2007-01-04 07:02:19 · 20 answers · asked by carolyngilfoyle 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A savior.
Expanded definition here....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messiah
2007-01-04 07:03:27 · answer #1 · answered by Barrett G 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In Judaism, the Messiah (×ָשִ×××Ö· Standard Hebrew MaÅ¡Ãaḥ Arabic: Al-Masiḥ, اÙÙ
سÙØ), Tiberian Hebrew MÄšîªḥ, Aramaic ×ש×××) initially meant any person who was anointed by a prophet of God. In English today, in religious contexts, it is used in two major contexts: the anticipated saviour of the Jews, which has to come in the future to bring ultimate peace on earth. And secondly, the one who is anticipated as, regarded as, or professes to be a saviour or liberator. Jews, however, do not generally use the word "saviour" in reference to the messiah, primarily because of the Christian connotation of the word "saviour," and the sense in which that word is used by Christianity.
In the first century, Jews interpreted the prophecies of the Tanakh to refer more specifically to someone appointed by God to lead the Jewish people in the face of their tribulations with the Romans. Christians believe that these prophecies actually referred to a spiritual savior, and consider Jesus to be that messiah. The word Christ (Greek ΧÏιÏÏÏÏ, Christos, "the anointed one") is a literal translation of "mashiach" used in the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible, and derived from the Greek verb ÏÏÎ¹Ï "rub, anoint with scented unguents or oil, as was done after bathing", "anoint in token of consecration" (Liddell & Scott's Greek-English Lexicon).
In Islam, Jesus (Isa) is also called the Masih (Arabic for Messiah).
Some speculate that the Jewish concept of the Messiah did not arise as depicted in the Hebrew Scriptures, but rather originates in the Zoroastrian idea of Saoshyant. For similar figures in other religions, refer to the "See also" section in this article. [citation needed]
The Septuagint, an ancient Jewish translation of the Old Testament into Greek, translates all thirty-nine instances of the word messiah as Christos. The New Testament records the Greek form ÎεÏÏίαÏ, Messias, only twice, in John 1:41 and 4:25.
2007-01-04 07:04:16 · answer #2 · answered by Ryan M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The term Messiah basically means religious saviour.
The titles of 'The Christ' and 'The Messiah' were originally only held by the rightful King of Jerusalem. Over centuries the words have been distorted to suit the plans of the clerics.
The term 'Jesus Christ' is gramatically incorrect it should read 'Jesus the Christ', he was the rightful King of Jerusalem and if he wasn't then the titles of 'the Christ ' and 'the Messiah' don't apply to him.
2007-01-04 07:20:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Messiah, of course is Jesus Christ, but the term originated in the Jewish religion. The Jews believed a Savior or "Messiah" would come and saved them from oppression, slavery, corrupt rule, and the like. The Jews believed the Messiah would set up an earthly kingdom and rule as king over the Jews, but that's where the Jews got it wrong. Jesus came not to place a throne on the earth to physically rule, but he came to lay down his life to save them from their sin. This was how he truly saved them. Since Jesus didn't fit the mold of a Messiah that the Jews created, Jesus was rejected. Christianity came forth as Gentiles and some Jews recognized Jesus as the Messiah who saves us from our sin, death, hell, and the grave. I'm not saying all Jews don't believe Jesus was the Messiah, but most don't. In fact, the term "Messianic Jew" describes a Jew who has accepted Jesus as the Messiah who came to save them.
2007-01-04 07:08:19 · answer #4 · answered by childofgod2911 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Messiah, Christ, are words meaning Anointed.
Kings in Israel were anointed showing they had Jehovah's backing.
Jesus as Jehovah's Anointed King of the Kingdom, is rightly called Messiah or Christ.
Moses was also called christ in the book of Hebrews.
David was anointed by Nathan.
2007-01-04 07:08:29 · answer #5 · answered by TeeM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word 'Messiah' comes from the Hebrew for 'Anointed 0ne'
It was specifically used for the 0ne who would come to redeem Israel.
Chritians recognise Y';shua HaMaschiach as THE Messiah.
2007-01-08 06:43:34 · answer #6 · answered by alan h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The final Messiah will be the greatest leader and political genius that the world has ever seen. He will likewise be the wisest man ever to have lived. He will put these extraordinary talents to use to precipitate a worldwide revolution which will bring perfect social justice to humanity, and influence all people to serve God with a pure heart.
2007-01-04 08:47:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word messiah comes from the Hebrew 'moshiach' which means 'anointed'. In common parlance it means to refer to the person who will lead the world into the Kingdom of God.
2007-01-04 07:05:26 · answer #8 · answered by mzJakes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The messiah is God the great all supreme ruler of the whole world
2007-01-04 07:09:35 · answer #9 · answered by paperchasewealthy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Messiah is one who brings the message directly from God.
He does not pass go and does not collect £200.
2007-01-04 07:05:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋