
God is faithful to His promises, both in blessing and in judgment. His actions in history affirm His reliability and the truth of His word.

The Role of Leadership
Leaders bear responsibility for guiding their people in righteousness. The failure of Israel's rulers contributed to the nation's downfall.

The Power of Prayer and Repentance
Daniel's prayer in this chapter is a model of confession and intercession. It shows the importance of acknowledging sin and seeking God's mercy.

Hope in Restoration
Despite the judgment, there is hope for restoration. God's discipline is meant to bring His people back to Him, highlighting His desire for reconciliation.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Daniel 9:12 illustrate the consequences of collective disobedience, and what can we learn from this about the impact of our actions on our communities?

2. In what ways does the fulfillment of God's judgment in Daniel 9:12 reinforce the reliability of Scripture, and how should this influence our trust in God's promises today?

3. Reflect on the role of leadership as seen in Daniel 9:12. How can we apply this understanding to our roles in our families, churches, and communities?

4. How does Daniel's response to the situation in Jerusalem (as seen in his prayer) serve as a model for us when facing the consequences of sin in our own lives?

5. Considering the hope of restoration implicit in God's judgments, how can we find encouragement in God's discipline, and what steps can we take to align ourselves with His will?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28
These chapters outline the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, which include the exile as a consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness.

Jeremiah 25
Jeremiah prophesied the seventy-year Babylonian captivity, which Daniel references in his prayer of confession and repentance.

2 Chronicles 36
Chronicles the fall of Jerusalem and the exile, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's word through the prophets.

Sermons

The Omnipotence of Prayer	J.D. Davies	Daniel 9:1-19
The Nation's Advocate At God's Bar	H.T. Robjohns	Daniel 9:1-21

People

Ahasuerus, Daniel, Darius, Gabriel, Jeremiah, Nahum

Places

Egypt, Greece, Jerusalem

Topics

Anything, Bring, Bringing, Calamity, Confirmed, Confirmeth, Disaster, Effect, Evil, Heaven, Heavens, Jerusalem, Judged, Judges, Nothing, Performed, Ruled, Rulers, Sending, Sky, Spake, Spoke, Spoken, Thus

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Daniel 9:1-19

8611 prayer, for others

Daniel 9:1-23

4926 delay, human

Daniel 9:4-14

6624 confession, of sin

Daniel 9:4-19

1065 God, holiness of
6655 forgiveness, application

Daniel 9:5-14

8705 apostasy, in OT

Daniel 9:7-14

6125 condemnation, divine

Daniel 9:11-14

5827 curse

Library

Daniel: a Pattern for Pleaders
"O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God; for thy city and thy people are called by thy name."--Daniel 9:19. DANIEL was a man in very high position in life. It is true he was not living in his own native land, but, in the providence of God, he had been raised to great eminence under the dominion of the country in which he dwelt. He might, therefore, naturally have forgotten his poor kinsmen; many have done so. Alas! we have known some that have …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915

The Man and the Book.
In this and the following lectures I attempt an account and estimate of the Prophet Jeremiah, of his life and teaching, and of the Book which contains them--but especially of the man himself, his personality and his tempers (there were more than one), his religious experience and its achievements, with the various high styles of their expression; as well as his influence on the subsequent religion of his people. It has often been asserted that in Jeremiah's ministry more than in any other of the …
George Adam Smith—Jeremiah

Whether the Time of the Future Judgment is Unknown?
Objection 1: It would seem that the time of the future judgment is not unknown. For just as the holy Fathers looked forward to the first coming, so do we look forward to the second. But the holy Fathers knew the time of the first coming, as proved by the number of weeks mentioned in Daniel 9: wherefore the Jews are reproached for not knowing the time of Christ's coming (Lk. 12:56): "You hypocrites, you know how to discern the face of the heaven and of the earth, but how is it that you do not discern …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

That Whereas the City of Jerusalem had Been Five Times Taken Formerly, this was the Second Time of Its Desolation. A Brief Account of Its History.
1. And thus was Jerusalem taken, in the second year of the reign of Vespasian, on the eighth day of the month Gorpeius [Elul]. It had been taken five [34] times before, though this was the second time of its desolation; for Shishak, the king of Egypt, and after him Antiochus, and after him Pompey, and after them Sosius and Herod, took the city, but still preserved it; but before all these, the king of Babylon conquered it, and made it desolate, one thousand four hundred and sixty-eight years and …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

From the Supplement to the Summa --Question Lxxii of the Prayers of the Saints who are in Heaven
I. Are the Saints cognizant of our Prayers? II. Ought we to appeal to the Saints to intercede for us? III. Are the Saints' Prayers to God for us always heard? I Are the Saints cognizant of our Prayers? On those words of Job,[267] Whether his children come to honour or dishonour, he shall not understand, S. Gregory says: "This is not to be understood of the souls of the Saints, for they see from within the glory of Almighty God, it is in nowise credible that there should be anything without of …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

The Blessing of God.
NUMB. VI. 22-27. We have already seen the grace of GOD making provision that His people, who had lost the privilege of priestly service, might draw near to Him by Nazarite separation and consecration. And not as the offence was the free gift: those who had forfeited the privilege of priestly service were the males only, but women and even children might be Nazarites; whosoever desired was free to come, and thus draw near to GOD. We now come to the concluding verses of Numb. vi, and see in them one …
James Hudson Taylor—Separation and Service

Three Things Briefly to be Regarded in Christ --viz. His Offices of Prophet, King, and Priest.
1. Among heretics and false Christians, Christ is found in name only; but by those who are truly and effectually called of God, he is acknowledged as a Prophet, King, and Priest. In regard to the Prophetical Office, the Redeemer of the Church is the same from whom believers under the Law hoped for the full light of understanding. 2. The unction of Christ, though it has respect chiefly to the Kingly Office, refers also to the Prophetical and Priestly Offices. The dignity, necessity, and use of this …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

General Account of Jesus' Teaching.
^A Matt. IV. 17; ^B Mark I. 14, 15; ^C Luke IV. 14, 15. ^a 17 From that time Jesus began to preach [The time here indicated is that of John the Baptist's imprisonment and Jesus' return to Galilee. This time marked a new period in the public ministry of Jesus. Hitherto he had taught, but he now began to preach. When the voice of his messenger, John, was silenced, the King became his own herald. Paul quoted the Greeks as saying that preaching was "foolishness," but following the example here set by …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober Reason,
appears of itself highly credible and probable, and abundantly recommends itself in its native simplicity, merely by its own intrinsic goodness and excellency, to the practice of the most rational and considering men, who are desirous in all their actions to have satisfaction and comfort and good hope within themselves, from the conscience of what they do: So it is moreover positively and directly proved to be actually and immediately sent to us from God, by the many infallible signs and miracles …
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
1. The Traditional Law. - The brief account given in vol. i. p. 100, of the character and authority claimed for the traditional law may here be supplemented by a chronological arrangement of the Halakhoth in the order of their supposed introduction or promulgation. In the first class, or Halakhoth of Moses from Sinai,' tradition enumerates fifty-five, [6370] which may be thus designated: religio-agrarian, four; [6371] ritual, including questions about clean and unclean,' twenty-three; [6372] concerning …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of Its Author
In Isaiah 41:21-23 we have what is probably the most remarkable challenge to be found in the Bible. "Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen; let them show the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods." This Scripture has both a negative …
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Sin-Bearer.
A COMMUNION MEDITATION AT MENTONE. "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."--1 Peter ii. 24, 25. THE SIN-BEARER. THIS wonderful passage is a part of Peter's address to servants; and in his day nearly all servants were slaves. Peter begins at the eighteenth verse: "Servants, be subject …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Being of God
Q-III: WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES PRINCIPALLY TEACH? A: The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. Q-IV: WHAT IS GOD? A: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Here is, 1: Something implied. That there is a God. 2: Expressed. That he is a Spirit. 3: What kind of Spirit? I. Implied. That there is a God. The question, What is God? takes for granted that there …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Manifestation of the Messiah
(JOHN I. 31.) "Before me, as in darkening glass, Some glorious outlines pass, Of love, and truth, and holiness, and power-- I own them thine, O Christ, And bless Thee in this hour." F. R. HAVERGAL. The Herald's Proclamation--The Meeting of John and Jesus--Christ's Baptism--"It Becometh Us."--"My Beloved Son." John's life, at this period, was an extraordinary one. By day he preached to the teeming crowds, or baptized them; by night he would sleep in some slight booth, or darksome cave. But the …
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

The Intercession of Christ
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us! T he Redemption of the soul is precious. Fools make mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9) . But they will not think lightly of it, who duly consider the majesty, authority, and goodness of Him, against whom it is committed; and who are taught, by what God actually has done, what sin rendered necessary to be done, before a sinner could have a well-grounded …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold.
^A Matt. XXIV. 1-28; ^B Mark XIII. 1-23; ^C Luke XXI. 5-24. ^a 1 And Jesus went out from the temple [leaving it to return no more], and was going on his way; and his disciples came to him ^b as he went forth ^a to show him the buildings of the temple. ^b one of his disciples saith unto him, Teacher, behold, what manner of stones and what manner of buildings! ^c 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said [The strength and wealth of the temple roused …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Christ's Priestly Office
Q-35: HOW DOES CHRIST EXECUTE THE OFFICE OF A PRIEST? A: In his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us. 'Now once in the end of the world has he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.' Heb 9:96. What are the parts of Christ's priestly office? Christ's priestly office has two parts - his satisfaction and intercession. I. His Satisfaction; and this consists of two branches. [1] His active …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Scriptures
Q-II: WHAT RULE HAS GOD GIVEN TO DIRECT US HOW WE MAY GLORIFY AND ENJOY HIM? A: The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. 2 Tim 3:16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,' By Scripture is understood the sacred Book of God. It is given by divine inspiration; that is, the Scripture is not the contrivance of man's brain, but is divine in its origin. The image of Diana was had in veneration …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

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