Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 05:16 (Dec 2001)
Article: A Study of Daniel 9:24 - 27 Part II
Author: Charles H. Ray

CTJ 5:16 (December 2001) p. 304

A Study of Daniel 9:24 - 27
Part II

Charles H. Ray

Associate Editor
Th. D. candidate, Tyndale Seminary

This article is the second of a four part series on Daniel 9:24–27. The previous article examined the first part of verse 24 and focused on a proper exegesis of “seventy sevens,” “to finish the transgression,” “to make an end of sin,” and “to make atonement for iniquity.” The present article begins with an analysis of “to bring in everlasting righteousness,” the fourth of six phrases outlining the details of what God has decreed (v. 24). The Introduction is repeated here as a review. It should be noted as well that a bibliography will appear at the end of Part IV.

Introduction

Regardless of one’s theological persuasion, Daniel 9:24–27 is one of the most difficult passages to interpret. Challenges arise both in the area of linguistics and in theology, specifically eschatology. Some of the verbs are somewhat obscure, the chronological framework is not particularly easy to establish, and a dash of symbolism is thrown in the mix for good measure. The effort to unravel these four verses is worth it, however. Eschatological details are packed in them like sardines. A proper understanding of this highly scrutinized pericope will make end-time events less confusing.

The 490 years described here are broken down into three stages: (1) 7 “weeks” = 49 years, (2) 62 “weeks” = 434 years, and (3) one “week” = 7 years. An overview of the passage also reveals that v.24 summarizes all four verses, v.25 concerns the 69 “sevens,”

CTJ 5:16 (December 2001) p. 305

v.26 notes the death of the Messiah and the destruction of Jerusalem, and v.27 describes the 70^th “seven.”1

In addition to being an amazing revelation, this portion of Holy Writ is one of the most wonderful answers to prayer in Scripture. Daniel had read in Jeremiah that the Jews’ captivity would last only 70 years, so “…it would be only natural for Daniel to inquire of God as to which of the three deportations marked the beginning of the seventy years of exile”2 (605, 597, or 586 BC). Daniel asks the Lord about ending the exile, but His response looks to the future instead.