The Seventy Weeks of Daniel 9: Four Interpretations

The Seventy Weeks of Daniel is basically a prophetic roadmap of highly significant events in what is, in relation to our time, past history and history still to come. The timeframe extends from the Jewish exile to Babylon (~605 BC) to the Future Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Comments on the Text of Daniel 9

The primary test for our discussion will be Daniel 9:24-27. For context, we'll also include v20-23. The text is from the ESV translation:

20While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the LORD my God for the holy hill of my God, 21while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. 22He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. 23At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.

24“ Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place [or the most holy One]. 25 Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. 26And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. 27And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

Interpretation of the Prophetic Timeline

Most interpreters view each week as a period of seven years. The Hebrew for “seventy weeks” ( šib'îm šabu'îm) is literally translated as “seven sevens”. Likewise the Hebrew for “one week” ( šabûa') is literally translated as “one seven”. This numbering (or counting) system was introduced by God to Moses when setting up the Year of Jubilee: “You shall count seven weeks of years, seven times seven years, so that the time of the seven weeks of years shall give you forty-nine years” (Lev 25:8).

Based on the text, the mathematical breakdown of the weeks is as follows:

Seventy weeks: refers to a period of 490 years.
Seven weeks: means 49 years.
Sixty-two weeks: means 434 years.
One week: refers to 7 years.
Half of the week: would be 3.5 years.

There are disagreements however, amongst interpreters regarding the exact historical and/or future time period of the various “weeks”. In addition, some interpreters also interpret the “weeks” or “sevens” as symbolic periods of time since the timelines for the various events would not coincide with their view.

Meaning of Predicted Events

In verse 24, “to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness”, refers to the first advent of Christ when, although sin and unrighteousness continue to exist, believers are relieved from the penalty of sin. Thus, in effect, sin has been put away (Heb 9:26). “To anoint the most holy place or One” is typically seen as referring to the Temple or to Christ. The original Hebrew simply reads “the most holy”, but translators have added either “place” or “One” to some English translations.