Daniel 9:26
And after threescore and two weekes, shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himselfe, and the people of the Prince that shall come, shall destroy the citie, and the Sanctuarie, and the ende thereof shall be with a flood, and vnto the ende of the warre desolations are determined. Daniel 9:26 (KJV)
This verse is part of Daniel’s prayer and subsequent vision, revealing insight into future events. Let’s examine the verse and its meaning.
The phrase “threescore and two weeks” refers to sixty‑two weeks. In biblical prophecy a week often represents seven years, so sixty‑two weeks equates to 434 years. This period is part of the larger seventy‑week prophecy (Daniel 9:24‑27). The full timeline begins with the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, spanning seven weeks (49 years) followed by sixty‑two weeks (434 years), totaling sixty‑nine weeks (483 years), leading to the arrival of the Messiah the Prince. After this sixty‑nine‑week period the Messiah is “cut off,” referring to His crucifixion for the sins of humanity, not for Himself.
The clause “the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary” predicts the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple. The reference points to the Roman Empire, specifically the Roman armies under General Titus, which destroyed Jerusalem and its temple in 70 AD. This event marked a pivotal and significant turning point in Jewish history.
“The end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined” signifies a devastating, overwhelming force describing the Roman conquest of Jerusalem. The statement that desolations are determined unto the end of the war indicates that the devastation would continue throughout the ensuing conflict.
Overall, Daniel 9:26 foreshadows the coming of the Messiah, His crucifixion, and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem and its temple by the Roman Empire. It underscores significant events in biblical and world history and showcases God’s sovereignty and His plan for redemption.
