And for the better explanation of the prophecy, it is proper that we attend a little to the context.
*In the preceding chapter of Daniel it is said, that when Daniel was informed of the vision of the two thousand and three hundred days, he sought for the meaning; but not rightly understanding it, he judged, that that great number was a contradiction to the word of God as delivered by Jeremiah, concerning the redemption at the end of seventy years; (Jer.xxv.11, 12, and ch.xxix.

10) and from thence he concluded that the captivity was prolonged on account of the sins of the nation.

This doubt arose from his not understanding the prophecy, and, therefore, the angel said unto him,--"I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding." And he proceeds to inform him, that as soon as he began to pray, and God saw, his perplexity, the royal command went forth from him, that he should come to Daniel to make him understand the truth of those matters, that were to come to pass in future time.

And as the angel Gabriel had explained to him the vision from whence his doubt arose, it was incumbent on him to perfect the explanation; and that is what is meant by the expression "to show," i.e., as I began the explanation, the commandment was, that I should finish it.
Before I proceed to give the Jewish explanation of the prophecy, it is proper to show in what manner the answer of the angel in it, agreed to Daniel's question, and also the reason of his using the term weeks, and not years, or times, as in the other visions.
It appears, that Daniel, from the words of Jeremiah, perceived that God.

would visit all the nations, and punish them for their sins, as may be observed from the following words:--"Thus saith the Lord God of Israel unto me, Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations to whom I send thee, to drink it"-- Jer, xxv.15.He then mentions first Jerusalem, afterwards the king of Egypt, Tyre, Sidon, and all the Isles beyond the sea, and many others; and at last the king of Sheshak, or Babylon.
He also further perceived, that the visitation of each nation would be at the end of seventy years, as Isaiah observes of Tyre: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years." Isaiah xxiii.