Daniel 7:13-15
New English Translation
13 “I was watching in the night visions,
And with[a] the clouds of the sky[b]
one like a son of man[c] was approaching.
He went up to the Ancient of Days
and was escorted[d] before him.
14 To him was given ruling authority, honor, and sovereignty.
All peoples, nations, and language groups were serving[e] him.
His authority is eternal and will not pass away.[f]
His kingdom will not be destroyed.[g]
An Angel Interprets Daniel’s Vision
15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed,[h] and the visions of my mind[i] were alarming me.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Daniel 7:13 tc The LXX has ἐπί (epi, “upon”) here (cf. Matt 24:30; 26:64). Theodotion has μετά (meta, “with”) here (cf. Mark 14:62; Rev 1:7).
- Daniel 7:13 tn Or “the heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “sky” depending on the context.
- Daniel 7:13 sn This text is probably the main OT background for Jesus’ use of the term “son of man.” In both Jewish and Christian circles the reference in the book of Daniel has traditionally been understood to refer to an individual, usually in a messianic sense. Many modern scholars, however, understand the reference to have a corporate identity. In this view, the “son of man” is to be equated with the “holy ones” (vv. 18, 21, 22, 25) or the “people of the holy ones” (v. 27) and understood as a reference to the Jewish people. Others understand Daniel’s reference to be to the angel Michael.
- Daniel 7:13 tn Aram “they brought him near.”
- Daniel 7:14 tn Some take “serving” here in the sense of “worshiping.”
- Daniel 7:14 tn Aram “is an eternal authority that will not pass away.”
- Daniel 7:14 tn Aram “is one that will not be destroyed.”
- Daniel 7:15 tn The Aramaic text includes the phrase “in its sheath,” apparently viewing the body as a container or receptacle for the spirit somewhat like a sheath or scabbard is for a knife or a sword (cf. NAB “within its sheath of flesh”). For this phrase the LXX and Vulgate have “in these things.”
- Daniel 7:15 tn Aram “head.”
Daniel 7:13-15
New International Version
13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,[a](A) coming(B) with the clouds of heaven.(C) He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority,(D) glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him.(E) His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom(F) is one that will never be destroyed.(G)
The Interpretation of the Dream
15 “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me.(H)
Footnotes
- Daniel 7:13 The Aramaic phrase bar enash means human being. The phrase son of man is retained here because of its use in the New Testament as a title of Jesus, probably based largely on this verse.
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