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The seven sevens (49 years) of Daniel 9:25 begin at this date and end
with the dedication of the temple (Ezra 6:15). From this date to the
'cutting off of Messiah' is sixty -two sevens (434 years). The date from
which this computation commences is 405 b.c., which brings us to a.d. 29, the
date of the crucifixion of the Lord.
We now turn back to Ezra -Nehemiah in order to see how far the
chronology can be established by the reading of this double record.
455 b.c.
Hanani's report in the month Chisleu (Neh. 1:1 to 2.8).
This
leads to the 'going forth of the commandment to rebuild
Jerusalem' (Dan. 9:25).
454 b.c.
Nehemiah makes his journey (Neh. 2:9). Meets opposition but
commences the work. The wall partly finished (Neh. 2:20 to 4:6).
The wall completed in fifty -two days (Neh. 4:16 to 6:15). The
condition of the city. Houses not builded and the people few
(Neh. 7:4).
426 b.c.
Emancipation act of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1 -4). Return under
Zerubbabel. The seventh month (Ezra 1:5 to 2:70).
425 b.c.
Second year of return.
Temple foundation laid (Ezra 3:8 -13).
419 b.c.
Nehemiah goes back for twelve years (Neh. 5:14 to 13:6).
410 b.c.
From this second year of the return (425 b.c.) to the second year
of Darius Hystaspes.
407 b.c.
Nehemiah obtains leave of absence (Neh. 13:6).
405 b.c.
Sixth year of Darius Hystaspes, the Temple was finished
(Ezra 6:15). Nehemiah and Ezra at the Dedication of the Temple,
twenty years after the foundation was laid (Ezra 3:8 -13) in 425
b.c.
404 b.c.
The separation of the people (Ezra 9:1,2; Neh. 9:1,2). The
reading of the law in the 24th of the 7th month (Neh. 9:3).
403 b.c.
Ezra's latest date, in the eighth year of Darius Hystaspes (Ezra
7:8; 10:9; 10:16,17).
In the book of Daniel we read:
'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' (Dan.
9:25).
Daniel's prayer in this chapter has to do with the desolation of
Jerusalem; it is the 'city' that is the subject of his prayer, the city and
the people that are called after the name of the Lord (9:18,19).