And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Daniel grounds his plea by reminding God of the Exodus, not just as a past miracle, but as the moment God established His reputation as a deliverer. He’s essentially saying, "You built Your name on this act of rescue; don't let that reputation crumble now because we've messed up so badly."
And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Daniel is in the midst of a profound prayer of confession and petition for his people, who are in exile in Babylon. He begins by recalling God's mighty deliverance of Israel from Egypt, a foundational act that established God's renown and covenant relationship. Immediately following this remembrance, Daniel pivots to a raw admission of their present sinfulness, acknowledging that their wickedness is the cause of their current hardship.
Daniel doesn't just confess sin; he reminds God of His past faithfulness. Why bring up Egypt now?
When Daniel prays, he grounds his plea in God's history with His people.
A Mighty Hand:
He specifically recalls God leading Israel out of Egypt. This wasn't just any rescue; it was a demonstration of God's power and commitment.
God's Renown:
This act in Egypt wasn't just for Israel's benefit; it was for God's glory. He 'made a name for himself' – His reputation as a powerful, delivering God was established. Daniel is reminding God of the fame He already earned through this act, implying He should continue to uphold that reputation.
After recounting God's glory, Daniel pivots sharply to human failure. What's the significance of this juxtaposition?
The power of Daniel's prayer lies in the stark contrast he draws.
God's Established Reputation:
Daniel highlights how God 'made a name for himself' through His mighty acts. This reputation for faithfulness and power is an enduring truth.
Our Sinful Reality:
Immediately, he confesses, 'we have sinned, we have done wickedly.' This isn't a gentle admission; it's a recognition of deep rebellion.
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The Implication:
By placing these side-by-side, Daniel implies: 'Look at Your glorious, faithful character, God, and then look at our shameful state. We deserve destruction, but Your established renown calls for mercy, not abandonment.' It's a bold move, laying bare their sinfulness while appealing to God's own glory.
Understand the original words
yad chazaqah · Hebrew Noun phrase
To exercise supreme authority or power in a way that demonstrates greatness, often associated with divine acts of deliverance.
rasha · Hebrew Verb
To act with premeditated or intentional malice and moral corruption, often implying a rejection of God's ways.
Daniel's prayer powerfully connects the present exile in Babylon to the foundational liberation from Egypt. By recalling God's past mighty acts and contrasting them with the people's present sinfulness, he lays the groundwork for petitioning God to act again, just as He did for their ancestors, thereby upholding His own renown.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God powerfully delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, establishing His covenant with them and making His name known through mighty acts.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Exile of Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its inhabitants, serving as a warning to Judah.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire capture Jerusalem and deport King Jehoiachin and many of the Judean elite to Babylon.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar, destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the majority of the remaining population to Babylon.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers the Babylonian Empire, paving the way for the return of exiled peoples.
This verse echoes the foundational deliverance from Egypt that Daniel references, reminding us that God's mighty acts of liberation are deeply tied to His covenant relationship with His people and His law.
Jeremiah 32:21Jeremiah uses language remarkably similar to Daniel's, recounting God's powerful Exodus from Egypt and His subsequent giving of the Law to establish a covenant, highlighting the theme of God's consistent faithfulness despite Israel's unfaithfulness.
Nehemiah 9:10This passage recounts Israel's history, specifically mentioning God's powerful act of bringing them out of Egypt and making a name for Himself, just as Daniel does, setting the stage for a confession of sin and a plea for mercy.
Psalm 106:6-7This psalm describes Israel's rebellion even after the miraculous exodus from Egypt, mirroring Daniel's situation where a great deliverance is met with continued sin and the need for God's intervention.
Isaiah 63:11-14The prophet Isaiah reflects on God leading His people out of Egypt with His glorious arm, a passage that Daniel's prayer clearly draws upon, underscoring God's mighty power and guidance in past deliverances.
ellicottDaniel 9:15: "And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly."
(15) Thou hast brought.— The mention of past mercies moves Daniel to pray that future mercies may be granted. His language is founded partly upon Jeremiah 32:17-23 , and partly upon Isaiah 63:11-16 . The Babylonian exile is frequently compared by Isaiah ( e.g., Isaiah 51:9-10 ) to Egyptian bond…
bensonDaniel 9:15: "And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly."
Daniel 9:15 . And now, O Lord, who hast brought thy people forth, &c. — A form of supplication used in several places of Scripture, whereby devout persons entreat God to continue his favours, by recounting his former mercies toward them. And hast gotten thee renown, or, made thee a name, as at…
Daniel grounds his plea by reminding God of the Exodus, not just as a past miracle, but as the moment God established His reputation as a deliverer. He’s essentially saying, "You built Your name on this act of rescue; don't let that reputation crumble now because we've messed up so badly."
Daniel is in the midst of a profound prayer of confession and petition for his people, who are in exile in Babylon. He begins by recalling God's mighty deliverance of Israel from Egypt, a foundational act that established God's renown and covenant relationship. Immediately following this remembrance, Daniel pivots to a raw admission of their present sinfulness, acknowledging that their wickedness is the cause of their current hardship.
Daniel is in the midst of a profound prayer of confession and petition for his people, who are in exile in Babylon. He begins by recalling God's mighty deliverance of Israel from Egypt, a foundational act that established God's renown and covenant relationship. Immediately following this remembrance, Daniel pivots to a raw admission of their present sinfulness, acknowledging that their wickedness is the cause of their current hardship.
"And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly." — Daniel grounds his plea by reminding God of the Exodus, not just as a past miracle, but as the moment God established His reputation as a deliverer. He’s essentially saying, "You built Your name on…
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Last reviewed October 2026