Daniel 9:2
In the first yeere of his reigne, I Daniel vnderstood by bookes the number of the yeeres, whereof the word of the Lord came to Ieremiah the Prophet, that he would accomplish seuentie yeeres in the desolations of Ierusalem. Daniel 9:2 (KJV)
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. This verse takes us to the time when Daniel, a prophet of God, is reflecting on the prophecies given by Jeremiah regarding the duration of the desolations of Jerusalem. Let us break it down and explore its significance in context.
Historical Context: The phrase “the first year of his reign” refers to the first year of Darius the Mede, who succeeded Belshazzar and the Babylonian Empire. At that time Daniel was living in captivity in Babylon, yet he was able to study the Scriptures and the prophetic writings that had been handed down.
Daniel’s Understanding: Daniel indicates that he gained his insight from books, likely the writings of Jeremiah. Jeremiah had previously foretold a specific period for the desolation of Jerusalem, and his prophecies are recorded in Jeremiah 25:11‑12 and Jeremiah 29:10. Daniel’s study of these texts enabled him to calculate the length of the exile.
The Prophecy of Seventy Years: Through Jeremiah’s prophecy Daniel learned that the desolation would last seventy years. The exile is traditionally dated from the first major siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC (with the final destruction in 586 BC) and concluded with the edict of Cyrus the Persian in 538 BC that permitted the Jews to return, leading to the rebuilding of the temple by 516 BC (see 2 Chronicles 36:20‑23). This period corresponded to the Babylonian captivity.
Importance of the Prophecy: For Daniel and the Israelites in Babylonian captivity the prophecy offered hope and assurance that their exile would not be permanent. It showed that God had not abandoned His people and that He had a definite plan for their restoration and return to the promised land. The eventual fulfillment of the prophecy, with the return from captivity, demonstrated God’s faithfulness and the reliability of His Word.
In summary, Daniel 9:2 highlights Daniel’s careful study of Jeremiah’s prophetic writings concerning the seventy‑year desolation of Jerusalem. It underscores the faithfulness of God in keeping His promises and the hope this provided to Daniel and the exiled Israelites during their time of suffering.
