Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Messianic" is derived from the Hebrew word "Mashiach," meaning "anointed one." In the context of the Bible, it refers to the expectation and fulfillment of the Messiah, a central figure in both Jewish and Christian theology. The concept of the Messiah is deeply rooted in the Old Testament and finds its fulfillment in the New Testament through the person of Jesus Christ.
Old Testament FoundationsThe anticipation of a Messiah is woven throughout the Old Testament, beginning with the promise of a redeemer in
Genesis 3:15, often referred to as the Protoevangelium, where God declares to the serpent, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." This passage is seen as the first hint of a coming savior who would defeat evil.
The Messianic hope is further developed in the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, where God assures them of a blessing to all nations through their descendants (
Genesis 12:3, 26:4, 28:14). The lineage of the Messiah is narrowed down to the tribe of Judah in
Genesis 49:10: "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples."
The Davidic Covenant in
2 Samuel 7:12-16 is another cornerstone of Messianic prophecy, where God promises David that his throne will be established forever: "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom."
Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel provide further insights into the nature and mission of the Messiah.
Isaiah 9:6-7 speaks of a child born to us, a son given, who will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 53 presents the suffering servant, a figure who bears the sins of many.
Jeremiah 23:5-6 foretells a righteous Branch from David's line who will reign wisely.
Daniel 7:13-14 describes the "Son of Man" who is given dominion and glory.
New Testament FulfillmentThe New Testament presents Jesus of Nazareth as the fulfillment of these Messianic prophecies. The Gospel of Matthew opens with a genealogy tracing Jesus' lineage back to David and Abraham, establishing His rightful claim to the Messianic title (
Matthew 1:1-17). The angel's announcement to Mary in
Luke 1:31-33 affirms Jesus' identity as the promised King: "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David."
Jesus Himself acknowledges His Messianic role. In
John 4:25-26, He reveals to the Samaritan woman, "I who speak to you am He," in response to her mention of the coming Messiah. His miracles, teachings, and fulfillment of prophecies serve as evidence of His Messianic identity. In
Luke 4:18-21, Jesus reads from
Isaiah 61 in the synagogue and declares, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
The apostles and early church also affirm Jesus as the Messiah. Peter's declaration in
Matthew 16:16, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," and Paul's writings, such as
Romans 1:1-4, emphasize Jesus' fulfillment of the Messianic promises: "concerning His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord."
Messianic Expectations and BeliefsIn contemporary terms, "Messianic" often refers to Jewish believers in Jesus who maintain their Jewish identity while accepting Him as the Messiah. This movement, known as Messianic Judaism, seeks to reconcile Jewish traditions with the belief in Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
The Messianic hope remains a central theme in Christian eschatology, with the expectation of Jesus' second coming to fully establish His kingdom on earth, as anticipated in passages like
Revelation 19:11-16, where He is depicted as the victorious King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Of or relating to the Messiah; as, the Messianic office or character.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
EXPECTATION, MESSIANICmes-i-an'-ik.
SeeCHRISTS, FALSE;ESCHATOLOGY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT; JESUS CHRIST; MESSIAH.
Greek
1694. Emmanouel -- "God with us," Immanuel, a name of Christ... Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Emmanouel Phonetic Spelling: (em-man-oo-ale')
Short Definition: Emmanuel Definition: Emmanuel, a
Messianic title derived
...605. apokatastasis -- restoration
... restoration. Cognate: 605 (from 600 , "restore") -- , referring to the "
in theMessianic kingdom (Millennium)" (G. Archer). Word...
1357. diorthosis -- a correction, a reform
... From a compound of dia and a derivative of orthos, meaning to straighten thoroughly;
rectification, ie (specially) theMessianic restauration -- reformation....
165. aion -- a space of time, an age
... From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by
implication, the world; specially (Jewish) aMessianic period (present or...
3824. paliggenesia -- regeneration, renewal
... From palin and genesis; (spiritual) rebirth (the state or the act), ie (figuratively)
spiritual renovation; specially,Messianic restoration -- regeneration....
Strong's Hebrew
7886. Shiloh -- perhaps "he whose it is," aMessianic title... 7885, 7886. Shiloh. 7887 . perhaps "he whose it is," a
Messianic title.
Transliteration: Shiloh Phonetic Spelling: (shee-lo') Short Definition: Shiloh.
...Library
Messianic Predictions in the Prophets.
...MESSIANIC PREDICTIONS IN THE PROPHETS. After the time of Solomon, theMessianic
prediction was for a considerable time discontinued....
TheMessianic Prophecies in the Pentateuch.
... THEMESSIANIC PROPHECIES IN THE PENTATEUCH.... The firstMessianic prediction, which
was uttered immediately after the fall of Adam, is also the most indefinite....
TheMessianic Call
... Part I. Preparatory VII TheMessianic Call. Matt.... The expression "My beloved Son"
had clearMessianic significance for Jesus' contemporaries (comp....
Messianic Discussion with John the Baptist.
... Sixth Book. 6.Messianic Discussion with John the Baptist. Then the Jews sent
priests and levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?...
Appendix xiv. The Law inMessianic Times.
... THE LAW INMESSIANIC TIMES. (See Vol.... In the text to which this Appendix refers it
has been indicated, that a new legislation was expected inMessianic days....
Figurative Style of CertainMessianic Prophecies in the Psalms...
... Wherein Christ is shown to be the Son of God, Who created the world Chapter
XIV."Figurative Style of CertainMessianic Prophecies in the Psalms Military...
Messianic Claims Met by Attempt to Stone Jesus.
... From the Third Passover Until Our Lord's Arrival at Bethany. (Time: One Year Less
One Week.) LXXX.Messianic Claims Met by Attempt to Stone Jesus. (Jerusalem....
The Disciples Prohibited to Reveal Christ'sMessianic Dignity....
... Section 181. The Disciples prohibited to reveal Christ'sMessianic Dignity."The
Weakness of Peter rebuked. (Matt., xvi., 20-28; Mark, viii., 30.)....
The Doctrine of the Resurrection the Body Will Rise Again....
... Jewish Perversions of Prophecy Exposed and Confuted.Messianic Psalms Vindicated.
Jewish and Rationalistic Interpretations on This Point Similar....
Christ the Deliverer.
... A great deal of importance was given toMessianic prophecies during the
days of the Saviour and the apostolic age of the church....
Thesaurus
Messianic... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Of or relating to the Messiah; as, the
Messianic office or character. Int.
... EXPECTATION,
MESSIANIC. mes-i-an'-ik.
...Immanuel (3 Occurrences)
... 4. Its Relation to theMessianic Hope: The question now presents itself as to
what was the relation of Immanuel to theMessianic prophecies....
Messiah (9 Occurrences)
... me-si'-a (mashiach; Aramaic meshicha'; Septuagint Christos, "anointed"; New Testament
"Christ"): 1. Meaning and Use of the Term 2. TheMessianic Hope I. THE...
Zealot (4 Occurrences)
... 2) bitterly opposed the threatened increase of taxation at the census of Quirinius,
and would have hastened by the sword the fulfillment ofMessianic prophecy....
Nathan (42 Occurrences)
... of generic prophecies. Nor is itMessianic, for 2 Samuel 7:14 could not
be reconciled with the sinlessness of Jesus. The message...
Gog (12 Occurrences)
... land of Magog, and he was the chief of those northern hordes who were to make a
final onslaught upon Israel while enjoying the blessings of theMessianic age....
False.
... Though in the multitude of impostors, who, in the troubled time between the rule
of Pilate and the destruction of Jerusalem, promisedMessianic deliverance to...
Restoration (4 Occurrences)
... When the restoration came and passed without fulfillment of this hope, the
Messianic era was projected into the future. By the time...
Christs (2 Occurrences)
... Though in the multitude of impostors, who, in the troubled time between the rule
of Pilate and the destruction of Jerusalem, promisedMessianic deliverance to...
Canaanite (74 Occurrences)
... 2) bitterly opposed the threatened increase of taxation at the census of Quirinius,
and would have hastened by the sword the fulfillment ofMessianic prophecy....
Resources
How can I identify messianic prophecies in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Messianic Judaism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Messianic Secret? | GotQuestions.orgMessianic: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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