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
Psalm 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 Psalm 11:4, Psalm 33:13–14, Psalm 45:2
The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind.
Human beings are dependent on God's care
Psalm 8:4 See also Psalm 36:7, Psalm 80:17, Psalm 107:8, Psalm 107:15, Psalm 107:21, Psalm 107:31
what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?
Human beings are mortal
Ecclesiastes 9:3 See also Ecclesiastes 3:18–19; Ezekiel 31:14
This is an evil in everything that is done under the sun: There is one fate for everyone. Furthermore, the hearts of men are full of evil and madness while they are alive, and afterward they join the dead.
Human beings are sinful and untrustworthy
Psalm 146:3 See also Psalm 14:2–3 parallel Psalm 53:2–3; Micah 5:7
Put not your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save.
Son of Man as a term for individual men
The sons of Adam
Genesis 4:1–2 “a man” is literally “son of Adam” in Hebrew; Genesis 5:3–4
Ezekiel
Ezekiel 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 Ezekiel 2:3, Ezekiel 2:6, Ezekiel 2:8, Ezekiel 3:1
“Son of man,” He said to me, “stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.”
Other people
A son of man as a ruler of God's future kingdom
Daniel 7:13 The Aramaic “one like a son of man” stresses this person's humanity and mysterious identity; Daniel 7:13–14 He enters God's presence and is given final authority over God's kingdom; Daniel 7:27 He shares the kingdom with God's people. See also Daniel 7:18 “saints of the Most High” have sometimes been interpreted as angels
In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.
In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Then the sovereignty, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’
Son of Man as a title for Jesus Christ
Used by Jesus Christ to emphasise his humanity and authority
Mark 2:10–11 parallels Matthew 9:6, Luke 5:24Mark 8:31 parallel Luke 9:22
But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home.”
Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again.
The Son of Man receives God's kingdom
Acts 7:56 See also Daniel 7:13; Mark 14:62 parallels Matthew 26:64, Luke 22:69; Hebrews 2:6–9; Psalm 8:4–6
“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.