The verse highlights that the rebuilding of Jerusalem and its walls, even after a command is given, will happen amidst significant opposition and difficulty. This isn't a smooth, easy process, but one marked by "troublous times," emphasizing God's faithfulness in accomplishing His purposes even through conflict.
Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. And for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Daniel has just received a divine prophecy about seventy weeks (representing 490 years) that will unfold concerning his people and the holy city, Jerusalem. This verse breaks down the initial period, detailing that from the moment a decree is issued to rebuild Jerusalem, a specific timeframe will pass until a royal figure, the Messiah, appears. This initial phase of rebuilding, including streets and walls, will occur amidst significant opposition and hardship.
Daniel's prophecy hinges on a specific 'commandment'. But which one? And why is it so crucial for understanding God's timeline?
The angel Gabriel gives Daniel a precise starting point for the prophecy of 70 weeks: 'from the going out of the word to restore and to build Jerusalem.'
The prophecy breaks down into distinct time segments. What do these 'weeks' represent, and what monumental event marks their conclusion?
Daniel 9:25 divides the prophecy into two major segments before the final 'week':
Ask a follow-up
Building walls and restoring a city isn't easy. This verse highlights a crucial element of the rebuilding process: constant struggle. What does this tell us about God's people and His plan?
The prophecy doesn't promise a smooth journey for Jerusalem's restoration. It explicitly states the city would be rebuilt 'in a troubled time.'
Understand the original words
mashiach · Hebrew Noun
One who has been consecrated by the pouring of oil or the power of the Spirit for a specific divine office, such as prophet, priest, or king. It points toward the ultimate Savior, the Messiah (the Anointed One), who fulfills all these roles perfectly.
The rebuilding of Jerusalem wasn't a single event but a protracted struggle filled with opposition, stretching over decades and involving multiple Persian decrees. This verse anchors a precise prophecy to a specific starting point – the decree for Nehemiah to rebuild the walls – highlighting the 'troublous times' that characterized this era.
c. 538 BC
Cyrus' Edict for Temple Reconstruction
Cyrus the Great issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This marks the beginning of the post-exilic period.
c. 457 BC
Artaxerxes I Grants Ezra Authority
King Artaxerxes I issues a comprehensive decree empowering Ezra to restore Jewish civil and religious governance in Jerusalem, including provisions for the Temple.
c. 444 BC— this verse
Artaxerxes I Commissions Nehemiah
King Artaxerxes I grants Nehemiah permission and resources to rebuild the walls and fortifications of Jerusalem. This event is widely considered the starting point for the prophecy's timeline.
c. 400 BC
Completion of Jerusalem's Walls
Under Nehemiah's leadership, the walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt and the city's infrastructure is restored, despite significant opposition and 'troublous times'.
c. 332 BC
Alexander the Great Conquers Persia
Alexander's conquest marks the end of Persian rule and the beginning of Hellenistic influence in Judea, leading to new political and cultural dynamics.
c. 167 BC
Maccabean Revolt Begins
The Jewish people rebel against the oppressive rule of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, leading to a period of conflict and religious persecution.
c. 63 BC
Roman Conquest of Judea
Rome takes control of Judea, integrating it into its growing empire and significantly altering the political landscape for the Jewish people.
This passage details the initial decree by Cyrus allowing the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, marking a significant starting point for the city's restoration and a foundational event in the period Daniel is contemplating.
Nehemiah 2:1-8This passage describes Nehemiah receiving the commission from King Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem, including its walls and streets. This specific edict is widely considered by scholars to be the starting point ('the going forth of the word') for the prophetic timeline Daniel outlines.
Nehemiah 4:1-18This passage vividly illustrates the 'troublous times' mentioned in Daniel 9:25, detailing the significant opposition and hardship faced by Nehemiah and the builders as they worked to restore Jerusalem's walls.
Luke 3:21-22This passage describes the baptism of Jesus, which, according to many interpretations, marks the end of the sixty-two weeks and the coming of the 'Anointed One, a Prince' – the Messiah – signifying the fulfillment of this pivotal part of Daniel's prophecy.
ellicottDaniel 9:25: "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."
(25) Know therefore.— The difficulty of this verse is considerably increased by the principal accent in the Hebrew text being placed after the words “seven weeks.” According to the present punctuation, the translation is “…
bensonDaniel 9:25: "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."
Daniel 9:25. Know therefore and understand — Learn therefore and retain; from the going forth of the commandment — From the publication of the edict by the Persian king; to restore and to build Jerusalem — Or, to build aga…
The verse highlights that the rebuilding of Jerusalem and its walls, even after a command is given, will happen amidst significant opposition and difficulty. This isn't a smooth, easy process, but one marked by "troublous times," emphasizing God's faithfulness in accomplishing His purposes even through conflict.
Daniel has just received a divine prophecy about seventy weeks (representing 490 years) that will unfold concerning his people and the holy city, Jerusalem. This verse breaks down the initial period, detailing that from the moment a decree is issued to rebuild Jerusalem, a specific timeframe will pass until a royal figure, the Messiah, appears. This initial phase of rebuilding, including streets and walls, will occur amidst significant opposition and hardship.
Daniel has just received a divine prophecy about seventy weeks (representing 490 years) that will unfold concerning his people and the holy city, Jerusalem. This verse breaks down the initial period, detailing that from the moment a decree is issued to rebuild Jerusalem, a specific timeframe will pass until a royal figure, the Messiah, appears. This initial phase of rebuilding, including streets and walls, will occur amidst significant opposition and hardship.
"Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. And for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat,…" — The verse highlights that the rebuilding of Jerusalem and its walls, even after a command is given, will happen amidst significant opposition and difficulty. This isn't a smooth, easy process, but on…
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Last reviewed October 2026
