Text generated by Google AI
response = August 3rd, 2025
Textual arguments against a gap between the 69th and 70th week of Daniel's prophecy are often rooted in a closer examination of the Hebrew language and grammar of Daniel 9:24-27.
Here are some key points:
1. Grammatical structure and unity of the 70 weeks
- Hebrew word for "weeks": The Hebrew term "shabuwaʿ" used for "weeks" (or "sevens") throughout Daniel 9:24-27, especially with the masculine plural ending in verse 24, can imply a sum total and unbroken span of time, according to Digital Commons @ Andrews University.
- Consecutive nature: The angel Gabriel presents the seventy weeks as a continuous, unbroken period for Jerusalem and the Jewish people. To suggest a gap goes against this implied sequence and the stated purpose of the 70 weeks in Daniel 9:24.
- No textual indication of a gap: The passage does not explicitly indicate or warrant inserting a significant gap in time between the 69th and the 70th week.
- Parallelism in verses 26-27: Some scholars suggest that verses 26 and 27 utilize a Hebrew poetic device known as repetition with elaboration or synonymous/synthetic parallelism, where verse 27 repeats and expands upon the ideas presented in verse 26. If this is the case, events described as occurring "after" the 69th week (v. 26) are further elaborated as occurring "in" the 70th week (v. 27), rather than after a gap.
2. Fulfillment of the goals in Daniel 9:24
- Messiah's work: The traditional, continuous interpretation understands the cutting off of the Messiah (v. 26) as referring to the crucifixion of Jesus, which occurred during the 70th week.
- Fulfilling the six goals: The six goals outlined in Daniel 9:24, including "to finish the transgression," "to make an end of sin," and "to bring in everlasting righteousness," are seen as having been fulfilled through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ within the 70-week period.
- End of sacrifices: The phrase that "he will put an end to sacrifice and offering" in the middle of the week (v. 27) refers to the termination of the need for the temple sacrificial system due to the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ on the cross, according to Ministry Magazine.
3. The timing of Jerusalem's destruction
- Destruction after the 69th week: Daniel 9:26 states that the city and sanctuary would be destroyed "after the sixty-two weeks" (which, combined with the initial seven, marks 69 weeks). This was fulfilled in AD 70 with the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman army.
- Connected to Messiah's work: The destruction of Jerusalem is seen as a direct consequence of Israel's rejection of the Messiah's mission, connecting it to the time immediately following the 69 weeks and the events surrounding the 70th week.
In conclusion, textual arguments against a gap in Daniel's 70 weeks emphasize the linguistic and grammatical cues suggesting a continuous timeframe, the fulfillment of the prophecy's goals through the Messiah's work within the 70 weeks, and the historical fulfillment of Jerusalem's destruction following the 69 weeks and related to the 70th week, according to Sam Storms.
*** Youtube on the subject,
Daniel 70 weeks with No 7 Year GAP
here:
