King James Version

What Does Daniel 9:26 Mean?

Daniel 9:26 in the King James Version says “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shal...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Daniel 9:26 · King James Version

Context

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

27

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. the covenant: or, a covenant for the: or, with the abominable armies the desolate: or, the desolator

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Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
The prophecy foretells tragedy: '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.' 'Messiah be cut off' predicts His death. 'Not for himself' indicates substitutionary atonement—dying for others' sins. The 'people of the prince' (Romans) destroyed Jerusalem and temple in AD 70. The language of flood and desolation describes thorough destruction. This prophecy encompasses both Christ's atoning death and Jerusalem's later judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus's crucifixion occurred approximately AD 30-33, fulfilling 'Messiah be cut off.' The phrase 'not for himself' echoes Isaiah 53's Suffering Servant dying for others' sins. Roman armies under Titus besieged and destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70, razing the temple and killing an estimated 1 million Jews (Josephus). Jesus predicted this destruction (Matthew 24; Luke 19:41-44). The prophecy's dual focus—Messiah's death and Jerusalem's destruction—shows redemptive history's trajectory: atonement followed by judgment on those who rejected Messiah.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does 'cut off but not for himself' provide Old Testament foundation for understanding Christ's substitutionary atonement?
  2. What does the prophecy linking Messiah's death to Jerusalem's destruction teach about rejecting God's provision bringing judgment?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְאַחֲרֵ֤י1 of 21

“And after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הַשָּׁבֻעִים֙2 of 21

“weeks”

H7620

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

שִׁשִּׁ֣ים3 of 21

“threescore”

H8346

sixty

וּשְׁנַ֔יִם4 of 21

“and two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

יִכָּרֵ֥ת5 of 21

“be cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

מָשִׁ֖יחַ6 of 21

“shall Messiah”

H4899

anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the messiah

וְאֵ֣ין7 of 21
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

ל֑וֹ8 of 21
H0
וְהָעִ֨יר9 of 21

“the city”

H5892

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

וְהַקֹּ֜דֶשׁ10 of 21

“and the sanctuary”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

יַ֠שְׁחִית11 of 21

“shall destroy”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

עַ֣ם12 of 21

“but not for himself and the people”

H5971

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

נָגִ֤יד13 of 21

“of the prince”

H5057

a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes

הַבָּא֙14 of 21

“that shall come”

H935

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

קֵ֣ץ15 of 21

“and the end”

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

בַשֶּׁ֔טֶף16 of 21

“thereof shall be with a flood”

H7858

a deluge (literally or figuratively)

וְעַד֙17 of 21
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

קֵ֣ץ18 of 21

“and the end”

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

מִלְחָמָ֔ה19 of 21

“of the war”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

נֶחֱרֶ֖צֶת20 of 21

“are determined”

H2782

properly, to point sharply, i.e., (literally) to wound; figuratively, to be alert, to decide

שֹׁמֵמֽוֹת׃21 of 21

“desolations”

H8074

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

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 9:26 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 9:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 53:8Nahum 1:8Mark 13:2Luke 24:26Matthew 24:21 Peter 2:24

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