OET interlinear DAN 9:25

9:25a

Know and understand this: In the Hebrew text this verse part is connected to the previous verse part by the common conjunction that is often translated as “and.” In this context it may be natural to follow the NET and say:

So know and understand (NET)

Know and understand: These are commands. In some languages it may be more natural to say:

I want you to know and understand

9:25b–e

There is a textual and interpretation problem in these verse parts. It is related to the punctuation of the Hebrew text. Scholars do not agree as to whether the phrases “seven weeks” and “sixty-two weeks” belong together or whether they have reference to separate events. The two main views are:

1. the phrases “seven sevens” and “sixty-two sevens” belong together and refer to two probably consecutive periods of time. For example:

   from the time the command is given to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the anointed prince comes, seven sets of seven time periods and sixty–two sets of seven time periods will pass. Jerusalem will be restored and rebuilt with a city square and a moat during the troubles of those times. (GW) (BSB, NIV, GW, CEV, NET, KJV, NASB, NJB, NLT, NCV)

2. the phrase “seven sevens” refers to the events of 9:25a–d and the phrase “sixty-two sevens” refers to the events of 9:25e. For example, the NRSV translates 9:25b–e as:

   from the time that the word went out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the time on an anointed prince, there shall be seven weeks; and for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with street and moat, but in a troubled time (NRSV) (RSV/NRSV, ESV, REB, GNT) It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with the majority of English versions.This is one possible way to calculate the total of 69 “weeks” referred to here: The seven “weeks” (7x7, 49 years) could cover a period of approximately 457–407 BC. This would include the time of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. During these years the city of Jerusalem and the temple were rebuilt. The end of the sixty-two “weeks” (7x62, 434 years) would be around A.D. 27. This was near the time when Jesus Christ began his ministry.

9:25b

From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem: This verse part gives the beginning point of a time period. Scholars do not agree as to what year or to what event this refers. It is therefore good to translate this in a fairly literal and general way. For example:

From the issuing of the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (NET)

From the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem (GNT)

In some languages it may be natural to translate this decree or message as direct speech. For example:

From the time there went out this message: “Return and rebuild Jerusalem” (NJB)

the issuance of the decree: The Hebrew phrase that the BSB translates literally as the issuance of the decree refers to the giving or announcing of an order or law. The text does not say who gave this order, and scholars do not agree as to whom this refers. You should avoid making this explicit and translate this in a general way. You may use either a passive or an active verb. For example:

the command is given (GW)

a command will come (NCV)

to restore and rebuild Jerusalem: There are two main ways to understand the Hebrew verbs that the BSB translates as restore and rebuild:

1. They refer to two actions. The first verb, which is literally “to bring back,” refers to the return of the community to Jerusalem and the remaking of the community. The second verb refers to the physical rebuilding of the walls and structures of Jerusalem. For example:

   to restore and build Jerusalem (ESV) (BSB, NIV, NJB, KJV, NASB, RSV/NRSV, NJB, REB, NET, GW)

2. They refer to one action. For example:

   to rebuild Jerusalem (NCV) (NCV, GNT, NLT, CEV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and if possible use two verbs to indicate the two actions.

9:25c

until the Messiah, the Prince: This verse part gives the ending point of a time period. The phrase that the BSB translates as until the Messiah, the Prince is more literally “until an anointed one, a ruler.” It does not have a verb. Some English versions supply the verb “comes” (NIV), and this may be natural in some languages. In other languages it may be more natural to supply a noun. For example:

until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes (NLT)

until the coming/time of the Anointed One, the ruler

The Hebrew phrase that the BSB translates as the Messiah, the Prince does not have a definite article (the). There are two ways to interpret this phrase:

1. It refers to the Messiah, that is, Christ. Many English versions use initial capitals to refer to the Christ. For example:

   until the coming of the Chosen Leader (CEV) (BSB, KJV, NASB, NJB, NIV, NLT, CEV)

   • It refers to another anointed ruler or priest such as Cyrus, Zerubbabel, or Joshua the high priest. For example:

     until the time of an anointed prince (NRSV) (RSV/NRSV, ESV, REB, NET, GNT, GW, NCV)

In English versions translators have often used initial capital letters to distinguish titles and names of God and Christ, as the BSB does. It is therefore possible to see which translations are following this interpretation. However, the Hebrew text itself does not have this distinction and does not require this interpretation. Try to translate in such a way that readers can understand Christ to be a possible fulfillment of this prophecy, but that other understandings are also possible. For example:

until an anointed one, a prince, arrives (NET)

until God’s chosen leader comes (GNT)

until one who has been appointed/chosen comes

the Messiah: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates literally as Messiah means “anointed person.” In ancient Israel it was the custom for a priest to pour a little oil on the head of a priest or king in order to appoint him to a position of leadership. This symbolic act showed that he was chosen and appointed by God. If the word Messiah would not have this meaning in your culture, it would be good to translate the meaning of the action and say:

the appointed/chosen one

God’s chosen one

9:25d

there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks: This Hebrew phrase is more literally “there will be seven sevens and sixty-two sevens” (as in the NIV). As in 9:24a, the Hebrew word that the BSB translates as weeks is a symbolic reference to weeks of years, that is, to seven-year periods. Here are some other ways to translate this:

it will be seven weeks and another sixty-two weeks (CEV)

there will be a period of seven weeks and sixty-two weeks (NET)

Seven sets/periods of seven years will pass and then sixty-two sets/periods of seven years will pass.

9:25e

It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench: Gabriel indicated that Jerusalem would be built up again. People could live in it and be protected. This is a passive clause, and there are two ways to translate it:

• using a passive verb. For example:

  Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses (NLT)

• using an active verb. It is best to have a general subject. For example:

  They will rebuild it, and they will make streets and a protective trench/moat

It will be rebuilt: The Hebrew is literally “it will return and it will be built.” This is an idiomatic way of saying that the city would be built again, that is, rebuilt. Here are some other ways to translate this:

It will again be built (NET)

They will build Jerusalem again

streets: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as streets normally refers to an open place in a city that could be used for a market place or other meeting place. It can also be translated as:

plaza (NET)

city square

a trench: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as trench refers to a deep ditch that can be filled with water. This would be done for protection, as such a ditch would be hard for enemy soldiers to cross. Here are some ways to translate this:

moat (NET)

strong defenses (GNT)

a trench will be dug around the city for protection (CEV)

but in times of distress: The Hebrew phrase that the BSB translates as times of distress means “a time when people will experience many difficulties.” Here is another way to translate this:

but these will be difficult times (CEV)