Daniel 9:27

He shall confirm the covenant. The “he” here spoken of is the Messiah of the preceding verses. Interpreting the verse thus makes the entire 70 weeks, or 490 years, of prophecy a consistent, continuous unit. The statements made meet a unique fulfillment in the time of the Messiah. The confirming of the covenant may be considered to be the continuation of the Jewish nation as the chosen people of God through the period named. On the other hand the “confirming” may be that of the everlasting covenant (see on ch. 11:28).

For one week. This week, the 70th, began in A.D. 27 with the opening of Christ’s public ministry at the time of His baptism. It extended beyond the crucifixion “in the midst of the week,” in the spring of A.D. 31, 3½ years after Christ’s baptism in the autumn of A.D. 27. For evidence as to the length of Christ’s public ministry, see on Matt. 4:12. For a discussion of “half” and “midst” see Problems in Bible Translation, pp. 184-187.

To cease. The sacrifices met their antitypical fulfillment in the voluntary sacrifice of Christ. The rending of the Temple veil by an unseen hand at the instant of Christ’s death was heaven’s announcement that the sacrifices and oblations had lost their significance.

Overspreading. Literally, “wing.” Here the desolater is poetically pictured as being carried along upon the wing of abominations. This has reference in part at least to the horrors and atrocities that were perpetrated upon the Jewish nation by the Romans in A.D. 70.

The consummation. That is, the end of that which was to come upon the Jewish nation. Sad was the fate of those who rejected their hope of salvation.

Desolate. Better, “desolater.” The desolater himself would eventually be destroyed (see on Matt. 23:38).

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