Gabriel’s Historical Decree
Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.
Gabriel has provided Daniel an outline from his place in time at 539 BC through the end of the gentile reign, into the Millennial Kingdom and beyond. The promises stated by Gabriel have yet to be completely fulfilled over 2,500 years later.
Let’s take a look at the overview of what Gabriel says will come to pass.
Seventy weeks… The first part of the time equation is straight forward. Shibim is the Hebrew word for the number 70. The second word is a bit more complicated as we see it from a western perspective. The Hebrew word of “weeks” is shabua. Per Strong’s Concordance, shabua is defined as a period of seven (days, years), heptad, week. For the purpose of this outline, 70 sets of seven years is 490 years. 70 X 7 = 490. There will be more on this concept of 70 7’s later.
your people… In this instance and the next, Gabriel references Daniel’s people and holy city. Gabriel is not a person, he is an angel. Daniel’s people are Israeli’s.
your holy city… Daniel’s holy city is Jerusalem. Gabriel’s home is in Heaven.
finish the transgression… This is the Hebrew phrase kela’ pesha`. The grammar of the verse indicates there will be intensive action that will finish rebellion. In other words, the party is definitively over. The rebellion will be undoubtedly crushed. Game over.
put an end to sin… Sin will cease. God as an external force will flex His will and stop sin.
atone for iniquity… Atone or kaphar in the Hebrew, kaphar means appease, to cover over, pacify, make propitiation (Strong’s Concordance). Atone for what? Sin or avon. This is the punishment or consequence of the guilt of sin.
“atone for iniquity” is a prophecy of the cross work of Jesus Christ. 1 John 2:1-2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
bring in everlasting righteousness… everlasting or olam in the Hebrew. Olam is the word for eternal, long duration, antiquity, futurity, forever… What is forever? Righteousness or tsedeq. The term can also be translated as justice. The grammar states eternal, perfect justice will be caused to occur. Humanity has failed to be fair or blind in its administration of justice. The days of corruption will be brought to an end permanently by God.
seal both vision and prophet… The need for messengers, communication, dreams, visions and prophecy will be no more. God’s word will have been fulfilled and completed.
anoint a most holy place… This phrase could be translated one of many ways per commentators. The words “place” and “one” are implied after “holy“. The verse could literally read “anoint most holy” or “anoint holy”.
NET Bible offers up three possibilities.
- “the most holy place”
- “a most holy one”
- “the most holy one”
In the final analysis, a verse towards the end of Revelation may provide some clarity.
Revelation 21:22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.
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