2233 Son of Man

A Hebrew and Aramaic term, often used to mean a human being in general. In the Gospels Jesus Christ uses it to refer to himself in his earthly ministry and his future death, exaltation and coming as judge and Saviour.

Sons of men as a term for humanity in general

Human beings are inferior to God Ps 115:16 The Hebrew term here translated “man” literally means “sons of men”. Many of the OT references cited in this theme follow this pattern. See also Ps 11:4; Ps 33:13-14; Ps 45:2

Human beings are dependent on God’s care Ps 8:4 See also Ps 36:7; Ps 80:17; Ps 107:8,15,21,31

Human beings are mortal Ecc 9:3 See also Ecc 3:18-19; Eze 31:14

Human beings are sinful and untrustworthy Ps 146:3 See also Ps 14:2-3 pp Ps 53:2-3; Mic 5:7

Son of Man as a term for individual men

The sons of Adam Ge 4:1-2 “a man” is literally “son of Adam” in Hebrew; Ge 5:3-4

Ezekiel Eze 2:1 Ezekiel is called “son of man” 93 times, though this form of address is unique to him in the OT. It may emphasise his remoteness or his humanity. See also Eze 2:3,6,8; Eze 3:1

Other people Job 25:6; Da 8:17

A son of man as a ruler of God’s future kingdom

Da 7:13 The Aramaic “one like a son of man” stresses this person’s humanity and mysterious identity; Da 7:13-14 He enters God’s presence and is given final authority over God’s kingdom; Da 7:27 He shares the kingdom with God’s people. See also Da 7:18 “saints of the Most High” have sometimes been interpreted as angels

Son of Man as a title for Jesus Christ

Used by Jesus Christ to emphasise his humanity and authority Mk 2:10-11 pp Mt 9:6 pp Lk 5:24 Mk 8:31 pp Lk 9:22

The Son of Man receives God’s kingdom Ac 7:56 See also Da 7:13; Mk 14:62 pp Mt 26:64 pp Lk 22:69; Heb 2:6-9; Ps 8:4-6

See also