Daniel 9:21

Gabriel. See ch. 8:15, 16. This is the same being who had explained the first three sections of the vision of ch. 8. He now returns with the purpose of completing his assigned task.

Some commentators have missed the close connection between chs. 8 and 9, and thus the relationship between the 2300 “days” of ch. 8 and the 70 “weeks” of ch. 9. The context, however, requires precisely this relationship, as the following facts make evident:

1. All symbols of the vision of ch. 8:2-14 are explained fully in vs. 15-26, with the exception of the 2300 “days” of vs. 13, 14 (see GC 325). In fact, all of vs. 13 and 14 is explained in vs. 24, 25 except the time element involved. In v. 26 Gabriel mentions the time element, but breaks off his explanation before saying anything further about it.

2. Daniel knew that the 70 years of captivity foretold by the prophet Jeremiah were nearly at an end (ch. 9:2; see Vol. III, pp. 90-92, 94-97; see on Jer. 25:11).

3. Daniel did not understand the 2300-day time period, the only part of the vision not yet explained (ch. 8:27; see No. 1, above), and evidently feared that it implied an extension of the Captivity and the continued desolation of the sanctuary (see ch. 9:19). He knew that the promise of restoration was conditional upon Israel’s sincere repentance (SL 48; see Vol. IV, p. 34).

4. The prospect of terrible persecution during the course of the 2300 “days” (Dan. 8:10-13, 23-25) proved more than the aged Daniel could bear, and as a result he “fainted, and was sick certain days” (ch. 8:27 GC 325). Accordingly, the angel discontinued the explanation of the vision at this time.

5. During the interval preceding the angel’s return (ch. 9:21) Daniel turned to the prophecies of Jeremiah for a clearer understanding of the divine purpose in the Captivity (see Vol. IV, p. 31), particularly with respect to the 70 years (ch. 9:2).

6. Concluding that Israel’s transgression as a nation was responsible for what he evidently took to be an extension of the 70 years (see No. 3, above), Daniel interceded most earnestly with God for forgiveness, for the return of the captive exiles, and for the restoration of the now desolate sanctuary in Jerusalem (see ch. 9:3-19). His prayer closes with a reiteration of the petition that God will “forgive” the sins of the nation and “defer not” the promise of restoration (v. 19).

7. Note particularly that the unexplained portion of the vision of ch. 8 had foretold that “the sanctuary and the host” would be “trodden under foot” (vs. 13, 14, 24) for a period of 2300 “days.” In his prayer Daniel pleads with God that the time allotted to the Captivity should not be extended (see vs. 16-19). A careful comparison of the prayer of ch. 9 with the problem of ch. 8 makes it clear beyond possible doubt that Daniel had the problem in mind as he prayed. He thought that the vision of the 2300 “days” of desolation for the sanctuary and persecution for God’s people implied that God would “defer” the restoration (ch. 9:19).

8. In answer to this prayer, Gabriel, who had been commissioned to explain the vision of ch. 8 (ch. 8:15-19) but had not as yet completed the explanation (see No. 4, above), greeted Daniel with the announcement, “I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding” (ch. 9:22).