Book of Daniel - Chapter 9 - Verse 5
Meaning
The verse 'We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:' reflects a powerful confession of wrongdoing and rebellion against God's commandments. The words used in this verse carry different shades of meaning - 'sinned' refers to falling short of God's standards, 'committed iniquity' points to behaving unjustly or wickedly, 'done wickedly' signifies acting in a morally wrong way, and 'rebelled' shows a deliberate defiance of God's authority. By acknowledging these sins, the speaker recognizes their disobedience and acknowledges the need for repentance and forgiveness. The verse emphasizes the importance of staying true to God's precepts and judgments, highlighting the consequences of straying from His ways. It serves as a reminder for believers to reflect on their actions, seek forgiveness, and realign themselves with God's teachings.
Theological Overview
When examining the theological interpretation of this verse, it is important to note the progression of sin described by the author. The verse begins with acknowledging sin in a general sense, 'We have sinned,' which is followed by a deeper level of wrongdoing with the mention of 'committing iniquity.' The addition of 'done wickedly' intensifies the severity of the transgressions, emphasizing the deliberate and immoral nature of the actions. The verse culminates with the confession of rebellion against God by departing from His precepts and judgments.
Through this verse, the author highlights the multifaceted nature of sin and its progression from a mere mistake to intentional wrongdoing and ultimately to outright rebellion against God. The acknowledgment of sin in its various forms serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and turning back to God's ways. The word studies surrounding 'sin,' 'iniquity,' 'wickedly,' and 'rebelled' provide deeper insights into the gravity of human transgressions and the importance of seeking forgiveness and restoration in God's precepts and judgments.