How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.
From the early Church Fathers to now.
A.D. 254A.D. 749
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Patristicbefore A.D. 750
Origen · c. A.D. 184–253A.D. 254
“The first definite person we find named in Scripture "son of man" is, speaking at the moment from memory, Daniel. And after him, Ezekiel. They were prophets in the captivity, so far as our researches go in the undisputed books that pass currently as inspired, there is no one named by this title.… It was, as we think, because the people of captivity were sinners that Daniel alone, to their reproach, because they preserved the dignity of human nature, made according to the image and the likeness, was addressed as the son of man. As much may be said also of Ezekiel. For the name "man" was first given to him who was made by God according to his image and likeness, so that he would be man in the true sense.”
“Do not think that these things come to fulfillment in the present age; they will happen after a great number of years. When the set time has run its course, then each of them will reach its fulfillment.”
292 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
John of Damascus · A.D. 676–749A.D. 749
“Joshua, the son of Nun, and Daniel bowed in veneration before an angel of God, but they did not adore him. For adoration is one thing, and that which is offered in order to honor something of great excellence is another.”
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