The Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks

Goal of this Study: WHAT is the meaning of this prophecy? WHY is this prophecy so important to Jesus’ followers?

We will examine the meanings behind the time prophecy of Daniel 9:25-27.

Additional references: Studies in the Scriptures Vol. 2, Chap. 3

What is Bible time prophecy?

  • Prophecy is the foretelling of future events. The Bible describes certain events before they transpire and includes indicators to help determine the dates they will occur. Studying the Bible’s time prophecies has been particularly interesting to many people throughout the centuries.
  • Interpreting time prophecies requires study and research. Sincere and honest research can help one understand the prophecies and gain insights into the plan of God.

Why is the time prophecy of Daniel 9:25-27 significant?

  • This prophecy specifically says it leads to “Messiah the Prince.” It prophesies the time leading to Jesus’ First Advent. (verse 25)
  • Three important time periods are revealed in this prophecy:
    • The year of Jesus’ baptism—when he assumed the role of Messiah
    • Jesus’ death—when the Messiah would be “cut off”
    • The length of time of his ministry—suggested by the above time periods
  • There is no other Bible prophecy that provides this information in such detail. Thus, this prophecy is critical in identifying the specific time of Jesus’ ministry.

What was troubling Daniel in the chapters preceding the 70-weeks prophecy? Daniel 9:1-9

The prophet Daniel was deeply troubled by Israel’s captivity in Babylon. He asked God to forgive Israel for their sins of idolatry and restore them to their homeland. The angel Gabriel was sent to comfort Daniel. He also came to give Daniel “skill and understanding.” (Daniel 9:22) The 70-weeks prophecy was Gabriel’s answer to Daniel’s heartfelt concern for Israel.

What Does the Bible Say About Daniel? Who Was Daniel? Facts about Daniel in the Bible

However, his explanation went far beyond the immediate circumstances of Israel’s captivity. The prophecy describes things that would affect not only Israel’s release from bondage but also mankind’s greater release from their servitude to sin and death.

Gabriel’s answer to Daniel regarding Israel.

  • Daniel 9:24 (KJV) “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.”

The first statement in verse 24 indicates that the prophecy would affect Daniel’s people and the holy city of Jerusalem. So, it is important to see how the prophecy affected the Jews. We will examine each of the six details mentioned by Gabriel and see how they applied first to Daniel’s people and then to the larger work of the Messiah.

“Finish the Transgression”
Regarding Israel

  • The word transgression can also be translated as “rebellion.” Israel’s rebellion against God ended when they were cast off from favor in 29ad. Matthew 23:38.

Regarding Salvation

  • Gabriel | The Demonic Paradise Wiki | Fandom Like Israel, mankind also rebelled against God. Genesis 3:1-6 Adam’s choice to disobey was an act of rebellion that continues today. But the Kingdom of Christ will bring an end to man’s rebellion. Revelation 22:3

“To Make an End of Sins”
Regarding Israel

  • For believing Jews, this meant that Jesus would remove their sins under the Law, nailing the Law to the cross. Colossians 2:14.

Regarding Salvation

  • The death of Jesus paid the ransom and will also eventually                                                                                   The Angel Gabriel remove sin from the hearts of all people. Jude 1:3

“To Make Reconciliation for Iniquity”
Regarding Israel

  • After Jesus’ death, believing Jews could be fully reconciled with God. Romans 11:23

Regarding Salvation

  • Unbelieving Jews will be reconciled to God with the rest of mankind during the Kingdom, in fulfillment of the Abrahamic Promise. Galatians 3:8; Hebrews 2:17

“To Bring in Everlasting Righteousness”
Regarding Israel

  • The death of Jesus would allow believing Jews to receive justification (righteousness) under the blood of Jesus. They would no longer be under the typical justification provided by the Law, a condition that could not fully justify them in the eyes of God. Acts 13:39

Regarding Salvation

  • This is a precious promise regarding the future blessing of mankind. It points to a time when
    justice and truth will prevail everywhere. Luke 18:30

“To Seal up the Vision and Prophecy “
Fulfillment of the 70-weeks prophecy has important implications

  • The word prophecy should be translated as “prophet.” The fulfillment of this prophecy confirms Daniel as a true prophet of God. The prophecies given through Daniel also establish the inspiration of the Bible. Daniel 9:22

“To Anoint the Most Holy”
Regarding Israel

  • Jews who accepted Jesus as their Messiah were anointed with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Acts 2:1-4 The Apostle Paul described these as “a remnant according to the election of grace.” By accepting Jesus, they came under God’s grace. Romans 11:3

Regarding Salvation

  • In a larger application, this refers to the Day of Atonement when Israel’s high priest entered the Most Holy with the blood of the bullock, followed by the blood of the goat. Leviticus 16 This represents the sacrificial blood of Christ and the Church being applied to the Mercy Seat, satisfying divine justice. Hebrews 13:11-13

How long is 70 weeks, and how can we know it is a prophetic time period?

  • Daniel 9:25 “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.”

70 weeks is slightly more than 16 months. The fulfillment of this prophecy could never be accomplished in such a short time. To properly interpret the meaning of Daniel’s prophecy, one must understand that one day represents one year. Below are some scriptural examples of this important approach when interpreting time prophecy.

  • Numbers 13:25-33 The twelve spies returned from spying out the Promised Land and were gone for 40 days. Ten spies gave an “evil report” (verse 32) saying they could not conquer the land because the people were too strong. Because of their lack of faith, Israel was required to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, a year for each day the spies were in the land. See also Numbers 14:33, 34.
  • Ezekiel 4:4-6 “I have appointed thee each day for a year.” The prophet was instructed to lie on his side for 430 days. This was to correspond to the number of years that Israel had committed iniquity. This is a direct usage of 1 day = 1 year.
  • Exodus 20:8-11; 23:10-11 The Law of Moses commands that the seventh day be a day of rest and the seventh year be a year of rest. This also suggests that a day is equivalent to a year and sets a pattern for Daniel’s prophecy of seventy weeks.

How did Gabriel divide the 70 weeks?

Daniel 9:25 states that the 70 weeks prophecy would be comprised of various periods extending to “Messiah the Prince.” Examine the chart below and see how those time periods were fulfilled. Verse 25 states that the prophecy’s fulfillment would begin “from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem.” Keep in mind that one week (7 days) represents seven years.

  • 1st period—7 weeks (49 years) This began in 454bc in the 20th year of King Artaxerxes when Nehemiah was permitted to return to Israel and rebuild Jerusalem. Nehemiah 2:1-8 (See Vol. 2, p.67)
    This first period predicted 49 years for the rebuilding of the city.
  • 2nd period—62 weeks (434 years) This began in 405bc and extends to 29ad—the baptism of Jesus. The word “Messiah” means “anointed.” Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit at his baptism. Matthew 3:16 After (sometime after the 62 weeks), Messiah would be cut off. This now takes us to the 70th week.
  • 3rd period—70th week (7 years) “…in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease.” In the midst, or middle, of the 70th week, Messiah’s sacrifice would end. This was the year 33ad, the year of Jesus’ crucifixion.

What “covenant” was confirmed?

  • Daniel 9:27 (KJV) “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.”

Although Israel was cast off from favor as a nation in 33ad, the remainder of the 70th week was reserved for continued favor to individual Jews. The Gospel message was initially confined to a “remnant” of Jews. Thus, the covenant was “confirmed with many.” This exclusive favor continued for 3½ years until 36ad, when Cornelius, the first Gentile believer, came to Christ. Acts 10 

Daniel 9:27 “…And for the overspreading of abominations,
he shall make it desolate.”

As a result of Israel’s rejection of their Messiah and their ongoing sins, their nation and temple were destroyed by the Romans in 70ad. However, Israel was not cast off forever. The Apostle Paul explains that after their punishment time expired, they would be restored.
Romans 11:2 This is another thrilling prophecy that can now be easily identified.

In Conclusion

This wonderful prophecy points directly to Jesus as the true Messiah. Under divine inspiration, Daniel provided a faith strengthening insight that proves the Lord’s death was not tragic, but a vital part of God’s plan of salvation. It also reveals important historical evidence that Biblical time prophecy uses one day to represent one year. This key allows us to study other important time prophecies. We are deeply grateful that God has given so much truth on which our faith can firmly stand. We look forward to the time when all creation will honor the heavenly Father, the giver of all good things, and our great Savior.


 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life;
no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

John 14:6