“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.”
My Notes
What Does Daniel 7:13 Mean?
Daniel sees a night vision of cosmic significance: one like the Son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. The figure approaches the Ancient of days — God himself — and is given dominion, glory, and a kingdom.
The Son of man is a divine figure who appears human — like the Son of man. The title becomes Jesus' preferred self-designation in the Gospels, connecting himself to this vision of Daniel.
"There was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom" — the gifts are comprehensive. Dominion — authority over everything. Glory — divine radiance and honor. A kingdom — actual territory and subjects.
"All people, nations, and languages, should serve him" — the scope is universal. Every people group. Every nation. Every language. The service is not forced. It is the natural response to the one who has been given everything.
"His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed" — the kingdom is permanent. Unlike every human empire, it never ends. It never passes to a successor. It is not destroyed.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What does Jesus calling himself 'the Son of man' connect him to in Daniel's vision?
- 2.How does the Son of man receiving dominion from the Ancient of days describe the relationship between Father and Son?
- 3.What does an everlasting dominion mean for every temporary power structure in the world?
- 4.How does 'all people, nations, and languages' serving him describe the ultimate future?
Devotional
One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven. Daniel sees a figure — human in appearance but arriving on heaven's clouds. Not walking. Not riding. Coming with clouds — the vehicle of divine presence.
And came to the Ancient of days. The Son of man approaches God himself — the eternal one whose throne is described in verses 9-10 with fire and ten thousand attendants. The approach is intimate. The Ancient of days receives the Son of man.
There was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom. Given. The Son of man receives from the Ancient of days the three things every ruler wants: authority, honor, and territory. But this receiving is divine — given by God himself.
All people, nations, and languages, should serve him. Universal. Total. Every human category. The one Daniel sees in the night vision will be served by every person who has ever lived. The scope is absolute.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion. No expiration. No decline. No succession. The kingdom given to the Son of man lasts forever. Every other kingdom in Daniel's visions rises and falls. This one only rises.
Jesus called himself the Son of man — over 80 times in the Gospels. Every time he used that title, he was connecting himself to this vision. The one Daniel saw coming with the clouds is the same one who walked the roads of Galilee. And the kingdom given to him will never end.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
I saw in the night visions,.... Very probably the same night in which he had the dream and vision of the four beasts;…
I saw in the night visions - Evidently in the same night visions, or on the same occasion, for the visions are…
One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven - This most certainly points out the Lord Jesus, בר אנש bar…
Whether we understand the fourth beast to signify the Syrian empire, or the Roman, or the former as the figure of the…
Cross References
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