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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 9:3 So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/daniel/9-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/27_Dan_09_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Daniel 9:3 - Daniel's Prayer for His People" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/daniel/9-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/daniel/9-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/daniel/">Daniel</a> > <a href="/daniel/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/daniel/9-2.htm" title="Daniel 9:2">◄</a> Daniel 9:3 <a href="/daniel/9-4.htm" title="Daniel 9:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/daniel/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/daniel/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/daniel/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/daniel/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/daniel/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/daniel/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/daniel/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/daniel/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So I gave my attention to the Lord God, to seek <i>Him by</i> prayer and pleading, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/daniel/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/daniel/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek <i>Him by</i> prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/daniel/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So I gave my face to the Lord God to seek <i>Him by</i> prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/daniel/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So I directed my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/daniel/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek him by prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/daniel/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/daniel/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/daniel/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/daniel/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So I turned to the Lord God and looked to him for help. I prayed, pleaded, and fasted in sackcloth and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/daniel/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />And I prayed earnestly to the Lord God, pleading with him, fasting, wearing sackcloth, and sitting in ashes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/daniel/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"So I turned my attention to the Lord God, seeking him in prayer and supplication, accompanied with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/daniel/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/daniel/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So I turned my attention to the Lord God to implore him by prayer and requests, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/daniel/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And I turned to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and petitions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/daniel/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/daniel/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and petitions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/daniel/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and I set my face toward the Lord God, to seek [by] prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/daniel/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/daniel/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And I will give my face to Jehovah God to seek prayer and supplications, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/daniel/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And I set my face to the Lord my God, to pray and make supplication with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/daniel/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And I set my face to the Lord, my God, to ask and make supplication with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/daniel/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I turned to the Lord God, to seek help, in prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/daniel/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then I turned to the Lord God, to seek an answer by prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/daniel/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And I lifted up my face before the LORD God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting and with sackcloth and with ashes;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/daniel/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I lifted my face before LORD JEHOVAH God to inquire in prayer, and in supplication and with fasting, and in sackcloth, and in ashes<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/daniel/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/daniel/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And I set my face toward the Lord God, to seek <i>him</i> diligently by prayer and supplications, with fastings and sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/daniel/9-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/shUZJK-vYxI?start=3160" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/daniel/9.htm">Daniel's Prayer for His People</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>in 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. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: wā·’et·tə·nāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs:: 3fs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">So I turned my attention</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pā·nay (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/136.htm" title="136: ’ă·ḏō·nāy (N-proper-ms) -- Lord. Am emphatic form of 'adown; the Lord.">the Lord</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: lə·ḇaq·qêš (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">to seek Him</a> <a href="/hebrew/8605.htm" title="8605: tə·p̄il·lāh (N-fs) -- Prayer. From palal; intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn.">by prayer</a> <a href="/hebrew/8469.htm" title="8469: wə·ṯa·ḥă·nū·nîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- Supplication for favor. Or tachanuwnah; from chanan; earnest prayer.">and petition,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6685.htm" title="6685: bə·ṣō·wm (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- Fasting, a fast. Or tsom; from from tsuwm; a fast.">with fasting,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8242.htm" title="8242: wə·śaq (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Sack, sackcloth. From shaqaq; properly, a mesh, i.e. Coarse loose cloth or sacking; hence, a bag.">sackcloth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/665.htm" title="665: wā·’ê·p̄er (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Ashes. From an unused root meaning to bestrew; ashes.">and ashes.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/1-4.htm">Nehemiah 1:4</a></span><br />When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/8-23.htm">Ezra 8:23</a></span><br />So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He granted our request.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a></span><br />“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-12.htm">Jeremiah 29:12-13</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-3.htm">2 Chronicles 20:3</a></span><br />Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Matthew 6:16-18</a></span><br />When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5-9</a></span><br />And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least. / When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. / Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let no man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-5.htm">Isaiah 58:5-9</a></span><br />Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD? / Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-2.htm">Acts 13:2-3</a></span><br />While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/35-13.htm">Psalm 35:13</a></span><br />Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-47.htm">1 Kings 8:47-50</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-37.htm">Luke 2:37</a></span><br />and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/4-16.htm">Esther 4:16</a></span><br />“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-30.htm">Acts 10:30-31</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/7-6.htm">1 Samuel 7:6</a></span><br />When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:</p><p class="hdg">I set.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/6-10.htm">Daniel 6:10</a></b></br> Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/1-4.htm">Nehemiah 1:4</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned <i>certain</i> days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/102-13.htm">Psalm 102:13-17</a></b></br> Thou shalt arise, <i>and</i> have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come… </p><p class="hdg">with.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/10-2.htm">Daniel 10:2,3</a></b></br> In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/8-21.htm">Ezra 8:21</a></b></br> Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/9-5.htm">Ezra 9:5</a></b></br> And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/28-18.htm">Ashes</a> <a href="/daniel/6-13.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-30.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/daniel/8-23.htm">Face</a> <a href="/daniel/6-18.htm">Fasting</a> <a href="/daniel/6-18.htm">Food</a> <a href="/daniel/6-11.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-31.htm">Haircloth</a> <a href="/daniel/6-13.htm">Petition</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-9.htm">Petitions</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-36.htm">Pleaded</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-37.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/daniel/6-11.htm">Requesting</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-31.htm">Sackcloth</a> <a href="/daniel/7-16.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/daniel/4-36.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-9.htm">Supplications</a> <a href="/daniel/8-8.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/ezekiel/47-7.htm">Turning</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jonah/3-6.htm">Ashes</a> <a href="/daniel/9-13.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/daniel/9-7.htm">Face</a> <a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Fasting</a> <a href="/daniel/10-3.htm">Food</a> <a href="/daniel/9-17.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/joel/1-8.htm">Haircloth</a> <a href="/luke/1-13.htm">Petition</a> <a href="/daniel/9-17.htm">Petitions</a> <a href="/matthew/8-34.htm">Pleaded</a> <a href="/daniel/9-4.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/daniel/9-20.htm">Requesting</a> <a href="/joel/1-8.htm">Sackcloth</a> <a href="/hosea/2-7.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/malachi/2-15.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/daniel/9-17.htm">Supplications</a> <a href="/daniel/9-5.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/daniel/9-5.htm">Turning</a><div class="vheading2">Daniel 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/daniel/9-1.htm">Daniel, considering the time of the captivity,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/daniel/9-3.htm">makes confession of sins,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/daniel/9-16.htm">and prays for the restoration of Jerusalem.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/daniel/9-20.htm">Gabriel informs him of the seventy weeks.</a></span><br></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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/daniel/9.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>So I turned my attention</b><br />The phrase "turned my attention" signifies a deliberate and conscious decision by Daniel to focus entirely on God. The Hebrew root here is "natan panim," which means to give one's face or presence. This indicates a purposeful act of devotion and a shift from the distractions of the world to the divine presence. In a historical context, this reflects the Jewish practice of seeking God with intentionality, often in times of distress or need for guidance.<p><b>to the Lord God</b><br />The title "Lord God" combines "Adonai" and "Elohim," emphasizing both the sovereignty and the power of God. "Adonai" is a term of respect and authority, while "Elohim" denotes might and creative power. This duality underscores Daniel's recognition of God's supreme authority and his reliance on God's omnipotence. Historically, this reflects the Jewish understanding of God as both a personal Lord and a universal Creator.<p><b>to seek Him</b><br />The act of seeking God, "darash" in Hebrew, implies a diligent and earnest pursuit. It is not a casual inquiry but a deep, heartfelt quest for divine presence and wisdom. This reflects the biblical principle that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him (<a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Hebrews 11:6</a>). In the context of Daniel, it shows his commitment to understanding God's will and aligning himself with it.<p><b>by prayer and petition</b><br />"Prayer" (tefillah) and "petition" (tachanunim) together highlight different aspects of communication with God. "Tefillah" is a general term for prayer, encompassing praise, thanksgiving, and requests. "Tachanunim" refers specifically to supplications or pleas for mercy. This dual approach indicates a comprehensive engagement with God, combining reverence with earnest requests. Historically, this reflects the Jewish tradition of approaching God with both structured prayers and personal supplications.<p><b>with fasting</b><br />Fasting, or "tzom" in Hebrew, is a physical expression of humility and repentance. It is a way to deny oneself and focus on spiritual matters. In the biblical context, fasting is often associated with seeking God's favor or intervention in dire circumstances. For Daniel, fasting signifies his deep commitment to seeking God's guidance and his willingness to humble himself before the Almighty.<p><b>sackcloth</b><br />Sackcloth, or "saq" in Hebrew, is a coarse material traditionally worn as a sign of mourning or repentance. It symbolizes humility and penitence, reflecting a heart contrite before God. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, wearing sackcloth was a public demonstration of one's sorrow and desire for forgiveness. Daniel's use of sackcloth indicates his deep sorrow for the sins of his people and his earnest desire for God's mercy.<p><b>and ashes</b><br />Ashes, or "epher" in Hebrew, are another symbol of mourning and repentance. Sprinkling ashes on oneself was a way to express grief and acknowledge one's mortality and sinfulness. In the biblical narrative, ashes represent a return to the dust from which humanity was created, signifying humility and the need for divine grace. Daniel's use of ashes underscores his recognition of human frailty and his dependence on God's mercy.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/daniel/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">I set my face.</span>--Comp. <a href="/daniel/6-11.htm" title="Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.">Daniel 6:11</a>. Probably he prayed, as on that occasion, with his face towards Jerusalem. The prayer of Daniel bears some resemblance to those offered by Ezra and Nehemiah, while that of Baruch resembles it much more closely. (On this see <span class= "ital">Excursus F.</span>)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/daniel/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth,</span> <span class="cmt_word">and ashes.</span> The Septuagint Version here is slavishly close; it renders <span class="hebrew">אֶתְּנָא</span> ('<span class="accented">etruria</span>) in accordance with its more common meaning, <span class="greek">ἔδωακ</span>, and the idiomatic phrase, "to seek prayer and supplication," is rendered <span class="greek">εὑρεῖν προσευχήν</span>. The true rendering is, as Professor Bevan points out," to set to prayer." Theodotion is nearly as slavish; only he omits "ashes," and has "fastings." The Peshitta is close, but does not follow the change of construction in the last clause. Jerome seems to have read, "my God." The cessation of the temple-worship, with its sacrifices, was naturally fitted to bring prayer as a mode of worship into a prominence it bad not before. Yet we find prayers made while the first temple was yet standing, as the prayer of Hezekiah (<a href="/2_kings/19-15.htm">2 Kings 19:15</a>), of Jehoshaphat (<a href="/2_chronicles/20-6.htm">2 Chronicles 20:6</a>). The comparison more naturally stands with the prayers of Ezra and Nehemiah<span class="cmt_word">,</span> as the subject of their supplication is similar to that of the prayer before us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/daniel/9-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So I turned my attention</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאֶתְּנָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’et·tə·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Lord</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲדֹנָי֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḏō·nāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_136.htm">Strong's 136: </a> </span><span class="str2">The Lord</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to seek</span><br /><span class="heb">לְבַקֵּ֥שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḇaq·qêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> </span><span class="str2">To search out, to strive after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Him by prayer</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּפִלָּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(tə·p̄il·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8605.htm">Strong's 8605: </a> </span><span class="str2">Intercession, supplication, a hymn</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and petition,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְתַחֲנוּנִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ṯa·ḥă·nū·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8469.htm">Strong's 8469: </a> </span><span class="str2">Supplication for favor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with fasting,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּצ֖וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṣō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6685.htm">Strong's 6685: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fasting, a fast</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sackcloth,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשַׂ֥ק</span> <span class="translit">(wə·śaq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8242.htm">Strong's 8242: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mesh, coarse loose cloth, sacking, a bag</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and ashes.</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאֵֽפֶר׃</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’ê·p̄er)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_665.htm">Strong's 665: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ashes</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/daniel/9-3.htm">Daniel 9:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/daniel/9-3.htm">Daniel 9:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/daniel/9-3.htm">Daniel 9:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/daniel/9-3.htm">Daniel 9:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/daniel/9-3.htm">Daniel 9:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/daniel/9-3.htm">Daniel 9:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/daniel/9-3.htm">Daniel 9:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/daniel/9-3.htm">Daniel 9:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/daniel/9-3.htm">Daniel 9:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/daniel/9-3.htm">Daniel 9:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/daniel/9-3.htm">OT Prophets: Daniel 9:3 I set my face to the Lord (Dan. Da Dn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/daniel/9-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Daniel 9:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Daniel 9:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/daniel/9-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Daniel 9:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Daniel 9:4" /></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>