Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Benjamin E. Reynolds on the Son of Man in Daniel 7 receiving פלח

  

The second similarity between the son of man figure and the Ancient of Days is the similar response that they receive in the service rendered to them. Dan 7.14 states that all peoples, tribes, and languages will serve (‎יִפְלְח֑וּן) the ‘one like a son of man’. On its own the use of the word פלח is not significant, but in Daniel all uses of פלח prior to 7.14 refer to serving God or the gods (Dan 3.12, 14, 17, 18, 28; 6.17, 21 [also Ezra 7.24]; cf. Dan 7.27). Since the son of man figure receives cultic service typically rendered to deity in Daniel, his similarity with God, which was already indicated by his approach with the clouds of heaven, becomes more conspicuous. (Benjamin E. Reynolds, The Apocalyptic Son of Man in the Gospel of John [Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2. Reihe 249; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2007], 30-31)