Daniel 9:26

Daniel 9:26 Meaning and Explanation

And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

King James Version (KJV)

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After the appointed weeks the Messiah is cut off, not for himself, and the city and sanctuary are afterward destroyed.

What Does Daniel 9:26 Mean?

The prophecy turns to the Messiah's fate: after the sixty-two weeks he is cut off, but not for himself. Then a coming people destroy the city and the sanctuary, with an end like a flood and desolations decreed until the end.

The phrase but not for himself has long moved Christian hearts, for it speaks of one who is cut off not for his own sin but for others. Here the cross casts its shadow backward into prophecy: the Anointed One dies, yet his death is for the sake of others. What looks like defeat is in truth the deepest act of love, the innocent One bearing what was not his own.

Daniel 9:26 in the Original Language

karath (כָּרַת), 'cut off' -- to be cut down or killed; the same root used for cutting, or making, a covenant.

Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel 9:26

What does Daniel 9:26 mean?

After the appointed weeks the Messiah is cut off, not for himself, and the city and sanctuary are afterward destroyed.

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