Sermon Tone Analysis

Other scholars (e.g., Archer, Wood, Payne) believe that the decree of Artaxerxes I to Ezra in 458 B.C. (or 457) is the beginning point of the seventy sevens.

If this view is correct, 483 years after 458 B.C. would result in a date of A.D. 26, the time when many scholars believe Christ was baptized and began his public ministry as the Messiah.

Jesus’ anointing for ministry came at his baptism (cf.

Matt 3:16); thus he became the “Anointed One” at that time, an amazing fulfillment of prophecy.

Daniel separated the first sixty-nine sevens into two parts: seven sevens and sixty-two sevens.

Evidently something significant was due to occur seven sevens (forty-nine years) after the sevens began.

If the decree was given in 458 B.C., the date of this event would be 409 B.C. Since the restoration of the city under Nehemiah and Ezra is specifically alluded to in the latter part of v. 25, the completion of their rebuilding projects apparently marked the end of the first seven sevens or forty-nine years.

In the Elephantine Papyri another man is stated to be governor of Judah in 407 B.C., indicating that Nehemiah had passed from the scene by that time.

Thus a date of 409 B.C. for the end of Nehemiah’s work is possible.