Daniel 9:24-27

DANIEL—NOTE ON Daniel 9:24 There are many suggested interpretations of the seventy weeks, but there are three main views: (1) the passage refers to events surrounding Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–164 B.C.); (2) the 70 sevens are to be understood figuratively; and (3) the passage refers to events around the time of Christ. Most scholars understand the 70 “sevens” to be made up of 70 periods of seven years, or 490 years, but they apply these years to different periods of time. (See diagram.) In any case, the important point is that God has appointed a certain amount of time until the end of his people’s suffering, and thus they should not lose heart.