Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Samuel Nunez <samuelnunez1973 AT sbcglobal.net>]

George,

For some reason my response to the list did not go through. I have made some changes in hopes of making my points clearer to readers on this list.

I believe the text of Dan 9:25-27 divides the 70 weeks into 7 weeks, 62 weeks, and 1 week to point out that several important events will take place during this (70 week or 490 year) time span. In other words the division of the 70 weeks points to smaller periods of time that in themselves function as event markers, either at the beginning, end or middle of each segment of time.

These are the events I find in the text:

1) The text points out that the first period will last 7 weeks or 49 years, making it our first marker of the total 70 week period. This time period begins with the edict to reconstruct Jerusalem.
2) The next time period (62 weeks or 434 years) follows the 7 week period and culminates with the appearance of the Messiah.
3) After the 62 week time period, we note that there is a 1 week period (7 years) left to complete the 70 weeks. The text indicates that in the middle of the week sacrifices and offerings cease.  The text also indicates that after the 62 week period, or in the 1 week time period, the anointed one is killed.

We notice that each time period marks its events differently. We also notice that in order for these periods to reach a total of 70 weeks or 490 years they cannot overlap or have a gap between them that subtract or add to the total amount of time alloted.

Regarding the use of the numbers 7 weeks and 62 weeks and 1week, the only significance I can see in these specific numbers is in relation to the Jubilee year (49 years) and the Sabbatical year (7 years). These two numbers were a Sabbath or rest for the land, and freedom from debt; they also served as a memorial of the Creator's and Redeemer's rightful ownership of all things (Lev. 25:2, 9, 10, 25; see also Deut. 15:12). The 62-week period is the time period left between these two highly significant numbers in the Jewish economy, and is used to mark the appearing of the Messiah at the end of this time period.

Cheers,

Samuel Nunez

On Oct 21, 2012, at 2:14 AM, George Athas wrote:

Samuel,

I've done some further thinking on your following claim:

"One reason why I see the 69 week period divided in seven weeks and 62 weeks is to indicate that even though the Messiah would not come until the 69th week, the reconstruction of the city streets and ditches would take place in a shorter amount of time, namely 7 weeks or 49 years."

I can't see how this is working. Are you connecting the rebuilding to Artaxerxes' sanctioning of Nehemiah's mission? If so, the decree comes in 445 BC, but Nehemiah completes the repairs of the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days in 444 BC. What do you see is happening until 396 BC? And what evidence do you have for it?

Also, if we take the start of a 69-week period (483 years) to be 445 BC, then 483 years after that gets us to AD 39. This is well after the death of Jesus. I just don't see how it adds up. If there is a need to resort to co-regencies and accession years, etc., then I find this hugely problematic, because it's inserting elements into the text that are simply not there. It's actually changing the numbers—contorting the text. How do you get around this? I'm very willing to be persuaded, but I just don't see how this hypothesis has any traction.

You might want to check out my brief comments at my blog:

http://withmeagrepowers.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/the-seventy-weeks-of-daniel-9/

GEORGE ATHAS

Dean of Research,

Moore Theological College (moore.edu.au)

Sydney, Australia

From: Samuel Nunez <samuelnunez1973 AT sbcglobal.net>
Date: Saturday, 20 October 2012 4:54 AM
To: George Athas <george.athas AT moore.edu.au>
Cc: B-Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Daniel 9:21­27

George,

One reason why I see the 69 week period divided in seven weeks and 62 weeks is to indicate that even though the Messiah would not come until the 69th week, the reconstruction of the city streets and ditches would take place in a shorter amount of time, namely 7 weeks or 49 years.

The 62 week period is significant because at the end of this time period, that follows the seven week period of reconstruction, the anointed one appears.

The last week or 70th week is then also connected to the 62 weeks (v.26); it is significant because the text indicates that after the 62 weeks or in the last one week time period the anointed one is karat.

Therefore looking at the text I do not see anything, which would indicate the possibility for gaps or overlaps in the 70 weeks (v.24).

Greetings,

Samuel Nunez

On Oct 19, 2012, at 2:43 AM, George Athas wrote:

We will agree to disagree, Samuel. I know your view is shared by many, but I just don't see how it works contextually within Daniel, or historically. It quite literally doesn't add up in my view.

Just to continue the conversation, though, could you let me know why you think the 69-week period is divided into a 7-week and 62-weeks period?

GEORGE ATHAS

Dean of Research,

Moore Theological College (moore.edu.au)

Sydney, Australia

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