Daniel Chapter 9

Daniel's Prayer for his People

1In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; 2In 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. 3And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: 4And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; 5We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: 6Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

7O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. 8O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. 9To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; 10Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. 12And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. 13As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. 14Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.

15And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. 17Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. 18O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. 19O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

Gabriel's Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks

20And 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; 21Yea, 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. 22And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. 23At 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.

24Seventy 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. 25Know 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. 26And 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. 27And 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.

Daniel’s Prayer for His People

1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans, 2 in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years about which the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah the prophet, for the accomplishing of the desolations of Jerusalem, even seventy years. 3 I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and petitions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4 I prayed to Yahweh my God, and made confession, and said, Oh, Lord, the great and dreadful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned, and have dealt perversely, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even turning aside from your precepts and from your ordinances; 6 neither have we listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

7 Lord, righteousness belongs to you, but to us confusion of face, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, who are near, and who are far off, through all the countries where you have driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against you. 8 Lord, to us belongs confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness; for we have rebelled against him; 10 neither have we obeyed the voice of Yahweh our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 Yes, all Israel have transgressed your law, turning aside, that they should not obey your voice: therefore the curse and the oath written in the law of Moses the servant of God has been poured out on us; for we have sinned against him. 12 He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us, and against our judges who judged us, by bringing on us a great evil; for under the whole sky, such has not been done as has been done to Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil has come on us: yet have we not entreated the favor of Yahweh our God, that we should turn from our iniquities, and have discernment in your truth. 14 Therefore has Yahweh watched over the evil, and brought it on us; for Yahweh our God is righteous in all his works which he does, and we have not obeyed his voice.

15 Now, Lord our God, who has brought your people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have gotten yourself renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16 Lord, according to all your righteousness, let your anger and please let your wrath be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a reproach to all who are around us. 17 Now therefore, our God, listen to the prayer of your servant, and to his petitions, and cause your face to shine on your sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake. 18 My God, turn your ear, and hear; open your eyes, and see our desolations, and the city which is called by your name: for we do not present our petitions before you for our righteousness, but for your great mercies’ sake. 19 Lord, hear; Lord, forgive; Lord, listen and do; don’t defer, for your own sake, my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.

Gabriel’s Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks

20 While I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before Yahweh my God for the holy mountain of my God; 21 yes, while I was speaking in prayer, 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 offering. 22 He instructed me, and talked with me, and said, Daniel, I am now come forth to give you wisdom and understanding. 23 At the beginning of your petitions the commandment went forth, and I have come to tell you; for you are greatly beloved: therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision.

24 Seventy weeks are decreed on your people and on your holy city, to finish disobedience, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy. 25 Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem to the Anointed One, the prince, shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks: it shall be built again, with street and moat, even in troubled times. 26 After the sixty-two weeks the Anointed One shall be cut off, and shall have nothing: and the people of the prince who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and its end shall be with a flood, and even to the end shall be war; desolations are determined. 27 He shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease; and on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out on the desolate.

Daniel’s Prayer for His People

1 In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes, a a Mede by descent, who was made ruler over the kingdom of the Chaldeans b — 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the sacred books, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. c 3 So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

4 And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion d to those who love Him and keep His commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have acted wickedly and rebelled. We have turned away from Your commandments and ordinances. 6 We have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, leaders, and fathers, and to all the people of the land.

7 To You, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but this day we are covered with shame—the men of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, and all Israel near and far, in all the countries to which You have driven us because of our unfaithfulness to You. 8 O LORD, we are covered with shame—our kings, our leaders, and our fathers—because we have sinned against You.

9 To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, even though we have rebelled against Him 10 and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God to walk in His laws, which He set before us through His servants the prophets.

11 All Israel has transgressed Your law and turned away, refusing to obey Your voice; so the oath and the curse written in the Law of Moses the servant of God has been poured out on us, because we have sinned against You. 12 You have carried out the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us a great disaster. For under all of heaven, nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem.

13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our iniquities and giving attention to Your truth. 14 Therefore the LORD has kept the calamity in store and brought it upon us. For the LORD our God is righteous in all He does; yet we have not obeyed His voice.

15 Now, O Lord our God, who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and who made for Yourself a name renowned to this day, we have sinned; we have acted wickedly. 16 O Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, I pray that Your anger and wrath may turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all around us.

17 So now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine upon Your desolate sanctuary. 18 Incline Your ear, O my God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before You because of our righteous acts, but because of Your great compassion.

19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your name.”

Gabriel’s Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks

20 While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and that of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the LORD my God concerning His holy mountain— 21 while I was still praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He instructed me and spoke with me, saying: “O Daniel, I have come now to give you insight and understanding. 23 At the beginning of your petitions, an answer went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly precious. So consider the message and understand the vision:

24 Seventy weeks e are decreed for your people and your holy city to stop their transgression, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. f

25 Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Messiah, g the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress.

26 Then after the sixty-two weeks h the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing.

Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations have been decreed. 27 And he will confirm a covenant with many for one week, i but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of the temple will come the abomination that causes desolation, j until the decreed destruction is poured out upon him. k”

Footnotes:

1 a Hebrew Ahasuerus
1 b That is, the Babylonians
2 c See Jeremiah 25:11–12 and Jeremiah 29:10.
4 d Forms of the Hebrew chesed  are translated here and in most cases throughout the Scriptures as loving devotion ; the range of meaning includes love , goodness , kindness , faithfulness , and mercy , as well as loyalty to a covenant .
24 e Or Seventy sevens ; also twice in verse 25 and once in verse 26
24 f Or the Holy of Holies  or the Most Holy One ; literally the Most Holy
25 g Or the Anointed One ; also in verse 26
26 h Hebrew Then after sixty-two sevens
27 i Or for one seven ; similarly again in this verse
27 j Literally And on the wing (will come) the abomination that causes desolation,  or And on the wing of abominations (will come) one who causes desolation,
27 k Literally until the decreed consummation is poured out upon (him who) is desolate.

Daniel's Prayer for his People

1In the first year of Darius, son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, who hath been made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans, 2in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, have understood by books the number of the years, (in that a word of Jehovah hath been unto Jeremiah the prophet,) concerning the fulfilling of the wastes of Jerusalem -- seventy years; 3and I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes. 4And I pray to Jehovah my God, and confess, and say: 'I beseech Thee, O Lord God, the great and the fearful, keeping the covenant and the kindness to those loving Him, and to those keeping His commands; 5we have sinned, and done perversely, and done wickedly, and rebelled, to turn aside from Thy commands, and from Thy judgments: 6and we have not hearkened unto Thy servants, the prophets, who have spoken in Thy name unto our kings, our heads, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

7To Thee, O Lord, is the righteousness, and to us the shame of face, as at this day, to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, who are near, and who are far off, in all the lands whither Thou hast driven them, in their trespass that they have trespassed against Thee. 8O Lord, to us is the shame of face, to our kings, to our heads, and to our fathers, in that we have sinned against Thee. 9To the Lord our God are the mercies and the forgivenesses, for we have rebelled against Him, 10and have not hearkened to the voice of Jehovah our God, to walk in His laws, that He hath set before us by the hand of His servants the prophets; 11and all Israel have transgressed Thy law, to turn aside so as not to hearken to Thy voice; and poured on us is the execration, and the oath, that is written in the law of Moses, servant of God, because we have sinned against Him. 12'And He confirmeth His words that He hath spoken against us, and against our judges who have judged us, to bring in upon us great evil, in that it hath not been done under the whole heavens as it hath been done in Jerusalem, 13as it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil hath come upon us, and we have not appeased the face of Jehovah our God to turn back from our iniquities, and to act wisely in Thy truth. 14And Jehovah doth watch for the evil, and bringeth it upon us, for righteous is Jehovah our God concerning all His works that He hath done, and we have not hearkened to His voice.

15And now, O Lord our God, who hast brought forth Thy people from the land of Egypt by a strong hand, and dost make for Thee a name as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16O Lord, according to all Thy righteous acts, let turn back, I pray Thee, Thine anger and Thy fury from Thy city Jerusalem, Thy holy mount, for by our sins, and by the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Thy people are for a reproach to all our neighbours; 17and now, hearken, O our God, unto the prayer of Thy servant, and unto his supplication, and cause Thy face to shine on Thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. 18Incline, O my God, Thine ear, and hear, open Thine eyes and see our desolations, and the city on which Thy name is called; for not for our righteous acts are we causing our supplications to fall before Thee, but for Thy mercies that are many. 19O lord, hear, O Lord, forgive; O Lord, attend and do; do not delay, for Thine own sake, O my God, for Thy name is called on Thy city, and on Thy people.'

Gabriel's Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks

20And while I am speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin, and the sin of my people Israel, and causing my supplication to fall before Jehovah my God, for the holy mount of my God, 21yea, while I am speaking in prayer, then that one Gabriel, whom I had seen in vision at the commencement, being caused to fly swiftly, is coming unto me at the time of the evening present. 22And he giveth understanding, and speaketh with me, and saith, 'O Daniel, now I have come forth to cause thee to consider understanding wisely; 23at the commencement of thy supplications hath the word come forth, and I have come to declare it, for thou art greatly desired, and understand thou concerning the matter, and consider concerning the appearance.

24'Seventy weeks are determined for thy people, and for thy holy city, to shut up the transgression, and to seal up sins, and to cover iniquity, and to bring in righteousness age-during, and to seal up vision and prophet, and to anoint the holy of holies. 25And thou dost know, and dost consider wisely, from the going forth of the word to restore and to build Jerusalem till Messiah the Leader is seven weeks, and sixty and two weeks: the broad place hath been built again, and the rampart, even in the distress of the times. 26And after the sixty and two weeks, cut off is Messiah, and the city and the holy place are not his, the Leader who hath come doth destroy the people; and its end is with a flood, and till the end is war, determined are desolations. 27And he hath strengthened a covenant with many -- one week, and in the midst of the week he causeth sacrifice and present to cease, and by the wing of abominations he is making desolate, even till the consummation, and that which is determined is poured on the desolate one.'

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Daniel 9?

1.1Introduction to Daniel 9

1.2Context of Daniel 9

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.5Daniel 9 Unique Insights

1.6Daniel 9 Connections to Yeshua

1.7Daniel 9 Scriptural Echoes

1.8Daniel 9 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of Daniel 9?

Introduction to Daniel 9

Daniel chapter 9 stands as one of the most remarkable prophetic passages in all of Scripture, containing what scholars often call the “Seventy Weeks Prophecy.” This profound chapter opens with Daniel’s heartfelt prayer of confession on behalf of his people and culminates in the angel Gabriel delivering one of the most precise Messianic prophecies in the entire Bible. Written during the Babylonian exile, this chapter provides an extraordinary timeline that points directly to the coming of the Messiah Yeshua, while also offering deep insights into the nature of prayer, repentance, and God’s sovereign control over human history.

The chapter’s significance cannot be overstated as it forms a crucial bridge between the Old and New Covenants, providing specific chronological markers that would help future generations identify the true Messiah. Moreover, it demonstrates the power of intercessory prayer and the importance of understanding prophetic Scripture in light of God’s redemptive plan for both Israel and the nations.

Context of Daniel 9

This chapter is set in “the first year of Darius son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede” (Daniel 9:1), approximately 538 BCE. This timing is crucial as it marks the end of the Babylonian Empire and the beginning of the Medo-Persian rule. Daniel, having served through the transition of empires, is now an elderly man who has spent nearly 70 years in exile.

The immediate context shows Daniel studying the prophecies of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12 and Jeremiah 29:10) concerning the 70-year duration of Jerusalem’s desolation. This realization prompts him to engage in one of the most moving intercessory prayers recorded in Scripture. The chapter serves as a pivotal point in the book of Daniel, shifting from historical narratives and personal visions to a direct prophetic message about the future of Israel and the coming Messiah.

Within the broader biblical narrative, Daniel 9 functions as a crucial chronological framework for understanding God’s redemptive timeline. It connects the post-exilic restoration of Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah with the first and second comings of the Messiah, while also providing insights into the end-times events. This chapter bridges the gap between the historical exile of Israel and the future hope of complete restoration through the Messiah’s work.

Ancient Key Word Study

Seventy Weeks (שָׁבֻעִים שִׁבְעִים, shavuim shivim): This term literally means “seventy sevens” and represents a period of 490 years. The Hebrew word שָׁבוּעַ (shavua) typically means a week of days, but in prophetic literature, it can represent a week of years, following the pattern established in Leviticus 25:8 for the Jubilee cycle.
Understanding (בִּין, bin): This Hebrew verb appears multiple times in the chapter and carries the connotation of discerning or perceiving with insight. It’s not merely intellectual comprehension but a deep, spiritual understanding that leads to wisdom and proper action.
Confession (וִדּוּי, vidui): The Hebrew term used for Daniel’s prayer of confession implies a formal acknowledgment of sin. It’s the same root used in the Day of Atonement rituals, suggesting a deep, covenant-based relationship with God.
Covenant Love (חֶסֶד, chesed): This foundational Hebrew concept appears in Daniel’s prayer, expressing God’s faithful, covenant-keeping love. It combines the ideas of loyalty, mercy, and steadfast love, representing God’s unchanging commitment to His promises.
Righteousness (צֶדֶק, tzedek): Used multiple times in the chapter, this term encompasses both legal righteousness and relational faithfulness. It’s contrasted with Israel’s shameful behavior, highlighting God’s perfect character.
Desolations (שָׁמֵם, shamem): This powerful Hebrew word describes the state of Jerusalem and the temple. It implies not just physical destruction but a horrifying emptiness that results from divine judgment.
Seal up (חָתַם, chatam): Used in the prophetic section, this verb carries the idea of completing or authenticating something. In this context, it refers to the fulfillment and confirmation of prophetic vision and prophecy.
Anointed One (מָשִׁיחַ, Mashiach): This crucial term, from which we get “Messiah,” literally means “anointed one.” In this chapter, it specifically refers to the coming of Yeshua, marking one of the clearest Messianic prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Decree (דָבָר, davar): The word used for the “decree” to restore Jerusalem carries the weight of an authoritative command. It’s not just a suggestion but a formal, royal proclamation that would start the prophetic timeline.

Compare & Contrast

Daniel 9:3 describes Daniel’s preparation for prayer using three specific elements: sackcloth, ashes, and fasting. The Hebrew construction emphasizes the deliberate nature of these actions, using the word וָאֶתְּנָה (va’etnah, “and I set”) rather than a simple verb of doing. This suggests a formal, ritualistic preparation that demonstrated both humility and serious intent.
In Daniel 9:7, the phrase “righteousness belongs to You” (לְךָ אֲדֹנָי הַצְּדָקָה) is placed at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis in Hebrew, creating a stark contrast with the “shame of face” that belongs to Israel. This word order choice highlights the theological truth of God’s perfect character versus human failure.
The term “greatly beloved” (אִישׁ חֲמֻדוֹת, ish chamudot) used in Daniel 9:23 literally means “man of preciousness.” This unique phrase is chosen over more common terms for favor or love, suggesting Daniel’s special status in heaven’s eyes.
Daniel 9:24 uses six different infinitive constructs to describe the purposes of the seventy weeks, each carefully chosen to build upon the previous one, creating a comprehensive picture of Messianic redemption. The Hebrew could have used finite verbs, but the infinitive construction emphasizes the certainty of these divine purposes.
The phrase “cut off” (יִכָּרֵת, yikaret) in Daniel 9:26 regarding the Messiah is particularly significant. This term is used in covenant contexts and sacrificial language, suggesting not just death but a death with covenant significance. The passive voice emphasizes the Messiah as the recipient of this action.
The description of the seventieth week in Daniel 9:27 uses the verb הִגְבִּיר (higbir, “strengthen”) rather than a simple verb of making. This intensified form suggests not just making a covenant but enforcing or prevailing with one, hinting at the significant nature of this future agreement.

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Daniel 9 Unique Insights

The structure of Daniel’s prayer in this chapter follows the ancient Jewish pattern of תְּשׁוּבָה (teshuvah, repentance), which includes acknowledgment of sin, confession, and petition for mercy. This pattern would later become formalized in Jewish liturgy, particularly in the prayers of the High Holy Days. The fact that Daniel incorporates this structure while in exile demonstrates the early development of Jewish prayer patterns that would influence worship for generations to come.

A fascinating insight comes from the mathematical precision of the prophecy. The 69 weeks (483 years) from the decree to restore Jerusalem until the coming of the Messiah aligns remarkably with historical events. The decree of Artaxerxes in 445 BCE to rebuild Jerusalem, counting 483 years using the ancient 360-day calendar, brings us precisely to Yeshua’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This mathematical accuracy demonstrates the supernatural nature of biblical prophecy and God’s sovereign control over history.

The chapter contains what Jewish scholars call a remez (hint) to the creation week. Just as God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, the seventy weeks prophecy points to six major accomplishments (finish transgression, end sin, atone for wickedness, bring everlasting righteousness, seal vision and prophecy, anoint the most holy) that lead to the ultimate “Sabbath rest” of God’s kingdom. This parallel structure wasn’t lost on ancient Jewish commentators who saw in Daniel’s prophecy a reflection of God’s pattern of working toward completion and rest.

Early rabbinic sources, particularly the Talmud in Tractate Sanhedrin, acknowledge that the timing of Daniel’s seventy weeks coincides with the era of the Second Temple’s destruction. Some rabbis even imposed a curse on those who would calculate the exact timing, presumably because the calculations pointed so clearly to Yeshua as the Messiah. The famous rabbi Rashi had to significantly alter the traditional understanding of the seventy weeks to avoid its clear Messianic implications.

Daniel 9 Connections to Yeshua

The prophetic timeline presented in Daniel 9 provides one of the most precise predictions of the Messiah’s first coming. The specificity of the 69 weeks (483 years) leading to the “Anointed One” who would be “cut off” aligns perfectly with Yeshua’s ministry and crucifixion. This prophecy not only predicted the timing but also the nature of the Messiah’s work – He would be cut off (killed) not for Himself but for others, making atonement for sin and bringing in everlasting righteousness.

The six purposes outlined in Daniel 9:24 find their fulfillment in Yeshua’s redemptive work. He finished transgression through His perfect life, made an end of sins through His sacrificial death, made reconciliation for iniquity through His atonement, brought in everlasting righteousness through His resurrection, sealed up vision and prophecy through His fulfillment of Scripture, and was anointed as the Most Holy One at His ascension. The gap between the 69th and 70th week corresponds to the current age of grace, where the gospel is being preached to all nations before His second coming.

Daniel 9 Scriptural Echoes

Daniel’s prophecy of seventy weeks echoes several significant biblical themes and passages. The concept of sabbatical years and jubilees established in Leviticus 25 provides the framework for understanding the “weeks” as periods of seven years. The promise of restoration after seventy years in Jeremiah 29:10 finds a greater fulfillment in the seventy weeks prophecy.

The prophet’s intercessory prayer reflects themes from Solomon’s prayer at the temple dedication (1 Kings 8) and Moses’ intercession for Israel (Exodus 32). The prophecy’s focus on the Messiah being “cut off” connects with Isaiah’s Suffering Servant prophecy (Isaiah 53).

The New Testament frequently alludes to Daniel 9, particularly in discussions of the end times. Yeshua specifically references Daniel’s prophecy in His Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:15). The theme of the Messiah confirming the covenant echoes throughout the book of Hebrews, especially in chapters 8-10.

Daniel 9 Devotional

Daniel’s profound prayer life challenges us to develop a similar depth in our own prayer practices. His example shows us that true intercession comes from a heart that has been saturated in Scripture and is deeply concerned for God’s glory and His people’s welfare. Like Daniel, we should approach prayer with humility, confession, and complete dependence on God’s mercy.

The precise fulfillment of prophecy in this chapter should strengthen our faith in God’s sovereign control over history. If He could orchestrate events over centuries to fulfill His word concerning the first coming of the Messiah, we can trust Him to fulfill His promises about the future, including Yeshua’s return and the establishment of His kingdom.

The chapter also teaches us about the importance of studying and understanding prophecy. Daniel’s insight came through careful study of Jeremiah’s prophecies. Similarly, we should diligently study God’s Word, seeking to understand His plans and purposes for our lives and for the world.

Did You Know

The term “weeks” in Daniel 9 uses the same Hebrew word (שָׁבוּעַ, shavua) that’s used for the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), creating a deliberate connection to this important festival that was later fulfilled at Pentecost.
Ancient Jewish sources, including the Talmud, calculated the end of the 69 weeks to coincide with the destruction of the Second Temple, acknowledging the timing’s significance even while struggling with its implications.
The phrase “seal up vision and prophecy” in Daniel 9:24 uses a Hebrew idiom that literally means “to affix a seal of completion,” suggesting that all prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah.
The angel Gabriel’s appearance to Daniel marks one of only two times in the Hebrew Scriptures where this angel is mentioned by name (the other being his appearance to Zechariah in Luke 1).
The mathematical precision of the 69 weeks prophecy has been calculated to point exactly to the day of Yeshua’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, accounting for the differences between modern and ancient calendars.
Daniel’s prayer contains all the elements of the later Jewish Amidah prayer, suggesting it served as a model for Jewish liturgical development.
The description of the Messiah being “cut off” uses the same Hebrew term (כָּרַת, karat) used in Genesis for the making of a covenant, linking His death to the establishment of the New Covenant.
Archaeological discoveries have confirmed the existence of multiple Persian decrees concerning Jerusalem, helping to establish the historical context for the starting point of the seventy weeks prophecy.

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After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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