Verse Summary

In this verse, Daniel is fervently praying and confessing his personal sins, as well as those of Israel. He approaches God with a spirit of humility and supplication, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one’s transgressions in seeking divine favor, particularly centered around the holy mountain, likely referring to Jerusalem and the temple.

Commentary Insights

• Matthew Henry: He highlights the earnestness of Daniel's prayer, indicating that true prayer involves confession and acknowledgment of one's failures. Henry emphasizes that Daniel's prayer reflects the corporate guilt of Israel, showing a model of how to approach God with humility.
• Albert Barnes: Barnes notes that Daniel was not just praying for himself but for his people, showing the significance of intercession. He stresses that the prayer includes specific themes of confession, repentance, and a plea for mercy, resonating with the biblical notion of corporate responsibility.
• Adam Clarke: Clarke underlines the urgency in Daniel’s prayer, indicating that his supplication was not a mere formality but a sincere cry for mercy amid dire circumstances. He discusses the theological implications of "presenting supplication" before God, linking it to the broader theme of seeking divine intervention for national transgressions.

Related Bible Cross References

• 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - This verse emphasizes the promise of forgiveness upon confession, paralleling Daniel's act of confession.
• 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” - This verse reflects the call to repentance similar to Daniel's community-focused prayer.
• Psalms 51:1-2: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.” - King David illustrates a similar plea for mercy and cleansing of sins.
• Nehemiah 1:6: “Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants...” - Demonstrates the act of interceding for the people, resonating with Daniel's prayer.
• Romans 10:1: “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” - This New Testament perspective captures the essence of pleading for a community's spiritual restoration.
• James 5:16: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed...” - This verse reinforces the communal aspect of confession and prayer, paralleling Daniel's plea.
• Luke 18:13: “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” - Highlights the humility present in Daniel's confession, and the theme of seeking mercy.

Connections Between Bible Verses

This verse can be part of a broader discussion on the importance of repentance and prayer throughout Scripture. The thematic connections include:

• Corporate Confession: Throughout the Bible, there are numerous instances where community sins are confessed, such as in Ezra 10:1 and Leviticus 16:21, aligning with the themes present in Daniel 9:20.
• Patterns of Supplication: Examples like Esther 4:16 and Jonah 3:5-9 show communities united in prayer similar to Daniel's focused supplication.
• Divine Mercy: Texts like Micah 7:18-19 discuss God's nature as being merciful and willing to forgive upon sincere repentance, mirroring Daniel’s approach.

Thematic Bible Verse Connections

Daniel's plea encompasses several significant themes present in other biblical texts:

• Repentance: Acts 3:19 emphasizes turning away from sins for a refreshing from God.
• God's Faithfulness: Lamentations 3:22-23 speaks to the Lord's mercies that are new every morning, complementing Daniel's hope for restoration.
• Intercession: Romans 8:34 illustrates Christ as our intercessor, akin to Daniel standing in the gap for his people.

Conclusion

Daniel 9:20 serves as a powerful reminder of the necessity for humility, confession, and intercession in prayer life. By understanding this verse in conjunction with other scripture, believers can deepen their knowledge of the themes of sin, redemption, and supplication woven throughout the Bible.

Resources for Cross-Referencing

For those interested in further study, tools for Bible cross-referencing can greatly enhance understanding:

• Bible concordance
• Bible cross-reference guide
• Comprehensive Bible cross-reference materials
• Cross-reference Bible study methods

Utilizing a Bible reference resource can provide insights into how to find cross-references in the Bible effectively.