BACKGROUND
INFORMATION

Before we begin these commentary notes on the most profound predictive prophecy in all of Scripture (notes - Daniel 9:24 Daniel 9:25 Daniel 9:26 Daniel 9:27) it would be good to first review some basic guidelines for interpretation of prophecy or eschatology (eschatos = last, last things + -ology = study of), the study of last things, especially but not exclusively, the study of the "end times" (because much of prophecy has already been fulfilled). Note that in one sense all of God's word is prophecy or a speaking forth, but the following "primer" deals specifically with that portion of God's prophetic Word which is predictive of future events. Keep in mind that about 25% of the Bible was predictive prophecy at the time it was written and about 50% of those prophecies have already been literally fulfilled.

As John Walvoord states...

Daniel 9:4-27
THE BACKBONE OF PROPHECY

1) Daniel 9:24-27- Represents one of the key verses regarding "end times" prophecy

Daniel 9:24-27 holds the key to all prophetic interpretation and as such is the backbone of biblical prophecy.

Ray Pritchard writes that

If you understand what these verses mean, you will have a good framework for understanding all that the Bible says about the future. Miss this, and Revelation will be a mystery to you…. What is presented here in a condensed form is greatly expanded in the New Testament. This passage is the key that unlocks many other biblical prophecies." Pritchard goes on to add that "If you have wondered where certain popular writers get the concept of a future seven-year Tribulation period, you will find the answer in this passage. Jesus refers to it in Mt 24:15 as does Paul in 2Th 2:1, 2, 3, 4. And the amazing events of Rev 6-19 are simply an expansion of Da 9:27. What is presented here in a condensed form is greatly expanded in the New Testament. This passage is the key that unlocks many other biblical prophecies."

Chuck Swindoll says that "the vision of the seventy weeks revealed in Daniel 9:24-27 is undoubtedly "the backbone of Biblical prophecy" concerning Israel, Christ, and the Antichrist. It is also true that fewer predictions in Scripture have been interpreted in as many ways as have the seventy weeks of Daniel.

John Walvoord writes that

The interpretation of the revelation given to Daniel concerning the seventy weeks (Daniel 9:24-27) constitutes one of the determining factors in the whole system of prophecy. The attention given to it by all schools of interpretation, and the attacks upon the authenticity of the book itself combine to focus the white light of investigation upon it. The interpretation of this passage inevitably colors all other prophetic views, and a proper understanding of it is the sine qua non of any student of prophecy." (Bolding added; Bibliotheca Sacra, volume 101, page 30, Jan-Mar, 1944)

2) Daniel 9:24-27 - Outlines the future history of Israel

As will be discussed below, Daniel 9:24-27 lays out in summary form a timetable of the events that will impact Israel. There is no reference whatsoever to "the church" in this passage, although some commentators still imagine some reference to "the church."

a) The Jews could have known the time of the Messiah's arrival.

b) The Jews will be able to know the time of the "Anti-Messiah's" ("Anti-christ") arrival (cf Mt 24:15, 2Th 2:1, 2, 3, 4).
 

3) Provides clear evidence that the Bible is inspired by God

The accuracy of the prediction of the coming of Messiah, Prince, is indisputable evidence of that the Bible is not a book inspired by man but could only have been inspired by God Who Alone knows the future.

Sir Isaac Newton, who wrote a discourse on the topic, said we could stake the truth of Christianity on that prophecy alone, made five centuries before Christ.

Respected pastor and author Ray Stedman writes that Daniel 9:24-27 is

one of the strongest evidences to prove the divine inspiration of the Bible. Many (believers) are frequently asked why (they) believe the Bible to be the Word of God, and it is helpful to know certain passages which clearly set forth predictive elements that are unmistakable and which do indicate the ability of the Bible to predict events far in the distant future. This could only be by divine power....(Daniel 9:24-27)  pinpoints the exact moment in history when the Jewish Messiah would present Himself to the Jewish people, and it does so over five hundred years before the event took place. It is so plain and detailed that it has always been an acute embarrassment to Jewish commentators.

4) Substantiates the truth that God is completely sovereign
 

The prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27 is so compellingly accurate, that it leaves no doubt that God is sovereign and in full control over time and the affairs of men. This grand truth should encourage the saint and frighten the sinner who is not yet saved to consider the claims. 
 

5) Has spurred many (Jews and Gentiles) to consider the claims of the Messiah

Although many of the stories are anecdotal (see below), the truth in Daniel 9:24-27 has caused many who seek to refute these prophecies find that they are confronted with indisputable evidence of the Messiah.

6) Refutes the attempt by many to question the date of writing of Daniel's prophecies

Liberal scholars, both Gentile and Jew, have tried to late-date Daniel in order to remove the onus of predictive prophecy. They say the book was written after the events occurred but in such a way as to appear that it was written beforehand. Daniel 9:24-27 is an irrefutable witness that the prophecy of the Messiah's coming and being cut off is true. Since, no one "late-dates" Daniel to the time of Christ, Daniel 9:24-27 is one clear case of predictive prophecy, which establishes the credibility of everything else. This observation also explains why the critics try so hard to debunk this passage.
 

Henry Morris adds that Daniel's

prophecy was given...well over half a millennium before its fulfillment. The probability that Daniel could guess the date of the manifestation and crucifixion of the Messiah is essentially zero. Only supernatural inspiration can account for fulfilled prophecies like this. In fact, these events were fulfilled almost two centuries even after the date assigned to Daniel by scholars who deny that such prophecies can valid!" (Morris, Henry: Defenders Study Bible. World Publishing - an excellent resource from a conservative, literal viewpoint by one of the world's leading scholars on creationism)

7) Stimulates a heightened expectation of the imminent return of the Messiah (see Titus 2:13-note and word study on prosdechomai = looking for expectantly)

This statement applies to Daniel in general also, for no book in the Bible says more about the so called end times than Daniel. Many orthodox and conservative Jews believe the time is ripe for the coming of Messiah. They see Israel's return to her homeland after more than 1,900 years of national dispersion as having great prophetic significance. They believe the May, 1948 rebirth of Israel and waves of immigration (which is the meaning of the Hebrew word aliyah) from all over the world are converging with many other factors to set the stage for the predicted coming of a national Deliverer. They see the coming of this Messiah as being good not only for Israel but for the whole earth. According to the prophet Isaiah, He will cause the nations to

beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore (Is 2:4-see notes)

To quote from an email received February 4, 2004 from "The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement" (an Orthodox Jewish group based in Jerusalem)

"The Hand of G_d appears again and again in Jerusalem and the Temple Mount...to purify the Temple Mount and immediately rebuild the house of G_d as the climax of the exciting redemptional times in which we are now living in Israel which will open the Eastern Gate for the coming of Mashiach ben David", this latter name of course referring to the expected Messiah. Interestingly, both Jews and Christians share the belief that a period of turmoil and distress will precede the coming of Messiah. The Jewish document called "Talmudic Sages" draws a dark picture of this time. Accordingly, one of these Jewish sages wrote, "Let him [Messiah] come, but let me not see him" (Sanh. 98b).

INTERPRETATION OF
Daniel 9:24-27:
CHRISTOLOGICAL OR
NON-CHRISTOLOGICAL?
THAT IS THE QUESTION

See Prophecy Primer

One of the most respected names in the study of Bible prophecy, Dr. John Walvoord, writes some sage remarks regarding the interpretative difficulties of Daniel 9:24-27:

In the concluding four verses of Daniel 9, one of the most important prophecies of the Old Testament is contained...Although many divergent interpretations have been advanced in explanation of this prophecy, they may first be divided into two major divisions, namely, the Christological and the non‑Christological views. The non‑Christological approach may be subdivided into the liberal critical view and the conservative amillennial view.

The Christological camp interprets the first sixty-nine weeks of Daniel as culminating in Christ while the non‑Christological  camp finds fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy in events before or after Christ.

The non-Christological group attempts to find fulfillment of the Daniel's 70 Weeks in the events leading up to the persecution of Antiochus Epiphanes (see Daniel notes and additional discussion). In 168 B.C., a pagan altar was constructed on top of the great altar of burnt sacrifices, and a pagan sacrifice was offered under the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes. This act precipitated the Maccabean revolt which Antiochus attempted unsuccessfully to put down with great cruelty (167-164 B.C.).

Recall that Daniel was written in two languages, Hebrew and Aramaic. From Daniel 2:4b to Da 7:28, 8:1 the language is Aramaic for the focus is on the Gentile world powers that would interact with Israel, and from Daniel 8:1 onward the focus of the book turns from the future of the Gentile world powers to the future of Israel.

Another interesting observation is that in Daniel 9 Yahweh or Jehovah is used seven times but no where else in the entire book!  Why would the Spirit inspire the usage in this chapter? Jehovah is God's covenant name and this chapter preeminently emphasizes that He will keep His promise to bring the Jews back to their land, the land He promised in covenant to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

It was C H Spurgeon who said

At the time the prophecy recorded in Daniel 9 was given, the Babylonian Empire had fallen to the Medo-Persian Empire. Cyrus (also referred to as Darius) was in power. Although the Jewish exiles were now the captives of the Medo-Persians, Daniel retained his position as prime minister because of his integrity. Daniel received his revelation in the year 538 BC, about 67 years after he had been taken captive.

Resources to Aid Study of Daniel 9:24-27

Click listing of commentaries categorized by their interpretative approach to the book of Daniel and especially Daniel 9:24-27 so that you can be a Berean (Acts 17:11-note)

Click brief refresher on some basic principles of interpreting Bible prophecy.

EXPOSITION OF DANIEL 9:24-27
VERSE BY VERSE

Seventy weeks (Lv 25:8; Nu 14:34; Ezek 4:6)

Literally 70 sevens or 70 units of seven. (Click discussion of why the number 70 and its  relationship to Sabbath rests). See John Whitcomb's analysis of the Hebrew word "weeks" - Daniel's Great Seventy-Weeks Prophecy An Exegetical Insight -- By John C. Whitcomb (Only the first portion can be view at no charge but see Theological Journal Subscription info) (List of 22 journals - 500 yrs of articles searchable by topic or verse! Incredible Online Resource!)

The NIV (see above) is easier to understand than the KJV and NAS (both of which translate "seven" with the word "week")...

Seventy 'sevens' are decreed

Weeks (07620) (shabuwa', sabua' or shabua') means simply a "unit of seven" and could refer to seven of anything. Our English equivalent is "heptad" which means "a group of seven".

Shabuwa' - 20x in 17v in NAS - Ge 29:27, 28; Ex 34:22; Lv 12:5; Nu 28:26; Dt. 16:9, 10, 16; 2Chr. 8:13; Je 5:24; Ezek 45:21; Da 9:24, 25, 26, 27; 10:2, 3

The Theological Wordbook adds that shabua'

occurs 20 times in the OT, always indicating a period of seven. Indeed, the word obviously comes to us from sheba' and could literally be translated always as "seven-period." (Harris, R L, Archer, G L & Waltke, B K Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Moody Press)   

Three times in the OT, shabua' is modified by the Hebrew word for days, with the "seven days" referring to a literal week (Ezek 45:21, Da 10:2, 3), 6 times in Daniel 9:24, 25, 26, 27 it is used as a unit of seven without an added unit of time and 11 times it is used to mean a literal week of seven days (Ge 29:27,28, Lev 12:5) with 8 of 11 uses referring to the Jewish Feast of Weeks or Pentecost (Ex 34:22, Nu 28:26, Dt 16:9 [x2], Dt 16:10, 16, 2Chr 8:13, Jer 5:24). Note for example Leviticus 12:5 which describes the length of time a mother shall remain unclean declaring

she shall be unclean for two weeks... (literally "two sevens" or "two units of seven")

Observe that the context most naturally leads to the interpretation as "two units of seven" days. The Hebrew omits the word for "day", because the meaning is clear from the context. By comparison the Hebrew Da 9:24, 25, 26, 27 omits the unit of time, because in context the time is most naturally understood as "years". 

Assuming a literal interpretation, seventy weeks or units of seven (seventy heptads, units of measure) can be conveniently divided as follows...

Daniel 9:24 - a comprehensive picture of the entire prophecy

Daniel 9:25 - the first 69 sevens (483 years)

Daniel 9:26 - the events between the 69th and 70th sevens

Daniel 9:27 - conclusion punctuated by the 70th seven of 7 years.

Remember one of our simple but foundational "rules" in interpreting prophecy is that if

the plain sense makes good sense,
don't try to make some other sense
or it may result in nonsense.

To say that the events described in Da 9:24, 25, 26, 27 occurred in 490 days, 490 weeks or 490 months makes no sense ("nonsense") from the context! Even older commentaries see this as only making sense if it is interpreted as years.

For example Gill writes that 

this space of "seventy" weeks is not to be understood of weeks of days; which is too short a time for the fulfillment of so many events as are mentioned; nor were they fulfilled within such a space of time; but of weeks of years, and make up four hundred and ninety years.

It is often said that in interpretation of Scripture, "context is king" and the verses that follow (Da 9:24, 25, 26, 27) provide the major "clue" as the most appropriate unit of time one should use to modify the "seventy units of seven". The rationale for interpreting the unit as years is discussed in more detail elsewhere (click here).

In summary, the context most logically leads one to conclude that Daniel is referring to "seventy sevens" of "years" for a total of 490 years (70 x "7" years = 490 years).

Click for more detailed discussion of why "years" is the most appropriate unit of time regarding the interpretation of the 70 x 7's.

Although many if not most of the older commentaries such as Matthew Henry, Adam Clarke, et al, are woefully inadequate when it comes to the interpretation of prophecy (primarily because they have fallen into the "abyss" of replacing Israel with the Church in their interpretation of Old Testament prophecies - see Israel of God), there are a few relatively good older commentaries, and one is by Jamieson-Fausset-Brown which was published in 1871. It is refreshing to read their clear and cogent literal interpretation of Daniel 9:24...

Seventy weeks -- namely, of years; literally, "Seventy sevens"; seventy heptads or hebdomads; four hundred ninety years; expressed in a form of "concealed definiteness" [Hengstenberg], a usual way with the prophets. The Babylonian captivity is a turning point in the history of the kingdom of God. It terminated the free Old Testament theocracy. Up to that time Israel, though oppressed at times, was; as a rule, free. From the Babylonian captivity the theocracy never recovered its full freedom down to its entire suspension by Rome; and this period of Israel's subjection to the Gentiles is to continue till the millennium (Re 20:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15), when Israel shall be restored as head of the New Testament theocracy, which will embrace the whole earth. The free theocracy ceased in the first year of Nebuchadnezzar, and the fourth of Jehoiakim; the year of the world 3338, the point at which the seventy years of the captivity. begin. Heretofore Israel had a right, if subjugated by a foreign king, to shake off the yoke (Jdg 4:1-5:31 2Ki 18:7) as an unlawful one, at the first opportunity. But the prophets (Jer 27:9, 10, 11) declared it to be God's will that they should submit to Babylon. Hence every effort of Jehoiakim, Jeconiah, and Zedekiah to rebel was vain. The period of the world times, and of Israel's depression, from the Babylonian captivity to the millennium, though abounding more in afflictions (for example, the two destructions of Jerusalem, Antiochus' persecution, and those which Christians suffered), contains all that was good in the preceding ones, summed up in Christ, but in a way visible only to the eye of faith. Since He came as a Servant, He chose for His appearing the period darkest of all as to His people's temporal state. Always fresh persecutors have been rising, whose end is destruction, and so it shall be with the last enemy, Antichrist. As the Davidic epoch is the point of the covenant-people's highest glory, so the captivity is that of their lowest humiliation. Accordingly, the people's sufferings are reflected in the picture of the suffering Messiah. He is no longer represented as the theocratic King, the Antitype of David, but as the Servant of God and Son of man; at the same time the cross being the way to glory (compare Da 9:1-27 with Da 2:34, 35, 44 Da 12:7). In the second and seventh chapters (of Daniel), Christ's first coming is not noticed, for Daniel's object was to prophesy to his nation as to the whole period from the destruction to the re-establishment of Israel; but this ninth chapter minutely predicts Christ's first coming... (Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible — Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary)

Joseph Seiss, was born into a family that worshipped in the Moravian denomination, and later joined the Lutheran Church in which he became a pastor despite having very minimal formal theological education. His commentary on the book the Revelation, entitled "The Apocalypse" (The Apocalypse- Lectures on the Book of Revelation - Limited Preview), is one of the best old commentaries available as he held generally to a literal interpretation of the Scriptures.

Have been decreed

determined (KJV)
settled (Berkley)
marked out (New English Bible)
commanded (TLB)
God has set (GNB)
weeks have been fixed (BBE)
assigned (GWT)
God has ordered (NCV)

Decreed (02852) (chathak/hatak) means something determined. This verb is in the perfect mood which expresses a completed action. "God said it, so that settles it" is the idea! The Hebrew root word basically means to "cut or divide", "to cut off" and hence to decree or determine.

The picture conveyed by chathak/hatak is of a settled decree by the LORD or Jehovah (Jehovah is always identified by LORD in all caps in the NAS = which distinguishes it from "Lord" = Adonai), where Jehovah emphasizes that He is the covenant keeping God. In fact, in Daniel Jehovah is used only in Daniel 9 (Da 9:2, 9:4, 9:10, 9:13, 9:14, 9:20). This passage speaking of what God determines will come to pass emphasizes that He is sovereign and thus is in complete control of the history of His people Israel. The Sovereign One has marked out, ordained or predetermined the events Israel will experience (and He does so without violating their free will - Incomprehensible)! Stated another way, it is as if God has "cut off" a segment of time and assigned it as the time during which He will bring about the deliverance and restoration of His people, Israel, and His holy city, Jerusalem. What God prophesies, He fulfills and thus His plan will be completed in each of the 6 specific predictions in this verse (cp Is 43:13, 44:7, 45:21, 46:10).

The Hebrew verb chathak/hatak is translated in the Greek Septuagint (LXX) with the Greek verb (suntemno) that means to cut short, to bring to an end or to accomplish speedily (cp the Eternal God's perspective on time - Ps 90:4-note).

Gill also observes that the Hebrew verb chosen here is especially apropos for

the word...to cut aptly expresses the division, or section of these weeks into distinct periods, as seven, sixty two, and one.

Jamieson adds that the meaning is...

literally, "cut out," namely, from the whole course of time, for God to deal in a particular manner with Jerusalem. (Ed: And the course of time to deal "with the Jews" as predicted in Leviticus - see Seven Times Seventy)

For your people and your holy city

Your People - Recall that the one announcing this prophecy is the angel Gabriel (4x in Scripture - Da 8:16, 9:21, Lk 1:19, 26) who addresses Daniel, a Jew. It follows the phrase your people (cp same phrase in Da 10:14, 11:14 - referring to traitorous Jews, Da 12:1) refers to the Jews. If you miss this important distinction, the entire prophecy will make absolutely no sense!

Unlike the prophecies in Daniel 2 (cp Da 2:44, 45) and Daniel 7 (Da 7:3, 4, 5, 6, 7 - describing the Gentile empires of Babylon, Medo-Persian, Greece and Rome) which primarily relate to the Gentiles (which correlates with Da 2:4 thru Da 7:28 being written in Aramaic rather than Hebrew), Daniel 9:24, 25, 26, 27 is God's specific program for the Jews and for Jerusalem.

It is surprising that some scholars who seem to be generally "conservative" (e.g., Young, Keil, Leupold) interpret your people symbolically (allegorically) as a reference to the church (which even the NT says is not revealed in the OT-- e.g., see Ep 3:1,2, 3-note, Ep 3:4, 5-note, Ep 3:6-note).

If you begin the interpretation of what has to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, prophecies of all prophecies by misinterpreting to whom it is addressed, you are destined to miss the great jewels of truth that lay hidden to an honest, literal interpretation of this passage. For an excellent synopsis of the use and dangers of allegorical interpretation see Dr Tony Garland's articles (from his verse by verse study of the Revelation - which I highly recommend = A Testimony of Jesus Christ)...
 

1). Art and Science of Interpretation
2). The Rise of Allegorical Interpretation
3). Understanding Symbols and Figures
4). Understanding Numbers

Your holy city - In context this is clearly a reference to the holy city of Jerusalem (cp references to holy city - Neh 11:1; 11:18; Is 48:2; Isa 52:1; Da 9:24; Mt 4:5; 27:53; Re 11:2; 21:2; 21:10; 22:19).

Similar to their incorrect allegorical interpretation of your people, the same group of commentators  (e.g., Young, Keil, Leupold) interpret your holy city as a reference to the heavenly Jerusalem (cp Re 21:2-note) despite the fact that there is nothing stated in the immediate context which supports such an imaginative interpretation! This is why the wise Bible student holds fast to the maxim that context is always king in interpretation. No where is this maxim more important to apply than in the interpretation of Biblical prophecies. As stated earlier, if the plain sense of the passage makes good sense, don't try to make some other sense or it's potentially nonsense!

By the time these 490 years run their course, God will have accomplished all 6 predictions, and in fact all will be literally realized by Israel at the Second Coming of Messiah (See Table comparing Rapture vs Second Coming) when...

all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "THE DELIVERER (the Messiah) WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB. AND THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS. (Ro 11:26, 27-see notes)

At that time the elect (chosen) of Israel (the remnant) will recognize the Messiah and will repent and will turn to Him as their national (and personal) Deliverer, Savior and King. At this time Israel will be restored to the land (a common phrase in the OT which most often refers to the "promised land" - but always check the context) in fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham (Ge 15:18 - a promise never completely fulfilled and never revoked). Observe that in a sense the restoration of Israel from "exile" to the land of Palestine is ultimately an answer to Daniel’s prayer. 

Note that although the six accomplishments listed in this verse are addressed primarily to Israel, clearly all of humanity will be radically impacted by the fulfillment, some to the eternal praise of the glory of God's grace and some to eternal punishment away from the presence of the Lord (cp Mt 25:41, Mt 7:21-note, Mt 7:22, 23-note, 2Th 1:7, 8, 9, 10)

Walvoord observes that...

Even in ruins, Jerusalem remains the city set apart in the heart of God (cf. Da 9:20) and Daniel shared this love for the city which is central in God's program for His kingdom both in the past and the future. Unlike the prophecies of Daniel 2, 7, and 8, which primarily related to the Gentiles, this chapter is specifically God's program for the people of Israel, as Daniel would obviously interpret it. To make this equivalent to the church composed of both Jews and Gentiles is to read into the passage something foreign to the whole thinking of Daniel. The church as such has no relation to the city nor to the promises given specifically to Israel relating to their restoration and repossession of the land. (Daniel: The key to Prophetic Revelation -- free online)

THE SIX "BULLET POINTS"
OF THE DIVINE DECREE

(1)  to finish the transgression: (Mt 1:21; 1Jn 3:8)

to let wrongdoing be complete (BBE). 

Literally "to restrain firmly the transgression "

The main idea as discussed more below is that rebellion against God will end at the Second Coming of Christ and only those Jews and Gentiles who are genuine believers in the Messiah will enter into the Messianic Kingdom on earth. Note that although peace and righteousness will be the order in the Christ's Millennial Kingdom, at the end of this 1000 years there will be a brief time of final rebellion which John describes...

7 And when the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison,
8 and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore (those who have been born during the Millennium).
9 And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city (Jerusalem), and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. (presumably they go to Hades and will be shortly judged at the Great White Throne, Rev 20:11, 12, 13, 14, 15 -note)
10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (see Rev 20:7-note; Re 20:8-note; Re 20:9-note; Re 20:10-note)

Comment: See the notes on the Revelation for a more detailed discussion. In short, observe that (1) this rebellion is at the end of the 1000 years, (2) that Satan has been bound, and (3) that men and women who are sinners have been born to the original inhabitants of the Messianic Kingdom all of whom were believers. This is one of the most incredible teachings in the Bible in my opinion, because it leaves no doubt that Adam's seed infects all (Ro 5:12-note) and we do not need the devil to deceive us and cause us to be unbelievers as testified by the numerical estimate of "like the sand of the seashore"! It is almost beyond comprehension to realize that the Messiah Himself if reigning on earth and nevertheless these men and women refuse to believe in Him!

For completeness, it should be noted that there are two Hebrew verbs which are used to translate the phrase finish (click explanation).

Jamieson has an interesting note that...

The seventy years exile (in Babylon) was a punishment, but not a full atonement, for the sin of the people; this would come only after seventy prophetic weeks, through Messiah. (See note on Seven Times More)

Moses' illustrates the meaning of kala' (the Hebrew verbs for finish) describing the ending of the flood when

the fountains of the deep and the floodgates of the sky were closed, and the rain from the sky was restrained (kala') (Ge 8:2).

Israel's rebellion will be restrained at the Second Coming of the Messiah when a remnant will turn to Him in faith and the nation’s transgression and sins will be forgiven. Zechariah records God's promise that when the Messiah returns after the decreed 490 years

it will come about in all the land...that two parts in it will be cut off and perish, but the third will be left in it (the "elect" and believing remnant). And I will bring the third part through the fire, refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are My people,' (a component of the New Covenant promised to Israel - see Jer 31:33, 32:38) and they will say, 'The LORD is my God.' (Zech 13:8, 9)

Transgression (06588) (pesha') means to rebel, revolt or to rise up in clear defiance to authority by  violation of a law, command, or duty. The fundamental idea is a breach of relationship (civil or religious) between two parties. Pesha' speaks of willful sins. And so the first item in God's program is to bring Israel's rebellion against Him to an end.

Pesha' - 91v in the OT - Gen. 31:36; 50:17; Exod. 22:9; 23:21; 34:7; Lev. 16:16, 21; Num. 14:18; Jos. 24:19; 1 Sam. 24:11; 25:28; 1 Ki. 8:50; Job 7:21; 8:4; 13:23; 14:17; 31:33; 33:9; 34:6, 37; 35:6, 15; 36:9; Ps. 5:10; 19:13; 25:7; 32:1, 5; 36:1; 39:8; 51:1, 3; 59:3; 65:3; 89:32; 103:12; 107:17; Prov. 10:12, 19; 12:13; 17:9, 19; 19:11; 28:2, 13, 24; 29:6, 16, 22; Isa. 24:20; 43:25; 44:22; 50:1; 53:5, 8; 57:4; 58:1; 59:12, 20; Jer. 5:6; Lam. 1:5, 14, 22; Ezek. 14:11; 18:22, 28, 30f; 21:24; 33:10, 12; 37:23; 39:24; Dan. 8:12f; 9:24; Amos 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6; 3:14; 5:12; Mic. 1:5, 13; 3:8; 6:7; 7:18 and is rendered in the NAS as  breach of trust(1), rebellion(6), rebellious(1), rebellious act(2), rebellious acts(2), transgression(37), transgressions(45).

Vine says that pesha'

basically...signifies willful deviation from, and therefore rebellion against, the path of godly living.

Transgression in this verse speaks of a definite rebellion against authority, and the grammatical construction suggests that a specific transgression was intended. This seems to be a reference to the rebellion by Israel specifically against God and His Word.

Showers adds that

this rebellion was the root sin which prompted all of Israel’s other sins. Gabriel was saying that Israel would not stop its rebellion against God’s rule until these 490 years would run their course. In agreement with this, other Scriptures indicate that Israel will not repent, turn to God and be saved until the Second coming of Christ at the end of these 490 years (Zech 12:10,11, 12, 13, 14, 13:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; Ro 11:25, 26, 27-note). (The Most High God: Commentary on the Book of Daniel. Bellmawr, NJ: Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc)

John Walvoord adds that

The most obvious meaning is that Israel's course of apostasy and sin and wandering over the face of the earth will be brought to completion within the seventy sevens. The restoration of Israel which Daniel sought in his prayer would ultimately have its fulfillment in this concept.  (Daniel: The key to Prophetic Revelation -- online)

In regard to the phrase finish the transgression in Daniel 9:24, the New American Commentary (Daniel: Broadman & Holman Publishers) has this note 

Most authorities (eg KJV, NASB, NIV), taking the qere reading, have understood the Hebrew verb in this first phrase as kālâ, “be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, spent.” Others (e.g., kethiv, Wood, Young) have taken the word to be kālā, “shut up, restrain, withhold.” If the latter is correct, the idea could be that transgression is not completely stopped but lessened. Yet it could also mean that transgression is restrained completely, at least for a time. Thus the meaning would be very similar to that of kālâ.

Comment: This is a somewhat technical note on Kethiv versus Qere {explained below} in Daniel 9:24. Keep in mind that in copying the Hebrew Bible, the scribes did not alter any text they felt had been copied incorrectly. In the Masoretic Text they noted in the margin what they thought the written text should be and this was designated a Kethiv (or Kethib or Ketib) which literally means "what is written"  and the marginal note is called the Qere (Kere) an anglicized Aramaic word  which means "what is read". Until the time of the Masoretes, the Hebrew Bible was written only with consonants. The Masoretes (the name of the scholars whose work it was to maintain the tradition which governed the production of copies of the biblical text, referred to as the Masoretic Text) thought that vowels would clarify the Scriptures and therefore began to copy the Hebrew texts with the addition of vowels. When they came across a word they thought was unclear by its normal vowels, they would put the word in the margin with other vowels, changing the meaning or intent. The word that was written in the text was called the Kethiv and what was to be read was called the Qere which represented the variant marginal reading. There are about 1300 instances of Kethiv-Qere in the Masoretic Text. This note would lead a person reading the text to pronounce the Qere rather than the Kethiv. Qere readings were intended either to correct the Kethiv or to preserve variant manuscript traditions. Now are you totally confused?

(2) to make an end of sin: (Lam 4:22; Col 2:14; Heb 9:26; 10:14) (Ezek 28:12)

Literally this means to seal up sins (Young's Literal).

Notice that the first three "bullet points" in Daniel 9:24 have to do with sin.

Make an end (08552) (tamam) basically means to restrict the flow or movement of or to interrupt what is in progress or would naturally be in progress (in this case Israel's committing of individual "sins"). The basic meaning of tamam speaks of completeness, of “being complete” or “finished,” with nothing else expected or intended. The idea to bring something to a successful end.

Tamam - 62v in the OT - Gen. 47:15, 18; Lev. 25:29; 26:20; Num. 14:33, 35; 17:13; 32:13; Deut. 2:14ff; 31:24, 30; 34:8; Jos. 3:16f; 4:1, 10f; 5:6, 8; 8:24; 10:20; 1 Sam. 16:11; 2 Sam. 15:24; 20:18; 22:26; 1 Ki. 6:22; 7:22; 14:10; 2 Ki. 7:13; 22:4; Job 22:3; 31:40; Ps. 9:6; 18:25; 19:13; 64:6; 73:19; 102:27; 104:35; Isa. 16:4; 18:5; 33:1; Jer. 1:3; 6:29; 14:15; 24:10; 27:8; 36:23; 37:21; 44:12, 18, 27; Lam. 3:22; 4:22; Ezek. 22:15; 24:10f; 47:12; Dan. 8:23; 9:24 and is rendered in the NAS as all(1), all gone(1), all spent(2), been completed(1), blameless(1), blossoms(1), boil well(1), came to an end(1), cease(1), come to an end(2), complete(2), completed(1), completely(3), consume(1), consumed(4), count(1), destroyed(6), end(2), ended(3), fail(1), finally perished*(1), finish(1), finished(7), full(1), gone(1), lie(1), make perfect(1), meet an end(4), met an end(1), perished(4), ready(1), run(1), show blameless(2), spent(1), utterly(1).

In short, this prophecy is saying that sins will be controlled during the Millennium and cease completely during the succeeding eternal state in the New Heaven and New Earth. (Re 21:1, 2-note,  Re 21:8-note, Re 22:15-note). The Millennium will be characterized by a "sealing up" of sin indicating that among the citizens of the Millennium, sin will be rare and judgment for wrongdoing will be swift and just (see Walvoord's comments below).

Keil writes that...

The figure of the sealing stands here in connection with the shutting up in prison. Cf. Da 6:18, the king for greater security sealed up the den into which Daniel was cast. Thus also God seals the hand of man that it cannot move, Job 37:7, and the stars that cannot give light, Job 9:7...The sins are here described as sealed, because they are altogether removed out of the sight of God. (C. F. Keil, Biblical Commentary on the Book of Daniel)

Sin (02403) means to miss the mark or to fall short of the divine standard. In contrast the previous Hebrew word for transgression (pesha) indicates revolt against the divine standard.

John Walvoord writes that...

The most obvious meaning is that Israel's course of apostasy and sin and wandering over the face of the earth will be brought to completion within the seventy sevens. The restoration of Israel which Daniel sought in his prayer will ultimately have its fulfillment in this concept.  (Daniel: The key to Prophetic Revelation -- online)

Ezekiel records that when Christ returns and inaugurates His New Covenant with Israel, they

will no longer defile themselves with their idols, or with their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. And they will be My people, and I will be their God. (Ezekiel 37:23)

At the termination of these 490 years God adds

Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, (God's empowerment and enablement) and you will be careful to observe My ordinances (Israel's responsibility). (Ezekiel 36:26, 27)

At that time, the Jews entering the Millennial Kingdom with a "new heart" will have the supernatural "power" to restrain their sins in everyday life. Matthew had prophesied that a virgin named Mary would

bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins. (Mt 1:21)

J Vernon McGee phrases it this way

The national sins of Israel will come to an end at the second coming of Christ. They are just like any other people or any other nation. They are sinners as individuals and as a nation. They have made many mistakes as a nation (so have we), but God will make an end to that. (McGee, J V: Thru the Bible Commentary:  Thomas Nelson or Logos)

(3) to make atonement for iniquity: (Lv 8:15; 2Chr 29:24; Is 53:10; Ro 5:10; 2Co 5:18, 19, 20; Col 1:20; He 2:17)

to make reconciliation for iniquity (KJV, NKJV)

to atone for wickedness (NIV)

to cover iniquity (Young's Literal)

to make expiation for iniquity (Darby)

Atonement (03722) (verb kaphar = source of phrase "Yom Kippur" or Jewish Day of Atonement) is a verb that has reference to sin and means to cover to wipe out,  "to make...as harmless, non-existent, or inoperative, to annul (so far as God's notice or regard is concerned), to withdraw from God's sight, with the attached ideas of reinstating in His favour, freeing from sin, and restoring to holiness." (Driver, S R: A Dictionary of the Bible). In short, the idea is to cover sin by making a sacrifice. Keil says the form of the verb indicates that it means "to cover so thoroughly that the sin is obliterated."

Kaphar - 93v in the OT - Gen. 32:20; Exod. 29:33, 36f; 30:10, 15f; 32:30; Lev. 1:4; 4:20, 26, 31, 35; 5:6, 10, 13, 16, 18; 6:7, 30; 7:7; 8:15, 34; 9:7; 10:17; 12:7f; 14:18ff, 29, 31, 53; 15:15, 30; 16:6, 10f, 16ff, 20, 24, 27, 30, 32ff; 17:11; 19:22; 23:28; Num. 5:8; 6:11; 8:12, 19, 21; 15:25, 28; 16:46f; 25:13; 28:22, 30; 29:5; 31:50; 35:33; Deut. 21:8; 32:43; 1 Sam. 3:14; 2 Sam. 21:3; 1 Chr. 6:49; 2 Chr. 29:24; 30:18; Neh. 10:33; Ps. 65:3; 78:38; 79:9; Prov. 16:6, 14; Isa. 6:7; 22:14; 27:9; 28:18; 47:11; Jer. 18:23; Ezek. 16:63; 43:20, 26; 45:15, 17, 20; Dan. 9:24 and is rendered in the NAS as appease(1), appease(1), atone(3), atoned(2), atonement is made(1), atonement shall be made(1), atonement was made(1), atoning(1), canceled(1), forgave(1), forgive(4), forgiven(5), made atonement(3), made expiation(1), make atonement(71), makes atonement(2), making atonement(1), pardon(1).

Kaphar is first found in Genesis where God instructed Noah to

cover (kaphar the ark) inside and out with pitch. (Ge 6:14)

Kaphar is used in most of the OT with the theological meaning of to “cover over”, usually with the blood of a sacrifice, and thus covering over sin in order to atone for sin (make reparation, amends or satisfaction for an offense or a crime, by which reconciliation is procured between the offended and offending parties). This symbolism is drawn from the OT sacrificial system in which the blood was sprinkled over the mercy seat in the temple, depicting that the sin of the people was forgiven because it was covered by the blood (cf. Lev 16:15, 16)

Iniquity (05771) ('avon) expresses the concept of to bend, twist or distort and in this context refers  a twisting of the standard or deviation from it. It is behavior that is perverted, and thus indicates that genre of sin which deviates from God’s righteous design.

On the Day of Atonement In the Old Testament sacrificial system the blood of a sacrificial goat was sprinkled upon the mercy seat overlying the ark of the covenant in the holy of holies, symbolically depicting that the sins of the people were atoned for or covered by the blood of the animal.  In Leviticus we read that

"on exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble your souls and present an offering by fire to the LORD. Neither shall you do any work on this same day, for it is a day of atonement (kippur), to make atonement (kaphar) on your behalf before the LORD your God."  (Lev 23:27-28)

Moses describing the actions of the Jewish High Priest on the annual

Day of Atonement records that "he shall slaughter the goat of the sin offering which is for the people, and bring its blood inside the veil, and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. And he shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the impurities of the sons of Israel, and because of their transgressions, in regard to all their sins; and thus he shall do for the tent of meeting which abides with them in the midst of their impurities." (Lev 16:15-16).

In the New Testament parallel passages we read that Jesus

had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation (an appeasing sacrifice which was the Perfect fulfillment to which all the OT sacrifices had pointed) for the sins of the people. (see note Hebrews 2:17)

Paul adds of Christ that

God displayed (Him) publicly (before the eyes of all) as a propitiation (to render God propitious to us or disposed to be gracious or merciful; ready to forgive sins and bestow blessings) in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed (see note Romans 3:25)

John adds that Jesus

Himself is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice offered once for all time to God to assuage His wrath and render Him propitious to sinners) for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. (1Jn 2:2)

Jesus, Messiah the Prince, made His atonement available for the sin of Israel when He died on the Cross, but the efficacy of His atonement will not actually be realized by Israel as a nation until the individual Jews in Israel personally appropriate God's gracious gift by receiving Jesus as their Messiah, Redeemer and Savior. When will this great event occur?

Paul writes

All Israel will be saved" when "THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB" (see note Romans 11:26)

This event will not transpire until the 490 years that have been decreed have run their full course. In the intervening period (the so called "church age") leading up to the termination of the 490 years, Daniel's Seventieth Week, the so-called "Tribulation", individual Jews have received and will continue to receive Jesus as their Great High Priest Who has finished His work of atonement on their behalf. Praise the Lord. Gentile believers must therefore remember and practice Paul's affirmation...

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (See note Romans 1:16)

May God grant that many Jews read Daniel 9:24-27, have their eyes enlightened to the truth that their Messiah has come as the perfect, final sacrificial Lamb and by grace through faith be saved to the uttermost, to the glory of God and His marvelous plan of salvation for Jews and Gentiles alike. Amen

(4) to bring in everlasting righteousness: (Isaiah 51:6,8; 53:11; 56:1; Je 23:5,6; Ro 3:21,22; 1Co 1:30; 2Co 5:21; Php 3:9; He 9:12, 13, 14; 2Pe 1:1; Re 14:6)

to bring in everlasting righteousness (permanent moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) (Amp)

righteousness of ages" (Literal)

In short, this item points to the justice and peace of the new social order in the Millennium inaugurated by Christ's return.

To bring in (0935) means literally "to cause to come" and as Barnes notes "refers to some direct agency by which righteousness would be introduced into the world." There is a sense in which this was accomplished by Christ in His first coming, providing the righteous ground by which God would  justify (declare righteous) a believing sinner. The complete fulfillment in regard to Israel however awaits the return of the Righteous One, Who

will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms (including the final unrighteous Gentile world power headed by the Antichrist), but it (Messiah's righteous kingdom) will itself endure forever. (everlasting) (Da 2:44)

Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him. (Da 7:27)

God promises that 

days are coming...when I will fulfill the good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah (some of that "good word" is promised here in Daniel 9). In those days and at that time (at the end of the 490 years) I will cause (emphasizing that God is sovereign and in total control of history) a righteous Branch of David (Messiah the Prince) to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth. In those days (during the 1000 years that follow the termination of the 490 years) Judah shall be saved, and Jerusalem (referring to "your people and your holy city") shall dwell in safety; and this is the name by which she (referring to Jerusalem who will take on the same righteous character as the Messiah Who dwells within her) shall be called: the LORD is our righteousness.’ (Jer 33:14, 15, 16).

Everlasting (05769) (olam) means  forever, eternity, i.e., pertaining to an unlimited duration of time, usually with a focus on the future.

Righteousness (06664) (tsedeq) is a root which  basically connotes conformity to an ethical or moral standard. The idea is of doing what is required according to a standard.

Tsedeq - 112v in the OT - Lev. 19:15, 36; Deut. 1:16; 16:18, 20; 25:15; 33:19; Job 6:29; 8:3, 6; 29:14; 31:6; 35:2; 36:3; Ps. 4:1, 5; 7:8, 17; 9:4, 8; 15:2; 17:1, 15; 18:20, 24; 23:3; 35:24, 27f; 37:6; 40:9; 45:4, 7; 48:10; 50:6; 51:19; 52:3; 58:1; 65:5; 72:2; 85:10f, 13; 89:14; 94:15; 96:13; 97:2, 6; 98:9; 118:19; 119:7, 62, 75, 106, 121, 123, 138, 142, 144, 160, 164, 172; 132:9; Prov. 1:3; 2:9; 8:8, 15f; 12:17; 16:13; 25:5; 31:9; Eccl. 3:16; 5:8; 7:15; Isa. 1:21, 26; 11:4f; 16:5; 26:9f; 32:1; 41:2, 10; 42:6, 21; 45:8, 13, 19; 51:1, 5, 7; 58:2, 8; 59:4; 61:3; 62:1f; 64:5; Jer. 11:20; 22:13; 23:6; 31:23; 33:16; 50:7; Ezek. 3:20; 45:10; Dan. 9:24; Hos. 2:19; 10:12; Zeph. 2:3

Messianic passages in the OT envision righteousness as being applied to the earth at the time of the Second coming of Messiah (Millennium).

Jeremiah for example writes

Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "When I shall raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely And do justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, 'The LORD our righteousness.'  (Jer 23:5-6)

Comment: Compare other passages which picture the righteous character of the Messianic kingdom -- Je 33:15, 16, 17, 18.

At Messiah's return the "elect" in Israel will believe in the Messiah and will receive His righteousness by faith and will be enabled to live in a right relationship with God and to live according to His will.  Messiah's return will usher in the promised and long awaited Messianic Kingdom (Millennial Kingdom) which will be characterized by righteousness. Isaiah describing Messiah's reign declared that

with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; and He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins, and faithfulness the belt about His waist." (Isa 11:4, 5)

Peter writes that

according to His promise (one of those promises being found here in Daniel 9:24) we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells." (2Pe 2:13-note)

Comment: This will be an everlasting righteousness for it will continue through the 1000 year reign of Messiah on earth and into eternity in the New Heaven and New Earth.
 

(5) to seal up vision and prophecy: (Mt 11:13; Lk 24:25, 26, 27,44,45; Jn 19:28, 29, 30) (Acts 3:22)

to put a seal on a prophet’s vision (GWT),
to make the vision and prophecy come true (International Children's Bible),
so that the vision and the prophecy will come true (TEV),
vision and prophecy may be fulfilled (Darby),
to put a seal on a prophet's vision (GWT),
to confirm the prophetic vision (NLT),
confirm what the prophet saw, (Message).

Seal up (02856) (chatham) means  to set a seal on, to seal up. It indicates the act of affixing an impression to serve as a seal on something, then sealing it up as well. It can mean to stop, hinder, i.e., stop an event as a figurative extension of sealing up a document.

Chatham - 24v in the OT - Lev. 15:3; Deut. 32:34; 1 Ki. 21:8; Neh. 9:38; 10:1; Est. 3:12; 8:8, 10; Job 9:7; 14:17; 24:16; 33:16; 37:7; Cant. 4:12; Isa. 8:16; 29:11; Jer. 32:10f, 14, 44; Ezek. 28:12; Dan. 9:24; 12:4, 9

Some have interpreted the phrase (seal up) to suggest that prophecy is to be sealed up and be kept silent through the 490 year period (Keil), but even common sense does not support this interpretation. On the other hand, the legitimate interpretation of this phrase varies somewhat among conservative scholars, in part because there are 2 Hebrew verbs depending on the manuscript one favors. The NASB and KJV translate the manuscript with the Hebrew verb (chatham) for seal up, and can mean to authenticate a document (as when one finishes a letter and stamps it with a personal seal) or to seal it up and make it securely enclosed under the seal. This action therefore seems to have a two fold purpose of authenticating (the prophecy will be shown to be true and will be completely fulfilled) and of bringing prophecy to a close for when the prophecy is fulfilled and Messiah has returned after the 490 years, there will no no longer be needed for vision and prophecy.

Vision (02377) (chazown/chazon) means revelation or a communication to others. It refers to  a communication from God to be communicated to others (e.g., 1Sa 3:1; 1Ch 17:15; 2Ch 32:32; Ps 89:20; Pr 29:18; Is 1:1; 29:7; Je 14:14; 23:16; La 2:9; Ezek 7:13, 26; 12:22, 23, 24, 27; 13:16; Da 1:17)

Chazown/chazon - 34v in OT - 1Sa 3:1; 1Chr 17:15; 2Chr. 32:32; Ps. 89:19; Pr 29:18; Isa 1:1; 29:7; Je 14:14; 23:16; Lam 2:9; Ezek 7:13, 26; 12:22, 23, 24, 27; 13:16; Da 1:17; 8:1f, 13, 15, 17, 26; 9:21, 24; 10:14; 11:14; Hos. 12:10; Obad. 1:1; Mic 3:6; Nah 1:1; Hab 2:2, 3

Vine writes that...

Chazon almost always signifies a means of divine revelation. First, it refers to the means itself, to a prophetic “vision” by which divine messages are communicated (Ezek 12:22). Second, this word represents the message received by prophetic “vision”: “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (Pr29:18). Finally, chazon can represent the entirety of a prophetic or prophet’s message as it is written down: “The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz …” (Is 1:1). Thus the word inseparably related to the content of a divine communication focuses on the means by which that message is received: “And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision” (1Sa 3:1— the first occurrence of the word). In Is 29:7 this word signifies a non-prophetic dream.  (Vine, W E: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. 1996. Nelson)

Prophecy (05030) (nabiy) is the word for one who speaks or proclaims the message of a deity (1Sa 3:20, 1Ki 18:20, La 2:14).

Walvoord writes that ...

The fifth aspect of the program, "to seal up the vision and prophecy," is probably best understood to mean the termination of unusual direct revelation by means of vision and oral prophecy. The expression to seal up indicates that no more is to be added and that what has been predicted will receive divine confirmation and recognition in the form of actual fulfillment. Once a letter is sealed, its contents are irreversible (cf. Da 6:8). (Ibid)

Charles Feinberg adds that the idea is

to giving the seal of confirmation to Daniel and his vision by fulfilling his predictions. In Isaiah 8:16, this phrase meant that the prophecy was complete, and the command was given to bind it up, to roll it up like a scroll and seal it. Again, in Daniel 8:26 the thought was to seal up the prophecy and make a permanent record of it, so that when it is fulfilled the event can be compared to the prophecy to show how completely the one corresponds to the other.

John Whitcomb explains that

in the post-apostolic phrase of church history, we have no further need of such ministries, possessing as we do the completed revelation of God in Holy Scripture. (However) during the first half of the Seventieth Week of Daniel two witnesses will prophesy...but all such prophetic ministries will end forever at our Lord's return to the earth. (Daniel, Everyman's Bible Commentary)

(6) to anoint the most holy place: (Psalms 2:6; 45:7; Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18-21; John 1:41; 3:34; Hebrews 1:8,9; 9:11) (Mark 1:24; Luke 1:35; Acts 3:14; Hebrews 7:26; Revelation 3:7)

Anoint (04886) (mashach which is related to Mashiach the word which is transliterated into English as Messiah, "the anointed One") conveys the basic meaning of to smear something on. The OT uses of anointing included the setting apart for office or function and thus to consecrate.

Mashach - 66v in OT - Ge 31:13; Ex 28:41; 29:2, 7, 36; 30:26, 30; 40:9, 10, 11, 13, 15; Lv 2:4; 6:20; 7:12, 36; 8:10, 11, 12; 16:32; Nu 3:3; 6:15; 7:1, 10, 84, 88; 35:25; Jdg 9:8, 15; 1Sa 9:16; 10:1; 15:1, 17; 16:3, 12f; 2Sa 2:4, 7; 3:39; 5:3, 17; 12:7; 19:10; 1Ki. 1:34, 39, 45; 5:1; 19:15, 16; 2 Ki. 9:3, 6, 12; 11:12; 23:30; 1Chr 11:3; 14:8; 29:22; 2Chr 22:7; 23:11; Ps. 45:7; 89:20; Is 21:5; 61:1; Je 22:14; Da 9:24; Amos 6:6 and is rendered in NAS as anoint(21), anointed(42), anointing(1), oil(1), painting(1), spread(4).

Most holy (06944) (qodes or qodesh) is a noun which identifies that which has been consecrated and set aside to be used only for sacred purposes. That which was qodesh was not to be put to common use lest it become profaned and rendered "not holy". Qodesh is used some 468 times in 382 verses in the KJV and is translated as -- holy 262, sanctuary 68, (holy, hallowed,...) things 52, most 44, holiness 30, dedicated 5, hallowed 3, consecrated 1. Notice that 68 times qodesh refers to the Holy Sanctuary.

The word place is in italics in the NAS, indicating (in NAS, KJV, NKJV but not in the ESV) that it has been added by the translators. In other words the original Hebrew literally reads anoint the holy of holies with no word for "place". The added word place assumes this to be a reference to a place rather than to a person (such as "holy one"). The Septuagint (LXX = Greek translation of the Hebrew) supports the interpretation as referring to a place, translating the Hebrew with the Greek phrase holy of holies, which is interpreted most naturally as a reference to the inner sanctuary of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Elsewhere in the OT, this phrase most holy is used (37 of 39 occurrences) as a description of a place or an object and not a person, which is further support that the text is referring to anointing of the holy place in the Temple and not to the Holy One, Who, the Messiah.

At the end of the 490 years, the holy of holies in the Temple on Temple Mount in Jerusalem will be anointed once again for God’s service. The prophet Ezekiel records that the Temple will be rebuilt and this will occur during the time immediately following the Second Coming of Christ, commonly referred to as the Millennial (1000 year), when Messiah will reign for 1000 years on earth (Ezek 40-48). This 1000 year period is based primarily on the repeated phrase 1000 years (6 times) in Revelation 20. Many who refuse to interpret the Scriptures literally (where that interpretation is quite reasonable), take the 1000 years as symbolic, an interpretation generally referred to as amillennial. It is interesting that many of those who hold this position, also hold the position that God is finished with Israel and that the promises made to Israel in the OT have been "defaulted" to the Church. They base this specious interpretation on a misinterpretation of Galatians 6:16 (see discussion of the phrase Israel of God). Those who assume this non-literal interpretation, not surprisingly have considerable difficulty interpreting the book of the Revelation, which if taken literally, chronicles the final dealing of God with His chosen people Israel. It is little wonder (and very sad) that there are such a plethora of confusing interpretations on the great book of the Revelation.

Ezekiel records that (after the 490 years are completed)

the glory of the God of Israel (Shekinah Glory - see study on The Glory of the LORD) ) was coming from the way of the east (which retraces the departure of the glory of the LORD as recorded by Ezekiel - Ezek 9:3, 10:4, 18, 19, 11:23, this last location being the Mount of Olives, directly east of the Eastern Gate and the Holy of holies on Temple Mount). And His voice was like the sound of many waters (cp John's description of the glorified Jesus in Re 1:15-note); and the earth shone with His glory (cp Hab 2:14). And it was like the appearance of the vision which I saw, like the vision which I saw when He came to destroy the city. And the visions were like the vision which I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell on my face. And the glory of the Lord came into the house (the Holy Temple) by the way of the gate facing toward the east (if you visit Jerusalem today, the Eastern Gate is bricked shut, but one day in the future it will be opened again to welcome the return of the Messiah to His holy place!). And the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house (the Millennial Temple). Then I heard one speaking to me from the house, while a man was standing beside me. And He (Messiah is speaking) said to me, "Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell among the sons of Israel forever.... (Ezek 43:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

Pfeiffer notes that

Most commentators, even many Amillennialists (those who do note accept a literal 1000 year reign of Messiah on earth) (e.g., Keil and Leupold) (see related topic: Millennium), to whom this passage is somewhat of an embarrassment, feel that this refers to a renewed Temple, anointed like the Tabernacle of old.... (Pfeiffer, C F: Wycliffe Bible Commentary. 1981. Moody or Logos)

Not everyone agrees that holy place precludes the idea of holy person, Mills for example writing that...

The superlative construction translated ‘the most holy’ is literally ‘holy of holy,’ and while it is frequently interpreted as meaning the holy place (in the temple), this is not necessarily correct. The noun’s basic idea is to express the nuance of soundness, wholeness; the Old Testament uses it of God, of places, of things, of times and of persons, and it is particularly used of the altar. However, as the preceding parts of God’s program refer to the eternal state, it seems unlikely that this clause returns to the mundane and temporal; I am thus persuaded that this clause refers to the Most Holy person, the Lamb of God (Revelation 5) Who will be anointed God’s eternal prince, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev 19:16), for in the eternal state there will be no temple and thus no altar (Rev 21:22). (Mills, M. Daniel: A Study Guide to the Book of Daniel. Dallas: 3E Ministries)

Richison sums up this introductory verse writing that...

God will accomplish these six things in anticipation of the Millennial kingdom. These things summarize God’s program to be true to His unconditional covenants such as the Abrahamic Covenant (see Abrahamic versus Mosaic), the Davidic Covenant and the New Covenant (see New Covenant in the Old Testament or Why the New is Better or Covenant: Abrahamic vs Old vs New). God already fulfilled some of these purposes. God will complete His program for these six purposes when the 490 years run their course. This program involves: 1) delivering Jews from the Babylonian captivity, 2) delivering them from sin at the Messiah’s advent, and 3) complete deliverance from oppression at the Second Coming of Christ.

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In the seventeenth century a very learned Jew published a book in which he set forth the claims of Jesus Christ to be the Jewish Messiah. In the preface to the book he told how he himself had been converted by listening to a debate between a knowledgeable Jew and a Christian convert from Judaism over the meaning of Daniel 9:24-27. The moderator of the debate was a learned rabbi, and as the Christian pressed the claims of this passage home it became so clear that the passage was pointing to Jesus Christ that the rabbi closed the debate with these words

Let us shut up our books, for if we go on examining the prophecy we shall all become Christians. (Amen and Amen!)

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The seventy weeks prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27 was originally regarded by the rabbis as one of the most important predictive texts in the Bible. This significance was testified to by the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus

He [Daniel] not only predicted the future, like the other prophets, but specified when the events would happen (Antiquities x. 268). (Click and scroll down for Randall Price's history of rabbinic interpretation of Daniel's Seventieth Week)

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Leopold Cohn (pictured below - click additional notes on his life) was born into an Orthodox Jewish community in Berezna, a small town in eastern Hungary in 1862. At age 18 he graduated with high marks from the Talmudic academy and became a rabbi. One of his rituals was to daily repeat the 12th article of the Jewish creed:

I believe with a perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah, and though he tarry, yet will I wait daily for his coming.

Cohn however wondered why Messiah tarried, but was unsettled by the "answers" he able to find. While reading the Talmud (collected writings of rabbis commenting on the Torah or Old Testament), he discovered that other rabbis had also wrestled with this question. But as he continued to study he discovered that the Messiah should have come long ago. This prompted him to study the Hebrew prophets for himself, and as he studied Daniel’s prophecy of the "70 weeks" in Daniel 9:24-27, it became clear that Daniel had predicted the coming of Messiah some 400-500 years after the prophecy was given. But that was 2500 years ago and the rabbis said that Messiah had not yet come. How could he resolve this contradiction? An older rabbi who served as Cohn's mentor advised him to drop the subject altogether or he might lose his rabbinical career because such questions were not to be asked. The rabbi further explained that he could not discuss the matter without losing his own job. He even advised Cohn to go to America where, he said, people knew more about the Messiah. Later, Leopold Cohn recalled this incident and felt that the rabbi knew something about the Messiah, Jesus. And so in 1892 Cohn left Hungary for New York City in search of the truth about the Messiah prompted by his study of Daniel's "Seventy weeks".  On one providential day, Cohn happened to pass by  a church in the Jewish section of the city and noticed a small sign advertising "Meetings for Jews." It was at that meeting that Cohn met another Jewish an also trained in the Talmud. It was there that Leopold Cohn was given a copy of the New Testament which he read straight though beginning at 11:00 one morning and finishing at 1:00 AM the next day, upon which he concluded that Yeshua (Jesus) was indeed the promised Messiah prophesied by Daniel to come and be cut off.  Soon thereafter he received Yeshua, Jesus, as his Messiah, Savior and Lord.  With his new found faith, he begin to go to his people, the Jews, and in Cohn's words

I showed them from the Scriptures that to believe in Yeshua was Jewish faith, real Jewish faith.

What followed was sorrow, travail and persecution from other Jews because of his presumed "betrayal" of their orthodox faith. In 1894 Cohn set up a storefront mission in a renovated horse stable in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, New York for the sole purpose of telling others that the Messiah had come and that his name was Yeshua, Jesus. The first Bible meeting was attended by eight Jewish people. The Lord continued to bless this work, and in the course of his lifetime, Leopold Cohn led over 1,000 people to the Lord.  His local mission eventually became the American Board of Missions to the Jews, which was later re-named Chosen People Ministries. Over 50 years later a man named Moishe Rosen left that ministry to form what eventually became Jews for Jesus. This one passage, Daniel 9:24-27, radically changed an Orthodox Jewish rabbi and led to the birthing of ministries that have touched literally thousands of Jewish and Gentile lives around the world.

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(Click for elaboration)
Assumes a 360 day year, he refers to as the "prophetic year".

Dr. Harold Hoehner
(1976)
In his book:
Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ

(Click for elaboration)
Also assumes a 360 day year but calculates the start and end dates differently.