INVESTIGATING DANIEL 9:24-27

Lloyd Bell
Bible 450
April 17, 2013

INVESTIGATING DANIEL 9:24-27

To say that Daniel 9:24-27 is one of the most discussed four verses in all the bible would be a great understatement. Dr. Ray Prichard when describing Daniel 9:24-27, went as far as to write, “It is the key to prophetic interpretation and the backbone of biblical prophecy.” So what then would merit such a statement? How can four verses be so important? Concerning the importance of this passage John Walvoord writes,”
The interpretation of the revelation given to Daniel concerning the seventy weeks (Daniel 9:24–27) constitutes one of the determining factors in the whole system of prophecy. The attention given to it by all schools of interpretation, and the attacks upon the authenticity of the book itself combine to focus the white light of investigation upon it. The interpretation of this passage inevitably colors all other prophetic views, and a proper understanding of it is the sine qua non of any student of prophecy."

The above being noted, this paper will investigate Daniel 9:24-27, discuss schools of interpretation, and provide this author’s interpretation of this important prophetic text. By investigating Daniel 9:24-27 it will soon become evident that rightly dividing the Word of Truth requires diligent study and the application of sound hermeneutic principles.

Daniel 9:24-27 within Context Looking at these verses alone can lead to mishandling of an already greatly misinterpreted portion of scripture. Walvoord noted “In the history of the church the eschatological or prophetic portions of Scripture have suffered more from inadequate interpretation than any other major theological subject.” The same principles of interpreting scripture apply to prophecy that applies to other parts of scripture. In the book entitled Biblical Interpretation, the authors wrote, “For our interpretation of any biblical text to be valid, it must consistent with the historical-cultural context of that text.” Likewise, before proper exegesis of the scripture can take place authors Duvall and Hayes suggest learning the literal context and the central message of the prophet. With these basic principles of biblical interpretation the investigation proceeds. What is the historical- cultural context of these four verses? By the time the reader of the book of Daniel has arrived at chapter nine they have become well acquainted with the prophet known as Daniel also called Belteshazzar. By now they know this Daniel and three of his friends were among the Hebrew noble youth who were in exile in Babylon around 606-538 B.C. The first six chapters provides short stories of how these young men were used of God, tested, and became prominent during that time. It is also during these chapters that the reader notices that God gives Daniel dreams, visions, and the interpretation of such mysteries. It is evident from the surrounding text that Daniel was a prophet during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Darius the Mede and possibly lived passed the third year of King Cyrus’s reign. Knowing when Daniel was a prophet and the kings that reigned is helpful and gives the reader a better understanding of why chapter nine starts the way it does. Understanding the times in which he lived within the scope of prophecy Daniel prays to God for his people. The prophet Jeremiah had prophesied of the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar and that for 70 years the people would serve Babylon. These details can help one to understand why Daniel records these words, “in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.” Daniel proceeds to beseech the Lord and intercede for the people and calling God into remembrance of the 70 year prophecy given to Jeremiah. In verses 9:24-27 God sends the angel Gabriel to answer Daniel and reveals to him much more. Before going deeper into the verses that are being discussed one other area need attention. Let us briefly consider the literary context. Daniel is a prophetic book that can be also grouped in apocalyptic writings. Klein explains “Though the line between prophecy proper and apocalyptic often blurs, several general features set the latter apart. Basically, apocalyptic describes prophecies in which God “reveals” his hidden future plans, usually through dreams or visions with elaborate and at times strange symbolism or numbers.” A plain or literal interpretation should also keep in mind the nature of the type of literature being interpreted. Duval wrote “The prophets use poetry for much of their message, and it is this poetic aspect that is most foreign to us.” The Hebrew bible actually has Daniel grouped with the Writings and not the Prophets because of the literary style. Therefore having some understanding of how Hebrew poetry uses figures of speech, imagery, and contrasting could aide in interpreting Daniel. This is not to say that should attempt to find hidden meanings where they have not been hidden. One author described such people, “more ingenious readers claim to find predictions of current events (especially those in the Middle East) hidden behind every obscure word and symbol. With the bible in one hand and a daily newspaper in the other, they skillfully cross reference the two. Confidently they proclaim some modern leaders to be the goat’s fourth horn of Daniel”

VARIOUS SCHOOLS OF INTERPRETATION This portion of the paper is dedicated to various schools of interpretation and how they often approach interpreting the passage being discussed. The following should be considered as information that may or may not hold true in all cases. While there are many schools of interpretation (fig.1) that could be discussed here, we will look at two interpretive approaches. The two approaches being discussed will be some have defined as the Reformed Covenant view and the Dispensational view.
When looking at Daniel 9:24-27 those using the reformed view could be subcategorized in many ways. Butler breaks them down into two simple groups. These groups he divides as symbolic view of the prophecy and the literal view of prophecy. He states “With this view, the emphasis of the 70 weeks is God dealing with His redeemed throughout redemptive history and the comfort the work of God’s Messiah brings to those redeemed.” This group believes the “weeks” symbolize unspecified periods of time and not chronological "weeks" of years, or what would be 7 year intervals. On the other hand those who use the literal view of prophecy interpret the 70 weeks as actual, literal seven year periods that are meant to be chronological. This group attempts to follow the 16th century Reformer like Luther and Calvin who attempted to steer Protestants away from an allegorical approach of interpreting scripture. This group interprets 70 weeks are divided into three periods, 7 weeks of years, or 49 years; then 62 weeks of years, or 434 years; and then one final week of 7 years. This group often begins the 70 weeks with either the decree to rebuild the temple in 458 B.C or in 445 BC with the decree to rebuild the city. They correlate the 434 years with the first coming of Christ ending with either his baptism or triumphal entry in 33AD. They also see the last 7 years as ending with the stoning of Stephen in Acts chapter 7.
Similar to the Reform Covenant view representatives of the Dispensational view also often hold to a literal seven year periods that are meant to be chronological. However as Butler explains “ Whereas the Reformed covenant interpretation sees a fulfillment of these final 7 weeks shortly after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ or perhaps understand the final week as non-literal, Dispensationalists believe those final 7 years are yet future, awaiting fulfillment at the time of the end.” Unlike the Reformed Covenant view, Dispensational proponents see an extended gap of time (2,000 years at least at this point) existing between the completion of the 69 weeks and the final week. Butler explains “specific exegetical factors revealed throughout the other portions of Scripture warrant the understanding of a gap of time.” The idea of a gap of time can be clearly seen when dealing the fulfillment of prophecy. One writer explains “A single prophecy may have more than one fulfillment.” One prophecy can contain both a single prophecy may have more than one fulfillment and complete and final fulfillment in the distant future. An example can be seen in the prophecies concerning the Day of the Lord mentioned over 19 instances in the Old Testament. Also Isaiah 61:1-3 and Luke 4:18-21 show a single prophecy may have a significant gap in time between as to when different aspects are fulfilled. Both camps of interpretation make valid points. However one must be very diligent when studying any passage and guard against all “pre-understanding when trying to determine what the author meant.” Duval warns “pre-understanding is all the preconceived notions and understandings that we bring to the text before we’ve even begun to read or study that comes from personal Bible reading; preaching; culture; tradition”
In conclusion I will share my understanding of the four verses in question. Gabriel seems to be speaking primarily to Daniel about Israel using the phrase “your people” and “your holy city”.in verse 24. As for the 70 weeks, I hold to a literal view understanding the “weeks” as sevens or heptads (years) in Hebrew שְׁבֻעַ. This would be Seventy seven-years that add up to 490 years (heptads) and. Following this method verse 25 presents the first 69 sevens or 483 years while verse 26 gives the events between the 69th and 70th sevens. The last verse concludes describes the 70th seven or 7 years. The passage has six main points God will address within the 490 sevens. The first three points deal with the sin of Israel while the last three deal with His kingdom. The “Prince” is Messiah who is the Prince of Peace. Some also see an end time reference to antichrist. Both lines of interpretation concerning the “prince” are interesting. For certain there is the forth telling of rebuilding and coming destruction. The prediction of Christ first coming and His works are seen for sure as well as His coming judgment and Kingdom. Daniel prayed to know when the suffering would end according to Jeremiah’s prophecy and God sent Gabriel to explain much more. I agree with one author who wrote:
God already fulfilled some of these purposes. God will complete His program for these six purposes when the 490 years run their course. This program involves: 1) delivering Jews from the Babylonian captivity, 2) delivering them from sin at the Messiah’s advent, and 3) complete deliverance from oppression at the Second Coming of Christ.

This paper is for the purpose of persuading the reader to one view point. While I am confident in my understanding in some regards to Daniel 9:24-27, I must continue my investigation to avoid speculation. My personal understanding is growing each time I dig into God’s word. I have not subscribed to any one way of seeing this passage. I am open to the Spirit of Truth which has already revealed Christ in the passage. This passage gives us a glimpse of whom the bible calls He Who was, Who is, and Is to Come. ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1. Five Kingdoms of Daniel, chart, height approximately 20’, Chart
,http://www.legacybaptistchurch.net/wikler/docs/Five%20Kingdoms%20of%20Daniel.pdf (accessed April 10, 2013).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Butler, Fred. "An Introduction to Daniel’s Seventy Weeks." Biblical Premillennialism. Accessed April 10, 2013. http://premillennialism.wordpress.com/2010/12/18/an-introduction-to-daniels-seventy-weeks/.

P-R-E-C-E-P-T A-U-S-T-I-N. "Daniel 9:24-27." Accessed April 10, 2013. http://www.preceptaustin.org/daniel_924-27.htm.

Duvall, J. Scott, and J. Daniel Hays. Grasping God's Word A Hands-on Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012.

Klein, William W., Craig Blomberg, Robert L. Hubbard, and Kermit Allen Ecklebarger.Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Dallas, Tex: Word Pub, 1993.

Prichard, Ray. A Peek into God's Calendar - sermon by Dr. Ray Pritchard - February 2000. Keep Believing Ministries, 2000.

Strong, James. "Strong's Hebrew: 7620. שְׁבֻעַ (shabua) -- a period of seven (days, years), heptad, week." Bible Suite: Online Bible, Concordance, Topical, Strong's, Greek and Hebrew. Accessed April 11, 2013. http://biblesuite.com/hebrew/7620.htm.

Richison, Grant. "Daniel 9:24 « Bible Exposition Commentary." Bible Exposition Commentary. Last modified April 24, 2002. http://versebyversecommentary.com/daniel/daniel-924/.

Walvoord, John F. Every Prophecy of the Bible. Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub, 1999.

Walvoord, John F. Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1971.

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[ 1 ]. Prichard, Ray. A Peek into God's Calendar - sermon by Dr. Ray Pritchard - February 2000. Keep Believing Ministries, 2000.
[ 2 ]. John F. Walvoord, Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1971), 217
[ 3 ]. Walvoord, John F. Every Prophecy of the Bible. Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub, 1999.
[ 4 ]. Duvall, J. Scott, and J. Daniel Hays. Grasping God's Word A Hands-on Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012.
[ 5 ]. Ibid.,373-377
[ 6 ]. Dan. 4:19 (NKJV)
[ 7 ]. Dan. 10:1(KJV)
[ 8 ]. Jer. 25:9-12,29:10(NIV)
[ 9 ]. Dan. 9:2 (NKJV)
[ 10 ]. William W. Klein et al.,Introduction to BiblicalInterpretation,Rev. and updated ed.(Nashville, TN:
Thomas Nelson, 2003)311
[ 11 ]. Duvall, J. Scott, and J. Daniel Hays. Grasping God's Word, 331
[ 12 ]. Ibid., 369
[ 13 ]. Klein,Introduction to BiblicalInterpretation , 303
[ 14 ]. Butler, Fred. "An Introduction to Daniel’s Seventy Weeks." Biblical Premillennialism. Accessed April 10, 2013. http://premillennialism.wordpress.com/2010/12/18/an-introduction-to-daniels-seventy-weeks/.
[ 15 ]. Ibid
[ 16 ]. Ibid
[ 17 ]. Ibid
[ 18 ]. Ibid
[ 19 ]. Duvall, J. Scott, and J. Daniel Hays. Grasping God's Word 188
[ 20 ]. Butler, Fred. "An Introduction to Daniel’s Seventy Weeks."
[ 21 ]. Ibid
[ 22 ]. P-R-E-C-E-P-T A-U-S-T-I-N. "Daniel 9:24-27." Accessed April 10, 2013. http://www.preceptaustin.org/daniel_924-27.htm.
[ 23 ]. Ibid
[ 24 ]. Duvall, J. Scott, and J. Daniel Hays. Grasping God's Word,188
[ 25 ]. Ibid., 43
[ 26 ]. Note שְׁבֻעַ is a hapax legomenon in the Hebrew Bible
[ 27 ]. Richison, Grant. "Daniel 9:24 « Bible Exposition Commentary." Bible Exposition Commentary. Last modified April 24, 2002. http://versebyversecommentary.com/daniel/daniel-924/.