Daniel 9:23
At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The angel's arrival and message are linked directly to the very beginning of Daniel's prayer, emphasizing that God’s response is immediate and that Daniel himself is deeply cherished, described as "greatly loved" or even "a man of desires." This highlights that even a moment's sincere seeking can trigger a profound divine engagement.
As Daniel begins to pray and confess his people's sins, an angelic messenger, Gabriel, is dispatched from heaven with a divine message. Gabriel assures Daniel that his prayer was heard immediately and that he is deeply loved by God. The angel is there to reveal a crucial prophecy concerning future events related to God's people and the coming Messiah, which Daniel must understand.
Ever feel like your prayers vanish into thin air? Daniel's experience shows us that the moment you start seeking God, He's already in motion.
The angel Gabriel arrives to deliver a crucial message as soon as Daniel begins to pray. This isn't just about efficiency; it's a profound display of God's eagerness to connect with those He loves.
A Heavenly Command
As soon as Daniel uttered his first pleas, a 'commandment' or 'word' went out from God's throne. This implies an immediate, heavenly response. Gabriel didn't wait for the prayer to finish; the wheels were set in motion instantly.
The 'Man of Desires'
Gabriel reveals the reason for this swift response: "for you are greatly loved." The original language hints at Daniel being "a man of desires" or "greatly desired." This points to the deep affection God has for Daniel, making him the recipient of this vital revelation. It's a testament to God valuing His faithful followers.
Daniel's prayer was about his people's immediate situation, but the answer revealed an astonishingly detailed future. How do we bridge the gap between our immediate concerns and God's eternal perspective?
God's response to Daniel wasn't just a sympathetic ear; it was a divine blueprint for the future, specifically detailing Messiah's arrival and work.
From Plea to Prophecy
Daniel's heartfelt confession and plea for his people (Daniel 9:1-19) centered on their immediate return from exile. However, the revelation he receives goes far beyond that, unfolding a precise timeline leading to the Messiah.
The Vision and the Word
The angel urges Daniel to 'consider the word and understand the vision.' This wasn't a casual suggestion. The 'word' and 'vision' contained a complex prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27) about seventy weeks, marking time until anointing, atonement, and everlasting righteousness would be brought by the Messiah. It's a powerful reminder that our prayers, while personal, connect us to God's overarching redemptive plan for all humanity.
Understand the original words
tachanun · Hebrew Noun
A heartfelt request for compassion, often based on the recognition of one's own unworthiness and reliance on the character of God. It acknowledges that God’s response is not based on the petitioner's merit, but on His grace and mercy.
Daniel's prayer comes at a pivotal moment, just as the Babylonian exile is ending. The angel Gabriel appears immediately, linking Daniel's deep yearning for his people's restoration with God's unfolding plan through the prophecies of Jeremiah and the coming of the Messiah.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, conquers the Neo-Babylonian Empire, bringing an end to Babylonian rule over Judea.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This marks the beginning of the return from Babylonian exile.
c. 537-516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
The foundation for the Second Temple is laid in Jerusalem by the returning Jewish exiles, though faced with opposition and delays.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return to Jerusalem
The scribe Ezra leads a group of Jews from Babylon to Jerusalem, re-establishing religious law and order in the community.
The angel Gabriel greets Mary with a similar, profound declaration of divine favor, calling her 'highly favored' (which can be translated as 'greatly loved'), underscoring that God's special regard is often shown to those He chooses for significant purposes.
Daniel 10:11This passage shows Gabriel speaking to Daniel again, using the identical phrase, 'O man greatly loved,' reinforcing the deep affection and spiritual connection God has with Daniel and highlighting his unique role as a recipient of divine revelation.
Matthew 24:15Jesus refers to 'the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel,' directly linking Daniel's visions to future prophetic events and emphasizing the importance of understanding these divine messages.
Isaiah 55:11This verse states that God's word 'shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,' paralleling the idea that the word revealed to Daniel, though an answer to prayer, was a preordained divine decree that would surely be fulfilled.
ellicottDaniel 9:23: "At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision."
(23) The commandment. —The marginal version is to be preferred, which points to the revelation which follows Daniel 9:24-27 . The title “greatly beloved” occurs again ( Daniel 10:11 ; Daniel 10:19 ). It implies that Daniel was worthy of this proof of God’s love. St. Jerome compares ( 2Samuel 12:25 ) J…
jfbDaniel 9:23: "At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision."
- At the beginning of thy supplications, &c.—The promulgation of the divine decree was made in heaven to the angels as soon as Daniel began to pray.came forth—from the divine throne; so Da 9:22.thou art greatly beloved—literally, "a man of desires" (compare Eze 23:6, 12); the object of God's delight…
The angel's arrival and message are linked directly to the very beginning of Daniel's prayer, emphasizing that God’s response is immediate and that Daniel himself is deeply cherished, described as "greatly loved" or even "a man of desires." This highlights that even a moment's sincere seeking can trigger a profound divine engagement.
As Daniel begins to pray and confess his people's sins, an angelic messenger, Gabriel, is dispatched from heaven with a divine message. Gabriel assures Daniel that his prayer was heard immediately and that he is deeply loved by God. The angel is there to reveal a crucial prophecy concerning future events related to God's people and the coming Messiah, which Daniel must understand.
As Daniel begins to pray and confess his people's sins, an angelic messenger, Gabriel, is dispatched from heaven with a divine message. Gabriel assures Daniel that his prayer was heard immediately and that he is deeply loved by God. The angel is there to reveal a crucial prophecy concerning future events related to God's people and the coming Messiah, which Daniel must understand.
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c. 445 BC
Nehemiah's Mission to Rebuild Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah receives permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city walls, facing significant opposition from surrounding peoples.
c. 539 BC— this verse
Daniel's Prayer for Jerusalem
While in Babylon during the final years of the exile, Daniel prays fervently for the restoration of Jerusalem and its people, reflecting on Jeremiah's prophecy.
"At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision." — The angel's arrival and message are linked directly to the very beginning of Daniel's prayer, emphasizing that God’s response is immediate and that Daniel himself is deeply cherished, described as…
