SPECIAL TOPIC: SON OF MAN

SPECIAL TOPIC: SON OF MAN (from Daniel 7:13)

Old Testament usage
The Aramaic phrase ("ben enosh," BDB 1085 CONSTRUCT and BDB1081) "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; Ps. 8:4; 90:3; 144:3; Isa. 13:12. This obviously refers to the Messiah and it links
1. his humanity (cf. Dan. 8:17; Job 25:6; Ps. 8:4; Ezek. 2:1 [and many more] in Ezekiel), which is the meaning of the Aramaic and Hebrew phrases, "son of man"
2. His Deity because the clouds are the transportation of Deity (cf. Dan. 7:13; Matt. 24:30; 26:64; Mark 13:26; 14:62; Rev. 1:7).
New Testament usage
Jesus uses the phrase to refer to Himself in the NT.
1. It was very rarely used of the Messiah in rabbinical Judaism (b. Sanh. 98a). It had no exclusivistic, nationalistic, militaristic connotations (i.e., OT views on the Messiah's work).
2. It uniquely describes the Messiah as fully human and fully God (cf. John 1:1-14; Rom. 8:3; Phil. 2:6-8; Col. 2:9; Titus 2:13; 1 John 4:1-3). Daniel's usage is the first which focuses on its divine aspect!
3. Jesus used the phrase for Himself in several senses.
  1. His suffering and death (e.g., Mark 8:31; 10:45; 14:21; Luke 9:22,44)
  2. His coming as Judge (e.g., Matt. 16:27; 25:31; John 5:27)
  3. His coming in glory to set up His kingdom (e.g., Matt. 16:28; 19:28; Mark 13:26-27; 14:62)
  4. His resurrection (e.g., Mark 9:12)
  5. the title with the DEFINITE ARTICLE is used by Stephen in Acts 7:56
4. The only usage of the phrase in a generic sense (no DEFINITE ARTICLE with "son") is Rev. 14:14. In this unique context it refers to a powerful angel in a series of angels. I have included my exegetical comment from Rev. 14:14.
  Rev. 14:14 "a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like a son of man, having a golden crown on His head" The same identity problems in chapters 6 and 10 apply to these verses. Is this a description of the divine Messiah (cf. Dan. 7:13) or just another angel serving on His behalf? I think it is another powerful angel, because
  1. this is in a series of angels (cf. Rev. 14:15,17,18)
  2. Matt. 13:39, 41-42, 49-50 says that angels will gather and separate people at the end-time (some for blessing and some for judgment)
  3. an angel commands him (cf. Rev. 14:15)
Rabbinical usage
From The Jewish Study Bible, p. 1657 and also see George E. Ladd, A Theology of the New Testament, pp. 136-139, the later Jewish traditions about this text in Daniel are listed.
1. This context is Messianic (cf. I Enoch 46:1; 48:10; 4 Ezra [2 Esdras] chapter 13; b. Sanh. 98a)
2. An angelic judge, possibly Michael (Jewish Study Bible, p. 1656)
3. All predictions in this context are already fulfilled (cf. b. Sanh. 97b)
4. This context does not refer to the end-time (cf. Gen. Rab. 98:2)
5. This context represents Israel (cf. Ibn Ezra and Rashi)
1 Enoch usage
The phrase "son of man" was used by I Enoch to describe God's coming Messiah(1 Enoch 46-48). I Enoch, written in the 2^nd century B.C., reflects Jewish thinking about God's special coming Judge. It was well known by Jews and Christians of the first two centuries A.D. It was never accepted as Scripture by the synagogue, but it is included in the Septuagint.

SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIAH

SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIANIC ERA

SPECIAL TOPIC: OT TITLES OF THE SPECIAL COMING ONE