THE TWO THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED DAYS OF DANIEL 8:14 
 

 
A. In Ezekiel 4:6 we see that in Biblical prophecy a day can 
sometimes represent a year. 
 
 
B. When does this time prophecy begin? From Daniel 9:25 we 
can see that the beginning of the prophecy is connected 
with the going forth of a decree to restore and rebuild 
Jerusalem. Ezra 7:8 tells us that the decree of 
Artaxerxes, under which the rebuilding of Jerusalem was 
set in operation, was the seventh year of the king. 
History has shown this date to be 457 B.C. which gives us 
the starting date for the prophecy. 
 
 
C. How is the period of 2,300 days divided? (See Daniel 
9:24,25) Seventy sevens (weeks) are set aside for the Jews 
(70 x 7 = 490 years). This is further divided into 7 weeks 
(49 years), followed by 62 weeks (434 years) and then a 
final week (7 years). The Messiah was therefore to be 
revealed 483 years from 457 B.C., that is in A.D. 27. In 
A.D. 27 Jesus was baptized. (Acts 10:38 and Matt. 
3:16,17). Note that "Messiah" means "Annointed One". 
 
 
D. How is Christ's earthly ministry described in this 
prophecy? (See Daniel 9:27) Jesus ministered for three and 
a half years and was then crucified in the spring of A.D. 
31, just as predicted. When Jesus died the curtain of the 
temple was torn in two (Matthew 27:51), indicating that 
the sacrifices and offerings had completed their purpose. 
 
 
E. When does this prophecy end? See Daniel 8:14 again. Time 
ran out for the Jews (490 years for the Jews) in A.D. 34 
when they showed their complete rejection of Christianity 
by stoning Stephen (Acts 7:54-60). The total 2300 did not 
end until 1844 (457 B.C. + 2,300 = A.D. 1844) At that time 
the "sanctuary" was to be "cleansed". To understand what 
this means we must study the Old Testament sanctuary 
service.