messiah

Everyday

1. (religion) In Judaism, the Messiah is a future king from the family of David whom God will send to bring peace and rescue the Jewish people. tree →
2. (church) Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah (the Christ). tree →
3. A messiah is any leader people hope will save them or solve their problems (sometimes said with doubt). tree →

In the lessons

In religious education, pupils learn that «Messiah» comes from a Hebrew word meaning «anointed one», and «Christ» is the Greek word for the same; Jews are still waiting for the Messiah, while Christians believe he came in Jesus. In music, Handel's «Messiah» is famous at Christmas and Easter. Phrases: «the promised Messiah», «Handel's Messiah», «a would-be messiah».

Examples

• Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah. tree →
• Jewish people believe the Messiah has not yet come. tree →
• «Christ» is the Greek word for «Messiah». tree →
• Our choir sang the Hallelujah chorus from Handel's «Messiah». tree →
• The prophets spoke of a Messiah from the family of David. tree →
• Fans treated the new coach like a messiah. tree →
• The shepherds were told that the Messiah was born. tree →

Note

Capital M for the religious meaning. Adjective: messianic. Pronunciation: me-SY-ah. Say beliefs fairly: «Christians believe…», «Jews believe…».

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Jews wait for the Messiah, a descendant of David who will bring peace. The text here says Elijah is expected to come first and settle all disputed questions of the law. In the primary lessons: In religious education, pupils learn that «Messiah» comes from a Hebrew word meaning «anointed one», and «Christ» is the Greek word for the same; Jews are still waiting for the Messiah, while Christians believe he came in Jesus. In music, Handel's «Messiah» is famous at Christmas and Easter. Phrases: «the promised Messiah», «Handel's Messiah», «a would-be messiah».

Examples

• It is also believed that he is bound to come and decide all knotty points in the law, and to appear before the true Messiah arrives. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →

Note

Capital M for the religious meaning. Adjective: messianic. Pronunciation: me-SY-ah. Say beliefs fairly: «Christians believe…», «Jews believe…».