“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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While the text mentions "one like a son of man," the indefinite article "a" is crucial, highlighting this figure is like humanity but not merely human, pointing to a divine representative rather than just a person. Furthermore, the scene isn't about judgment, but an "inauguration" as this figure is presented to the Ancient of Days to receive authority.
“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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Daniel has just seen visions of destructive empires represented by beasts, showing their rise and fall. This passage shifts dramatically, introducing a figure "like a son of man" who arrives with divine majesty from the heavens, not emerging from the chaotic earthly realm like the previous beasts. This celestial figure is brought into the very presence of God, the "Ancient of Days," signaling a transition from earthly powers to a heavenly-appointed authority.
Daniel sees someone 'like a son of man' appearing with the clouds. What makes this figure so significant and distinct from ordinary humanity?
Daniel uses the phrase 'one like a son of man' (or 'like the Son of Man') to describe a being who is both human and yet more than human.
This extraordinary figure doesn't just appear; he's brought before the 'Ancient of Days.' What does this moment of presentation signify?
The vision depicts a formal presentation of the 'one like a son of man' before the 'Ancient of Days,' who represents God Himself in His eternal sovereignty.
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Understand the original words
ḥeẓwāh · Aramaic Noun
Supernatural or revelatory experiences granted by God to prophets, through which divine truth is communicated in symbolic or visionary form.
bar ʾĕnāš · Aramaic Noun phrase
A messianic title signifying a figure who possesses human appearance but operates with divine authority; in the New Testament, this title is uniquely claimed by Jesus Christ.
ʿattîq yômîn · Aramaic Noun phrase
A title for God emphasizing His eternal nature, existence before time, and supreme status as the Judge and Ruler of all history.
This vision, revealed during the Babylonian exile, speaks of a heavenly scene where a divinely appointed figure receives an eternal kingdom, a powerful contrast to the earthly empires Daniel has just seen. It resonates through centuries, deeply influencing how both Jewish and Christian traditions understand the Messiah's ultimate authority and reign.
c. 553 BC
Daniel's Vision of the Four Beasts
Daniel receives a vision of four great beasts rising from the sea, symbolizing successive oppressive world empires.
c. 553 BC— this verse
Vision of the Son of Man and Ancient of Days
Immediately following the beasts, Daniel sees a new vision where 'one like a son of man' approaches the Ancient of Days to receive an everlasting kingdom.
c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon
The Babylonian empire, represented by the second beast (lion), falls to the Medo-Persian empire (third beast, leopard). This marks a significant shift in world power.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus the Great allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. This event marks the beginning of the end of the Babylonian exile.
c. 167-164 BC
Maccabean Revolt
The brutal oppression by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, embodying the 'little horn' of the fourth beast, sparks a revolt. This event shaped Jewish identity and eschatological hopes.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Ministry and Ascension
Jesus, often referring to himself as the 'Son of Man,' teaches and performs miracles. His ascension to heaven is seen by many as the moment he was presented to the Ancient of Days to receive his eternal kingdom.
c. 70 AD
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple represents a significant upheaval and the end of an era for Jewish national life, intensifying expectations for God's ultimate intervention.
This passage speaks of God setting up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, directly aligning with the heavenly kingdom being established in Daniel 7:13.
Matthew 24:30Jesus directly quotes and alludes to this verse when speaking about His own future return, strongly identifying Himself with the 'Son of Man' in Daniel's vision.
Luke 21:27Similar to Matthew, this passage connects the coming of the Son of Man with divine power and glory, echoing the majestic arrival described in Daniel 7:13.
Revelation 1:7This verse describes the Messiah coming 'with the clouds,' a clear parallel to Daniel's vision of the Son of Man appearing in the clouds of heaven.
John 1:51Jesus speaks of angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man, suggesting His role as a divine mediator, similar to the heavenly presentation in Daniel 7:13.
ellicottDaniel 7:13: "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."
(13) The Son of man.— Hence our Saviour adopts the title which designates Him as Judge ( Matthew 24:27 , &c.). The title implies one descended from man; but as this Person is spoken of as being “like” one of human descent, it follows that He was not merely a man. The early Jewish and Christian interpretations that…
bensonDaniel 7:13: "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."
Daniel 7:13 . I saw in the night visions, &c. — Here is described by what means these changes were to be brought about; behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven — One in the shape and likeness of a man, but clothed with such ensigns of majesty and honour, (signified here by the clouds of heave…
While the text mentions "one like a son of man," the indefinite article "a" is crucial, highlighting this figure is like humanity but not merely human, pointing to a divine representative rather than just a person. Furthermore, the scene isn't about judgment, but an "inauguration" as this figure is presented to the Ancient of Days to receive authority.
Daniel has just seen visions of destructive empires represented by beasts, showing their rise and fall. This passage shifts dramatically, introducing a figure "like a son of man" who arrives with divine majesty from the heavens, not emerging from the chaotic earthly realm like the previous beasts. This celestial figure is brought into the very presence of God, the "Ancient of Days," signaling a transition from earthly powers to a heavenly-appointed authority.
Daniel has just seen visions of destructive empires represented by beasts, showing their rise and fall. This passage shifts dramatically, introducing a figure "like a son of man" who arrives with divine majesty from the heavens, not emerging from the chaotic earthly realm like the previous beasts. This celestial figure is brought into the very presence of God, the "Ancient of Days," signaling a transition from earthly powers to a heavenly-appointed authority.
"“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." — While the text mentions "one like a son of man," the indefinite article "a" is crucial, highlighting this figure is *like* humanity but not merely human, pointing to a divine representative rather th…
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Last reviewed October 2026