Hexapla in Danielem: that is, A six-fold commentarie vpon the most diuine prophesie of Daniel wherein according to the method propounded in Hexapla vpon Genesis and Exodus, sixe things are obserued in euery chapter. 1. The argument and method. 2. The diuers readings. 3. The questions discussed. 4. Doctrines noted. 5. Controversies handled. 6. Morall observations applyed. Wherein many obscure visions, and diuine prophesies are opened, and difficult questions handled with great breuitie, perspicuitie, and varietie ... and the best interpreters both old and new are therein abridged. Diuided into two bookes ... By Andrevv Willet Professour of Diuinitie. The first booke.

56. Quest. Why the 7. weekes are seuered from the 62. v. 25. Vnto the Messiah shall be 7. weekes, and 62. weekes.

1. Some thinke that no other reason is to be giuen hereof, but that the Angel of purpose thus speaketh, that the prophecie should be vttered in darke and obsture tearmes: as Hierom to this purpose saith vpon the 45. of Ezekiel, Scriptura difficultatem habet in numeris, vt in∣tentum faciat animum auditoris, the Scripture vseth some difficultie in numbers, to make the minde of the hearer more intent: But it is euident, by the diuiding of the last weeke from the rest, wherein some speciall matters are deliuered, concerning the death of the Mes∣siah, and the confirming of the couenant, and ceasing of the sacrifices, that there is some spe∣ciall intendment in the setting apart also of the 7. weekes from the rest.

2. Some doe thinke, that it is onely an Hebrew phrase, who vse to set the lesse number before the greater: as we would say, speaking of Abraham, he liued an 175. yeares, but the Scripture saith, he liued 5. and 70. and an 100. yeares: so Hierome. But to this Calvin answe∣reth, non continuat seriem annorum, &c. he continueth not here the course of yeares, as in setting downe the age of man, &c. for the reason in setting downe of numbers in that man∣ner is, because they are of diuers kinds: when the yeares are numbred by hundreds, tennes, and vnions: but here the number is all of the same kind, 70. in all. And if the Hebrew phrase should be here obserued, he should haue said, nine; and sixtie, or 7. 2. and 60. two should not be put after 60. And why is the 70. weeke put last of all? it should after that manner of speaking be put first: as to say thus, 1. and 7. and 62. There is then more here to be con••ide∣red then the phrase onely.

3. Some make no matter at all of this diuision, but put the 7. weekes and 62. weekes to∣gether: that after 69. weekes the Messiah shall be slaine, Melancth. Vatab. Osiand. but then this diuision made of purpose by the Angel should seeme to be idle.

4. Pererius therefore giueth this reason of this diuision, because in these seuen weekes, which make 49. yeares, there were two notable accidents; the repairing of the citie by Ne∣hemiah, and in the ende of this tearme fell out that notable historie of Mordecat and Esther vnder Artaxerxes Mnemon. But Pererius is here deceiued: for as it shall afterward ap∣peare, the repairing of the citie by Nehemiah, was without the compasse of these 7. weekes: and the other storie fell out in the space of this tearme, but not vnder Mnemon: that Assue∣rus

is most like to be Darius Hystaspis, as is before shewed, qu. 44.

5. Some giue a mysticall reason of it, as Burgens. addit. 4. Antiqua lex dicitur septena∣na, nova octonaria, the olde law is signified by seuen, the new law by eight: to shew hereby that the Messiah should bring in a new law, and abolish the old. But the Messiah was not to come in those 7. weekes, but after 62. weekes more.

6. So then in that the 7. weekes are diuided from the rest, it doth not so much shew what notable accidents should fall out therein, as it doth prescribe the very number of yeares, after the which from the going out of the word, the Temple and citie should againe be repaired and reedified; which accordingly came so to passe, as shall be shewed afterward.