To the Five Doves:

This note suggests a new and different way of explaining Daniel 9:27. I believe the key to understanding Daniel 9:27 is to realize that the terms "one week" and "midst of the week" found in the KJV refer to a week of days, and not to a week of years. Therefore in sharp contrast to previous interpretations, this verse clearly prophesies the final week of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.

"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."  (Daniel 9:27, KJV)

The Hebrew word shabua translated into English as "week" simply indicates a group of seven items. Just as we use our word dozen when we refer to a group of twelve, like a dozen eggs or a dozen years, Jews of those times commonly counted by groups of seven. Since the Hebrew word is exactly the same in Daniel 9:27 as it was earlier in Daniel 9:24-25, we must rely on the context of the passage to understand whether it means seven days or seven weeks. Obviously verses 9:24-26 use the word "week" to represent seven years, just as we have always understood it. However, because of the context of verse 9:27 I am convinced the use of the word "week" shifts in that verse to mean a week of seven days.

Accordingly, the "covenant" noted in Daniel 9:27 refers to the New Covenant, the covenant between God and the "many" followers of Jesus Christ who believe on Him. The New Covenant was "confirmed" during the seven days of the Holy Week (the "one week") which began with Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and ended at nightfall of the Sabbath on the evening before His resurrection.

The actual transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant happened in "the midst of the week," the final few days of the Holy Week that included the last supper in the upper room, Christ's trials, the crucifixion, and the Sabbath day that preceded Christ's resurrection.

The phrase, "he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease" is a revelation that in the New Covenant, Christ will do away with the animal sacrifices and the other temple offerings that were so important in the Old Covenant.

This note was extracted from my new article "The Revelation Of The Weeks" which you can access through the following link:

http://ourpropheticbible.org/downloads/WEEKS.pdf

Ray Schulz

Look Up! Ministries