Chaim - The fact that Cyrus is mentioned in Isaiah 44-45, the end of 2Chronicles, and at the beginning of Ezra 1 adds even more credibility to the argument that Cyrus is at the very least the 1st annointed one mentioned in Daniel 9.

To me, it is just the opposite. It lessens the credibility. Since Cyrus's name was known 150 years before his birth in Isaiah 44, there was no need to elude to him as being the anointed in Daniel 9... and not by name, which was known.

Of course, Christians cannot admit it's Cyrus because 62 weeks later (or 434 years later) puts the time of the 2nd annointed at or around 103BCE, nearly 150 years before Jesus.


It's a bigger problem for Judaism because by insisting that Cyrus is the anointed in verse 25, they have to say there are two anointeds to account for the anointed in verse 26 - that is, two anointeds in adjoining sentences separated by a few words and period?

And while Judaism states Cyrus is the first anointed - being a well known historical figure, the second anointed's identity is very sktechy according to Judaism itself. Why so? If the 70 weeks have been fulfilled, then the identity of both anointeds should be crystal clear - but it is not.

Dougg, What's your starting date of the 70 weeks, and why?

Chaim, I came to the conclusion the 70 weeks began when God gave the command because there were stages to it all, humanly speaking. But from the choices below, I believe the 70 weeks began 445 BCE Artaxerxes OR 457 BCE - Artaxerxes. There are arguments supporting both dates.

538 BCE Cyrus, King of Persia, issued a decree to Zerubbabel to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-3; and Ezra 6:1-5).

457 BCE Artaxerxes, King of Persia, issued a decree to Ezra authorizing him to reinstitute the Temple services, appoint judges and magistrates, and teach the Law (Ezra 7:11-26).

445 BCE Artaxerxes issued a decree to Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:1-8 ) .