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The Prophecy of the 70 Weeks in Daniel 9
The Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks in Daniel 9
Among the most profound and precise prophecies in all of Scripture is the revelation given to the prophet Daniel concerning "seventy weeks" in Daniel 9. This passage, delivered by the angel Gabriel, provides an astonishingly accurate timeline leading to the first advent of the Messiah, the destruction of Jerusalem, and foretells a future period of intense tribulation. Understanding this prophecy is crucial for grasping God's sovereign plan for Israel and the world, and for discerning the times in which we live.
The Context and Divine Revelation
The prophecy of the seventy weeks unfolds during a period of deep introspection and prayer for Daniel. He had been studying the prophecy of Jeremiah concerning the seventy years of desolation for Jerusalem (Jeremiah 25:11-12; Jeremiah 29:10). As these seventy years were nearing their end, Daniel earnestly sought the Lord, confessing the sins of his people and pleading for God's mercy upon Jerusalem and His sanctuary.
And 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; Yea, 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. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At 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.
In response to Daniel's fervent prayer, Gabriel reveals a timeline far exceeding the 70 years of Babylonian captivity. It concerns a period of 490 years, specifically "determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city." The purpose of these seventy weeks is sixfold, as outlined in Daniel 9:24:
- To finish the transgression
- To make an end of sins
- To make reconciliation for iniquity
- To bring in everlasting righteousness
- To seal up the vision and prophecy
- To anoint the most Holy
These six objectives find their ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, particularly His first advent and the culmination of His second coming.
Understanding the "Weeks"
The Hebrew word translated "weeks" is שָׁבֻעִים (shavu'im), which literally means "sevens." In this prophetic context, as indicated by the 70 years of Jeremiah's prophecy and the scope of the events described, each "week" signifies a period of seven years. Therefore, "seventy weeks" equates to 70 x 7 = 490 prophetic years. This interpretation is consistent with other biblical patterns, such as the Sabbath year (Leviticus 25:3-4) where every seventh year was a year of rest for the land.
The Starting Point: The Commandment to Rebuild Jerusalem
The prophecy provides a precise starting point:
Know 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.
There were several decrees issued by Persian kings concerning the Jews, but only one specifically authorized the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and streets, not just the Temple. This is the decree given by Artaxerxes I Longimanus to Nehemiah in the 20th year of his reign (Nehemiah 2:1-8), which historians place in 445 B.C. This date serves as the anchor for the entire timeline.
The First Sixty-Nine Weeks (483 Years)
Gabriel divides the 69 weeks into two segments:
Counting 483 prophetic years from Artaxerxes' decree in 445 B.C. (adjusting for the absence of a year zero in the calendar) brings us to approximately 32-33 A.D. This calculation remarkably aligns with the time of Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, just days before His crucifixion. It is at this point, as King and Messiah, that He presented Himself to Israel, fulfilling the timing of the prophecy.
The Messiah Cut Off and the Destruction of the City
The prophecy then shifts focus to events that occur after the 69 weeks, but before the commencement of the final 70th week:
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.
The phrase "Messiah be cut off" (Hebrew: כָּרַת, karath) signifies a violent, premature death. The declaration "but not for himself" points directly to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of humanity, not for His own. This verse is a clear and undeniable prophecy of the crucifixion of Jesus, which occurred after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, marking the conclusion of the 69 weeks.
Immediately following the cutting off of the Messiah, Gabriel foretells another significant event: "and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary." This refers to the Roman armies, led by General Titus, who besieged and utterly destroyed Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple in 70 A.D. This catastrophic event, approximately 37 years after Christ's crucifixion, provides further evidence for a chronological gap between the 69th and 70th weeks. The "prince that shall come" is widely understood to be the Antichrist, whose people (the Romans) destroyed Jerusalem, indicating a connection between the Antichrist and the Roman Empire, or a revived form thereof.
The Final Week: The 70th Week of Daniel
The final "week" of the seventy is described in Daniel 9:27:
And 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.
This verse describes a future seven-year period, distinct from the preceding 69 weeks. The "he" in this verse refers to the "prince that shall come" from Daniel 9:26, which is the Antichrist. This figure will make a "covenant with many," presumably with Israel, for a period of one week (seven years). This covenant will likely be a false peace agreement designed to bring temporary security.
However, "in the midst of the week" (after 3.5 years), the Antichrist will break this covenant. He will "cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease," implying that a Jewish temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem, where sacrifices are reinstituted. He will then set up the "overspreading of abominations," a direct reference to the "abomination of desolation" spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24:15 and by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, where the Antichrist will desecrate the temple and demand worship for himself. This event marks the beginning of the Great Tribulation, a period of unparalleled distress for Israel and the world.
The gap between the 69th and 70th week is commonly referred to as the "Church Age." During this time, God's prophetic clock concerning Israel is paused, and His focus shifts to the Church, comprised of both Jews and Gentiles. Once the Church is removed (at the rapture), the prophetic clock for Israel resumes with the commencement of the 70th week, which is the future Tribulation period. This final week concludes with the pouring out of God's determined judgment upon the desolate, culminating in the second coming of Christ and the establishment of His righteous kingdom on earth.
Conclusion
The prophecy of the seventy weeks in Daniel 9 stands as an irrefutable testament to the divine inspiration and accuracy of God's Word. Its precise fulfillment regarding the timing of the Messiah's first advent and the destruction of Jerusalem provides a solid foundation for faith. The remaining 70th week, yet to be fulfilled, points to future events that will usher in the return of Jesus Christ and the consummation of God's redemptive plan. As believers, understanding this prophecy enables us to recognize the signs of the times, to live with urgency, and to trust in the sovereign God who declares the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done (Isaiah 46:10).
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