To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Daniel takes "confusion of face"—a deep, gut-wrenching shame—and attributes it not just to himself or the people, but explicitly to kings, princes, and fathers. This isn't just about personal sin; it's acknowledging that even those in positions of leadership and authority have failed, bringing collective disgrace upon the entire nation before God. The verse shows repentance isn't just about admitting wrong, but about taking responsibility for the sins of all, from the highest to the lowest.
To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Daniel is deeply troubled by Jeremiah's prophecy that Jerusalem will lie in ruins for seventy years. He humbles himself before God, confessing his own sins and the sins of his people, acknowledging that their disobedience is the reason for their exile. This verse shows Daniel taking responsibility for the collective guilt, recognizing that shame belongs to their entire nation, from the lowest to the highest, because they have sinned against the Lord.
When we mess up, who's to blame? Daniel doesn't point fingers; he embraces a shared burden of guilt. Discover why this inclusive confession is so powerful.
Daniel's prayer is a powerful example of corporate confession. He says, 'to us belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers.' Notice how he includes everyone—from the highest leaders to the ancestors.
No Finger-Pointing Here
This isn't about scapegoating or assigning blame to a select few. Daniel recognizes that sin affects the entire community, and its consequences ripple through generations. When the nation sins, the shame belongs to all of them, not just the individuals who committed the act.
A Sign of True Repentance
This kind of all-encompassing confession is a hallmark of genuine repentance. Instead of justifying themselves or looking for excuses, penitents acknowledge their part in the collective failure. It’s about owning the brokenness that sin causes, both personally and communally. This humility opens the door for God's mercy.
What does it mean to have 'confusion of face'? It’s more than just embarrassment; it’s a profound sense of shame before God and the world.
The phrase 'confusion of face' (or 'open shame') is powerful. It’s the feeling of being exposed, disgraced, and utterly humbled. Daniel uses it here to express the deep sorrow and regret he feels over Israel's sin.
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Exposed and Ashamed
When we sin against God, we violate the perfect order and holiness He has established. The result is a loss of our rightful dignity and a recognition of our own wrongdoing. This 'confusion' isn't just a fleeting emotion; it's a realization of how far we've fallen short and the just shame that accompanies it.
Facing God's Righteousness
This confession directly contrasts with God's character. Daniel acknowledges God’s righteousness and mercy (which he’ll elaborate on in the next verses). Because God is righteous, sin should bring shame. True repentance involves seeing our sin clearly in light of God’s perfect standard and rightly feeling that shame.
Understand the original words
chata' · Hebrew Verb
Missing the mark of God’s law; a violation of God’s will, whether through intentional transgression, negligence, or an inability to achieve His standard.
Daniel's prayer reflects the deep shame and collective guilt of the entire nation, from kings to commoners, stemming from the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, a direct consequence of generations of sin.
Late 8th Century BC
Prophecies of Jeremiah
Jeremiah delivered prophecies warning of Judah's impending destruction and Babylonian exile due to persistent disobedience.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar's forces invade Judah, deporting members of the royal family and elite, including Daniel and his companions, to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Another wave of exiles, including the prophet Ezekiel, are taken to Babylon following a revolt by King Jehoiachin.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Babylonian forces destroy Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, marking the culmination of the warnings and the beginning of the main exile period for the majority of Judah's population.
c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon
The Babylonian empire falls to the Persians, a pivotal moment that would eventually lead to the decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem.
This passage reflects a similar theme of national sin leading to exile and shame, as Solomon confesses during the dedication of the Temple.
Nehemiah 9:2-3Nehemiah's prayer echoes Daniel's, with a profound confession of sin by the entire nation, including their leaders, and acknowledging their shame before God.
Jeremiah 14:20This verse from Jeremiah illustrates a prophet’s honest confession of national sin and acknowledging their deep shame and wickedness before God, resonating with Daniel’s prayer.
Romans 3:23Paul states that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,' a universal truth that underpins Daniel's confession that shame belongs to 'us,' including kings and princes.
1 Corinthians 11:31-32This passage speaks of judging ourselves so we will not be judged by the Lord, a principle that seems to be at play in Daniel’s earnest self-condemnation and confession of sin.
ellicottDaniel 9:8: "O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee."
(8) Confusion of face. —Repeated from Daniel 9:7 , so as to bring into stronger contrast the mercy of God ( Daniel 9:9 ) with the righteousness” mentioned in Daniel 9:7 . St. Jerome well remarks, “ Post sententiam judicantis provocat eum ad clementiam.” The absolute mercy and forgiveness of God is implied by the article in this verse, just as His absolu…
barnesDaniel 9:8: "O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee."
O Lord, to us belongeth confusion ... - To all of us; to the whole people, high and low, rich and poor, the rulers and the ruled. All had been partakers of the guilt; all were involved in the calamities consequent on the guilt. As all had sinned, the judgments had come upon all, and it was proper that the confession should be made in the name of all.
Daniel takes "confusion of face"—a deep, gut-wrenching shame—and attributes it not just to himself or the people, but explicitly to kings, princes, and fathers. This isn't just about personal sin; it's acknowledging that even those in positions of leadership and authority have failed, bringing collective disgrace upon the entire nation before God. The verse shows repentance isn't just about admitting wrong, but about taking responsibility for the sins of all, from the highest to the lowest.
Daniel is deeply troubled by Jeremiah's prophecy that Jerusalem will lie in ruins for seventy years. He humbles himself before God, confessing his own sins and the sins of his people, acknowledging that their disobedience is the reason for their exile. This verse shows Daniel taking responsibility for the collective guilt, recognizing that shame belongs to their entire nation, from the lowest to the highest, because they have sinned against the Lord.
Daniel is deeply troubled by Jeremiah's prophecy that Jerusalem will lie in ruins for seventy years. He humbles himself before God, confessing his own sins and the sins of his people, acknowledging that their disobedience is the reason for their exile. This verse shows Daniel taking responsibility for the collective guilt, recognizing that shame belongs to their entire nation, from the lowest to the highest, because they have sinned against the Lord.
"To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you." — Daniel takes "confusion of face"—a deep, gut-wrenching shame—and attributes it not just to himself or the people, but explicitly to kings, princes, and fathers. This isn't just about personal sin; it…
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Last reviewed October 2026