Bible Commentaries
Daniel 7

Verse 13

Daniel 7:13

the Son of Man -- (See Matthew 8:20, for first occurance in NT)

" a son of man was coming" The Aramaic phrase (" ben enosh," construct BDB 1085 and 1081) "son of man" is different from the similar Hebrew phrase ("ben adam") found in Psalms and Ezekiel. Both phrases are used in parallel in Job 25:6; Psalms 8:4; Psalms 90:3; Psalms 144:3; Isaiah 13:12. This obviously refers to the Messiah and it links his humanity (cf. Daniel 8:17; Job 25:6; Psalms 8:4; Ezekiel 2:1), which is the meaning of the Aramaic and Hebrew phrases, "son of man" with his deity because the clouds are the transportation of Deity (cf. Matthew 24:30; Matthew 26:64; Mark 13:26; Mark 14:62; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 14:14).

Jesus uses the phrase to refer to Himself in the NT. It was not used of the Messiah in rabbinical Judaism. It had no exclusivistic, nationalistic, militaristic connotations. It uniquely describes the Messiah as fully human and fully God (cf. 1 John 4:1-3). Daniel’s usage is the first which focuses on its divine aspect! - Utley