What does God's title Ancient of Days mean?

from the old testament

• Genesis 1:1 tells us that "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." The Ancient of Days existed before anything else did.
• Daniel 7:9 refers to this Ancient of Days, stating, "As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire."
• In Daniel 7:13 we read, "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him."
• In Daniel 7:21–22 we also find, "As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom."
• Psalm 90:2 says something similar when it proclaims that God is "from everlasting to everlasting."
• The psalmist also says, "‘O my God,’ I say, ‘take me not away in the midst of my days—you whose years endure throughout all generations!’ Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands" (Psalm 102:24–25).
• Isaiah 44:6 refers to God as "the first and … the last."

from the new testament

• First Timothy 1:17 says, “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” God is the eternal, invisible King whose immortality and divinity deserve unending honor and glory.
• Revelation 1:8 says, "‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty’” (Revelation 1:8). God as "Alpha and Omega" affirms His presence across all time and His sovereign power over all existence.

implications for today

God being referred to as the "Ancient of Days" serves as a powerful reminder of His eternal nature and sovereignty over time and creation. Recognizing that God existed before and is outside of time helps us recognize that He sees the whole picture of our lives and of all the universe. He alone is all-knowing and unchanging amidst our ever-shifting world. Because of this, we can trust in His unfailing character, especially when we don’t understand our circumstances or those around us. We often grapple with uncertainties and anxieties about the future, but understanding that the Ancient of Days is not only timeless but also deeply loves us and is involved in our lives reassures us of His control, guidance, and goodness. We can boldly approach Him with our concerns, knowing He sees the bigger picture and will give us grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Embracing this provides us with the anchor we need to sustain our faith in the midst of a changing world. It also gives us peace, knowing we can follow the One who knows the end from the beginning.