Messiah

MESSI'AH is a Hebrew word signifying "anointed," and corresponding exactly to the Greek Christos. As in ancient times not only the king, but also the priest and the prophet, was consecrated to his calling by being anointed, the word "Messiah" often occurs in the O.T. in its literal sense, signifying one who has been anointed, 1 Sam 24:6; Lam 4:20; Eze 28:14; Ps 105:15; but generally it has a more specific application, signifying the One who was anointed, the supreme Deliverer who was promised from the beginning. Gen 3:15, and about whom a long series of prophecies runs through the whole history of Israel from Abram, Gen 12:3; Gen 22:18; Jacob, Gen 49:10: Balaam, Num 24:17; Moses, Deut 18:15, 1 Sam 30:18, and Nathan, 2 Sam 7:16; through the Psalmists and prophets, Ps 2; Ps 16; Ps 22; Ps 40; Ps 45; Ps 110; Isa 7:10-16; Isa 9:1-7; Isa 11; Isa 13; Isa 53; Isa 61; Jer 23:5-6; Mic 5:2; Mal 3:1-4, to his immediate precursor, John the Baptist. The character of these prophecies is very definite. The lineage from which Messiah should descend was foretold, Gen 49:10; Isa 11:1, the place in which he should be born, Mic 5:2, the time of his appearance, Dan 9:20, Gal 4:25; Hag 2:7; Mal 3:1, etc. Nevertheless, in the vanity of their hearts, the Jews mistook the true meaning of these prophecies. They expected a mere physical deliverer who would take revenge on their enemies and oppressors, and give into their hands the empire, the glory, and the wealth of the world. Thus many of them were unable to recognize the Messiah in Jesus of Nazareth; and when he and his disciples demonstrated the spiritual meaning of the prophecies and their glorious fulfilment. Matt 26:54; Mark 9:12; Luke 18:31; Luke 22:37; John 5:39; Acts 2:16-31; Acts 26:22-23; Eph 4:8; 1 Pet 1:11, the Jews felt scandalized. They expected a triumphant being, according to Ps 2; Jer 23:5-6; Zech 9:9, and that his triumph was to be accomplished by sufferings and death they did not understand.