Daniel 9

1. Darius the son of Ahasuerus.

2. I Daniel understood by (the) books. That is, by the sacred books. Jeremiah had sent a letter to Babylon, in which he had been commanded expressly to foretell seventy years from the deportation of Jeconiah as the duration of the captivity of Judah (Jer. xxix. 10).

3. I set my face, etc. Daniel well knew that the mercy which God promised to His people must be sought by humiliation and prayer (Ezek. xxxvi. 37).

4. I prayed unto the Lord my God. In this “effectual fervent prayer,” the prophet thoroughly identifies himself with his people; humbling himself most deeply for their sins, whilst he pleads earnestly for national mercies. The short ejaculations so often repeated show the strength of his feelings. The whole prayer is a model for private as well as public confession and supplication.

9 though. Lit., “for” (R.V.).

20 whiles I was speaking. This is an encouraging instance of God’s readiness to answer prayer: cp. Psa. xxxiv. 4; lxv. 2.

21 the man Gabriel. See note on viii. 16.

about the time of the evening oblation. About three o’clock in the afternoon.

24. Seventy weeks. Or, “seventy sevens.” Daniel’s prayer was founded on the promise respecting the “seventy years” (Jer. xxix. 10); the answer makes known a period of “seven times seventy,” or 490 years.

are determined upon thy people, etc. “Are decreed respecting thy people,” etc.; i.e., as the period in which these predictions regarding thy people shall be fulfilled.

to finish the transgression, etc. Some commentators apply this verse to the restoration of the people, and the rebuilding of the city, after the exile in Babylon; but others regard it as referring to the coming and work of Messiah. It is not, however, easy to give with certainty the meaning of each clause. Perhaps the best translation is, “to shut up the transgression, and to seal up the sins; and to expiate iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness; and to seal up vision and prophet, and to anoint the holy of holies.”

25 to restore and to build Jerusalem. Though Cyrus had been foretold as the rebuilder of Jerusalem (Isa. xliv. 28), yet the period here spoken of cannot be reckoned either from his decree, or from its subsequent confirmation by Darius Hystaspis. The whole question of dates must be left undecided.

the Messiah the Prince. Rather, “an Anointed One, a Prince.” (See R.V. marg.) “There can be no reasonable doubt,” says Farrar (Daniel, p. 280), “that this is a reference to the deposition of the high priest Onias III, and his murder by Andronicus (171 B.C.).”

26 but not for Himself. Lit., “and nothing for Him”: see R.V. and marg. Here both the old versions and more modern translations vary greatly. Moffatt renders: “leaving no successor.”

the end thereof. Heb., “his end”; perhaps the end which the prince will bring on the city and sanctuary.

and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. Rather, “and unto the end [will be] war, a determined measure of desolations” (“Statuta desolatio,” Vulgate): see Matt. xxiv. 21, 22; Luke xxi. 22-24.

27. He shall confirm the covenant. Rather, as R.V., “He shall make a firm covenant.” This verse refers to the history of the one “seven” of years which completes the “seventy sevens.” But commentators differ greatly in their interpretations. If it refers to the tyranny and overthrow of Antiochus, the half of the week (“week” being seven years) would be the three and a half years during which Antiochus suppressed the Jewish worship.

and for the overspreading of abominations He shall make [it] desolate. Rather, “and over the wing of abominations [shall be] a desolation,” or “[shall come] one that maketh desolate.” The “wing” is supposed by some to be a pinnacle of the Temple; by others it is regarded as referring to the image, probably winged like so many Babylonian figures, which Antiochus set up there.

that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. If the last word be translated “desolator” (see R.V.), then it intimates that this future enemy of Israel, after being used by God as the instrument of His justice, shall himself be punished: cp. Isa. x. 7, and note.