Lexical Summary chathak: To cut, to divide, to decree Original Word: חָתַךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance determine A primitive root; properly, to cut off, i.e. (figuratively) to decree -- determine. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to divide, determine NASB Translation decreed (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [חָתַךְ] verb divide, determine (Late Hebrew id., cut, cut off, decide, so Aramaic חתך Pa`el, Ethpa`al) — only Niph`al Perfect שָֽׁבֻעִים שִׁבְעִים נֶחְתַּךְ עַלעַֿמְּךָ Daniel 9:24 seventy weeks are determined upon thy people. Topical Lexicon Divine Delimitation of Time Daniel 9:24 employs חָתַךְ to announce that a specific span—“Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city” (Daniel 9:24)—has been precisely carved out of history by God. The verb underscores that sacred chronology is never arbitrary; it is deliberately portioned by the LORD who “works out everything according to the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11). What is “cut” is neither tentative nor negotiable but fixed in the sovereign calendar. Prophetic Chronology and Reliability of Scripture Because Daniel’s prophecy establishes an exact period, the word fortifies the Bible’s reputation for detailed, testable prediction. The completion of each redemptive milestone in the vision—finishing transgression, ending sin, atoning iniquity, bringing in everlasting righteousness, sealing vision and prophecy, anointing the Most Holy Place—demonstrates that the God who divides times also fulfills promises (Joshua 21:45). The completed portions of the Seventy Weeks give believers confidence that the remaining aspects will arrive on schedule. Christological Fulfillment Many expositors link the culmination of the Seventy Weeks to the atoning work of Jesus Christ (John 19:30; Hebrews 9:26). If the atonement occurred at the exact juncture predetermined by חָתַךְ, the verb affirms Christ as the focal point of history. The cutting out of time for redemption reveals that the cross was no reaction to human events but the outworking of an eternal plan (1 Peter 1:19–20). Covenantal Perspective Although a different Hebrew root is normally used for “cutting” covenants, Daniel 9:24 shows a parallel idea: God slices off a block of time for Israel and Jerusalem, binding Himself to actions that secure covenant blessings. The certainty of the period parallels the certainty of His covenant oath to Abraham (Genesis 15:18) and David (Psalm 89:34–37). Eschatological Hope Because the final goals of the decree include “everlasting righteousness” and the sealing of prophetic vision, חָתַךְ provides a chronological framework for future events still awaited (Acts 3:21). The term reminds the Church that remaining prophecies—such as the restoration of Israel (Romans 11:26) and the visible reign of Christ (Revelation 20:4)—are already measured and will unfold without delay. Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Assurance in God’s timetable: Believers facing personal uncertainties can rest in the same God who predetermined the Seventy Weeks (Psalm 31:15). Summary חָתַךְ, though appearing only once, opens a window into God’s meticulous governance of history. The verb embodies divine precision, the reliability of prophecy, and the certainty of redemption, encouraging believers to trust, obey, and hope as the predetermined plan of God moves inexorably toward its consummation in Christ. Forms and Transliterations נֶחְתַּ֥ךְ נחתך nechTach neḥ·taḵ neḥtaḵLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 9:24 HEB: שָׁבֻעִ֨ים שִׁבְעִ֜ים נֶחְתַּ֥ךְ עַֽל־ עַמְּךָ֣ ׀ NAS: weeks have been decreed for your people KJV: weeks are determined upon thy people INT: weeks Seventy have been decreed for your people 1 Occurrence |
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