Dan. 9:20 And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;
Dan. 9:21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
This verse implies that Daniel’s prayer of intercession was audible. The Hebrew for the word “confessing” was very interesting: “to use (i.e. hold out) the hand…especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands)…praise, …(give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).” It is indicative of sincerity, humility, intensity of emotion, worship, praise and thanksgiving. That’s a sermon in and of itself.
Sometimes we have to wait patiently for God to answer our prayers, and sometimes they come quickly. How often does the answer come while we are praying? Daniel recognizes the messenger from God; it is again Gabriel who is sent to explain things to Daniel. Gabriel arrives about the time of the evening sacrifice.
Dan. 9:22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
Dan. 9:23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
Gabriel is sent to give further understanding and discernment to Daniel. Gabriel lets Daniel know that the moment he started to pray, he was commanded to go and explain things to Daniel. Why? Because he is “greatly beloved.” The Hebrew for that phrase implies “delight:—desire, goodly, pleasant, precious, beauty, greatly beloved.” Oh to fulfill God’s pleasure in such a great way. According to John in the Revelation, that is the purpose for our creation.
Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Many a time has my prayer been to be known as the friend of God like Abraham, as a woman after God’s own heart like David, and greatly beloved liked Daniel.
Dan. 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Seventy “weeks” = literal, sevened, i.e. a week (specifically, of years)
Adam Clarke states, “The Jews had Sabbatic years by which their years were divided into weeks of years, as in this important prophecy, each week containing seven years.”
Therefore, we are speaking of 70 weeks of years, or 490 years (70 x 7 = 490). This timeframe of 490 years has been “decreed” (determined by God, Who is in control) regarding the Jews and Jerusalem.
It should be noted that this timeframe is the same as what would have included the 70 sabbaths that were referenced at the beginning of the chapter. The land was to be rested (given a sabbath) every seven years. The 70 missed sabbaths occurred over a period of 490 years—directly corresponding to the 490 years that make up the 70 weeks.
The purpose of this timeframe:
- “to finish the transgression” – After studying the Hebrew, it seems to mean to bring an end to their rebellion to authority. Since this is God’s decree, it would stand to reason that He is referencing their rebellion and disobedience to Him.
- “to make an end of sins” – This is referencing the fact that all Israel will be saved and living under the new covenant referenced in Jeremiah 31:33-34.
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Once the earthly kingdom of Messiah is established, every Jewish person will follow the LORD in obedience. Every Jewish child born during that time will place their faith in the Savior and recognize Him as LORD. This is the truth Paul was teaching in Romans.
- “to make reconciliation for iniquity” – This is talking about atonement for sin, which would include the death, burial and resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus, the Son of God.
- “to bring in everlasting righteousness” – Although it is hard to imagine, this is referencing a time when righteousness, justice, and morality will be the norm for time without end in Israel.
- “to seal up vision and prophecy” – This is a reference to the fact that there will no longer be a need for visions, revelations, oracles, or prophecy through inspired men. Why? Jesus will be present on the throne.
- “to anoint the most Holy” – In the Hebrew the word for “most” and “Holy” are the same: qodesh, ko´-desh…a sacred place or thing…consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness…saint, sanctuary.
This would seem to allow for both the anointing of Jesus as King and the anointing of the new temple in Jerusalem from which He will reign as detailed by the prophet Ezekiel.
Note from John McArthur: The term “most holy” is used 39 times in the Old Testament in reference to the Holy of Holies.
It is important to emphasize that the purpose for the seventy weeks is directed toward the Jewish people and Jerusalem (representative of the nation as a whole).
Dan. 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
One definition of the word “score” is “the number 20.”
Gabriel now gives Daniel some specific time references. From the time of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem and the coming of Messiah will be 69 weeks or 483 years—seven weeks (7 x 7 = 49 years) + 62 weeks (3 x 20 = 60 + 2 = 62 x 7 = 434 years) (49 + 434 = 483 years or 173,880 days).
Nehemiah 2:1-8 describes the decree signed by Artaxerxes that authorized the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem, including the walls. Note from Jon Courson: March 14, 445 BC.
Sir Robert Anderson, in his book The Coming Prince, goes into great detail regarding the timing of the 69 weeks. I have read other authors who have some discrepancies with his calculations, but who basically agree—and the facts are quite convincing to me. I am sure that whatever discrepancies may exist among scholars will disappear when we are finally able to look back from God’s viewpoint.
Based on these calculations, they declare that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey presenting Himself publicly as their King exactly 483 years to the day after the decree referenced in this verse (April 6, 32 AD). Note: These calculations are based on years of 360 days as used by the Jewish people.
I think it is because this timing should have been recognized by the spiritual leaders of Jesus’ day that He chastised them for not recognizing Him as the Messiah.
Matthew 16:1–3 “The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?”
Luke 19:38–42 “Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.”
The first seven weeks or 49 years marks the time that it took for the people to rebuild the temple and the walls of Jerusalem after returning from the Babylonian captivity. First important marker—rebuilding the temple and the walls; second important marker—the coming and sacrifice of the Messiah. At the end of the 70th week will be the establishment of the Messiah’s Kingdom.
History proves that this is another one of those prophecies that includes a gap of time that connects parts of the prophecy (e.g., Isaiah 61, see note at 11:36). At this point in time, the gap has extended to almost 2000 years.
Dan. 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
After this 483-year period, Messiah will be cut off (destroyed, consumed, perish). Why? Not because of any wrongdoing on His part—because of my sin, our sin.
Still in the timeframe of “after” (already this indicates a gap of time before the 70th week)—The people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. We have to continue to remember that the 70 weeks are pertaining to the Jews and Jerusalem. This is referencing a destruction of Jerusalem and the sanctuary, the temple. History tells us that Titus and his legions, as commanded by Rome, destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD. The angel is speaking to Daniel of a “coming prince” from the area of the Roman Empire that existed in 70 AD. As we study, we need to remember that this is not the only dream Daniel has had concerning future rulers. He was very disturbed by a dream he had in chapter 7 which references a ruler (horn) to come from the fourth beast/kingdom/empire. It would make sense to connect this coming prince with the little horn of Daniel 7:8.
In Daniel 8:23-25 we are informed that the Antichrist will be from the Greek part of the empire that was conquered by Rome. Antiochus Epiphanes, a type of Antichrist, further points to the area encompassed by his kingdom of Syria.
“and the end thereof…are determined” – This phrasing leaves room for a little more discussion. Is it still descriptive of the destruction of 70 AD or is it a more general reference to the intervening years before Jesus comes again. It was interesting to note that the word for desolations included “to stun, devastate, stupefy, astonish, destroy, waste, wonder.” In Matthew 24 Jesus talks of wars and rumors of wars, great tribulation, and wonders that would deceive the very elect if that were possible before He returns as King. I tend to think that this is a general reference to events that occur before the end of the 70th week.
I just noticed the reference to the end of “the war.” What war? The war of good vs. evil, Satan vs. God, the war for the governing authority abdicated by man to Satan that will be reestablished through the return of the man Jesus Christ as King of kings.
Dan. 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
“he” = the prince that shall come
“one week” = the 70th week (the last 7 years of the 490)
“confirm” = to be strong; by implication, to prevail…confirm…strengthen…..
Webster: to establish…to render valid by formal assent
The coming prince is evidently going to either confirm a new or strengthen an existing covenant with “many” for one week, or seven years. Again, we have to remember that the 70 weeks is decreed for the Jews and Jerusalem. In the middle of that week, or after 3.5 years (or 42 months or 1260 days or a time, times and half a time—all based on a 360 day year), the prince will put an end to sacrifice and oblation. This is a direct reference to the sacrifices and offerings to God that were made at the temple in Jerusalem. Therefore, “many” must at least include Jewish leaders. This also implies the existence of a temple and the practice of sacrificial worship in Jerusalem during the times being referenced.
“for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate” – This is the reference made by Jesus in Matthew.
Matthew 24:15 “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)….”
It is also what is being referenced by Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians.
2 Thessalonians 2:4 “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
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