Grammatical Analysis:
The book of Daniel, chapter 9, verse 25 reads, “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.” The grammatical structure of this verse differs slightly in the KJV, NIV, and CTS versions, as follows:
Introduction:
The book of Daniel, chapter 9, verse 25 is a crucial passage in the Bible that has been the subject of much scholarly debate and analysis. This verse is a prophecy about the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem after it was destroyed, and it has significant grammatical differences in various versions of the Bible, including the King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV), and Catholic Translation Service (CTS). In this article, we will conduct a comprehensive grammatical analysis of this passage and examine its historical context and prophecies regarding the rebuilding of the temple. We will also discuss the impact of grammatical changes on the prophecy’s meaning and draw insights from Rabbi Tovia’s interpretation.
KJV: “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.”
NIV: “Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.”
CTS: “Know and understand this: from the issuing of the word to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the coming of the Anointed, a prince, there shall be seven weeks; during sixty-two weeks it shall be rebuilt, with squares and moat, despite the times.”
The KJV version uses archaic language and includes “threescore” instead of “sixty,” which may confuse modern readers. In contrast, the NIV and CTS versions use more contemporary language and provide more clarity about the prophecy’s timeline and events. However, the overall meaning of the verse remains consistent across all versions.
Temple Ministries 