Day 249, September 6 Bible more

Chronological Notes and Seventy-Sevens of Daniel 9:24-27

Nebuchadnezzar's Lineage

The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the O.T., edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p. 1344, gives this chronological history of the time between Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar.

Nebuchadnezzar died in 562 B.C. after ruling 43 years. The ensuing years of Babylonian history till its overthrow by Cyrus in 539 B.C. were marked by progressive deterioration, intrigue, and murder. Nebuchadnezzar was succeeded by his son Evil-Merodach who ruled for two years (562-560 B.C., 2Kings 25:27-30; Jer. 52:31-34). Evil-Merodach was murdered in August 560 by Neriglissar, Nebuchadnezzar's son-in-law and Evil-Merodach's own brother-in-law. Neriglissar then ruled four years (560-556 B.C.). He is the Nergal-Sharezer mentioned in Jeremiah 39:3,13. At his death, he was succeeded by his young son Labashi-marduk, who ruled only two months (May and June 556) before he was assassinated and succeeded by Nabonidus, who reigned 17 years (556-539 B.C.).

….Nabonidus did much to restore that glory that had belonged to Babylon under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar…..

Belshazzar was Nabonidus' eldest son and was appointed by his father as his coregent. (Nebuchadnezzar is referred to as Belshazzar's father [Dan. 5:2,11,13,18; cf. v.22] in the sense that he was his ancestor or predecessor) This coregency explains why Belshazzar was called king (v.1) and why he exercised kingly authority even though Nabonidus actually held the throne.

Babylon was being besieged by the Persian army, led by Ugbarud, governor of Gutium, while Belshazzar, inside the city, was giving a great banquet for 1,000 of his nobles. Belshazzar's name means “Bel (another name for the god Marduk) has protected the king.” Perhaps the banquet was given to show Belshazzar's contempt for the Persians and to allay his people's fears...Belshazzar considered his city secure from assault because of its massive walls. Within the city were supplies that would sustain it for 20 years. Therefore, the king felt he had little cause for concern.

The Seventy Sevens of Daniel 9:24-27 with commentary

Daniel 9:24 “Seventy’ sevens’ are decreed [“Seventy sevens” are years, meaning a total of 490 years] for your people and your holy city [the prophecy concerns the Jewish people and Jerusalem] to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. [The final fulfillment of this prophecy will be at the second coming of Jesus Christ to this earth to conquer and reign as king (Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:4).

25 “Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem [this was March 5, 444 BC under Artaxerxes Longimanus] until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes [a probable reference to Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Zechariah 9:9; John 12:13)], there will be seven’ sevens [49 years],’ and sixty-two ‘sevens’ [434 years]. It [Jerusalem] will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble [when Jerusalem was rebuilt, there was opposition, much rubble to clear and opposition by neighboring nations].

26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing [a probable reference to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ]. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary [although this happened in 70 A.D., this may also have reference to the future tribulation period (Matthew 24:3-44). The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.

27 He [the ruler who will come, v.26. The ruler is probably the lawless one (Antichrist) of 2Thessalonians 2:3-12] will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ [i.e., 3 1/2 years], he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple, he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him” [this would be first fulfilled in part by the Greek ruler, Antiochus Epiphanies, but later will be fulfilled in the tribulation time before the second coming of Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:15)], (NIV)

End Note: Insights are from The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the O.T., edited by Walvoord and Zuck, © 1985, pp. 1361-1365. A more thorough explanation can be found there.

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