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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 9:26

Verse 26 Here Daniel treats of the sixty-two weeks which elapsed between the sixth year of Darius and the baptism of Christ, when the Gospel began to be promulgated, but at the same time he does not neglect the seven weeks of which he had been speaking. For they comprehend the space of time which intervened between the Persian monarchy and the second edict which again granted liberty to the people after the death of Cambyses. After the sixty-two weeks which should succeed the seven former ones,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 9:27

Verse 27 The angel now returns to Christ. We have explained why he made mention of the coming slaughter; first, to shew the faithful that they had no reason for remaining in the body of the nation in preference to being cut off from it; and next, to prevent the unbelievers from being satisfied with their obstinacy and their contempt of their inestimable blessings, by their rejecting the person of Christ. Thus this clause was interposed concerning the future devastation of the city and temple.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 9:1-21

The nation's advocate at God's bar. "Whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel … touched me" ( Daniel 9:21 ). Our subject is the prayer of Daniel, and the following points will demand full and careful consideration. I. THE MOMENT IN TIME . This was most critical; for: 1 . The moment had been anticipated in prophecy. ( Jeremiah 25:11 , Jeremiah 25:12 ; Jeremiah 29:10-14 .) How Daniel reckoned the seventy years, and how others did so, must be carefully... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 9:1-27

EXPOSITION THE SEVENTY WEEKS . This is the chapter of Daniel which has occasioned most controversy. It was appealed to by Tertullian and the early Fathers as a demonstration of the correctness of our Lord's claims to Messiahship. It is now received by critical commentators that to our Lord this prophecy cannot refer. Many treatises have been written on the "seventy weeks" of Daniel, and none of them have entirely cleared up the difficulties; indeed, it may be doubted whether all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 9:20-21

And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God; yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. All the versions are practically in agreement with the Massoretic text, save that none of them gives the hophal meaning,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 9:20-23

Prayer answered. We have here a lifting of the veil which commonly hides from our view the processes which connect our prayers with God's replies. The revelation thus made of the unseen world should confirm our faith in the necessity and power of prayer, and help us to understand in some way the manner in which God answers it. I. GOD GIVES SOME BLESSINGS ONLY IN RESPONSE TO PRAYER . The blessing was given to Daniel immediately he prayed, but not till then. Probably if... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 9:20-27

Prayer opens wider horizons of God's kingdom. We have here a signal instance of the fact that God not only answers human prayer, but gives "more than we ask" or conceive. The thing which Daniel asked was small compared with what God bestowed. Compared with contemporary men, Daniel stood above them head and shoulders. Compared with God, he was but a pigmy. I. PRAYER IS THE BEST PREPARATION FOR RECEIVING LARGER REVELATION . The exercise of real prayer develops humility,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 9:22

And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding . The LXX . and Peshitta render the first clause, "And he approached and talked with me." It is difficult to understand how that reading could have arisen from the Massoretic text, or how, on the other hand, the Massoretic text could have arisen from that behind the Septuagint. The rendering of the Septuagint in the last clause is better than that in our Authorized... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 9:23

At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. The version of the LXX . differs somewhat from this, "In the beginning of thy prayer a commandment came from the Lord, and I came to show thee, because thou art merciful, and do thou understand ( διανοήθητι ) the command." The other versions do not present much worthy of remark. At the beginning of thy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 9:24

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy. The LXX . here differs from the above, "Seventy weeks are determined ( ἐκρίθησαν ) upon thy people and the city Zion, to make an end of sin, to make unrighteousnesses rare ( σπανίσαι ), and to wipe out the... read more

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