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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Daniel 9:1 In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes, a Mede by descent, who was made ruler over the kingdom of the Chaldeans--</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/daniel/9-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/27_Dan_09_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Daniel 9:1 - Daniel's Prayer for His People" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes, a Mede by descent, who was made ruler over the kingdom of the Chaldeans--" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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<a href="/nkjv/daniel/9.htm">New King James Version</a> In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— <a href="/nasb_/daniel/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of Median descent, who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans— <a href="/nasb/daniel/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of Median descent, who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans— <a href="/nasb77/daniel/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of Median descent, who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans— <a href="/lsb/daniel/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, from the seed of the Medes, who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans— <a href="/amp/daniel/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of Median descent, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— <a href="/csb/daniel/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> In the first year of Darius, the son of Ahasuerus, a Mede by birth, who was made king over the Chaldean kingdom— <a href="/hcsb/daniel/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> In the first year of Darius, the son of Ahasuerus, a Mede by birth, who was ruler over the kingdom of the Chaldeans: <a href="/asv/daniel/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans, <a href="/erv/daniel/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; <a href="/gwt/daniel/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Xerxes' son Darius, who was a Mede by birth, was made ruler of the kingdom of Babylon. <a href="/gnt/daniel/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> Darius the Mede, who was the son of Xerxes, ruled over the kingdom of Babylonia. <a href="/isv/daniel/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> "In the first year of the reign of Darius son of Ahasuerus, a descendant of the Medes, who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans — <a href="/msb/daniel/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes, a Mede by descent, who was made ruler over the kingdom of the Chaldeans? <a href="/net/daniel/9.htm">NET Bible</a> In the first year of Darius son of Ahasuerus, who was of Median descent and who had been appointed king over the Babylonian empire-- <a href="/nheb/daniel/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> In the first year of Darayavush the son of Achshayarsh, of Median descent, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans-- <a href="/wbt/daniel/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; <a href="/web/daniel/9.htm">World English Bible</a> In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the offspring of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/daniel/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> “In the first year of Darius, son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, who has been made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans, <a href="/ylt/daniel/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> In the first year of Darius, son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, who hath been made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans, <a href="/slt/daniel/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> In one year to Darius son of Ahasuerus, from the seed of Media who reigned over the kingdom of the Chaldeans.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/daniel/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> In the first year of Darius the son of Assuerus of the seed of the Medes, who reigned over the kingdom of the Chaldeans: <a href="/cpdv/daniel/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> In the first year of Darius, the son of Ahasuerus, of the offspring of the Medes, who ruled over the kingdom of the Chaldeans, <a href="/nabre/daniel/9.htm">New American Bible</a> It was the first year that Darius, son of Ahasuerus, of the race of the Medes, reigned over the kingdom of the Chaldeans; <a href="/nrsvce/daniel/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> In the first year of Darius son of Ahasuerus, by birth a Mede, who became king over the realm of the Chaldeans—<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/daniel/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> IN the first year of Darius, the son of Ahasuerus, a descendant of the Medes who became king over the realm of the Chaldeans, <a href="/hpbt/daniel/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> In the year one of Darius, son of Akhashiresh, from the seed of the Medes, who became King in the kingdom of the Chaldeans<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/daniel/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; <a href="/sep/daniel/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> In the first year of Darius the son of Assuerus, of the seed of the Medes, who reigned over the kingdom of the Chaldeans, <a href="/parallel/daniel/9-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/shUZJK-vYxI?start=3137" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/daniel/9.htm">Daniel's Prayer for His People</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’a·ḥaṯ (Number-fs) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">In the first</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: biš·naṯ (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">year</a> <a href="/hebrew/1867.htm" title="1867: lə·ḏā·rə·yā·weš (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The name of several Pers. kings. Of Persian origin; Darejavesh, a title of several Persian kings.">of Darius</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/325.htm" title="325: ’ă·ḥaš·wê·rō·wōš (N-proper-ms) -- King of Persia. Or pachashrosh; of Persian origin; Achashverosh, the title of a Persian king.">of Xerxes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4074.htm" title="4074: mā·ḏāy (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Japheth, also his desc. and their land. Of foreign derivation; Madai, a country of central Asia.">a Mede</a> <a href="/hebrew/2233.htm" title="2233: miz·ze·ra‘ (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- A sowing, seed, offspring. From zara'; seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity.">by descent,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/4427.htm" title="4427: hā·mə·laḵ (V-Hofal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence to take counsel.">was made ruler</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">over</a> <a href="/hebrew/4438.htm" title="4438: mal·ḵūṯ (N-fsc) -- Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom. Or malkuth; or malkuyah; from malak; a rule; concretely, a dominion.">the kingdom</a> <a href="/hebrew/3778.htm" title="3778: kaś·dîm (N-proper-mp) -- A region of S. Bab. and its inhab. (occasionally with enclitic) Kasdiymah; towards the Kasdites.">of the Chaldeans—</a> 2in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the sacred books, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/daniel/1-21.htm">Daniel 1:21</a> And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. <a href="/daniel/6-28.htm">Daniel 6:28</a> So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. <a href="/ezra/1-1.htm">Ezra 1:1</a> In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: <a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">2 Chronicles 36:22-23</a> In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’” <a href="/jeremiah/25-11.htm">Jeremiah 25:11-12</a> And this whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years. / But when seventy years are complete, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, declares the LORD, and I will make it an everlasting desolation. <a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">Jeremiah 29:10</a> For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place. <a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Isaiah 44:28</a> who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’” <a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm">Isaiah 45:1</a> This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut: <a href="/ezra/6-14.htm">Ezra 6:14</a> So the Jewish elders built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo. They finished building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia. <a href="/nehemiah/1-1.htm">Nehemiah 1:1-3</a> These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, / Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah. So I questioned them about the remnant of the Jews who had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. / And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” <a href="/haggai/1-1.htm">Haggai 1:1</a> In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, stating <a href="/zechariah/1-1.htm">Zechariah 1:1</a> In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, saying: <a href="/matthew/24-15.htm">Matthew 24:15</a> So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), <a href="/mark/13-14.htm">Mark 13:14</a> So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. <a href="/luke/21-20.htm">Luke 21:20-22</a> But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. / For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;A.<a href="/daniel/1-21.htm">Daniel 1:21</a> And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.<a href="/daniel/5-31.htm">Daniel 5:31</a> And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.<a href="/daniel/6-1.htm">Daniel 6:1,28</a> It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; … Ahasuerus.which.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/esther/10-3.htm">Ahasuerus</a> <a href="/esther/10-3.htm">Ahasu-E'rus</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-15.htm">Babylonian</a> <a href="/daniel/1-3.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/daniel/5-30.htm">Chaldaeans</a> <a href="/daniel/5-30.htm">Chaldeans</a> <a href="/daniel/4-7.htm">Chalde'ans</a> <a href="/daniel/6-28.htm">Darius</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-22.htm">Descent</a> <a href="/daniel/8-21.htm">First</a> <a href="/daniel/8-23.htm">Kingdom</a> <a href="/daniel/5-31.htm">Mede</a> <a href="/daniel/6-15.htm">Medes</a> <a href="/daniel/5-31.htm">Median</a> <a href="/daniel/6-3.htm">Realm</a> <a href="/daniel/7-6.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/daniel/2-43.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/esther/10-3.htm">Xerxes</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezra/4-6.htm">Ahasuerus</a> <a href="/ezra/4-6.htm">Ahasu-E'rus</a> <a href="/matthew/1-11.htm">Babylonian</a> <a href="/hosea/1-3.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-6.htm">Chaldaeans</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-6.htm">Chaldeans</a> <a href="/genesis/11-28.htm">Chalde'ans</a> <a href="/daniel/11-1.htm">Darius</a> <a href="/luke/19-37.htm">Descent</a> <a href="/daniel/9-2.htm">First</a> <a href="/daniel/10-13.htm">Kingdom</a> <a href="/daniel/11-1.htm">Mede</a> <a href="/acts/2-9.htm">Medes</a> <a href="/esther/1-18.htm">Median</a> <a href="/daniel/11-2.htm">Realm</a> <a href="/daniel/11-5.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/hosea/2-23.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/ezra/4-6.htm">Xerxes</a><div class="vheading2">Daniel 9</div>1. <a href="/daniel/9-1.htm">Daniel, considering the time of the captivity,</a> 3. <a href="/daniel/9-3.htm">makes confession of sins,</a> 16. <a href="/daniel/9-16.htm">and prays for the restoration of Jerusalem.</a> 20. <a href="/daniel/9-20.htm">Gabriel informs him of the seventy weeks.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The "first year" indicates a specific time frame, which is crucial for understanding the timeline of the prophetic events in the Book of Daniel. Darius is often identified with Darius the Mede, a figure who appears in the biblical narrative as a ruler following the fall of Babylon. This period marks the transition from Babylonian to Medo-Persian rule, aligning with the historical conquest of Babylon by the Medes and Persians in 539 BC.son of Xerxes The identification of Darius as the "son of Xerxes" presents a challenge, as historical records do not clearly document a Darius who was the son of Xerxes and a Mede. Some scholars suggest that this may refer to a different Xerxes or that the term "son" could be used more broadly to indicate lineage or association. This phrase highlights the complexities of ancient genealogies and the potential for variations in historical records.a Mede by descent This emphasizes Darius's ethnic background, linking him to the Medes, an ancient Iranian people. The Medes played a significant role in the overthrow of the Babylonian Empire, and their alliance with the Persians was instrumental in establishing the Medo-Persian Empire. This detail underscores the fulfillment of earlier prophecies in Daniel, where the Medes and Persians are depicted as successors to Babylon.who was made ruler over the kingdom of the Chaldeans— This phrase indicates that Darius was appointed as ruler over the Chaldeans, another name for the Babylonians. The passive construction "was made ruler" suggests that his authority was granted by a higher power, possibly Cyrus the Great, who led the Persian conquest. This transition of power fulfills the prophecy in <a href="/daniel/5-28.htm">Daniel 5:28</a>, where the kingdom is said to be divided and given to the Medes and Persians. The Chaldeans were known for their contributions to astronomy and mathematics, and their kingdom's fall marked a significant shift in the ancient Near Eastern power structure.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/d/darius_the_mede.htm">Darius the Mede</a> Darius is identified as the son of Xerxes and a Mede by descent. He was made ruler over the kingdom of the Chaldeans, which refers to the Babylonian Empire. His role is significant as it marks a transition in leadership and the fulfillment of God's plan for Israel's return from exile. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_kingdom_of_the_chaldeans.htm">The Kingdom of the Chaldeans</a> This refers to the Babylonian Empire, which had been a dominant power in the ancient Near East. The transition of power to Darius signifies a shift in God's dealings with His people, as prophesied by Jeremiah. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_first_year_of_darius.htm">The First Year of Darius</a> This time marker is crucial as it sets the stage for Daniel's prayer and the subsequent revelation he receives. It indicates a period of change and the beginning of the fulfillment of prophetic timelines.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_nations.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Nations</a> The transition of power to Darius illustrates God's control over world events. Believers can trust that God is sovereign over the affairs of nations and leaders. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_prophetic_fulfillment.htm">The Importance of Prophetic Fulfillment</a> Understanding the historical context of <a href="/daniel/9.htm">Daniel 9:1</a> helps us see the accuracy and reliability of biblical prophecy. This encourages believers to study and trust God's Word. <a href="/topical/p/prayer_and_prophecy.htm">Prayer and Prophecy</a> Daniel's response to the change in leadership was to seek God in prayer, demonstrating the importance of prayer in understanding and participating in God's plans. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_exile.htm">Faithfulness in Exile</a> Despite being in exile, Daniel remained faithful to God. His example encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, regardless of their circumstances. <a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_promises.htm">Hope in God's Promises</a> The shift in power to Darius was a sign of hope for the Israelites. Believers today can find hope in God's promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_daniel_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Daniel 9</a> <a href="/q/does_daniel_9_conflict_with_ot_exile_views.htm">Does Daniel 9 conflict with other Old Testament references regarding the exile and restoration of the Jewish people? </a> <a href="/q/how_does_daniel_9_1-2_fit_70-year_exile.htm">How do we reconcile Daniel 9:1–2’s reference to Jeremiah’s seventy years with the actual duration of the Babylonian exile? </a> <a href="/q/what_do_daniel's_70_weeks_mean.htm">What do the seventy weeks of Daniel signify?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_darius_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Darius in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/daniel/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>IX.(1) On Darius the Mede see Excursus D.Was made king.--The phrase corresponds with "took the kingdom" (<a href="/daniel/5-31.htm" title="And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about three score and two years old.">Daniel 5:31</a>), and shows that Darius was not king by his own right, but that he received his authority from another--i.e., Cyrus.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/daniel/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 1-27. - THE SEVENTY WEEKS. This is the chapter of Daniel which has occasioned most controversy. It was appealed to by Tertullian and the early Fathers as a demonstration of the correctness of our Lord's claims to Messiahship. It is now received by critical commentators that to our Lord this prophecy cannot refer. Many treatises have been written on the "seventy weeks" of Daniel, and none of them have entirely cleared up the difficulties; indeed, it may be doubted whether all together they have illuminated the subject very much. Verses 1, 2. - In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; in the first year of his reign, I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord same to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. The version of the Septuagint goes on the assumption that the critics are correct in their belief that the author of Daniel imagined a Median Empire between the Babylonian and the Persian. (1) In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes, of the seed of the Medes who, that is, the Medes - the LXX. seems to have read malkoo instead of homlak - "reigned over the kingdom of the Chaldeans. (2) In the first year of his reign, I Daniel understood by the books the number of the years when the ordinance (πρόσταγμα) about the land was (revealed) to Jeremiah the prophet to accomplish seventy years to the fulfilment of the reproach of Jerusalem." Theodotion is closer to the Massoretic, only he does not seem to have read the hophal of "reign," but the kal. Further, Theodotion omits the second statement of the year of Darius, with which, both in the LXX. and in the Massoretic, the second verse begins. We have in Tertullian a few verses from this chapter in the Old Latin Version, called sometimes the Vetus. It coincides exactly with neither of the Greek Versions, nor with the Massoretic, but is in closer relationship with Theodotion. The Peshitta in the first agrees in the main with the Massoretic texf, but renders the second verse thus: "In the first year of his reign, I Daniel understood in the book the number of years; I saw what was the ordinance of the number which Jeremiah the prophet had said concerning the completion of the desolation of Jerusalem - seventy years." Theodotion, the Vetus, the Peshitta, and also Jerome, neglect the fact that הָמְלַד (hom'lak) is hophal, and translate as if the word were kal. This neglect is due to the difficulty of understanding the semi-satrapial position occupied by Gobryas. He had regal powers given him to appoint satraps in the divisions of the province of Babylonia. Not improbably, further, be could fulfil certain sacred functions which customarily only a king could fulfil. This is the only case where the hophal of this verb occurs. Such a unique use of a verb must imply unique circumstances; such unique circumstances existed in the position of Gobryas in Babylon. Only a contemporary would have indicated this singular state of matters by the use of an out-of-the way portion of a verb without further explanation. It is singular that critics will not give the obvious meaning to the persistent indications that the author of this book gives, that he regards Darius, not as an independent sovereign, but as in some sort a vassal of a higher power, on whom he is dependent. Of the seed of the Medes. This statement naturally implies that while Darius was of Median descent, he was naturalized into some other race. In the first year of his reign. This phrase has the appearance of representing the original beginning of the narrative. Probably there were originally two recensions of this narrative, one of them beginning with the first verse, the other with some modification of the second verse which has been still further modified till it has reached its present form. The year indicated corresponds to B.C. 538, the year of the capture of Babylon, therefore sixty-eight years from the time that Daniel was carried captive. The period, then, which had been foretold by Jeremiah during which the Jews were to be captive and Jerusalem desolate, was drawing to a close. According to the critical assumption, that this date is to be reckoned from the captivity of Jehoiachin ( B.C. 598), there were yet ten years to run, and if it reckoned from the capture of Jerusalem during the reign of Zedekiah, there were twenty years. There is a certain dramatic suitability, if no more, in Daniel studying the prophecies of Jeremiah, with always growing eagerness as the time approached when God had promised release. I Daniel understood by books. The critical school have assumed that this phrase "books" applies, and must apply, to the canon; therefore it is concluded that this book was written after the formation of the canon, and therefore very late. Unforth-nately for the assumption brought forward, aephareem is by no means invariably used collectively for the books of the Bible, but K'thubim, e.g. Talmud Babli Shabbath (Mishna), p. 115a, was also used. Many of the cases where sephareem appears it is used distributively, not collectively; e.g. Talmud Babli Megillah (Mishna), p. 8b. From the fact that the same word was used for the third division of the canon, and for the books of the canon as a whole, there was liable to be a difficulty, and hence confusion. Traces of this we find in the prologue to the Greek Version of Ecclesiasticus. Thus in the first sentence the translator speaks of "the Law, the Prophets, and the others (τῶν ἄλλων)," as if τῶν βιβλίων were mentally supplied before νόμου. While sepher is used for any individual book of Scripture, and sephareem used for a group of these books, as the Books of Moses, it is not used for the Bible as a whole, just as in English we never call the Bible "the books," but not unfrequently "the Scriptures; "on the other hand, we speak of "the Books of Moses," never of the "Scriptures of Moses." If sephareem does not mean the canon, what does it mean? We know from <a href="/jeremiah/29-1.htm">Jeremiah 29:1</a> that Jeremiah sent to the exiles a "letter," and in that letter (ver. 10) it is said, "For thus saith the Lord, After seventy years be accomplished for Babylon, I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you in causing you to return to this place." It is true that this letter is called sepher in Jeremiah, but in <a href="/2_kings/19-14.htm">2 Kings 19:14</a> and <a href="/isaiah/37-14.htm">Isaiah 37:14</a> we have sephareem the plural, used for a single letter. This is proved by the fact that in Isaiah all the suffixes referring to it are singular; in Kings one is in the plural by attraction, but the other is singular as in Isaiah. The correct rendering of the passage, then, is, "I Daniel understood by the letter the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet." It is clear that the reference in this verse is to Jeremiah's letter, for we have the use of יחוה, Jahw (Jehovah), which out of this chapter does not appear in this book; we have in this verse מַלִּאת, which we have in <a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">Jeremiah 29:10</a>; it is vocalized as infinitive piel in Daniel, and infinitive kal in Jeremiah, but there is probably some error in Daniel. Another peculiarity which connects this passage with the "letter" of Jeremiah is the form the prophet's name assumes. In the rest of his prephecy it is usually called יִרְמְיָהוּ (Yir'myahoo); in the section of which the 'letter forms part, as in this verse in Daniel, he is called יִרְמְיָה (Yir'myah). It is thus clear that Daniel had in his mind Jeremiah's "letter;" hence it is far-fetched to imagine that he claims acquaintance with all the books of the Hebrew canon, in order to know the contents of a letter. Even a falsarius of the most ignorant sort would scarcely fail to avoid the blunder attributed to the author of Daniel by critics. How do the critics harmonize their explanation of this verse with their theory that the canon closed in B.C. 105, while Daniel was written in the year B.C. 168. It would be as impossible for an author to speak of the canon in terms which denote it being long fixed, sixty years before it was actually collected, as four hundred years. The impossible has no degrees. That he would accomplish seventy years. That seventy years would fulfil the period of desolation to Jerusalem. It is to be noted that the word translated here "accomplish" occurs in Jeremiah's letter in regard to this very period (<a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">Jeremiah 29:10</a>). The word for "desolations" is connected by Furst with "drought;" it is also connected with the word for "a sword." The date at which the vision related in the chapter was given was, as we have seen, shortly after the fall of Babylon. The period set by God, if we date from Daniel's own captivity, was rapidly nearing its conclusion. As yet Cyrus had given no sign that he was about to treat the Jews differently from the other nations. The King of Ansan had declared himself - whether from faith or policy we cannot tell - a fervent worshipper of Merodach and the other gods of Babylon: would he not be prone to pursue the policy of the kings of Babylon, whose successor he claimed to be? He had certainly ordered the return to the various cities of the images of those gods which had been brought to Babylon by Nabunahid, but there was no word of the return of the captives of Zion. Would Jehovah be true to his promise or not? Like believers in every age, Daniel takes refuge in prayer. <a href="/commentaries/daniel/9-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>In the first אַחַ֗ת (’a·ḥaṯ) Number - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> United, one, first year בִּשְׁנַ֣ת (biš·naṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> A year of Darius לְדָרְיָ֛וֶשׁ (lə·ḏā·rə·yā·weš) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1867.htm">Strong's 1867: </a> Darius -- the name of several person kings son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Xerxes, אֲחַשְׁוֵר֖וֹשׁ (’ă·ḥaš·wê·rō·wōš) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_325.htm">Strong's 325: </a> Ahasuerus -- king of Persia a Mede מָדָ֑י (mā·ḏāy) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4074.htm">Strong's 4074: </a> Media -- a son of Japheth, also his descendants and their land by descent, מִזֶּ֣רַע (miz·ze·ra‘) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2233.htm">Strong's 2233: </a> Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity who אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that was made ruler הָמְלַ֔ךְ (hā·mə·laḵ) Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4427.htm">Strong's 4427: </a> To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel over עַ֖ל (‘al) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the kingdom מַלְכ֥וּת (mal·ḵūṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4438.htm">Strong's 4438: </a> Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom of the Chaldeans— כַּשְׂדִּֽים׃ (kaś·dîm) Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> Chaldeans -- a region of southern Babylon and its inhab <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/daniel/9-1.htm">Daniel 9:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/daniel/9-1.htm">Daniel 9:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/daniel/9-1.htm">Daniel 9:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/daniel/9-1.htm">Daniel 9:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/daniel/9-1.htm">Daniel 9:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/daniel/9-1.htm">Daniel 9:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/daniel/9-1.htm">Daniel 9:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/daniel/9-1.htm">Daniel 9:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/daniel/9-1.htm">Daniel 9:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/daniel/9-1.htm">Daniel 9:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/daniel/9-1.htm">OT Prophets: Daniel 9:1 In the first year of Darius (Dan. Da Dn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/daniel/8-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Daniel 8:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Daniel 8:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/daniel/9-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Daniel 9:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Daniel 9:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>