Daniel 9:25
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. | Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress. | Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the anointed one, the prince, shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: it shall be built again, with street and moat, even in troublous times. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedDaniel has prayed over Jeremiah's seventy years and Jerusalem's ruin, and Gabriel comes with a word about seventy weeks for his people and city. This verse gives the first part of that count: from the command to restore and build Jerusalem to 'the Messiah the Prince' will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. The city's street and wall will be built again, but in troubled times. Daniel 9:2Daniel 9:21Daniel 9:24Daniel 9:25
SpeakingGabriel, whom Daniel had seen in an earlier vision, speaks to Daniel. He came while Daniel was still praying, to give him skill and understanding. Daniel 9:21Daniel 9:22Daniel 9:23
ToDaniel, a young man of Judah's nobles taken to Babylon, who had been praying for Jerusalem and his people. Daniel 9:20Daniel overview
Also involvedDaniel's people and the holy city Jerusalem, and a coming 'Messiah the Prince,' meaning an anointed leader. Daniel 9:24Daniel 9:25Strong's H4899Strong's H5057
Gabriel tells Daniel to know and understand a span of time. It runs from the going forth of a word to restore and build Jerusalem until an anointed prince, and it is given as seven 'sevens' and sixty-two 'sevens.' The rebuilding will happen amid distress. Daniel 9:25Strong's H1697GStrong's H7620IStrong's H6695A
Daniel received this word in the realm of the Chaldeans, where he served in Babylon. It is about Jerusalem, the city whose street and wall would be built again. Daniel 9:1Daniel overviewDaniel 9:25Jerusalem
The eventsGabriel spoke in the first year of Darius, of the seed of the Medes, about the time of the evening oblation. The span he describes lies in the future from that point. Daniel 9:1Daniel 9:21Daniel 9:25
WrittenTraditional: Daniel wrote in the 500s BC. Scholarly: many critical scholars date the book's final form to about 167-164 BC, while others keep the 500s BC date, pointing to Jesus' words in Matthew 24:15. Daniel overview
HereDaniel asked God to look on his desolate city and sanctuary and not to delay. Gabriel's answer promises that Jerusalem will be built again and sets a measured time until the anointed prince. Daniel 9:17Daniel 9:18Daniel 9:19Daniel 9:23Daniel 9:25
In the whole of ScriptureThe verse fits the book's theme that the most High rules in the kingdom of men and reveals secrets to those who seek him. Ezra and Nehemiah record rebuilding in troubled times: work on God's house ceased for a time, and Nehemiah's builders worked with swords at their sides. Daniel overviewEzra 4:24Nehemiah 4:16Nehemiah 4:18
For readersGod answered a humble prayer of confession with a plan that reached far beyond Daniel's day. His purposes for his people go forward even in troubled times. Daniel 9:18Daniel 9:23Daniel 9:24Daniel 9:25
Christians read this differently
The Hebrew reads 'an anointed one, a prince,' and no cited Scripture names who he is. Many Christians see Jesus Christ here, since the New Testament interprets 'Messias' as 'the Christ' (John 1:41, 4:25), Scripture speaks of a coming ruler and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:2), and the next verse says Messiah 'shall be cut off, but not for himself.' Others take the anointed one to be a leader nearer Daniel's time, since the same word is used of Israel's kings, high priests and Cyrus. Strong's H4899Strong's H5057John 1:41John 4:25Isaiah 9:6Micah 5:2Daniel 9:25Daniel 9:26
- weeksשָׁבוּעַ
The word here means 'sevens,' and the same word names the Feast of Weeks. The count is made in sevens, seventy of them in all. Strong's H7620IDaniel 9:24
- Messiahמָשִׁיחַ
The word means 'anointed one.' It is used of the Messiah, of Israel's kings and high priests, and of Cyrus. In the New Testament 'Messias' is interpreted as 'the Christ.' Strong's H4899John 1:41
- Princeנָגִיד
This word means leader, ruler, captain or prince. It marks the anointed one as a ruler. Strong's H5057Daniel 9:25
- going forthמוֹצָא
This is the act of going out, used of a command being issued. The count begins when a word goes out to restore and build Jerusalem. Strong's H4161Strong's H1697GDaniel 9:25
- wallחָרוּץ
The Hebrew word means a trench, moat or ditch. It is paired with the city's broad open place, both to be built again. Strong's H2742CStrong's H7339Daniel 9:25
Takeaway
God promised Daniel that ruined Jerusalem would be built again, though in troubled times, and that a set time would lead to an anointed prince. He answers his people's prayers according to the times he has determined. Daniel 9:23Daniel 9:24Daniel 9:25
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
The world around the text
About 605-536 BC. King of Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC). Where Daniel lived and served for about seventy years. The capital of the Babylonian empire, on the Euphrates south of modern Baghdad, in the land the Bible calls Shinar and Chaldea.
Who ruled
- King of BabylonNebuchadnezzar605-562 BC
The king who besieged Jerusalem, carried Daniel and the temple vessels to Babylon, and later destroyed the city and temple. His own building inscriptions boast of the Babylon he built. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 24:12 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 25:1Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- Last king of Babylon, and his son who ruled in his placeNabonidus and Belshazzar556-539 BC
Nabonidus spent about ten years at the oasis of Tema in Arabia and left his son Belshazzar to rule in Babylon. That is why Belshazzar could only offer Daniel the place of "third ruler in the kingdom": he was himself second. Daniel 5:1Daniel 5:7Daniel 5:29Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Verse Account of Nabonidus
- Received the kingdom after Babylon fellDarius the MedianFrom 539 BC
Daniel says he "took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old" and set 120 princes over it. Records outside the Bible do not name him; he has been identified with Gubaru, the governor Cyrus set over Babylon, or with Cyrus himself. Daniel 5:31Daniel 6:1Daniel 9:1Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)
- King of PersiaCyrus559-530 BC
He united the Medes and Persians, took Babylon in 539 BC, and let the exiles go home to rebuild the temple, as Isaiah had named him beforehand. Daniel 1:21Daniel 6:28Daniel 10:1Ezra 1:1-4Isaiah 44:28-45:1Cyrus Cylinder
- King of JudahJehoiakim609-598 BC
Judah's king when Daniel was taken. Jeremiah warned him and his people that the land would serve Babylon seventy years. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 23:36-24:6Jeremiah 25:1-11
What was happening, 612 BC to 167 BC
- 612 BCWarNineveh falls
Babylon and the Medes destroyed Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, as Nahum and Zephaniah had foretold. Babylon became the great power of the region. Nahum 3:7Zephaniah 2:13Fall of Nineveh Chronicle (ABC 3)
- 605 BCWarBattle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar defeated Pharaoh Necho of Egypt at Carchemish on the Euphrates, in Jehoiakim's fourth year. The same year he came against Jerusalem and took the first captives, Daniel among them. Jeremiah 46:2Daniel 1:1-4Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 597 BCWarJerusalem surrenders
Nebuchadnezzar took King Jehoiachin, his nobles and craftsmen to Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel went into exile with them. 2 Kings 24:10-17Ezekiel 1:2Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 586 BCWarJerusalem and the temple destroyed
Babylon's army burned the temple and the city and broke down its walls. Daniel later prays over "the desolations of Jerusalem" and asks God to shine on his "sanctuary that is desolate." 2 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 52:12-14Daniel 9:2Daniel 9:17
- c. 575 BCBuildingBabylon rebuilt in splendor
Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt Babylon with great walls, palaces and the blue-glazed Ishtar Gate, and his inscriptions praise his own work. Compare his boast: "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built?" Daniel 4:30Nebuchadnezzar's East India House InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 1.178-183
- 562 BCRulersNebuchadnezzar dies
His son Evil-merodach became king and released Jehoiachin of Judah from prison. 2 Kings 25:27-30Jeremiah 52:31-34
- c. 553-543 BCRulersNabonidus leaves Babylon to Belshazzar
King Nabonidus stayed at Tema in Arabia for about ten years, and the yearly New Year festival in Babylon was not held. Belshazzar governed in Babylon. Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Daniel 5:1Daniel 7:1
- 550 BCWarCyrus unites the Medes and Persians
Cyrus of Persia defeated Astyages king of the Medes, joining the two peoples in one kingdom. Daniel's vision names the ram's two horns as "the kings of Media and Persia," the higher coming up last. Daniel 8:3Daniel 8:20Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.127-130
- October 539 BCWarBabylon falls to Cyrus
Cyrus's army entered Babylon without a long siege. Herodotus says the people were feasting when the city was taken. Daniel records that "in that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain." Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.191Cyrus Cylinder
- 538 BCGod's peopleCyrus lets the exiles return
In his first year over Babylon, Cyrus proclaimed that the Jews could go back and build the LORD's house in Jerusalem. Daniel "continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus." Ezra 1:1-42 Chronicles 36:22-23Daniel 1:21Cyrus Cylinder
- c. 536 BCGod's peopleThe temple's foundation is laid
The returned exiles rebuilt the altar and laid the foundation of the temple. In the third year of Cyrus, Daniel was still in the east, mourning and praying. Ezra 3:1-11Daniel 10:1-3
- 334-331 BCWarAlexander the Great conquers Persia
Alexander of Macedon crossed into Asia and overthrew the Persian empire within four years. Daniel 8:21 names the rough goat as "the king of Grecia" and its great horn as "the first king." Daniel 8:5-8Daniel 8:21Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 1-3
- 323-301 BCWarAlexander's empire is divided
Alexander died young, and after twenty years of war his generals divided his empire, chiefly into four kingdoms. Daniel 8:22 says "four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power." Daniel 8:8Daniel 8:22Daniel 11:4Diodorus Siculus, Library 18-20Plutarch, Demetrius 28-30
- 167 BCWarAntiochus IV defiles the temple
The Greek king Antiochus IV banned Jewish worship and set up a pagan altar on the altar of burnt offering. 1 Maccabees calls it "the abomination of desolation." Two centuries later Jesus spoke of "the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet" as still to come. 1 Maccabees 1:54-59Josephus, Antiquities 12.5.4Matthew 24:15
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records of these years (the Babylonian Chronicles, the Cyrus Cylinder, Nebuchadnezzar's inscriptions) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Diodorus, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Where
- Jerusalem settlementMapAbout this place
Locations from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Some ancient sites are uncertain.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| so you may know | וְתֵדַ֨ע | ve-te-DA' | H3045 | to knowיָדַע (ya.da) 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) … |
| and you will understand | וְתַשְׂכֵּ֜ל | ve-tas-KEL | H7919A | be prudentשָׂכַל (sa.khal) 1) to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper 1a) (Qal) to be prudent, be circumspect 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to look at or upon, have insight 1b2) to give attention to, consider, ponder, be prudent 1b3) to have insight, have comprehension 1b3a) insight, comprehension (subst) 1b4) to cause to consider, give insight, teach 1b4a) the teachers, the wise 1b5) to act circumspectly, act prudently, act wisely 1b6) to prosper, have success 1b7) to cause to prosper Aramaic equivalent: se.khal (שְׂכַל "to contemplate" H7920) |
| from | מִן־ | min- | H4480A | fromמִן־ (min) prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that … |
| [the] going forth of | מֹצָ֣א | mo-TZA' | H4161 | exitמוֹצָא (mo.tsa) 1) act or place of going out or forth, issue, export, source, spring 1a) a going forth 1a1) rising (sun), going forth of a command 1a2) goings forth, those going forth 1a3) way out, exit 1b) that which goes forth 1b1) utterance 1b2) export 1c) place of going forth 1c1) source or spring (of water) 1c2) place of departure 1c3) east (of sun) 1c4) mine (of silver) |
| [the] word | דָבָ֗ר | da-VAR | H1697G | wordדָּבָר (da.var) : word/speech/command 1) speech, word, speaking, thing 1a) speech 1b) saying, utterance 1c) word, words 1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension) |
| to restore | לְהָשִׁיב֙ | le-ha-SHIV | H7725H | to return: returnשׁוּב (shuv) : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) … |
| and to rebuild | וְלִבְנ֤וֹת | ve-liv-NOT | H1129 | to buildבְּנָה (be.nah) 1) to build 1a) (P'al) to build 1b) (Ithp'il) to be built |
| Jerusalem | יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ | ye-ru-sha-LIM | H3389 | Arielאֲרִיאֵל (a.ri.el) Ariel = "lion of God" or "lioness of God" Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389) |
| until | עַד־ | 'ad- | H5704 | tillעַד (ad) prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705) |
| an anointed [one] | מָשִׁ֣יחַ | ma-SHI-ach | H4899 | anointedמָשִׁיחַ (ma.shi.ach) 1) anointed, anointed one 1a) of the Messiah, Messianic prince 1b) of the king of Israel 1c) of the high priest of Israel 1d) of Cyrus 1e) of the patriarchs as anointed kings |
| a prince | נָגִ֔יד | na-GID | H5057 | leaderנָגִיד (na.gid) 1) leader, ruler, captain, prince 1a) ruler, prince 1b) prince-overseer 1c) ruler (in other capacities) 1d) princely things |
| sevens | שָׁבֻעִ֖ים | sha-vu-'IM | H7620I | Weeksשָׁבוּעַ (sha.vu.a) Feast of Weeks, Also named: pentēkostē (πεντηκοστή "Pentecost" G4005) This name means seven, |
| seven | שִׁבְעָ֑ה | shiv-'AH | H7651 | sevenשֶׁ֫בַע (she.va) 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655) |
| and sevens | וְשָׁבֻעִ֞ים | ve-sha-vu-'IM | H7620I | Weeksשָׁבוּעַ (sha.vu.a) Feast of Weeks, Also named: pentēkostē (πεντηκοστή "Pentecost" G4005) This name means seven, |
| sixty | שִׁשִּׁ֣ים | shi-SHIM | H8346 | sixtyשִׁשִּׁים (shish.shim) sixty, three score Aramaic equivalent: shit.tin (שִׁתִּין "sixty" H8361) |
| and two | וּשְׁנַ֗יִם | u-she-NA-yim | H8147 | twoשְׁנַ֫יִם (she.na.yim) 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number) |
| it will return | תָּשׁוּב֙ | ta-SHUV | H7725J | to return: returnשׁוּב (shuv) : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) … |
| and it will be built | וְנִבְנְתָה֙ | ve-niv-ne-TAH | H1129 | to buildבְּנָה (be.nah) 1) to build 1a) (P'al) to build 1b) (Ithp'il) to be built |
| an open place | רְח֣וֹב | re-CHOV | H7339 | street/plazaרְחוֹב (re.chov) broad or open place or plaza |
| and a moat | וְחָר֔וּץ | ve-cha-RUTZ | H2742C | trenchחָרוּץ (cha.ruts) trench, moat, ditch |
| and in [the] distress of | וּבְצ֖וֹק | uv-TZOK | H6695A | distressצוֹק (tsoq) 1) constraint, distress, strait 1a) distress, anguish (fig.) |
| the times | הָעִתִּֽים׃ | ha-'i-TIM | H6256 | timeעֵת (et) 1) time 1a) time (of an event) 1b) time (usual) 1c) experiences, fortunes 1d) occurrence, occasion |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.