What does Messiah mean?

Q: What does Messiah mean?

Messiah comes from the Hebrew mashiach, 'anointed one' — one set apart by anointing with oil, as kings and priests were. Its Greek translation is Christos: 'Christ' and 'Messiah' are the same title in two languages.

Mashiach (H4899) means "anointed" — smeared with sacred oil. In Israel, prophets, priests, and above all kings were anointed to office; David repeatedly calls Saul "the LORD's anointed." Over time the prophets pointed to a coming Anointed One — THE Messiah — who would be the true King.

Daniel uses the word in its most famous prophetic setting:

“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.”Daniel 9:25 (KJV)

In Greek, mashiach was translated Christos (G5547) — so "Jesus Christ" means "Jesus the Messiah." John's Gospel shows the two words meeting, when Andrew runs to find his brother:

“He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.”John 1:41 (KJV)

"Christ," then, is not a surname but a throne-claim. Every time the New Testament says it, it declares Jesus the anointed King the prophets promised — prophet, priest, and king in one, each an anointed office.

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What does Messiah mean?

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