Daniel 9:24

The Hebrew word translated "weeks" (shabu’im) literally means "sevens." It can refer to seven days (Genesis 29:27-28) or seven years (Leviticus 25:3-5). The Jews observed a seven-year celebration (the sabbatical year), as well as a seven-day celebration (the Sabbath). Most scholars believe that this word here represents seven years. Daniel had been thinking of God’s program for Israel in terms of years. He had read Jeremiah’s prophecy that the exile would last 70 years (Daniel 9:1-2). It would have been normal then for him to interpret these sevens as years. [Note: For defense of this view based on additional internal evidence in the Book of Daniel, see Otto Zöckler, "The Book of the Prophet Daniel," in Lange’s Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, 7:2:194. See also Pentecost, "Daniel," p. 1361; and The New Scofield . . ., p. 913.] Furthermore, the fulfillment of the first sixty-nine years shows that these sevens are years. In addition, the last half of the seventieth seven is described elsewhere as consisting of three and one-half years, or 42 months, or 1260 days. [Note: For an example of how interpreting the numbers in this passage as both symbolic and literal leads to confusion, see Waltke, An Old . . ., pp. 549-50.]

Seventy seven-year periods totals 490 years. As Jerusalem was suffering under the hand of Gentiles for 70 years (Daniel 9:2), so the Jews and Jerusalem would suffer under the hand of Gentiles for 490 years. "Your people" and "your holy city" are obvious references to the Jews and Jerusalem (cf. Daniel 9:7; Daniel 9:11; Daniel 9:20). They do not refer to the church, which is a distinct entity from Israel (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:32). However, as the following verses clarify, these will not be uninterrupted years. Similarly, Israel’s rule by Davidic monarchs has suffered interruption: the last king being Zedekiah-and the next, Messiah.

God had decreed these years. He had ordained them, and they were as certain to come as anything else that God had foreordained. This verse states that the purpose for God decreeing this period is six-fold. First, it will end rebellion against Him. Second, it will end human failure to obey God. Third, it will provide time for atonement that will cover human wickedness. Fourth, it will inaugurate a new society in which righteousness prevails. Fifth, it will bring in the fulfillment of the vision that God has for the earth. Sixth, it will result in the anointing of the most holy, probably a reference to a new and more glorious temple.

God has already achieved some of these goals: specifically the third one, and to some extent the first two. However, other goals have not yet seen fulfillment. Therefore it is reasonable to look for a future fulfillment from our perspective in history. [Note: Cf. Barker, pp. 143-46.]

"By the time these 490 years run their course, God will have completed six things for Israel. The first three have to do with sin, and the second three with the kingdom. The basis for the first three was provided in the work of Christ on the cross, but all six will be realized by Israel at the Second Advent of Christ." [Note: Pentecost, "Daniel," p. 1361.]

Young believed Christ completed all six things for the church at His first coming. [Note: Young, p. 201.]

"This prophecy, it must be noted, concerns three deliverances. Daniel was greatly burdened about an early deliverance of the Jews from Babylon to return to Jerusalem. God was also interested in their deliverance from bondage to sin (at Christ’s first advent) and in the final deliverance of the Jews from oppression (at Christ’s second coming) . . ." [Note: Campbell, p. 108. See also Wood, A Commentary . . ., p. 244.]

"This vs. is a Divine revelation of the fact that a definite period of time has been decreed for the accomplishment of all that which is necessary for the true restoration of God’s people from bondage." [Note: Young, p. 195.]