The Seventy Weeks Prophecy
Daniel 9:20-27
Dan.9.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועוד: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- ומתפלל: VERB,hitpael,ptcp,0,m,sg
- ומתודה: CONJ+VERB,hiph,inf
- חטאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- וחטאת: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומפיל: VERB,hiph,ptc,1,m,sg
- תחנתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- על: PREP
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
Parallels
- Nehemiah 1:4-6 (thematic): Nehemiah immediately responds to news of Jerusalem by fasting, praying and confessing the sins of Israel on behalf of himself and the people—closely paralleling Daniel’s communal confession and plea for mercy.
- Ezra 9:5-15 (verbal): Ezra stands, tears his garment and confesses Israel’s sins aloud, expressing shame and interceding for the people—mirroring Daniel’s penitential tone and communal confession.
- Psalm 106:6 (thematic): The psalmist confesses, “We have sinned with our fathers; we have committed iniquity,” a concise communal admission of guilt that echoes Daniel’s confession of his own and Israel’s sin.
- 2 Chronicles 6:36-39 (structural): Solomon’s dedication prayer anticipates and prescribes confession and appeal for forgiveness if Israel sins and is taken into exile—structurally similar to Daniel’s penitential prayer linked to the theme of exile and restoration.
Alternative generated candidates
- While I was still speaking in prayer, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God,
- While I was still speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and laying my plea before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God,
Dan.9.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועוד: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- בתפלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והאיש: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- גבריאל: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ראיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- בחזון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בתחלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מעף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביעף: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נגע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- כעת: ADV
- מנחת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ערב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Daniel 8:16-17 (allusion): Daniel 9:21 refers to “the man Gabriel whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning,” alluding to Gabriel’s earlier appearance in Daniel 8 where Gabriel is named and tasked to explain the vision.
- Daniel 10:10-11 (verbal): Like 9:21, Daniel 10 describes an angelic being touching Daniel and speaking words of strength and explanation—similar language and function (touching, strengthening, delivering revelation).
- Luke 1:10-13 (thematic): Zechariah is visited by Gabriel while the people are praying at the hour of incense (parallel to Daniel’s angelic visitation at the time of the evening offering), linking timing and the angel Gabriel’s role in announcing revelation.
- Luke 1:26-38 (thematic): Gabriel’s direct annunciatory role to Mary parallels Gabriel’s role in Daniel as a heavenly messenger who appears to communicate divine revelation and instruction.
Alternative generated candidates
- while I was still speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen previously in the vision, came flying swiftly and touched me about the time of the evening offering.
- while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came flying swiftly and touched me at the time of the evening offering.
Dan.9.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דניאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עתה: ADV
- יצאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- להשכילך: VERB,hiphil,inf,2,m,sg
- בינה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Dan.9.21 (structural): Immediate narrative context: identifies the visitor (Gabriel) who arrived while Daniel prayed, leading directly into the words of 9:22 where he speaks to give Daniel understanding.
- Dan.8.16 (verbal): Gabriel is commanded to explain a vision to Daniel—language of causing Daniel to 'understand' closely parallels the gift of 'understanding' in 9:22.
- Dan.10.11 (verbal): An angelic address to Daniel beginning with 'O Daniel' and urging him to 'understand' the message; mirrors the direct, explanatory role of the angel in 9:22.
- Dan.12.8-9 (thematic): Daniel's difficulty comprehending visions and the angel's response that the words are closed/sealed until the end contrasts with 9:22's moment of imparted insight, highlighting the theme of limited/appointed revelation.
Alternative generated candidates
- He instructed and spoke with me and said, “Daniel, now I have come forth to give you insight and understanding.”
- He instructed me and spoke with me and said, "Daniel, now I have come out to give you insight and understanding.
Dan.9.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בתחלת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- תחנוניך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,2,m,sg
- יצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- באתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- להגיד: INF,hiph
- כי: CONJ
- חמודות: ADJ,f,pl
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- בדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והבן: CONJ+VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- במראה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Dan.8.16 (structural): An angelic messenger (Gabriel) is sent to Daniel to explain a vision—parallels the arrival of a heavenly figure who comes to tell and interpret Daniel’s vision.
- Dan.10.11 (verbal): The angel addresses Daniel as a ‘man greatly beloved’ and commands him to understand the words—echoes the phraseology and the call to ‘understand’ found in 9:23.
- Luke 1:13-19 (allusion): Gabriel appears in response to prayer (to Zechariah), identifies himself and announces he was sent to bring a message—mirrors the motif of an angelic envoy coming to convey divine revelation because of prayer.
- Acts 10:4 (thematic): An angel tells Cornelius that his prayers (and alms) have been heard and gives divine instruction—similar theme of prayer prompting an immediate heavenly word to instruct the petitioner.
- Hab.2:2 (thematic): The prophet is told to ‘write the vision’ and make it plain so it may be understood—parallels Daniel’s charge to ‘consider the matter, and understand the vision.’
Alternative generated candidates
- At the beginning of your supplications the word went out; and I have come to tell you, for you are precious. Therefore give heed to the matter and understand the vision.
- At the beginning of your pleas the word went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are precious; therefore attend to the matter and understand the vision.
Dan.9.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שבעים: NUM,card,m,pl
- שבעים: NUM,card,m,pl
- נחתך: VERB,nip,perf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- עיר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- קדשך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,ms
- לכלא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הפשע: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ולהתם: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- חטאת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולכפר: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- עון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולהביא: VERB,qal,inf
- צדק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עלמים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולחתם: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- חזון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונביא: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולמשח: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- קדשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 25:11-12 (thematic): Speaks of a seventy‑year period of judgment and exile for Jerusalem—background for Daniel’s ‘seventy weeks’ as a divinely appointed time to accomplish restoration and judgment.
- 2 Chronicles 36:21 (thematic): Explains the exile lasting seventy years so that the land would rest; echoes the idea of a divinely ordained period tied to Jerusalem’s fate, parallel to Daniel’s temporal framework.
- Isaiah 61:1-3 (thematic): Describes an anointed agent bringing good news, comforting, and establishing righteousness—parallels Daniel’s purposes: atonement, everlasting righteousness, and anointing the holy.
- Zechariah 6:12-13 (allusion): Speaks of a ‘Branch’ who will build the temple, rule and be priestly—parallels Daniel’s language of anointing 'the Most Holy' and messianic/temple restoration expectations.
- Isaiah 8:16 (verbal): Uses the imagery of binding up and sealing testimony/vision—parallels Daniel’s phrase ‘to seal up vision and prophet,’ both addressing authoritative closure or preservation of prophetic revelation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Seventy 'sevens' (weeks) are decreed for your people and for your holy city: to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophet, and to anoint the Most Holy.
- Seventy sevens are decreed for your people and for your holy city: to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.
Dan.9.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותדע: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ותשכל: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- מצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להשיב: VERB,qal,inf
- ולבנות: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- משיח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נגיד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבעים: NUM,card,m,pl
- שבעה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושבעים: CONJ+NUM,card,pl,abs
- ששים: NUM,card
- ושנים: CONJ+NUM,m,pl,abs
- תשוב: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- ונבנתה: VERB,niphal,impf,3,fs,sg
- רחוב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וחרוץ: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובצוק: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העתים: DET+NOUN,f,pl,def
Parallels
- Dan.9.24 (structural): Immediate context that defines the purpose and scope of the 'seventy weeks'—to finish transgression, make atonement, and anoint the Holy of Holies—framing v.25's chronology and building motif.
- Jer.29.10 (thematic): Jeremiah's prophecy of 'seventy years' exile provides the canonical background for Daniel's use of a 70-period timetable for Jerusalem's restoration.
- Neh.2.17-18 (thematic): Nehemiah's account of proclaiming and carrying out the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall and streets parallels the promise that 'the street and the wall shall be built again.'
- Isa.45.1 (verbal): Cyrus is called 'anointed' (Heb. mashiach) in Isaiah—a verbal link to Daniel's term 'messiah' (mashiach) and to the idea of a divinely appointed agent for restoration.
- Dan.7.13-14 (allusion): Daniel's vision of 'one like a son of man' given eternal dominion provides the messianic background for the title 'messiah the prince' in 9:25.
Alternative generated candidates
- Know therefore and discern: from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until an anointed prince there shall be seven 'sevens' and sixty-two 'sevens.' The city shall be rebuilt, with streets and plaza and fortifications, even in troublous times.
- Know therefore and understand: from the going forth of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the Prince, there shall be seven sevens and sixty-two sevens; the street shall be rebuilt and the wall, even in troublous times.
Dan.9.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואחרי: CONJ
- השבעים: NUM,m,pl,def
- ששים: NUM,card
- ושנים: CONJ+NUM,m,pl,abs
- יכרת: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- משיח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- והעיר: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,def
- והקדש: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ישחית: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- נגיד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הבא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וקצו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- בשטף: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- קץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נחרצת: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- שממות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Daniel 9:25 (structural): Immediate context and timeline: verse 25 sets the seventy-weeks chronology that culminates in 9:26's statement that the Anointed One will be cut off after the sixty‑two weeks.
- Isaiah 53:8 (verbal): Shares the striking image of the suffering figure being 'cut off' or removed from life—Isaiah's 'cut off from the land of the living' parallels Daniel's 'the Anointed One shall be cut off.'
- Daniel 7:25–26 (thematic): Both passages speak of a hostile power persecuting God's people and an appointed end/judgment—Daniel 7 describes the little horn's oppression until the Ancient of Days delivers judgment, echoing 9:26's destruction and final ending.
- Zechariah 13:7 (allusion): 'Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered' echoes the motif of the leader (shepherd/anointed) being struck and the people being left vulnerable—paralleling the Anointed One being cut off and the city/sanctuary destroyed.
- Luke 21:20–24 (thematic): Jesus' prophecy of Jerusalem's siege and destruction by invading forces parallels Daniel 9:26's prediction that 'the people of the prince who is to come' will destroy the city and sanctuary and that this leads to a time of desolation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And after the sixty-two 'sevens' the anointed one shall be cut off and have nothing. And the people of a coming prince shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war—desolations determined.
- And after the sixty-two sevens the Anointed One shall be cut off and shall have nothing. The people of the coming prince shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; its end will come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war; desolations are decreed.
Dan.9.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והגביר: CONJ,VERB,hiphil,impf,3,m,sg
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לרבים: PREP+ADJ,m,pl
- שבוע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- וחצי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השבוע: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ישבית: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,sg
- זבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומנחה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- כנף: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שקוצים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- משמם: VERB,piel,ptc,ms,sg
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- כלה: ADV
- ונחרצה: VERB,niphal,perf,3,f,sg
- תתך: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- על: PREP
- שמם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3mp
Parallels
- Daniel 8:11-14 (verbal): Uses the same motifs and language: the removal of the daily/regular sacrifice and the setting up of a sacrilegious ‘abomination,’ with a related time frame for cleansing of the sanctuary.
- Daniel 11:31 (verbal): Closely parallels the wording about taking away the daily sacrifice and setting up the ‘abomination that causes desolation’ in the sanctuary.
- Daniel 12:11 (structural): Reiterates the sequence and provides a chronological calculation ‘from the time the daily sacrifice is taken away and the abomination is set up,’ connecting the cessation of worship with a measured period.
- Matthew 24:15 (quotation): Jesus explicitly cites the ‘abomination of desolation’ from Daniel as a prophetic sign, applying Daniel’s language to future/eschatological warning.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (thematic): Describes a figure who opposes God and usurps divine worship in the temple, thematically paralleling the cessation of true sacrifice and the profanation of sacred space.
Alternative generated candidates
- He shall confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven' (week); and in the middle of the 'seven' he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.
- He will confirm a covenant with many for one week. In the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering; and on a wing of abominations will come the desolator, even until the decreed end; and what is poured out on the desolator will be poured out.
While I was still speaking in prayer—confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and laying my plea before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God—
while I was still speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen previously in a vision, came flying swiftly and touched me at the time of the evening offering.
He instructed and spoke with me, and said, “Daniel, now I have come forth to give you skill and understanding.
At the first of your pleas the word went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are beloved; therefore consider the matter and understand the vision.
Seventy sevens are decreed for your people and for your holy city: to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy place.
Know therefore and understand: from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the coming of an anointed prince there shall be seven sevens and sixty-two sevens. And the city and the sanctuary will be rebuilt, with streets and moat, though in troubled times. And after the sixty-two sevens the anointed one shall be cut off and have nothing. And the people of the coming prince shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war—desolations decreed.
He shall confirm a covenant with many for one seven. In the middle of the seven he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering; and on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out upon the desolator.”