Tanakh Prophecy
"One like the Son of Man… to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom."
Fulfillment
"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."
Rabbinic Sources
"The Son of Man in Daniel 7 is the Messiah who receives universal sovereignty."
Deep Dive: Given all authority
Historical Context
The prophecy found in Daniel 7:13–14 was penned during a tumultuous period in Jewish history, traditionally attributed to the prophet Daniel himself, who lived in the 6th century BCE. This era was marked by the Babylonian exile, a time when the Jewish people faced oppression and the dislocation of their national identity. Daniel's visions, particularly in Chapter 7, were intended to provide hope and reassurance to the Jewish exiles, emphasizing that God remained sovereign over all earthly kingdoms and would ultimately establish His divine kingdom.
Historically, the Babylonian Empire was followed by the Medo-Persian Empire, which allowed the return of the Jewish people to their homeland. This prophecy can be understood as a message of encouragement amid despair, assuring the exiled community that despite their current subjugation, a messianic figure would emerge to restore the kingdom and bring universal dominion. Archaeological evidence from this period, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, reinforces the significance of such prophetic texts, as they were highly valued by the Jewish communities that preserved them.
Textual Analysis
Daniel 7:13–14 utilizes key Hebrew phrases that carry profound implications. The phrase "one like a son of man" (כְּבַר אֱנָשׁ) is particularly noteworthy. The term "son of man" (בַּר אֱנָשׁ) is often interpreted as a reference to humanity in general, yet within the context of this passage, it indicates a specific eschatological figure endowed with divine authority.
The term "dominion" (מַמְלָכָה), "glory" (כָּבוֹד), and "kingdom" (מַמְלָכָה) collectively underscore the comprehensive nature of the authority granted to this figure. The Septuagint translates these terms into Greek as "kingdom" (βασιλεία) and "glory" (δόξα), which continue to resonate in the New Testament. In Matthew 28:18, Yeshua claims, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth," echoing the language of Daniel and establishing a direct connection between the prophecy and His exaltation.
Different translations reflect nuances in interpretation; for instance, the New Revised Standard Version emphasizes "one like a human being," while the Complete Jewish Bible retains "one like a son of man." These variations highlight the interpretative flexibility surrounding this significant messianic title.
Fulfillment Evidence
Yeshua’s declaration in Matthew 28:18, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth," serves as a direct fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy. After His resurrection, which is a cornerstone event in Christian belief, Yeshua's assertion of authority confirms His messianic identity and the establishment of His kingdom.
Further evidence of fulfillment can be found in Acts 2:36, where Peter proclaims, "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Yeshua whom you crucified." This declaration links Yeshua's resurrection to His messianic role, affirming His dominion as foretold in Daniel.
Common objections to this interpretation often center around the timing and nature of Yeshua's authority. Critics argue that if He was the Messiah, then why was there no immediate establishment of an earthly kingdom? However, a Messianic understanding of authority encompasses both a present spiritual reign and a future physical kingdom, aligning with the eschatological expectations rooted in Jewish tradition.
Rabbinic Perspectives
Rabbinic literature provides valuable insight into how Daniel 7:13–14 was perceived in the context of messianic expectations. The Talmud, specifically in Sanhedrin 98a, explicitly identifies the "Son of Man" in Daniel’s vision as the Messiah who will receive "universal sovereignty." This interpretation aligns with the messianic narrative that anticipates a figure who will restore Israel and establish divine rule.
Moreover, the Midrashim often elaborate on the themes of suffering and triumph associated with the Messiah, reflecting an understanding that the path to exaltation may involve tribulation. This perspective resonates with the notion of Yeshua’s suffering prior to His resurrection, linking His messianic role to the prophetic texts of the Tanakh.
The Targumim, Aramaic translations of the Hebrew Scriptures, also reflect a messianic reading of this passage, further demonstrating that the expectation of a sovereign Messiah has deep roots in Jewish thought.
Significance for Today
The prophecy of Daniel 7:13–14 and its fulfillment in Yeshua’s declaration of authority hold profound significance for modern believers and seekers. This connection emphasizes the continuity between the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, showcasing the cohesive narrative of redemption and divine sovereignty.
For contemporary faith communities, this prophecy serves as a reminder of the hope that transcends earthly circumstances. The acknowledgment of Yeshua’s authority reassures believers that despite the challenges they face, a divine plan is in motion, culminating in the ultimate establishment of God's kingdom.
Understanding this prophecy within its historical and textual contexts enriches the faith experience and invites deeper engagement with the broader messianic narrative. As such, the message of Daniel’s vision continues to resonate, offering encouragement and a call to recognize the sovereignty of God in Christ, who reigns now and in the age to come.
Two Millennia of Adversary Positions
9 eras of objections to this prophecy, with primary sources and Messianic corrections.
Rashi
Kingdom is Given to Israel, Not a Single Man
"And the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under all the heavens shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. The Holy One, blessed be He, will give it to them."
Rashi, while identifying the 'son of man' as the Messiah, interprets the prophecy as ultimately granting the kingdom to the 'people of the saints of the Most High' (Daniel 7:27), i.e., the nation of Israel. The objection is that Christians wrongly elevate a single figure to receive what was promised to a collective people, making the Messiah a representative of the people rather than a divine ruler receiving personal authority.
Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra
The 'Son of Man' is a Symbol for the People of Israel
"The correct interpretation, in my opinion, is that the 'one like a son of man' represents the holy people of the Most High."
Ibn Ezra argues that the 'one like a son of man' is not an individual messianic figure. Instead, he interprets this figure as a symbolic representation of 'the people of the holy ones'—the nation of Israel—who will collectively receive the kingdom from God after the demise of the oppressive gentile empires represented by the beasts.
Abraham Ibn Ezra
'Son of Man' is a Collective Symbol for Israel
Ibn Ezra argues that the 'one like a son of man' in Daniel 7 is not an individual messianic figure, but a symbolic representation of the nation of Israel ('the people of the saints'). This interpretation contrasts the beastly, pagan empires with the humane kingdom of God given to His people, thereby denying that this passage refers to a single person like Jesus.
Tovia Singer
'Son of Man' is a Metaphor for the Nation of Israel
"In other words, the 'son of man' in Daniel’s vision is a metaphor for the nation of Israel... Just as the four beasts represented four gentile empires, the human-like figure in Daniel’s vision represents the kingdom of Israel, which will be established in the end of days."
Tovia Singer asserts that the 'son of man' in Daniel's vision is a metaphor for the nation of Israel. He argues that just as the four preceding beasts symbolize four gentile empires, the contrasting human-like figure must logically represent the Kingdom of Israel that will be established in the end of days.
Tovia Singer
'Son of Man' is a Symbolic Vision for the Nation of Israel
"In other words, the 'one like a son of man' was not a Messiah, but rather a symbolic vision for the triumphant nation of Israel at the end of days. The 'son of man' in Daniel's vision represented the nation of Israel, and the four beasts represented the four gentile empires that subjugated them."
Tovia Singer argues that 'one like a son of man' is not a prophecy about an individual Messiah but a symbolic vision representing the nation of Israel. He contends that the angelic interpretation within Daniel 7 itself (v. 27) clarifies that the kingdom is given to 'the people of the saints,' making the 'son of man' a collective metaphor for a triumphant Israel, not a divine person.
IslamQA.info
Receiving Worship is Shirk (Polytheism)
From an Islamic perspective, as articulated by authorities like IslamQA.info, the Christian application of Daniel 7:14 to Jesus is a form of shirk (polytheism). While Jesus ('Isa) is a revered prophet and the Messiah, the idea that he would receive universal 'service' or 'worship' (from the Aramaic word 'pelach') violates the core Islamic principle of Tawhid (the absolute oneness of God). All worship and authority belong exclusively to Allah; therefore, this passage cannot describe any created being, including a prophet.
IslamQA.info
'Son of Man' is a Human Prophet, Not a Divine Son
"The ‘son of man’ is a messianic title which refers to a man who will establish the kingdom of God on earth... But this does not mean that he is God or the son of God, may He be exalted. Rather he is a man from among the sons of Adam."
Islamic scholarship acknowledges 'son of man' as a messianic title for a human prophet who establishes God's kingdom. However, it vehemently rejects the Christian conclusion that this figure is divine. The title simply means 'human being,' and applying it to Jesus ('Isa) affirms his humanity, in direct opposition to the Christian doctrine of divine sonship and the Trinity.
Bart Ehrman
Exalted Authority is a Post-Resurrection Invention
"But the historical Jesus, as I have argued in previous books, almost certainly did not think of himself as a divine being who was to be exalted to the right hand of God. This was a belief that his followers developed after his death."
Bart Ehrman argues that the historical Jesus did not make claims to divine authority as depicted in Matthew 28:18. He posits that this high Christology, where Jesus is an exalted divine being sharing God's authority, was a belief developed by his followers *after* his death, as they tried to make sense of his life and their belief in his resurrection. Therefore, the claim of 'all authority' is a later theological statement from the Matthean community, not a reflection of Jesus's own self-understanding.
Bart Ehrman
'Son of Man' Was a Corporate Symbol, Not a Divine Individual
"This 'one like a son of man' is not an individual but a symbol for the 'saints of the Most High' (i.e., the people of Israel) who will be given the rule over the earth... It is a corporate symbol, not an individual reality."
Bart Ehrman, representing a historical-critical view, asserts that the 'one like a son of man' in Daniel 7 was originally intended as a corporate symbol for the 'saints of the Most High' (Israel), who would receive dominion from God. He argues it was not a reference to a specific, individual divine being. According to Ehrman, Jesus's followers later reinterpreted this symbolic figure and applied it to him, elevating his status.