Daniel 9:27 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

Daniel 9:27. (a most difficult verse) he shall make a firm covenant: if the reference is to Antiochus, as seems absolutely certain, the words can only mean that he made a covenant with apostate Jews in order to secure their help in extirpating the Jewish religion. Some scholars emend the text and translate, the covenant shall be annulled for the many, i.e. there shall be a period of general apostasy. one week: 7 years. half of the week: the 3½ years during which the sacrifices were suspended by Antiochus (cf. Daniel 7:25, Daniel 8:14). upon the wing of abominations: another difficult and obscure phrase. As it stands, it can only be explained on the analogy of Psalms 18:10, and he (i.e. Yahweh) rode upon a cherub and did fly. Many scholars, however, prefer to emend the text and translate in its stead, i.e. in place of the sacrifice. In its stead shall be the abomination that maketh desolate, i.e. the heathen altar set up by Antiochus (Daniel 11:31 *). and even unto the consummation: the best rendering of the last clause is that of Driver, and that until the consummation and that which is determined be poured upon the desolation, i.e. the abomination will continue until doom is poured out upon Antiochus.

Daniel 9:27

27 And he shall confirm the covenantf 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.