Daniel 7:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.

NIV: "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.

NASB: 'I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a son of man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him.

CSB: I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him.

NLT: As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.

KJV: I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

NKJV: “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.

In an earlier part of the dream, Daniel saw God the Father seated on a fiery throne of judgment (Daniel 7:9–10). There, God was labeled as "the Ancient of Days" (Psalm 90:2), and that title is repeated here. This "son of man" figure is brought before God and given immense power and authority (Daniel 7:14).

This "son of man" is a messianic figure. The concept of a "messiah" comes from the Hebrew word Mashiyach, which means "the anointed one." In Greek, this idea is expressed with the word Christos, which then becomes the English title "Christ." This is the long-awaited Savior promised as early as the fall of man (Genesis 3:15). Other Scriptures affirmed this person would be a descendant of Abraham (Genesis 12:3), from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10), and from the line of David and Solomon (2 Samuel 7:12–16). These are among many indicators pointing to Jesus of Nazareth as this prophesied figure.

One of Jesus' most common titles for Himself was the "Son of Man" (Matthew 26:2; John 1:51). He applied it around thirty times in the gospel of Matthew, which was written primarily to Jews to show that He was Israel's Messiah and King. Others recognized this as a reference to the prophecy contained in this verse. Eventually, such statements were used to accuse Jesus of blasphemy (Mark 14:61–64).

Jesus finished the work of redemption on the cross and was resurrected (Luke 24:1–7). He then met with His disciples for forty days and was seen ascending in a cloud (Acts 1:3, 6–9). Two angels told the disciples that Jesus "will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). Jesus Himself said that He will come "on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30).

Daniel 7:13–14 contains words and imagery crucial to the New Testament ministry of Jesus Christ. Daniel's nighttime vision continues with the appearance of a humanlike figure: a "son of man." This title is among the most common used for Jesus Christ. In Daniel's vision, this person is granted great power by God, "the Ancient of Days." After this, Daniel will ask that his prophetic dream be explained.

Daniel experiences a troubling vision in the form of a dream. He sees animal-like beasts representing successive kingdoms. The last of these is uniquely powerful and led by a mysterious figure. This person, depicted as a "little horn," will be known for usurping power, blasphemy against God, and intense persecution of the saints. Yet his time will be short and it will end in God's successful judgment.

This chapter is the intersection of two different divisions in the book of Daniel. This is the last passage written in Aramaic, the common language of the world at that time. It is also the first segment focusing on prophecy, shifting from a record of events in the past to show a glimpse of the future. This passage connects to other descriptions of the end times, such as those found in Revelation chapters 13, 19, and 20.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.