The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

V. 16th-Century Expositors Apply Year-Day Principle

[23] ABRAHAM SABA (15th-16th centuries), of Spain, longed for redemption but opposed calculation of the Messianic year. He constantly referred to the four kingdoms and believed that the redemption would take place “hard upon the fall of Rome.” ⁸⁰ PFF2 219.1

[24] ABRAHAM HALEVI BEN ELIEZER (c. 1460-1530), Spanish exile and Cabalist, in his treatise on Daniel (The Loosener of Knots], tries to prove the Messianic year to be 1530 C.E., in close relation to the fall of Constantinople in 1453 C.E. He placed the beginning of the 1290 year-days not from the destruction but from 4000 A.M., which would bring 1462 C.E. But he, too, applied Gematria, and thus adjusted all terminal points. ⁸¹ PFF2 219.2

[25] JOSEPH BEN DAVID IBN YAHYA IV (1494-1539), of Italy, in his commentary on Daniel, advanced the Messianic year to 1931 C.E. in order to discourage early anticipations and to spare disillusionment. He terminated the 2300 years in 5691 A.M. or 1931 C.E. ⁸² PFF2 219.3

[26] ELIEZER ASHKENAZI BEN ELIJAH HAROFE (1512-1585), of Turkey and Poland, terminated the 1335 years in 1594. ⁸³ PFF2 219.4

[27] MORDECAI BEN JUDAH DATO (1527-1585), of Italy, stressed the 1335 year-days from 4000 A.M., when, according to Talmudic tradition, the 2,000 years of the Messianic epoch were to begin. ⁸⁴ Dato followed the Pirke on the four empires. He looked to 1575 as the year of expectation. PFF2 219.5

[28] DANIEL BEN PERAHIAH (16th century), reckoning on the basis of 1335 year-days, thought that they would terminate in 1575. ⁸⁵ PFF2 219.6

[29] NAPHTALI HERZ BEN JACOB ELHANAN (2nd half of the 16th century), of Germany, likewise ended the 1335 years in 1575. ⁸⁶ PFF2 219.7