Son of Man - what does it mean?

[John92]

Jesus Christ in the Gospels refers to himself frequently as the Son of Man.  But what does this title mean?

I understand that it originates (or does it?) in the prophecies of Daniel, but what does it mean there?  Besides the obvious fact that the Messiah was to be called the Son of Man, what would "Son of Man" have signified to the Jewish people?

Thanks!

[Herr_Mannelig]

It has several meanings. The most simple one is "human".

It is used in Numbers and others (I didn't search hard) to mean "human" or "humanity".

God is not a man, that he should lie, nor as the son of man, that he should be changed. Hath he said then, and will he not do? hath he spoken, and will he not fulfill?

Search http://www.drbo.org/ for "son of man", and you'll see it used in this sense many times (when you see it, it is a literal phrase from the Hebrew).

It also can be used, based on its usage, to reflect the humanity and humility of Jesus and a perfected Man. So, to say "son of man" is just to say "mere humanity", but when it is used applied to Jesus and in Daniel, it seems to mean "the perfected Man".

It is a common phrase in semitic languages, so when you see it, first check the context.

[John92]

It has several meanings. The most simple one is "human".

It is used in Numbers and others (I didn't search hard) to mean "human" or "humanity".

God is not a man, that he should lie, nor as the son of man, that he should be changed. Hath he said then, and will he not do? hath he spoken, and will he not fulfill?

Search http://www.drbo.org/ for "son of man", and you'll see it used in this sense many times (when you see it, it is a literal phrase from the Hebrew).

It also can be used, based on its usage, to reflect the humanity and humility of Jesus and a perfected Man. So, to say "son of man" is just to say "mere humanity", but when it is used applied to Jesus and in Daniel, it seems to mean "the perfected Man".

It is a common phrase in semitic languages, so when you see it, first check the context.

Thanks rosarium, I appreciate it

[glgas]

The 'Son of man' as phrase is found 196 times in the Scripture.

http://www.drbo.org/cgi-bin/s?t=0&q=son+of+man&b=drb

In the Old Testament 'ben-Adam' until Daniel it mans a humble human being (most occurrences are at Ezekiel, God calls him in this way, and he refers for himself with it).

At Daniel the three occurrence of the phrase is clearly Messianic reference

In the New Testament, except for a few occasins Jesus refers to himself with the phrase in the Messianic sense, as Daniel did. It emphasizes that he is full human being, sent by God.

[DJR]

Jesus Christ in the Gospels refers to himself frequently as the Son of Man.  But what does this title mean?

I understand that it originates (or does it?) in the prophecies of Daniel, but what does it mean there?  Besides the obvious fact that the Messiah was to be called the Son of Man, what would "Son of Man" have signified to the Jewish people?

Thanks!

The name "Adam" means man.  Saying "Son of Man" is the same as saying "Son of Adam."  It's a reference to the hypostatic union, as Christ is truly Son of God and Son of Adam.

[Herr_Mannelig]

The name "Adam" means man.  Saying "Son of Man" is the same as saying "Son of Adam."  It's a reference to the hypostatic union, as Christ is truly Son of God and Son of Adam.

Not all English instances of "son of man" are from "son of Adam". There is another phrase as well which translates, "son of enos".

[glgas]

Not all English instances of "son of man" are from "son of Adam". There is another phrase as well which translates, "son of enos".

Could you tell where?

Here are the occurences of Enowsh in the Strong lexicon

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H583&t=KJV

Here are the different meanings of the Hebrew  word 'adam'

1) man, mankind
a) man, human being
b) man, mankind (much more frequently intended sense in OT)
c) Adam, first man
d) city in Jordan valley

Authorized Version (KJV) Translation Count — Total: 552
AV — man 408, men 121, Adam 13, person(s) 8, common sort + 07230 1, hypocrite 1

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H120&t=KJV

Is there any comparable Hebrew Catholic lexicon on the net?

[Herr_Mannelig]

Not all English instances of "son of man" are from "son of Adam". There is another phrase as well which translates, "son of enos".

Could you tell where?

Psalms 143:3 (144, for the non Catholics):

ג  יְהוָה--מָה-אָדָם, וַתֵּדָעֵהוּ:    בֶּן-אֱנוֹשׁ, וַתְּחַשְּׁבֵהוּ.

http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt26e4.htm

That is one instance.

[glgas]

[
Psalms 143:3 (144, for the non Catholics):

That is one instance.

Thanks

[aquinas138]

The Aramaic cognate of bar-enosh is the usual way the phrase is expressed in Syriac: brâ or breh d-ʾnāšâ.  It is less common to see brâ d-ādām.  When speaking of humanity in general, though, you often see bnay d-ādām (sons of Adam) or beyt d-ādām (house of Adam).