Diving into Daniel: Seventy Weeks
Daniel 9:24-25 - The first part of an amazing prophecy is given to Daniel by Gabriel in these two verses.
““Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place. So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress.”
Daniel 9:24-25 NASB1995
Hoo, boy, here we go!! These two verses are considered among the most profound prophecies in the Bible, along with verses 9:26-27. I’m tackling the first two verses in this devotional and am relying on those that are far smarter than I am to help explain this.
Almost all Biblical scholars are in agreement from the language that is used in Daniel’s prayer and the response from Gabriel that the “seventy weeks” is actually seventy sets of seven years. Here is what Gotquestions.org says about these verses; I found this explanation to be one the easiest to understand (I’ve excerpted quite a bit from this answer):
Exactly what is meant by “seventy weeks”? The phrase by itself is ambiguous, but taken in context the meaning is clear. Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9:3–19 refers to the fulfillment of a specific seventy-year period, the seventy years of the Babylonian captivity (as prophesied by Jeremiah). Daniel received the seventy weeks prophecy in response to his prayer. The “weeks” are sets of seven years. The prophecy foretells a period of seven times seventy weeks yet to come, or seventy seven-year periods. Seventy seven-year periods are 490 years.
The prophecy specifies that “from the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks [49 years] and sixty-two weeks [434 years]. . . . Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing” (Daniel 9:25-26, BSB).
Nebuchadnezzar had Jerusalem dismantled around 587 BC after having to put down two rebellions there in less than 10 years. At the time this prophecy was given, Jerusalem still lay in ruins. According to the prophecy, from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem there would be seven seven-year periods and sixty-two more seven-year periods—or 483 years—until the Messiah would show up. After the culmination of the 62 seven-year periods, or after 483rd year, the Messiah would be cut off.
Both the ancient Hebrews to whom Daniel was writing and the ancient Babylonians to whom he was subservient (the Book of Daniel having been written in Babylon during the latter half of the 6th century BC) used a 360-day year.
So, 483 years x 360 days = 173,880 days. This is the equivalent of 476 years and 25 days, using our modern Gregorian calendar’s 365-day year.
As for our starting point, the Persian emperor Artaxerxes Longimanus (who ruled from 464—424 BC) issued the edict to rebuild Jerusalem sometime during the Hebrew month of Nisan in the 20th year of his reign, or c. 444 BC (Nehemiah 2:1-8). From c. 444 BC, 173,880 days brings us to c. AD 33.
According to this prophecy, the Messiah would show up, present Himself as Messiah to the nation and then be “cut off” some time near AD 33. This was fulfilled as Jesus Christ presented Himself to the nation of Israel on Palm Sunday, was crucified on Preparation Day (the annual day on which the Passover Lamb was slain), and rose from the dead on Sunday.
I also like this explanation in Enduring Word (very good detail):
Seventy weeks are determined: There is almost universal agreement among Bible scholars and commentators that this refers to seventy sets of seven years, or weeks of years.
In ancient Hebrew, weeks simply refers to a unit of seven. The Hebrew word here is often used to mean a unit of seven days, but it may also be used for a unit of seven years.
“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.” (Adam Clarke)
Genesis 29:15-28 is an example of using this ancient Hebrew word (shabuwa) for both seven days and seven years in the same context.
For your people and for your holy city: The seventy weeks were focused upon Daniel’s people (the Jews) and his holy city (Jerusalem).
Unless the church has become Israel, it is not in view here. [Louis] Talbot calls the seventy weeks “God’s calendar for Israel” in the sense that it does not focus on the Gentiles or the church.
…
From the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem: Here Gabriel revealed to Daniel the starting point for the seventy-weeks prophecy. There was a command to restore and build Jerusalem in history that started this specific period of time.
The Bible presents four possible decrees that might fulfill this description:
Cyrus made a decree giving Ezra and the Babylonian captives the right to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple in 538 B.C. (Ezra 1:1-4 and 5:13-17).
Darius made a decree giving Ezra the right to rebuild the temple in 517 B.C. (Ezra 6:6-12).
Artaxerxes made a decree giving Ezra permission, safe passage, and supplies to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple in 458 B.C. (Ezra 7:11-26).
Artaxerxes made a decree giving Nehemiah permission, safe passage and supplies to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the walls in 445 B.C. (Nehemiah 2:1-8).
Only the last of these four decrees was a command to restore and build Jerusalem. The first three each focused on the temple, not on the street or on the wall.
Until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks: Gabriel’s message to Daniel was simple and striking. 483 years – that is, 69 units of seven years – would pass from the time of the command recorded in Nehemiah 2:1-8 until the appearance of Messiah the Prince.
Some say the 483 years were completed at the time of Jesus’ birth (5 or 4 B.C.). There is little chronological support for this date.
Some say the 483 years were completed at His baptism, at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (if dated at A.D. 26). This is possible if one begins with the earlier decree of Artaxerxes, and figures with our present measurement for years (365.25 days to a year) instead of the ancient measurement of years (360 days to a year).
Some say the 483 years were completed at the triumphal entry of Jesus (if dated at A.D. 32). Sir Robert Anderson’s significant work The Coming Prince followed this argument in great detail. [Note: I have included the excerpt from this document that Enduring Word cites in the notes at the bottom of this devotional].
Anderson, using a 360-day year (which Israel used in Daniel’s day), calculated 173,880 days from the decree to the triumphal entry, fulfilling the prophecy to the day. “It is customary for the Jews to have twelve months of 360 days each and then to insert a thirteenth month occasionally when necessary to correct the calendar.” (John Walvoord)
The year A.D. 32 (based on Luke 3:1) for Jesus’ death is controversial (most chronologists favor A.D. 30 or 33). But recent attempts have made some case for the date: “A recent article attempts to give credence to the date of A.D. 32; cf. R.E. Showers, Grace Journal, XI (Winter, 1970), pp. 30ff. The evidence presented is worthy of notice.” (Leon Wood)
“No one today is able dogmatically to declare that Sir Robert Anderson’s computations are impossible.” (Walvoord)
Some say the 483 years were completed at the exact time of the crucifixion. This is a minority opinion. Most who find the date near this time also see it belonging to the Triumphal Entry, which happened seven days before the crucifixion.
Until Messiah the Prince: Taking Anderson’s calculations as reliable, we see a remarkable fulfillment of prophecy. A Gentile king made a decree and 483 years later to the day, Jesus presented Himself as Messiah the Prince to Israel.
In our mind a Prince is a good step lower than a king. In the Hebrew vocabulary, “Prince” has more the idea of “strong, mighty ruler” than “son of a king and heir to the throne.”
“There was only one occasion in our Lord’s earthly ministry on which He is depicted as presenting Himself openly as Zion’s King, the so-called ‘Triumphal Entry,’ recorded in each one of the Gospels and fulfilling Zechariah 9:9 and Psalm 118:26.” (Philip Newell)
On that day, Jesus deliberately arranged the event to present Himself as Messiah (Mark 11:1-10).
On that day, Jesus welcomed praise (Luke 19:38-40) instead of quieting it (Luke 5:14 and 8:56).
On that day, Jesus made special reference to the importance of that day (Luke 19:41-42).
This prophecy is so specifically fulfilled that it has been a significant testimony to many. “Others of the Jewish [scholars], by the evidence of these words, have been compelled to confess that Messiah is already come, and that he was that Jesus whom their forefathers crucified.” (John Trapp)
The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times: This indicates that the rebuilding of the streets and wall of Jerusalem would happen in the first seven weeks mentioned. Then would follow another 62 weeks of years until the coming of Messiah the Prince.
The seventy weeks are divided into three parts:
Seven weeks – 49 years, until the city and its walls are rebuilt.
69 weeks (7 plus 62), 483 years from the decree, until Messiah the Prince appears.
A final 70th week to complete the prophecy.
Gee, it’s funny - I don’t seem to recall any of the pastors I knew growing up in the American Lutheran Church (which broke off later and became the ELCA “church”) taking time to tackle these prophecies and the details and specified timeframes that are fulfilled in those prophecies for their parishioners in any sermons. You would think the OT reading on Palm Sunday might come from Daniel! I also don’t recall this being dissected in any detail in the Bible in One Year plans that we used to do (most often, the ones from Nicky Gumbel). This is incredibly persuasive to me as more irrefutable evidence of the truth of God’s Word, on a par with the conversion of Saul (obviously the Resurrection documented in four Gospels is the top focal point for belief).
This is the only usage of the specific word “Messiah” in the OT, although the Hebrew word that is used has different meanings. Here’s what the Blue Letter Bible says about this word:
Strong’s H4899 comes from the Hebrew word מָשִׁיחַ or maw-shee'-akh, with the following Biblical usages; obviously 1.a is the usage in this case:
anointed, anointed one
of the Messiah, Messianic prince
of the king of Israel
of the high priest of Israel
of Cyrus
of the patriarchs as anointed kings
The passage also contains six “infinitives” that will be accomplished after the 70 weeks: to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place. The explanations for these infinitives, that have to do with sin and righteousness, are all over the map, as far as I can tell, but I’m going to rely on Enduring Word, once again, for a possible explanation; this is likely explaining a future state in the kingdom of God on Earth:
To finish the transgression: This says that transgression itself will be finished. Taken literally, this means establishing an entirely new order on earth, with an end to man’s rebellion against God.
“The culmination of appointed years will witness the conclusion of man’s ‘transgression’ or ‘rebellion’ against God – a development most naturally entered into with the establishment of an entirely new order on earth. This seems to require nothing less than the inauguration of the kingdom of God on earth.” (Gleason Archer)
To make an end of sins: Taking these words at face value, this means not only the end of the guilt of sin, but an end of sin itself. It means to “seal up” or to “restrain” sins. This looks to a new, redeemed world.
To make reconciliation for iniquity: Man’s iniquity must be reconciled to God’s justice and holiness. This work was clearly accomplished at the cross.
To bring in everlasting righteousness: One might take this in an individual sense, but there have always been righteous individuals. Taking the statement at face value, this means a new order of society brought in by the Messiah.
To seal up vision and prophecy: This speaks of both the ending and fulfillment of prophecy, concluding the final stage of human history and culminating with the reign of the Son of God.
“It must include his enthronement.” (Gleason Archer)
To anoint the most holy: Taken at its simple, literal meaning, this refers to a place, not a person. There is a most holy place – the most holy place of the temple – that will be anointed and blessed.
Taken as a whole, Gabriel made a remarkable announcement to Daniel. He told him that each of these amazing things would happen within the period of seventy weeks.
Looking back in history, we can only say these things are already fulfilled if we ignore their plain, literal meaning and give them a spiritualized meaning that replaces their plain meaning. Some believe that these promises were fulfilled generally in the spread of the Gospel over the centuries, but this belief neglects the plain and simple meaning of these words.
Finally, I wanted to share a great story that was found on Precept Austin about a rabbi named Leopold Cohn:
Leopold Cohn was born into an Orthodox Jewish community in Berezna, a small town in eastern Hungary in 1862. At age 18 he graduated with high marks from the Talmudic academy and became a rabbi. One of his rituals was to daily repeat the 12th article of the Jewish creed:
I believe with a perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah, and though he tarry, yet will I wait daily for his coming.
Cohn however wondered why Messiah tarried, but was unsettled by the "answers" he able to find. While reading the Talmud (collected writings of rabbis commenting on the Torah or Old Testament), he discovered that other rabbis had also wrestled with this question. But as he continued to study he discovered that the Messiah should have come long ago. This prompted him to study the Hebrew prophets for himself, and as he studied Daniel’s prophecy of the "70 weeks" in Daniel 9:24-27, it became clear that Daniel had predicted the coming of Messiah some 400-500 years after the prophecy was given. But that was 2500 years ago and the rabbis said that Messiah had not yet come. How could he resolve this contradiction? An older rabbi who served as Cohn's mentor advised him to drop the subject altogether or he might lose his rabbinical career because such questions were not to be asked.
The rabbi further explained that he could not discuss the matter without losing his own job. He even advised Cohn to go to America where, he said, people knew more about the Messiah. Later, Leopold Cohn recalled this incident and felt that the rabbi knew something about the Messiah, Jesus. And so in 1892 Cohn left Hungary for New York City in search of the truth about the Messiah prompted by his study of Daniel's "Seventy weeks". On one providential day, Cohn happened to pass by a church in the Jewish section of the city and noticed a small sign advertising "Meetings for Jews." It was at that meeting that Cohn met another Jewish man also trained in the Talmud. It was there that Leopold Cohn was given a copy of the New Testament which he read straight though beginning at 11:00 one morning and finishing at 1:00 AM the next day, upon which he concluded that Yeshua (Jesus) was indeed the promised Messiah prophesied in Daniel 9:25, the Messiah who would come and be cut off. Soon thereafter he received Yeshua, Jesus, as his Messiah, Savior and Lord (cp Jn 1:9-12). With his new found faith, he begin to go to his people, the Jews, and in Cohn's words
I showed them from the Scriptures that to believe in Yeshua was Jewish faith, real Jewish faith.
What followed was sorrow, travail and persecution from other Jews because of his presumed "betrayal" of their orthodox faith. In 1894 Cohn set up a storefront mission in a renovated horse stable in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, New York for the sole purpose of telling others that the Messiah had come and that his name was Yeshua, Jesus. The first Bible meeting was attended by eight Jewish people. The Lord continued to bless this work, and in the course of his lifetime, Leopold Cohn led over 1,000 people to the Lord. His local mission eventually became the American Board of Missions to the Jews, which was later re-named Chosen People Ministries. Over 50 years later a man named Moishe Rosen left that ministry to form what eventually became Jews for Jesus. This one passage, Daniel 9:24-27, radically changed an Orthodox Jewish rabbi and led to the birthing of ministries that have touched literally thousands of Jewish and Gentile lives around the world.. (Read the full testimony)(Another testimony of Leopold Cohn)
See what happens when you deep dive into scripture! Most people who really dig into the Bible with an open heart and mind walk away as believers or with even stronger faith!
My next devotional tackles Daniel 9:26-27 - The Messiah is cut off and the people of the prince who is to come destroy the city and sanctuary and there will be abominations that will come.
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord - Thank you for the incredible details that Daniel received that confirm the timeline of Jesus as the Messiah! Amen.
From Enduring Word:
THE SEVENTY WEEKS OF DANIEL
AS UNDERSTOOD BY SIR ROBERT ANDERSON IN “THE COMING PRINCE”Daniel 9:24-25 says that from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem to the coming of the Messiah there will be 483 years.
7 + 62 “weeks” = 69 groups of seven years. 7 x 69 = 483 years
Anderson understood a prophetic year as 360 days. This is based both on ancient history and on Revelation 11:2, 13:5, 11:3, and 12:6 which indicate that 42 months – 3 ½ years – are equal to 1,260 days.
Therefore, 483 years x 360 days = 173,880 days
Artaxerxes started his reign in 465 B.C. The decree to rebuild Jerusalem was given on the first day of Nisan, in the 20th year of Artaxerxes. In our calendar system (the Julian calendar) that date is March 14, 445 B.C. (Nehemiah 2:1)
Jesus started His ministry in the 15th year of Tiberius (see Luke 3:1). Tiberius started his reign in A.D. 14, so Jesus’ ministry started in A.D. 29. Anderson believed that Jesus celebrated four Passovers during His ministry, one each in A.D. 29, 30, 31. and His final Passover in A.D. 32. With the help of lunar charts, we can calculate the exact date of ancient Passovers, so it is possible to calculate the exact day of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as April 6, A.D. 32.
From 445 B.C. to A.D. 32. there are 476 years on the Julian calendar
(not 477 years, because there is no year zero).476 years x 365 days = 173,740 days.
Adjusting for the difference between March 14 and April 6 adds 24 days.
Adjusting for leap years over a period of 476 years adds 116 days.
The total number of days from March 14, 445 B.C. to April 6, A.D. 32.
173,740 + 24 + 116 = 173,880 days.According to his calendar, Daniel told us there would be 173,880 days between the decree and the arrival of Messiah the Prince.
Jesus said to the Jews of this day: If you had known, even you, especially IN THIS YOUR DAY, the things that make for your peace! (Luke 19:42). David said of this day in Psalm 118:24: THIS IS THE DAY which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Gotquestions.org was accessed on 5/13/2025 to answer the question, What are the seventy sevens in Daniel 9:24-27?
Commentary from Enduring Word by David Guzik is used with written permission.
Precept Austin was accessed on 5/13/2025 to review commentary for Daniel 9:24-25.