Daniel 9:25
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
Original Language Analysis
וְתֵדַ֨ע
Know
H3045
וְתֵדַ֨ע
Know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
1 of 22
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וְתַשְׂכֵּ֜ל
therefore and understand
H7919
וְתַשְׂכֵּ֜ל
therefore and understand
Strong's:
H7919
Word #:
2 of 22
to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
מֹצָ֣א
that from the going forth
H4161
מֹצָ֣א
that from the going forth
Strong's:
H4161
Word #:
4 of 22
a going forth, i.e., (the act) an egress, or (the place) an exit; hence, a source or product; specifically, dawn, the rising of the sun (the east), ex
דָבָ֗ר
of the commandment
H1697
דָבָ֗ר
of the commandment
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
5 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
תָּשׁוּב֙
again
H7725
תָּשׁוּב֙
again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
6 of 22
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙
Jerusalem
H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙
Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
8 of 22
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
9 of 22
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מָשִׁ֣יחַ
unto the Messiah
H4899
מָשִׁ֣יחַ
unto the Messiah
Strong's:
H4899
Word #:
10 of 22
anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the messiah
נָגִ֔יד
the Prince
H5057
נָגִ֔יד
the Prince
Strong's:
H5057
Word #:
11 of 22
a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes
וְשָׁבֻעִ֞ים
weeks
H7620
וְשָׁבֻעִ֞ים
weeks
Strong's:
H7620
Word #:
12 of 22
literally, sevened, i.e., a week (specifically, of years)
שִׁבְעָ֑ה
shall be seven
H7651
שִׁבְעָ֑ה
shall be seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
13 of 22
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
וְשָׁבֻעִ֞ים
weeks
H7620
וְשָׁבֻעִ֞ים
weeks
Strong's:
H7620
Word #:
14 of 22
literally, sevened, i.e., a week (specifically, of years)
תָּשׁוּב֙
again
H7725
תָּשׁוּב֙
again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
17 of 22
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וְחָר֔וּץ
and the wall
H2742
וְחָר֔וּץ
and the wall
Strong's:
H2742
Word #:
20 of 22
properly, incised or (active) incisive; hence (as noun masculine or feminine) a trench (as dug), gold (as mined), a threshing-sledge (having sharp tee
Cross References
Ezra 4:24Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.Isaiah 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.Isaiah 55:4Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.John 4:25The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.John 1:41He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.Nehemiah 4:8And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.Nehemiah 6:15So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.Nehemiah 3:1Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.Daniel 9:23At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.Daniel 8:25And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
Historical Context
Various decrees to rebuild Jerusalem exist: Cyrus (538 BC, Ezra 1), Artaxerxes to Ezra (458 BC, Ezra 7), Artaxerxes to Nehemiah (445 BC, Nehemiah 2). Different starting points and calendrical systems (360-day prophetic years vs. 365-day solar years) produce different calculations, but most point to Christ's ministry or triumphal entry. Sir Robert Anderson's calculation from 445 BC using 360-day years reaches Palm Sunday (AD 32). The prophecy's precision astonished early Christians, providing powerful evidence for Jesus's messianic identity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the chronological precision point powerfully to Jesus as the prophesied Messiah?
- What does the prophecy's fulfillment centuries later teach about God's sovereign orchestration of history toward predetermined purposes?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The prophecy provides chronological specifics: 'Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.' The decree to rebuild Jerusalem begins the countdown. 'Messiah the Prince' (Hebrew: mashiach nagid, anointed leader) clearly refers to Jesus Christ. The '7 weeks + 62 weeks' (69 total) reaches Messiah's coming. The reference to rebuilding 'in troublous times' accurately describes Nehemiah's opposition-filled reconstruction.