Daniel 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.

And after {H310} threescore {H8346} and two {H8147} weeks {H7620} shall Messiah {H4899} be cut off {H3772}, but not for himself: and the people {H5971} of the prince {H5057} that shall come {H935} shall destroy {H7843} the city {H5892} and the sanctuary {H6944}; and the end {H7093} thereof shall be with a flood {H7858}, and unto the end {H7093} of the war {H4421} desolations {H8074} are determined {H2782}.

Then, after the sixty-two weeks, Mashiach will be cut off and have nothing. The people of a prince yet to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary, but his end will come with a flood, and desolations are decreed until the war is over.

Then after the sixty-two weeks 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.

And after the threescore and two weeks shall the anointed one be cut off, and shall have nothing: 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 even unto the end shall be war; desolations are determined.

Daniel 9:26 is a pivotal verse within the famous seventy weeks prophecy given to the prophet Daniel by the angel Gabriel. It precisely foretells two monumental events: the death of the Messiah and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple.

Context

This verse follows Gabriel's explanation of the 69 "weeks" (each representing seven years) that would pass from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem until the coming of the Messiah, the Prince. Immediately after this period, the focus shifts to dramatic events that would unfold, signaling profound changes for Israel and the world.

Key Themes

  • The Messiah's Sacrifice: The prophecy declares that "Messiah be cut off, but not for himself." This is a profound prophecy of the Messiah's atoning death, indicating His life would be taken, not for any personal sin or gain, but for the benefit of others. This points directly to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, whose death on the cross was a vicarious sacrifice for humanity's sins.
  • Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple: The verse also prophesies that "the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary." This refers to the historical destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred Temple by the Roman forces under General Titus in A.D. 70. This event brought an end to the sacrificial system that had been central to Jewish worship.
  • Overwhelming Desolation: The phrase "the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined" signifies an overwhelming and destructive force, like a devastating flood, that would bring about prolonged desolation and conflict. It underscores the severity and lasting impact of the destruction upon Jerusalem.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew phrase for "cut off" is karat (כָּרַת), which can mean to be cut off, destroyed, or annihilated. In this context, it powerfully conveys a violent and premature end.
  • The word translated "flood" is sheteph (שֶׁטֶף), implying an overflowing, overwhelming deluge or an irresistible torrent of destruction, rather than literal water.

Historical and Prophetic Fulfillment

Historically, the "cutting off" of the Messiah aligns with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which occurred after the period described. The destruction of "the city and the sanctuary" was fulfilled by the Roman Empire's siege of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The "prince that shall come" is widely understood to be Titus, the Roman general who led the assault. Some interpretations also see in "the prince that shall come" a type or shadow of a future end-times figure (the Antichrist) who will also bring desolation.

Practical Application and Reflection

Daniel 9:26 powerfully demonstrates God's sovereignty over history and His meticulous fulfillment of prophecy. It reminds us of:

  • God's Faithfulness: The precise fulfillment of these ancient prophecies regarding the Messiah's death and Jerusalem's fate underscores the reliability of God's Word.
  • The Significance of Christ's Sacrifice: The phrase "but not for himself" highlights the selfless, redemptive nature of Jesus' death, which is central to Christian faith and offers salvation to all who believe.
  • Hope Amidst Desolation: Even amidst prophecies of destruction and desolation, the overarching narrative of Daniel's prophecy points to God's ultimate plan for redemption and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 53:8

    He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

  • Nahum 1:8

    But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.

  • Luke 24:26

    Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

  • Mark 13:2

    And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

  • 1 Peter 2:24

    Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

  • John 11:51

    And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

  • John 11:52

    And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

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