“weeks” is not in the original, which speaks only of seventy sevens. But the process of fulfilment makes it sure that “weeks,” that is, weeks of years—seven years to a “week” is right. In other words 490 years of the dealing of God with His chosen people were to interpose between 538 B. C. and the consummation of that dealing in the establishment of the kingdom. But the prophecy does not say, nor may it be inferred, that the divine dealing is to be continuous—that is, without interruption. Indeed,
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