King James Version

What Does Daniel 9:24 Mean?

Daniel 9:24 in the King James Version says “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of ...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. finish: or, restrain make an: or, seal up prophecy: Heb. prophet”

Daniel 9:24 · KJV

Eternal Life

Context

22

And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. to: Heb. to make thee skilful of

23

At 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. commandment: Heb. word greatly: Heb. a man of desires

24

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. finish: or, restrain make an: or, seal up prophecy: Heb. prophet

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. be built: Heb. return and be built wall: or, breach, or, ditch troublous: Heb. strait of

26

And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. but: or, and shall have nothing desolations: or, it shall be cut off by desolations

Read Daniel 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city (שָׁבֻעִים שִׁבְעִים נֶחְתַּךְ עַל־עַמְּךָ וְעַל־עִיר קָדְשֶׁךָ)—The Hebrew shavu'im shiv'im (שָׁבֻעִים שִׁבְעִים, "seventy weeks") literally means "seventy sevens," interpreted as seventy weeks of years (490 years). The verb nechtak (נֶחְתַּךְ, "determined/decreed") means "cut off" or "decisively fixed," indicating God's sovereign timetable for redemptive history. This prophecy concerns "your people" (Israel) and "your holy city" (Jerusalem), establishing its specific historical referent.

The sixfold purpose clause defines what these 490 years will accomplish: (1) to finish the transgression (lekalle hapesha, לְכַלֵּא הַפֶּשַׁע)—to restrain or bring rebellion to completion; (2) to make an end of sins (ulchatom chatta'ot, וּלְחָתֹם חַטָּאת)—literally "to seal up sin," ending its power; (3) to make reconciliation for iniquity (ulkhapper 'avon, וּלְכַפֵּר עָוֹן)—to atone for or cover iniquity through sacrifice; (4) to bring in everlasting righteousness (ulhavi tsedek 'olamim, וּלְהָבִיא צֶדֶק עֹלָמִים)—to establish righteousness that endures forever; (5) to seal up the vision and prophecy (velachtom chazon venavi, וְלַחְתֹּם חָזוֹן וְנָבִיא)—to authenticate and complete prophetic revelation; (6) to anoint the most Holy (velimshoach qodesh qodashim, וְלִמְשֹׁחַ קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים)—to anoint the Most Holy One or consecrate the Most Holy Place.

This passage is the Old Testament's most precise messianic prophecy. Reformed interpreters have historically identified these accomplishments with Christ's first advent: His death accomplished atonement (3), His resurrection brought eternal righteousness (4), His ministry fulfilled prophecy (5), and His ascension anointed Him as eternal High Priest (6, cf. Hebrews 9:11-12). The 490 years, calculated from Artaxerxes' decree (Nehemiah 2:1-8, 445 BC), extend to Christ's ministry and the temple's destruction (AD 70), demonstrating God's meticulous sovereignty over redemptive history.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Daniel received this revelation around 538 BC (9:1-2) during Darius the Mede's reign, while studying Jeremiah's prophecy of 70 years' exile (Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10). His intercessory prayer (9:3-19) sought understanding of Israel's restoration. The angel Gabriel appeared with this stunning response: rather than merely 70 years, God's plan encompasses seventy weeks of years—490 years—to accomplish complete redemption. The prophecy's mathematical precision led Sir Robert Anderson (The Coming Prince, 1894) and others to calculate that the 69 weeks (483 years) extended from Artaxerxes' decree to Christ's triumphal entry. The seventieth week remains debated—some apply it to Christ's ministry and Jerusalem's destruction, others see a gap before future fulfillment. This prophecy sustained Jewish hope during intertestamental persecution and validated Jesus as Messiah through fulfilled timeline.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the precision of this 490-year prophecy strengthen your confidence in Scripture's divine inspiration and Christ's messianic identity?
  2. Which of the six accomplishments (finishing transgression, ending sin, making atonement, bringing righteousness, sealing prophecy, anointing the Holy One) most encourages you in your current spiritual struggles?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
שָׁבֻעִ֨ים1 of 23

“weeks”

H7620

literally, sevened, i.e., a week (specifically, of years)

שִׁבְעִ֜ים2 of 23

“Seventy”

H7657

seventy

נֶחְתַּ֥ךְ3 of 23

“are determined”

H2852

properly, to cut off, i.e., (figuratively) to decree

עַֽל4 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עַמְּךָ֣׀5 of 23

“upon thy people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וְעַל6 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עִ֣יר7 of 23

“city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

קָֽדָשִֽׁים׃8 of 23

“Holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

לְכַלֵּ֨א9 of 23

“to finish”

H3607

to restrict, by act (hold back or in) or word (prohibit)

הַפֶּ֜שַׁע10 of 23

“the transgression”

H6588

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

וְלַחְתֹּם֙11 of 23

“and to seal up”

H2856

to close up; especially to seal

חַטָּאות֙12 of 23

“of sins”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

וּלְכַפֵּ֣ר13 of 23

“and to make reconciliation”

H3722

to cover (specifically with bitumen)

עָוֹ֔ן14 of 23

“for iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וּלְהָבִ֖יא15 of 23

“and to bring in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

צֶ֣דֶק16 of 23

“righteousness”

H6664

the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

עֹֽלָמִ֑ים17 of 23

“everlasting”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

וְלַחְתֹּם֙18 of 23

“and to seal up”

H2856

to close up; especially to seal

חָז֣וֹן19 of 23

“the vision”

H2377

a sight (mentally), i.e., a dream, revelation, or oracle

וְנָבִ֔יא20 of 23

“and prophecy”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

וְלִמְשֹׁ֖חַ21 of 23

“and to anoint”

H4886

to rub with oil, i.e., to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint

קָֽדָשִֽׁים׃22 of 23

“Holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

קָֽדָשִֽׁים׃23 of 23

“Holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 9:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 9:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 9:11-14Romans 5:10Jeremiah 23:5-6Numbers 14:34Leviticus 25:8Isaiah 51:6

Places in This Verse

Most Holy Place 2Altar · Modern: Mount Moriah · 31.78°N, 35.24°E24 verses across 7 books
View all places in Daniel 9 →

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