Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 1979 The Apocalyptic "Son of Man" in Daniel 7 Arthur J. Ferch Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Ferch, Arthur J., "The Apocalyptic "Son of Man" in Daniel 7" (1979). Dissertations. 48. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/48 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. 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Requests can be made to our Dissertations Customer Services Department. 5. Some pages in any document may have indistinct print. In all cases we have filmed the best available copy. University Micrcxilms International 300 N ZEEB ROAD. ANN ARBOR. Ml 48106 18 BEDPORD ROW. LONDON WC1R 4EJ. ENGLAND Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 7917878 FERCH, ARTHUR JOHN THE APOCALYPTIC -SOM OF HAN- IN DANIEL 7. ANDREWS UNIVERSITY• TH.D-, 1979 U nh«rsit£ Microfilms International “z <>N e e b r o a o . a n n * b b o r . m i < 8 io e @ 1979 ARTHUR JOHN FERCH ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary THE APOCALYPTIC "SON OF MAN" IN DANIEL 7 A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Theology by Arthur J. Ferch April 1979 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. THE APOCALYPTIC 'SON OF MAN' IN DANIEL 7 A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Theology by Arthur J. Ferch APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE Gerhard F. Hasel, Chairperson ■fhomas H. Blincoe, Dean Professor of Old Testament & SDA Theological Seminary feiblical Theology Williaaf G. Johnsson, Professor of.New Testament William H. Shea, Associate Professor of Old Testament George Rice, Associate Professor of New Testament Legfr^d J.Siegfried J. Schwantes Da He Approved Professor of Theology Montemorelos University Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT THE APOCALYPTIC "SON OF MAN" IN DANIEL 7 by Arthur J. Ferch Chairperson: Gerhard F. Hasel Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: THE APOCALYPTIC "SON OF MAN” IN DANIEL 7 Name of researcher: Arthur J. Ferch Name and title of faculty adviser: Gerhard F. Hasel, Ph.D. Date completed: April, 1979 This investigation studies the identity and nature of the manlike figure in Dan 7:13-14 (hereafter referred to as SM). In the first chapter we reviewed the interpretations of the _.i Jewish and Christian literature since the beginning of the second century of our era and noted that with the exception of the seventeenth century study by Carpzov, discussion of the Danielic figure was limited to passing comments. Throughout this period the SM was interpreted mainly mes- sianically or christologically. During the nineteenth century more substantial inquiries attempted to find answers to the identity and nature of the manlike being primarily through philological study. Beginning with the twentieth century, Religionsgeschichte 2 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. provided SM research with a new direction and the latter sought to elucidate the manlike being through its alleged roots or parallels. It was also within this stream that Nathaniel Schmidt first suggested the identification of the SM with an angel (Michael). Shortly after Religionsgeschichte made its impact upon the study of the Danielic being, literary-critical examinations suggested that Dan 7:9-10, 13 (14) was a fragment from another apocalyptic and had intruded into the vision of the four beasts. Thus it was proposed (later also by traditio-historical research) that the SM was originally an individual figure, which had experienced a more or less complex history of in­ terpretation at the hands of redactors, until he was finally identi­ fied with the saints. Currently an array of positions identifies the Danielic figure not only with the saints (on the basis that the SM of the vision [vss. 2-14] is explained by the saints in the interpretation [vss. 15-27]) but also with an angel(s), an incarnation of divine glory, hypostatized wisdom, or some historical human individual. In the second chapter we probed the various alleged origins of and parallels to the manlike being within Babylonian, Egyptian, Iranian, Hellenistic, Gnostic, Ugaritic, and Hebrew literature. We employed the methodology which avoids "punctiliar" comparison by considering individual phenomena in their contextual totality before making comparison with a similar phenomenon. Our methodology demon­ strated a basic discontinuity between the alleged roots and corres­ pondences (whether more or less direct). Of the various biblical prototypes Michael seemed to offer the closest longitudinal parallel to the SM, though Daniel nowhere Identifies him as the manlike being. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 4 In the third chapter we examined the unity and structure of Dan 7 before passing to the specific passages dealing with the Danielic figure. Our inquiry made it apparent that the criteria inherited from Noth and Ginsberg challenging the unity of Dan 7 are based on inadequate data and occidental syllogistic reasoning. This negative evaluation is corroborated positively by the structures and themes within the chapter. It also became evident that the customary chapter division into vision and interpretation needs revision, for Dan 7:15-16, 19-22 consists of prophetic reactions and supplements to the vision. Consequently the saints are envisaged in the vision before the judgment. Within the setting of Dan 7:9-10, 13-14 the SM is an individ­ ual, eschatological, celestial being with messianic traits. Though characterized by divine at ributes, Dan 7 does not teach a ditheism for the Danielic being assumes a role subordinate to the Ancient of Days. Whereas the manlike figure is a celestial being, he is, nevertheless, set apart from the heavenly creatures referred to in Dan 7:10. While the SM resembles a human boing, he is also distinct from the "saints of the Most High" who are human beings with whom he, nevertheless, enjoys a solidarity, for he shares with them throughout perpetuity the kingship given him by the Ancient of Days. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Dedicated to my wife Carole and my boys Ricky and Andrew Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................ INTRODUCTION .......................................... Chapter I. A SURVEY OF POST-NEW TESTAMENT INTERPRETATIONS OF THE SON OF MAN IN DANIEL ......................... Interpretations