Daniel 9:27
And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights a profound theological reversal: instead of the Messiah causing sacrifices and offerings to cease by fulfilling their purpose, it's "he" who causes them to cease on account of "abominations." This points not to the Messiah's redemptive work, but to a figure whose actions will halt sacred worship due to the rampant sin and idolatry that will corrupt the very heart of God's people.
This verse concludes Daniel's vision by detailing specific events within the final "week" (seven years) of the prophetic timeline. It describes a powerful figure who will make a covenant, then break it by stopping sacrifices and desecrating the Temple, leading to desolation until a divinely decreed end. The preceding verses (9:24-26) set the stage by establishing the 70-week prophecy and foretelling the cutting off of a Messiah and the future destruction of the city and sanctuary.
The prophecy speaks of a covenant being 'confirmed.' But what does that mean when the One confirming it is 'cut off'?
Daniel 9:27 reveals a pivotal moment where a covenant is not just made, but confirmed with 'many.' This points to a covenant that offers stability and certainty. While some interpretations suggest a political alliance or a treaty, the dominant understanding, supported by the context of Messiah's coming, points to God's covenant of grace. This covenant, established through Christ's sacrifice, brings reconciliation and an everlasting righteousness. The confirmation happens not by force, but through Christ's ministry, his teachings, his miracles, and ultimately, his atoning death. It's a covenant that offers a new, sure foundation for relationship with God, bringing many into its embrace.
Why would the prophecy foretell the cessation of sacrifices right in the middle of this covenant's confirmation?
The verse dramatically pivots: in the 'midst of the week,' the prescribed sacrifices and offerings are to cease. This isn't a random event but a direct consequence of the covenant's fulfillment. Christ's death, occurring mid-week, is the ultimate sacrifice that renders the Levitical system obsolete. It's the antitype fulfilling the types. Yet, this transition is immediately followed by an 'abomination' causing desolation. This points to a profound desecration, a turning away from God's appointed way, leading to judgment. Whether this refers to the desecration of the Temple by Roman armies or a spiritual 'abomination' that eclipses true worship, it signifies a devastating consequence of rejecting the confirmed covenant.
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Understand the original words
beriyth · Hebrew Noun
A solemn agreement or treaty, often signifying a binding relationship between God and His people, or between parties involving conditions, promises, and consequences.
zebach · Hebrew Noun
Ritual offerings made to God, typically involving animals or grain, serving as a means of atonement, thanksgiving, or fellowship under the Mosaic Law.
shiqquts · Hebrew Noun
Refers to anything detestable or loathsome to God, particularly practices related to idolatry or the profanation of sacred space that invite divine judgment.
This prophecy unfolds over a significant period, highlighting the tension between God's covenant people and encroaching desolation, ultimately pointing to Christ's ministry as the pivotal event that redefines sacrifice and covenant before the final judgment upon Jerusalem.
c. 200-165 BC
Antiochus IV Epiphanes Reigns
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, ruler of the Seleucid Empire, attempted to Hellenize the Jewish people. His reign saw increasing persecution and forced assimilation.
167 BC
Temple Desecration Begins
Antiochus IV desecrated the Jerusalem Temple by setting up an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs, an act considered an abomination by the Jews. This sparked the Maccabean Revolt.
c. 63 BC
Roman Influence in Judea
The Roman Republic gained significant influence in Judea, eventually leading to Roman rule and the appointment of client kings.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Death
Jesus Christ's ministry, including the confirmation of the covenant with many and his atoning death, occurred around this time. His death is seen by many as the pivotal event ending the sacrificial system.
c. 33-40 AD
Early Apostolic Ministry to Jews
Following Jesus' ascension, the apostles focused their ministry primarily on the Jewish people, confirming the new covenant through preaching and signs.
AD 66-70
First Jewish-Roman War and Temple Destruction
The First Jewish-Roman War resulted in the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple, fulfilling prophecies of desolation and the cessation of temple sacrifices.
Jesus directly references this prophecy, calling it the 'abomination of desolation' and linking it to the destruction of the temple, showing a direct fulfillment.
Luke 21:20This passage describes Jesus' own prophecy of Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, echoing the desolation foretold in Daniel and its ultimate destruction.
Hebrews 10:10This New Testament passage explains how Jesus' sacrifice brings about the end of the need for Old Testament sacrifices and offerings, directly relating to the 'sacrifice and oblation to cease' mentioned in Daniel.
Romans 11:26This passage speaks of 'all Israel' being saved, a concept that resonates with the covenant confirmed 'with many' in Daniel, suggesting a future restoration after a period of judgment.
ellicottDaniel 9:27: "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."
(27) And he shall confirm.— The subject of the sentence is ambiguous. Theod. makes it to be “one week.” LXX. “the covenant;” others take it to be the Antichristian prince spoken of in the…
bensonDaniel 9:27: "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."
Daniel 9:27 . And he shall confirm the covenant with many — “The covenant to be confirmed by the Messiah is not a civil, but a religious compact, as such, styled by Daniel himself, the hol…
This verse highlights a profound theological reversal: instead of the Messiah causing sacrifices and offerings to cease by fulfilling their purpose, it's "he" who causes them to cease on account of "abominations." This points not to the Messiah's redemptive work, but to a figure whose actions will halt sacred worship due to the rampant sin and idolatry that will corrupt the very heart of God's people.
This verse concludes Daniel's vision by detailing specific events within the final "week" (seven years) of the prophetic timeline. It describes a powerful figure who will make a covenant, then break it by stopping sacrifices and desecrating the Temple, leading to desolation until a divinely decreed end. The preceding verses (9:24-26) set the stage by establishing the 70-week prophecy and foretelling the cutting off of a Messiah and the future destruction of the city and sanctuary.
This verse concludes Daniel's vision by detailing specific events within the final "week" (seven years) of the prophetic timeline. It describes a powerful figure who will make a covenant, then break it by stopping sacrifices and desecrating the Temple, leading to desolation until a divinely decreed end. The preceding verses (9:24-26) set the stage by establishing the 70-week prophecy and foretelling the cutting off of a Messiah and the future destruction of the city and sanctuary.
"And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on t…" — This verse highlights a profound theological reversal: instead of the Messiah causing sacrifices and offerings to cease by fulfilling their purpose, it's "he" who causes them to cease on account…
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