Ancient of Days

“The Ancient of Days” is a biblical title for God, most notably found in the book of Daniel, describing God’s eternal, all-knowing, and powerful nature. The phrase is also the subject of a famous 1794 artwork by William Blake, which depicts a powerful, robed figure holding a compass.

Biblical context

The title “Ancient of Days” appears three times in Daniel 7, where the figure is described as an ancient, white-haired being with a fiery throne who comes to judge and gives a kingdom to “one like a Son of Man”.
It emphasizes God’s eternal existence and sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms, which are symbolized by beasts in Daniel’s vision.
The phrase is often used to convey God’s role as an all-powerful and just judge who has witnessed all of history firsthand.

Artistic representation

The term is also associated with the 1794 artwork by William Blake, which is a frontispiece for his work Europe A Prophecy.
Blake’s image portrays a muscular figure, often interpreted as the creator God, using a compass to measure the Earth.
It is a significant piece of art, known for its powerful and symbolic depiction of divinity, creation, and the limits of human understanding.

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://spu.edu/lectio/the-ancient-of-days/

[2] https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/ancient-of-days

[3] https://www.stonegableblog.com/the-ancient-of-days/

[4] https://www.artchive.com/artwork/the-ancient-of-days-william-blake-1794/

[5] https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/image/media-218259

[6] wikipedia/en/The_Ancient_of_Days