Daniel isn't just listing groups of people; he’s framing their collective shame. By starting with "the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem," he highlights the core of the nation, before expanding to "all Israel," encompassing both those near and far, to show that this disgrace touches everyone, regardless of their location.
To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Daniel, deeply troubled by the prophecies of Jeremiah, is praying and confessing the sins of his people. He acknowledges that Israel's ongoing exile and the desolation of Jerusalem are entirely just consequences of their repeated betrayals of God. This heartfelt prayer sets the stage for the angel Gabriel's appearance and his revelation of the seventy-week prophecy concerning the Messiah.
When disaster strikes, it's easy to question God's fairness. But Daniel starts his prayer by declaring something fundamental about God's character.
Daniel's prayer isn't a complaint session; it's a profound act of worship. He begins by asserting, 'To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness.' This isn't just an observation; it's an anchoring truth.
God's Perfect Character
This declaration sets the stage for genuine repentance. It acknowledges that no matter how bad things seem, God's character remains perfectly good and just.
Daniel doesn't just acknowledge God's righteousness; he boldly contrasts it with the deep shame of his people. This isn't a light matter.
The phrase 'confusion of faces' paints a vivid picture. It's the gut-wrenching feeling of being exposed in your sin and shame, unable to look anyone in the eye.
Acknowledging Collective Guilt
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This universal scope highlights that sin has far-reaching consequences, affecting the whole community and demanding a communal acknowledgment of fault.
Understand the original words
tsedaqah · Hebrew Noun
The supreme attribute of God, representing His moral perfection, standard of justice, and faithfulness to His covenant promises.
bosheth · Hebrew Noun
A state of deep humiliation and dishonor before God, resulting from disobedience and the breach of covenant.
ma'al · Hebrew Noun
Unfaithfulness or betrayal, specifically breaking covenantal trust with God through apostasy or religious infidelity.
Daniel is praying in Babylon during the exile, reflecting on the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple as a consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness. He acknowledges God's righteousness in the judgment, and the deep shame experienced by all Israelites, whether they remained in Judah or were scattered further abroad by earlier exiles.
c. 722 BC
Assyrian Captivity of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting a significant portion of its population and scattering them throughout the empire.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports King Jehoiachin of Judah, members of the royal family, and many skilled workers to Babylon, following a Judean revolt.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's forces destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining population (except for a few left to tend the land) to Babylon.
c. 550 BC
Rise of the Persian Empire
Cyrus the Great begins his conquests, establishing the Persian Empire which will soon conquer Babylon.
539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, incorporating its empire into the vast Persian realm.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus and Jewish Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. Many return, but some remain in exile.
This passage parallels Daniel's confession by describing how Israel's iniquities, if not confessed, would lead to their punishment, and God's remembrance of His covenant would bring them back to confession and acceptance.
Nehemiah 9:1-3This chapter recounts a similar prayer of confession where the people acknowledge God's righteousness and their own shame, detailing their history of rebellion and God's faithfulness, mirroring Daniel's sentiment.
Psalm 51:4David's penitential psalm echoes Daniel's confession by stating, 'Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,' highlighting that sin is ultimately against God, who is righteous and just.
Jeremiah 14:20This verse from Jeremiah, a prophet who ministered during the lead-up to the exile, has striking linguistic similarities and a shared theme of confessing sin and acknowledging God's righteousness in the face of judgment.
barnesDaniel 9:7: "O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee."
O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee - Margin, "or, thou hast." The Hebrew is, "to thee is righteousness, to us shame, etc." The state of mind in him…
jfbDaniel 9:7: "O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee."
- confusion of faces, as at this day—Shame at our guilt, betrayed in our countenance, is what belongs to us; as our punishment "at this day" attests.near,…
Daniel isn't just listing groups of people; he’s framing their collective shame. By starting with "the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem," he highlights the core of the nation, before expanding to "all Israel," encompassing both those near and far, to show that this disgrace touches everyone, regardless of their location.
Daniel, deeply troubled by the prophecies of Jeremiah, is praying and confessing the sins of his people. He acknowledges that Israel's ongoing exile and the desolation of Jerusalem are entirely just consequences of their repeated betrayals of God. This heartfelt prayer sets the stage for the angel Gabriel's appearance and his revelation of the seventy-week prophecy concerning the Messiah.
Daniel, deeply troubled by the prophecies of Jeremiah, is praying and confessing the sins of his people. He acknowledges that Israel's ongoing exile and the desolation of Jerusalem are entirely just consequences of their repeated betrayals of God. This heartfelt prayer sets the stage for the angel Gabriel's appearance and his revelation of the seventy-week prophecy concerning the Messiah.
"To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven…" — Daniel isn't just listing groups of people; he’s framing their collective shame. By starting with "the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem," he highlights the core of the nation, before…
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Last reviewed October 2026
