Douggg -- you are trying to change the subject, to whit that the separation between the 7 weeks and 62 weeks is clear, and one does not need the Masoretes to determine that it is clear.   Uri pointed out that in Hebrew the "textual syntax, context, and relationship to other texts in the Hebrew Bible help determine the structure as well, and the trope markings just facilitate it and make it much easier."

This is the point that referencing Josephus re-enforces.   

Continually trying to change the subject when refuted does nothing for your arguments.

I have thrice referred you to R' Moshe Shulman's article discussing the chronology of Daniel 9.  It is quite clear that whatever gymnastics a missionary may try none of the timeframes fit Jesus.    For a fourth time here is the link.   I highly suggest you read it (but then I've highly recommended it before and apparently you have never bothered).  Here is a pertinent quote:
"There is no traditional Jewish commentator who mentions anything about gaps in the 70 week period. In private communication Dr. (Michael) Brown (Christian apologist) admitted that the reference to Rashi was an error, and that the interpreters are all Christian ones. The importance of this is that no Jewish commentator needs a gap at all because, as I mentioned in my article, based on the Biblical chronology the 70 week/490 year period works out with no gaps at all. Christians require gaps because using the secular chronology Daniel’s prophecy does not work out for their interpretation without one.

"
The truth is that the use of a gap is an admission that there is a problem with interpretation and/or the prophecy in Daniel itself. While the text had three periods, they are grouped together explicitly as one long period of 70 weeks. That means when the prophecy was given only 490 consecutive years was meant."

. . .
We can summarize our conclusions quite simply:

  1. The 70 weeks are divided into three periods
  2. There are two different anointed ones
  3. Neither can be Jesus
  4. Christians have no explanation of who the first anointed one was.
  5. There is no interpretation by Christians that can make the numbers work and fit what Daniel says.
Whoever that final messiah might have been -- and as I mentioned there were actually a few of them alive 2000 years ago including Titus -- is immaterial.

The point of Daniel 9 is that the Jews returning from Babylonian exile were given a period of time to avoid a second exile.   They did not heed Daniel's words and thus the prediction of the demise of the country came to pass.   The prediction came true.   

(as a footnote to this post I did edit my previous post, deciding to let Josephus' words speak for themselves rather than try to interpret them).   

סופי

And everything that Sarah tells you, listen to her voice. Bereshit (Genesis) 21:12
Last Edited By: Sophiee1 Fri, 4-Sep-15 12:05:36. Edited 1 times.