Messiah

[mi-sahy-uh]

noun

the promised and expected deliverer of the Jewish people.

Jesus Christ, regarded by Christians as fulfilling this promise and expectation. John 4:25, 26.

(usually lowercase) any expected deliverer.

(usually lowercase) a zealous leader of some cause or project.

(italics) an oratorio (1742) by George Frideric Handel.

Also Douay Bible, Mes·si·as

[mi-sahy-uh s] /mɪˈsaɪ əs/ (for defs 1, 2).

Origin of Messiah

< Late Latin (Vulgate) Messīās < Greek Messī́ās < Hebrew māshīaḥ literally, anointed

Related formsMes·si·ah·ship, nounMes·si·an·ic

[mes-ee-an-ik] /ˌmɛs iˈæn ɪk/, adjectiveMes·si·an·i·cal·ly, adverbpre-Mes·si·an·ic, adjectivepseu·do-Mes·si·an·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for messiah

lord, savior, Christ, Jesus, redeemer, Emmanuel

British Dictionary definitions for messiah

Messiah

noun

Judaism the awaited redeemer of the Jews, to be sent by God to free them

Jesus Christ, when regarded in this role

an exceptional or hoped for liberator of a country or people

Derived FormsMessiahship, noun

Word Origin for Messiah

C14: from Old French Messie, ultimately from Hebrew māshīach anointed

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for messiah

c.1300, Messias, from Late Latin Messias, from Greek Messias, from Aramaic meshiha and Hebrew mashiah "the anointed" (of the Lord), from mashah "anoint." This is the word rendered in Septuagint as Greek Khristos (see Christ). In Old Testament prophetic writing, it was used of an expected deliverer of the Jewish nation. The modern English form represents an attempt to make the word look more Hebrew, and dates from the Geneva Bible (1560). Transferred sense of "an expected liberator or savior of a captive people" is attested from 1660s.

messiah in Culture

Messiah

[(muh-seye-uh)]

For Jews (see also Jews) and Christians (see also Christian), the promised “anointed one” or Christ; the Savior. Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah who delivered mankind from its sins. Jews believe that the Messiah has not yet come.

Messiah

[(muh-seye-uh)]

In Judaism and Christianity, the promised “anointed one” or Christ; the Savior. Christians (see also Christian) believe that Jesus was the Messiah who delivered mankind from original sin (see also original sin). Jews (see also Jews) believe that the Messiah has not yet come.

Messiah

[(muh-seye-uh)]

An oratorio by George Frederick Handel on the life of Jesus. Written for solo singers, chorus, and orchestra, it contains the “Hallelujah Chorus.” In the United States, it is often sung during the Christmas season.