08-17-2019, 07:37 PM
"One like a son of man" (כְּבַר אֱנָשׁ [kəḇar ʾĕnāš]) is a symbol, just as the beasts are symbols. The author of the text doesn't leave us in the dark as to the meaning of the symbols.
For just as he says:
And then he gives the same information in interpretation:
The author sets up a parallel by which we see that the symbol of "one like a son of man" is interpreted to mean "the people of the Most High" (עַם קַדִּישֵׁי עֶלְיוֹנִין ʿam qaddîšê ʿelyônîn). It's talking about the power being handed over to the people of Israel. It's obvious that Jews believe that the Messiah will be the king at the time of the restoration, but the Messiah would simply be a representative of the people before God in his function as both king and priest (intercessor).
For just as he says:
[T]here before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.... He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. (Daniel 7:13–14, NIV)
And then he gives the same information in interpretation:
Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. (Daniel 7:27, NIV)
The author sets up a parallel by which we see that the symbol of "one like a son of man" is interpreted to mean "the people of the Most High" (עַם קַדִּישֵׁי עֶלְיוֹנִין ʿam qaddîšê ʿelyônîn). It's talking about the power being handed over to the people of Israel. It's obvious that Jews believe that the Messiah will be the king at the time of the restoration, but the Messiah would simply be a representative of the people before God in his function as both king and priest (intercessor).