Daniel 9:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Daniel alludes to this same event when he remarks on the calamity that has befallen us, one that has never been seen under heaven and which befell Jerusalem. What was this dire affliction? Mothers resorted to consuming their own children. Moses predicted this tragic outcome, while Jeremiah speaks as if it had already occurred. Moses declared, “The woman who is delicate and luxurious among you, who never set her foot on the ground because of her delicateness and luxury, will secretly eat her own children” (Deuteronomy 28:56-57). Jeremiah, illustrating that this indeed took place, stated, “The hands of compassionate women cooked their own children” (Lamentations 4:10).

He caused the words He spoke against us, along with the judgments made by our rulers, to result in significant suffering for us. The Prophet highlights the severity of this suffering: There is no one on the earth, according to those who resided in Jerusalem. Daniel also remarks that he cannot find a parallel to our misfortunes. He then affirms that the Divine prophecy is indeed true and follows with: