Daniel 9:2 Meaning and Explanation
“In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Reading Jeremiah's prophecy, Daniel realizes the seventy years appointed for Jerusalem's desolation are nearly complete.
What Does Daniel 9:2 Mean?
Daniel is studying Scripture, specifically Jeremiah's promise that the exile would last seventy years. The written word of an earlier prophet becomes the seed of Daniel's own prayer; he searches the books and counts the years.
Here is a portrait of a man who lets Scripture shape his hope and his prayers. God's word is not a dead letter but a living timetable that Daniel takes to heart. When we read the promises of God expecting them to be kept, our study turns naturally into intercession, and our reading becomes the beginning of our praying.
Daniel 9:2 in the Original Language
shanim (שָׁנִים), 'years' -- the literal count of years Daniel weighs against Jeremiah's seventy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel 9:2
What does Daniel 9:2 mean?
Reading Jeremiah's prophecy, Daniel realizes the seventy years appointed for Jerusalem's desolation are nearly complete.