DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 9:1 While reading the book of Jeremiah 1:1 and realizing that the “seventy years” (v. Daniel 9:2) are almost over (see Jeremiah 29:10), Daniel turns to God in prayer, seeking mercy for Jerusalem. The angel Gabriel appears to him (Daniel 9:21) and explains that another period of... [ Continue Reading ]
DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 9:2 Some interpreters understand the SEVENTY YEARS to extend from 605 B.C. to the first return of the exiles in 538, following Cyrus’s decree allowing the Jews to return. Others suggest that the 70 years extend from 586 B.C., when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, to 515, whe... [ Continue Reading ]
DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 9:3 Daniel began to pray for the restoration of God’s people to their land. Daniel also fasted and put on sackcloth and ashes. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 9:4 Daniel’s prayer begins with praise of God’s power and justice. Daniel pleads with God to show grace to his people. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 9:11 Under the terms of the Sinai covenant, the unfaithfulness that Daniel confesses in vv. Daniel 9:5 would result in the exile of God’s people from the Land of Promise. Yet when his people repented of their sins, the Lord would gather them again to the land. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images... [ Continue Reading ]
DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 9:17 Daniel asked the Lord to show favor to his SANCTUARY and to end the exile, thus honoring his own name. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 9:20 The angel GABRIEL, first seen in ch. Daniel 8:1, appears to Daniel and reveals that there is more to come. This is clear proof that Daniel’s prayer has been heard and his request for favor has been honored by the Lord. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img... [ Continue Reading ]
DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 9:24 There are many suggested interpretations of the SEVENTY WEEKS, but there are three main views: (1) the passage refers to events surrounding Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–164 B.C.); (2) the 70 sevens are to be understood figuratively; and (3) the passage refers to events arou... [ Continue Reading ]
DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 9:25 The promised restoration of God’s people and sanctuary will come in three stages. The first SEVEN periods of sevens will run from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem to the time when that rebuilding is complete. This period of restoration will be a t... [ Continue Reading ]
DANIEL—NOTE ON DANIEL 9:27 HE SHALL PUT AN END TO SACRIFICE AND OFFERING. In one interpretation, this refers to Christ’s atonement. With the death of Jesus on the cross, the atoning sacrifices of the OT were abolished. In another interpretation, if “the prince who is to come” (v. Daniel 9:26) is not... [ Continue Reading ]