Ancient of Days

The title "ancient of days" appears three times, all within the throne-vision of Daniel 7. It names the figure seated on the throne whose appearance and judgment Daniel sees.

The Throne and the Figure

The first occurrence describes the figure on the throne: "I looked until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat: his raiment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, [and] its wheels burning fire" (Da 7:9). The white raiment, the pure-wool hair, and the fiery throne make up the visual picture.

The Son of Man Brought Before Him

The title returns when the human-like figure of the night-vision is presented to him: "I saw in the night-visions, and, look, there came with the clouds of heaven one like a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him" (Da 7:13). The ancient of days is the one to whom the son of man is brought.

Judgment for the Saints

The third occurrence belongs to the interpretation of the vision and ties the title to the turning of the kingdom to the saints: "until the ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom" (Da 7:22). His coming is the moment at which the verdict is rendered in favor of the saints of the Most High.