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 7:13KJV
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Daniel 7:13 (KJV)

What does Daniel 7:13 mean?

Daniel 7:13 describes Daniel seeing a vision at night where someone "like the Son of man" comes with the clouds of heaven and is brought near to the "Ancient of days." This scene shows a special figure approaching God, who is pictured as the Ancient of days, in a dramatic and heavenly setting.

Daniel is the one having this vision, and he is describing what he sees to his readers. The vision takes place at night and is filled with symbolic imagery: the "Son of man" is a human-like figure, while the "Ancient of days" represents God in a majestic, timeless way. The clouds and the act of being brought near highlight the importance and honor given to this figure in Daniel's vision.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 7:13

  • "Son" (בַּר, bar) and "man" (אֱנָשׁ, enash): These words together mean "a son of man," or "a human-like one." The phrase points to someone who appears human, standing out among other heavenly beings in Daniel's vision.
  • "Ancient" (עַתִּיק, attiq) and "days" (יוֹם, yom): This title, "Ancient of days," emphasizes God's eternal nature and wisdom, picturing God as one who has existed from the very beginning.
  • "Clouds" (עֲנַן, anan): In the ancient world, clouds often symbolized a divine presence or glory, so coming with the clouds suggests this figure has a special, heavenly authority.
  • "Near" (קְרַב, qerab): The word for "brought near" shows that the "Son of man" is given access and honor before the Ancient of days, which is a significant moment in the vision.

Why Daniel 7:13 matters

  • Daniel 7:13 helps clear up that the "Son of man" is a unique, honored figure who is given a special role in God's presence, not just an ordinary person.
  • The verse connects to the wider vision in Daniel 7, where different kingdoms and powers are described, and this "Son of man" stands out as someone who receives authority from God.
  • The scene emphasizes the idea of God as the eternal judge ("Ancient of days") and introduces a figure who is given access to God's throne, setting up important themes for later parts of Daniel and for how this vision is understood in later Jewish and Christian thought.

Where else these words appear

“Ancient” Hebrew H6268 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
  • Daniel 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

“night” Hebrew H3916 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 2:19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
  • Daniel 5:30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.
  • Daniel 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

“behold” Hebrew H718 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
  • Daniel 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
  • Daniel 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

“Son” Hebrew H1247 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 5:1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
  • Ezra 6:14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
  • Daniel 5:22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;