"Son of Man"???

[Tridentinus]

Can someone explain the term, phrase or title “Son of Man” for me? I know that Jesus was the Son of God, but I don’t understand what “Son of Man” means. Thanks!

 

[NotWorthy]

Most of the time, it simply meant “man”. In Ezekiel, the prophet is addressed many times by God as “Son of man”. In Daniel, I believe, we see the first Messianic leaning for the term. Daniel relates that “one like the Son of Man descending from a cloud” to destroy the beast in his vision. This is what Jesus refers to when addressing the High Priest during His Passion.

 

[MDomashinski]

Our pastor has described the use of the term “Son of Man” as having to do with the Hebrew tradition stemming from the interpretation of the first commandment, “You shall not use the Lord’s Name in vain.” I have some conservative Jewish friends and they use commonly as a closing in their emails G-d bless, I assume due to this commandment. It is kind of inspiring, how sacred the name of God is to the Hebrew culture and tradition, especially when I hear it thrown around so carelessly. So, to my understanding, to answer your question, my recollection of my pastor’s homilies is that “Son of Man” was a traditional Hebrew expression that identified the Messiah without using the Lord’s Name. CAF Friends who are more learned than I in this matter, am I missing anything?

 

[davidv]

Jesus also uses the phrase to have his audience recall past prophecies. Check out Daniel chapter 7.

 

[drafdog]

It’s a Hebrew messianic title.

Matthew

 

[NotWorthy]

It’s a Hebrew messianic title.

Matthew

Not always.

Ezekiel is called “Son of man” by God, I think over 43 times in his book.

For instance, in 3:1, He said to me: Son of man, eat what is before you; eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel.

The NAB says, Son of man: a formal way of saying simply “man”; God’s habitual way of addressing the prophet throughout this book. Probably the title is used to emphasize the separation of the divine and the human.